Service Opportunity

Hello Sisters;

As you make plans for upcoming RS Meetings, please consider this worthy cause that has been brought to our attention.

This project was initiated by low-income widows who serve in the Temple View Branch.  They donate generously to the following organizations:

YWCA Women in Jeopardy Program

(for battered women & children)

South Valley Sanctuary

(for high risk women & children)

Life Start Village

(a part of the Family Support Center

for homeless women & children)

Holding Out Help

(provide safe houses for escapees

from polygamist communities)

The Center of Women & Children in Crisis 

(Orem, Utah)

There are two kinds of kits they assemble, and a variety of miscellaneous 

items they are in need of.  If you feel your Relief Society would welcome a project 

such as this, the contact information is included on the brochure we have scanned here.  

(Click on photos to enlarge)

We also have a DVD they have given us that has a 

short 8-minute video explaining it's purpose.  

Please contact Anne Petersen @ (801) 254-2193, or email me at:  appetersen@me.com.  

Preparedness Idea from the 1st Ward

Sisters - we just LOVE it when you share what has been going on in your wards.  With the Stake Theme - we were so happy to receive this idea.  Thank you to Melanie Jones of the 1st Ward for sending it in.  Here is what they did - in their own words.

We did a fun Emergency Preparedness night activity in February and I took some pictures.  Since the solar oven we featured is the stake item for the month, I thought it appropriate to send in something. 

 

 

River 1st Relief Society Emergency Preparedness Night- February 2011

 

After the fires in Herriman last fall, we wanted to share a few tips on emergency preparedness that we have learned from our friends and relatives who had to evacuate and also talk about fuel preparedness.

 

Did you know if you only use cell phones, the city can't give you a reverse 911 call to let you know of an evacuation unless you register your cell phone with them?

Do you have an emergency grab and go list?  How about a list divided into 5 minutes, 15 minutes or 60 minutes of evacuation time? 

Have you divided responsibilities for younger children or pets with older children or other adults in the home?

Does anyone outside of your home have an emergency contact list containing all your cell phone, work phone and school phone numbers and know where you would go in an emergency?

Does your 72 hour kit contain items appropriate for work or school?  In Herriman, school continued as usually and most adults still had to go to work while evacuated.

 

Fuel Storage Basics

Most of us store food, but do we have any fuel to cook it?

Consider diversifying fuels and make sure you have all the equipment necessary to use them.

Matches- waterproof or keep in waterproof container

Sterno- safe for indoor use and you can cook about 6 meals per 7 oz. can or 2 hours total burn time

White Gasoline or Coleman Fuel- burns hotter and cleaner 1 qt. burns 4 to 10 hours, use outdoors!

Kerosene- cheap and can be burned indoors, stores for a long time, kerosene heaters

Propane- use and store outdoors!

Charcoal-  cheap, store airtight to last longer (plastic bag in garbage can).  Each briquette will produce about 40 degrees of heat

Solar Ovens- homemade or store bought, just need to get food to 180 or higher to start cooking process

 

Remember that anything that produces carbon monoxide gas is not safe to use indoors (like propane).  Also remember most fuels should be stored outside.  Consider fuel stabilizers or treatments to prevent sludginess.

 

More Information: Women of Faith in the Latter Days

In the January Visiting Teaching Message - we find one reason we should be looking to the past history of faithful Relief Society women...


Understanding our history helps make us an effective part of the future of Relief Society.  President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985) explained, "We know that women who have deep appreciation for the past will be concerned about shaping a righteous future."


You may be interested in contributing to the Women of Faith in the Latter Days history project currently being worked on.  We all share a rich heritage through our family histories.  


This could be an idea for an upcoming Relief Society Meeting - where sisters are invited to share short inspirational stories of faithful women from their own family histories (past or present).


Here is more information about the series (soon to be published) by Deseret Book currently underway:

(this appears to be cut off, but a screenshot
would only include this small amount of information)
For further information, go to the actual website at: womenoffaith.org

Relationships... a Relief Society Meeting Idea from the 4th Ward

On February 8th, the 4th Ward enjoyed a successful evening learning about improving relationships of all types - at home, work, church, with family members, and spouses.  Their RS Historian submitted these photos & description.  Thanks for sharing!
(and please... we would love ALL wards to be submit information - see the right sidebar for info on how...)  

Sharie Clark (the 2nd counselor in the 4th Ward) uses email reminders the night before their Relief Society Meetings - a very effective way to keep sisters informed (and save on paper!)

Here is their short email message sent out the night before on Feb 7th:

February is Valentine's Month and what better thing to talk about than relationships!  This Tuesday at our Relief Society Meeting Val Baldwin will be talking to us about the 9 essential keys in all our relationships.  She is a widely known speaker, TV personality, and relationship coach.  We will begin at 7:00 PM in the cultural hall.  Please come join us for a great evening of great information we can all use - AND  a chocolate fountain!

We hope to see you!  Feel free to invite your neighbors, daughters, mothers, and friends to join us!

See you on Tuesday at 7:00 PM!

Sharie

Val Baldwin - speaker

Bethany & Becky Hansen, Linda Sandstrom

Sharie Clark (2nd Counselor) & Pat Wilkins (RS Meeting Committee member)
set up a chocolate fountain for after the speaker.

Sharlene Crosgrove & Debbie Maynard

Couponing 101

Forgive my (long) absence.  I would appreciate it if any of you readers would send me ideas you would like featured here.  Instead of trying to catch up (after the busy holidays and sending my son on his mission) - I will just jump right in and add an idea from my own ward Relief Society.  I would like to see other wards featured - I just need your information & pics.  Please send them to me at: appetersen@me.com

Thanks to Karen Palmer (4th Ward RS Historian) for taking & submitting these photos of the meeting held in the 4th Ward Relief Society on January 11th.  A screen was set up where our presenter walked through each of the websites (as shown above) that she found most valuable.

Julie Smith (seated) visiting with Jane McClement's daughters - Marta & Lori (standing)

The photo above is of our presenter (seated at the computer) - Julie Smith.  She is the daughter-in-law of Claudia Smith (seated below with her daughter Katie)  She was gracious enough to talk Julie into sharing her expertise in this meeting.

Claudia Smith & daughter Katie

It was a fascinating meeting - we learned how to make couponing actually profitable with little commitment or fuss.  Following the meeting, a hot chocolate bar was set up to make your own gourmet hot chocolate.  It was good to linger and enjoy it while visiting.

Hot chocolate bar - prepared by Pat Wilkins & Kris Stratton 

JoAnn Martin & Erin Luke (of the 4th Ward) take a chance to visit. 

Below are scans of the handouts used.  Thanks to the 4th Ward for sharing this (great) idea!

A few meeting ideas...

Here are a few ideas for RS Meetings you may want to consider.

T.L.C.

*Temple*Lunch*Companionship*

This could be a way to help any sister get to the temple on a regular basis, and especially those sisters who who have difficulty getting there for various reasons.  Babysitting and carpooling could be offered, and you may consider offering it quarterly, or even monthly.

Empty Nesters

A time for those who no longer have children living at home to come enjoy dinner and good company.  

S.I.S.ter Day  (acronym for "Self-Improvement Saturday")

An alternative to what has been known in the past as Super Saturday.  A time to try a new skill, something new, or work on a project of your own.  Consider using sisters in your own ward, or at least in our stake as your instructors.

If your presidency & Bishop prefer to offer a traditional Super Saturday, keep in mind the guidelines in the RS Handbook.  

Here are a few project ideas that might peak your interest...

Fun with Jars  (Glass Etching, Gift Ideas, Take-Home Treat)  Showing how to use jars in various ways.  Tutorial link is HERE.

Picture Frame Dry Erase Board:

Using spray paint, fabric, and new (or old) picture frames.  Tutorial link is HERE.

Cafe Apron:

Taking a simple folded napkin, adding a waistband, and transforming it into a kitchen apron.  Great beginning sewing idea, as it is very easy.  Tutorial link is HERE.

Focus on your GIFTS...which are stable.

A recent BYU devotional caught my attention this week, and I thought it had great potential for a RS Meeting idea.

Economic conditions are s-l-o-w-l-y improving - so slow in fact, that it's hard to see much progress.  Many are still struggling with job & financial stress.  For families & individuals who are lucky enough to have stable jobs right now, they may feel a bit of (anxious) gratitude - but realize that could change at any time.

This devotional is entitled "What Is Your Calling in Life?" by Jeffrey Thompson of BYU.  It is available in both audio and a transcript.  Listen to it first, then examine the written transcript (that is downloaded at this LINK)

You may have a resource in your ward who would be able to present these ideas - which are based on the Gospel.  It may be the kind of activity/workshop that both Priesthood & Relief Society would benefit from together.

He presents several examples & stories that illustrate his message - one in particular is about zookeepers, and how they view their 'job' as a calling.

Here is one nugget of wisdom included in his talk that I thought was excellent and applies to all of us - no matter our situation at present...

When you are negatively affected by unstable economic conditions, focus on your gifts, which are stable.   You may have to take a job that is below your level of qualification.  If so, perform the work with drive, and use your gifts to put your unique stamp on your contributions. Doing so will increase your chances of finding better employment later.  You may even suffer joblessness for a time. Research shows that unemployment can have a devastating long-term impact on self-confidence, on health, and on happiness.   

I submit that having a sense of calling is part of your inoculation against the vicissitudes of the job market. Know yourself.  Know what your gifts are. And define yourself by your gifts—not by your lack of a job.  Contrary to what the world might tell you, you don’t have to have a job to express your calling in life. If the world at present is not willing to pay you for what you can do, then donate your spiritual gifts to worthy causes—perhaps through public service or volunteering—until the value of those gifts becomes so evident that people want to pay you a fair wage for them.  Even in a booming economy, you may have to create your own opportunities to fulfill your calling in life.  Despite what most fairy tales imply, real-life princes and princesses don’t just wait around for their dreams—or dream jobs—to come true.

New Mormon.org

This could be an idea for a midweek RS meeting.  Sisters could learn of this new missionary tool by making it part of a presentation on missionary work.  A member of your RS Meeting Committee could teach it, someone in your ward or stake with this type of skill could teach it, or it could be an opportunity to simply view the profiles that are currently on the website for ideas.

Here is an explanation...

New changes are coming to Mormon.org - the biggest of which is the profiles of members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Their goal is to have 1,000 profiles of Mormons by the end of May 2010.

The new Mormon.org is designed for visitors to learn more about members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Each profile is a collection of stories and testimonies from Mormons.  Participation is optional, but you must be a member of the Church to create a profile.  The profiles will be made public this summer when the new site will launch.  English only profiles will be available this year; other languages will follow.

Here is an example of a profile...  (Click on the photo for more information)

Cinco de Mayo - 4th Ward May RS Meeting

The new 4th Ward Presidency launched their second mid-week RS meeting on May 5th - the actual day of Cinco de Mayo.  Their new RS Meeting Committee went to work advertising with this bright poster.  Since Stake Conference fell the Sunday before, they wanted to make sure it was well advertised - and flyers were handed out in all auxiliaries the week before that.  The day before, a ward-wide email went out reminding the sisters.

Each table was set with simple Mexican decor, and there was a small cup of mexican soda similar to carbonated apple juice (the name escapes me!) for everyone to taste.

A 'Cafe-Rio-like' buffet was set up, and the sisters served themselves in tin pans similar to the restaurant. 

After dinner, Jane McClement introduced her son Brian - who served his mission in Mexico.  He spoke about the Cinco de Mayo holiday - which is only celebrated in a very limited region in Mexico, and more so in the United States.  (Here is a little synopsis below)  We found that it is NOT to be confused with Mexican Independence Day - which is celebrated on September 16th.

Cinco de Mayo (Spanish for "fifth of May") is a holiday held on May 5 that commemorates the Mexican army's unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of General Ignacio Zaragoza Seguín.^[2][3] It is celebrated primarily in the state of Pueblaand in the United States.^[4][5][6][7] While Cinco de Mayo sees limited significance and celebration nationwide in Mexico, the date is observed nationwide in the United States and other locations around the world as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride.^[8] Cinco de Mayo is not Mexico's Independence Day,^[9] the most important national patriotic holiday in Mexico.^[10]

Claire Chance - the RS Meeting Coordinator (official title, notice?) gave a little quiz to see how much we remembered.

Following Brian, Cami Clark (Sharie's daughter) spoke of her experience teaching English in Mexico.  She  set up a slide show and gave us background on food, culture, etc...  She spoke of the hard-working, humble people she worked with.

This was a fun atmosphere to mingle and visit - which all sister really miss because of limited time during the Sunday meeting times.  It was also a way to get to know Cami better - one of the talented, younger sisters in Relief Society.

*Many thanks to Karen Palmer - she is a fantastic photographer/historian for the 4th Ward Relief Society.  She always makes a point to bring her camera to every activity - just in case.

Each RS should think about having a historian - just think how fortunate we were to have the photos in the Women's Conference slide show...

*We would love to spotlight your recent RS Meetings so we can share ideas.  Photos are great, but not absolutely necessary - so don't let that deter you!  Please send them to me by email, or I can swing by and pick them up from you if needed.  My email is located to the right...

Welcome New 8th Ward Presidency

Last night we were happy to get to know the new RS Presidency in the 8th Ward.

Here they are (from left to right...) Jill Petersen (president), Kathy Eskelson (1st counselor), Paula Hardy (2nd counselor), and Barbara Mitchell (secretary). They have been in just a short time, but already have several things planned.

One in particular that sounded fun was a "Sisters In Zion Picnic" - which is essentially a mother/daughter activity. The name has been changed to be more inclusive for all sisters in their ward. (What a great idea!)

The theme they are using this year is "The Empowered Woman" - which was instituted by the recently released presidency.

Their ward has always had the most success in their RS Meetings when sisters are given the opportunity to work on humanitarian projects.

They currently have a humanitarian committee where 3 sisters decide on projects that would be beneficial and of interest to the sisters of their ward to help with. Their bishopric often states that the 'humanitarian fund' in their ward is always generously contributed to - and they often have to come up with projects to use those donations.

One recent project they shared with us last night - which was making burial clothing for stillborn and very premature infants.

There is a real need for these items, as parents are most often not prepared for finding appropriate clothing to dress these very tiny infants in prior to their burial. It is common practice now to turn these very tiny deceased babies over to their parents - even at 16 weeks gestation. What a difficult time for parents (most often young and struggling financially), and what a relief to be offered lovingly handcrafted items as a service to them.

Shown below is the basket where sisters can bring their finished items and place them during Sunday RS Meetings.

To give you an idea of how small these are, here are some photos.

These are burial shrouds - often the infants are so small that clothing them is impossible.

These are like tiny sleeping bags or buntings where only the little face is showing

These are small gowns which are much easier to dress such a tiny baby.

The ward RS provided small doll-sized patterns.

The caps are made from ribbing, cut to length and tied with ribbon at the top.

Hard to imagine how hard it would be to prepare such a small infant for burial.

These are small pads to place beneath the baby, with a pouch to enclose absorbent material.

Lovingly crocheted afghans that are 12" square.

Items such as these can rarely be found or purchased, and if they are available - they are often expensive and costly to ship quickly enough to be used in time for a burial.

The sweet thing about this is the fact that the hands that touched these donated items before the parents, did so with much love and compassion - so different than mass production from a business.




*Update to this post (added Sept 10, 2016)

So many have requested patterns and sources for these gowns, I have added a new post with that information.  See the link to this post here:

http://riverstakereliefsociety.blogspot.com/2016/09/infant-burial-bereavement-clothing-ideas.html

Testimony Tag

With one of the themes of our Saturday evening adult meeting of Stake Conference a few weeks ago, I've become more aware of opportunities to share testimony (in unobtrusive ways) with those we mingle with. Mingling can happen in many ways today - especially with the great tool of the internet.

I found this as I browsed the subject of using the internet for promoting the Gospel. I thought it had merit. Below I've included an example found on a personal blog that highlights this. It is subtle, noticeable, and invites curiosity without confronting others with the "golden question". (It is found HERE)

Wouldn't it be fun to have a RS Meeting where examples such as these are shared by your own ward members?

You might want to see the actual link where I found this idea - which is HERE.

Here is what Elder Ballard has said concerning the subject:

Elder M. Russell Ballard said "May I ask that you join the conversation by participating on the Internet, particularly the New Media, to share the gospel and to explain in simple and clear terms the message of the Restoration." (See video below)

Sharing your testimony or experiences of the Gospel via a blog has three principal benefits:

1. You increase your faith in the Gospel and stand as a witness of Christ.

2. You help increase the faith of your readers and may interest some to learn more about the Mormon Church.

3. You increase the likelihood that individuals searching for information about the Church on the web will be more likely to find fair and accurate information about the Church.

Sample Personal Blog Post:

Our Family is Forever

On our recent trip, while filling up at a gas station, Neal saw a bumper sticker that gave him a brilliant idea. Pretty soon he was writing in the dust on the back window. It took me a moment to figure out what he wrote (since I was reading it backwards from inside the car). I had to chuckle when I realized that he had written mormon.org. What better way to let people know that this is our religion and we are proud of it. I am so grateful to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Our trip was wonderful and a challenge at the same time. As hard as it is to travel 3500 miles with three kids, 5 and younger, it was so worth it to be able to spend such quality time together. I love my husband and children I am so thankful to know that we can be an together forever. "What matters most is what lasts the longest..." and I hope my family knows that they are what matters most to me.


(You have to look really close because the rain washed most of the dirt away.)