River Stake Women's Conference 2013
"Come... Sit With Us!"
Our Women's Conference theme this year helps us focus on
the qualities of Charity and what it means when we say the
"pure love of Christ." We learn charity, provide charity and
receive charity as we"sit together" as sisters in Zion.
Over 200 sisters joined in during the day of our Women's Conference to complete over 700 projects. That evening, we still had over 300 attend the chapel meeting. Here is a glimpse of the happy hours spent from 9AM to 1PM. We have amazing sisters - so willing to donate, work, and complete assignments so these local needs could be met.
The sister who chaired the committee for service was Laurie Reeve of the 5th Ward. Many, many hours were spent meeting as a group, identifying needs, contacting organizations, dividing up responsibilities, organizing donations, and setting up the flow of the event. Laurie has such a testimony of service, and it radiated to all who participated that day.
Donations Boxes like these were in each ward Relief Society. They were turned in overflowing with generous donations. |
The committee set up the cultural hall so everyone would have plenty of room to work.
(Above & below) are the beautiful journals made for the "Hearts Knit Together" project for battered women. |
There is not a happier sound on earth than that of women visiting as they work together for good. All ages & all stages in life joined us to serve. Single sisters, mothers with children, mothers & daughters, grandmothers... so many gave of themselves! Their faces say it all - happiness comes from service.
At the end of the service project - this is what was accomplished:
Welcome Kits - for the River Crest Branch Sisters - 30
Beaded Bracelets - 28
Beaded Necklaces - 19
Stretchy Headbands - 64
Girls Hairclips - 64
Baby Jingle Boxes - 31
Scrapbook Journals - 120
Fleece Lapquilts - 66 completed, 54 partially completed
Children's Book Bags - 43
Matching Scarf/Hat Sets - 52
Stuffed Felt Hearts - 150
Donations (uncounted) of products, supplies, cash, etc...
Total Projects: 721
Laurie Reeve received this letter of thanks from one of the many organizations that benefited from the day of service:
To the Wonderful Relief Society Sisters of the South Jordan Utah River Stake:
What an amazing response your stake had for your day of service!!!!!!!
It was Like Christmas all day yesterday as your individual wards delivered your beaded necklaces and bracelets, the darling headbands and hairclips, the cute jingle boxes, the journals that were done so exquisitely, the array of hearts in so many colors and the beautiful blankets! We had so much delight in organizing and putting away all your hard work! I felt so blessed to give some of you a tour of our project room.
I was also praying for the beautiful hats and scarves, towels, the women's hygiene products and cash that we needed so much to get the 105 women's kits done by the end of the month! Just like the honey bees that Brother Ballard talked about in October conference, you were an answer to prayers and your combined efforts made a huge impact!!!
There is so much violence in the world that brings so much pain and heartache in the lives of so many. We are so grateful that with the combined efforts of so many, we are able to provide some encouragement with these welcome kits that contain a message of hope and love to those who are going through so much trauma in their lives. Thank you so much from all of us at Hearts Knit Together. May the Lord bless you with his Spirit in abundance for your efforts.
Gratefully,
Linda Simmons, Project Coordinator
Hearts Knit Together
An Inner City Project
At 1:00 PM the Cultural Hall began an amazing transformation. Projects and donations were quickly moved into the Primary Room so the evening meeting could take place. Many hands made light work!
The day was just getting started! That evening we gathered for the chapel meeting. (Click on "Older Posts" at the bottom of this page to view the meeting, Instant Choir, beautiful decorations, and delicious refreshments)