4th Ward RS Birthday Party - Angels Among Us

The 4th Ward honored past Relief Society Presidents - a fitting way to commemorate the birthday of Relief Society.  They began with a delicious chicken, pasta, green salad dinner.  The tables were decorated in greens, blues, and fresh white.  Photos of many sisters' hands (engaged in service, of course!) were part of the centerpieces at each table.  Names of the sisters were to be matched to the photos.  

Each table was decorated with photos of sisters' hands performing service.

Each past president of the 4th Ward was invited to speak about the highlights, challenges, and blessings they experienced during their service.  Such great women!

Vickie Johnston

Kathryn Marsh

Claudia Smith

Renae Brady

Holly White

Jane McClement

Our current president - Leanne Douglas

2nd Ward RS Birthday Social

The theme for the 2nd Ward birthday social was "Is the Blessings of Relief Society Written in Your Hearts? " which goes along with their theme for the year, which is "Written in Your Hearts" taken from Sister Linda K. Burton's talk at the General Relief Society meeting last fall.


They had a special guest speaker, Sister Barbara Thompson who was a General Relief Society counselor to Julie B. Beck. Oh, she has such a gift!  She gave a beautiful talk around the theme and told many stories of her experiences as a missionary and from serving in the General Relief Society presidency. 


They are fortunate to have a special relationship with Sister Thompson, since Merlynn Newbold and Kathy Thompson of the 2nd Ward are her sisters, and their Bishop Brother Andy Thompson is her brother! 

Dinner was delicious pasta with different sauces, tossed green salad, and an array of beautiful desserts. It was a wonderful evening with a great turn-out!

8th Ward RS Birthday - "Get Purse-onal"

The 8th Ward held their birthday social using a "Purse" theme.  In past years we have enjoyed other wards' adaptation of this theme - and these 8th Ward sisters "PURSE-ONALIZED" it to make it totally unique to them!

Each table was decorated differently - each with a different hand-made tempting dessert as the centerpiece.

Tamra Adams, Paula Hardy

Jill Petersen (RS President) & Dianne Blaney

A beautiful buffet of items to make chef's salad was arranged.  Before lining up to enjoy salads, there were a few games (following the purse theme) going on.  Points for purse contents, most unusual item, heaviest purse, lightest purse, etc...  We learned a LOT about each other based on the contents of our bags!

Following dinner, we enjoyed hearing Anjie Barney (of the 1st Ward) speak on how we as women have many talents, traits, and abilities that make us unique.  As unique as the contents of our purse.

Sister Anjie Barney - of the 1st Ward - is seated at the far right.
She was the speaker tonight.

A few more games, and everyone had a sampling of the dessert "centerpieces" on each of the tables.  Isn't sisterhood delicious?!

Opportunity for Giving

The McCoy family in our Stake (our former Stake Relief Society President Lani McCoy and her Daughters-in-Law Tara McCoy and Jessica McCoy and their families) are undertaking a wonderful quilt-making service project. They are trying to help the Sandy Hook Elementary students cope with Friday's tragedy.  As a family they are trying to accomplish this feat, but would love any help you can offer. 

In their own words . . .

"I have thought a lot about the tragic events that took place on Friday. I have wanted to help in some way. I have wanted to reach out and let these families and these children know that as a nation we are praying for them and wishing the best for them. The thought came to me that maybe I could convince my family and friends to help me make enough quilts for each of the students at Sandy Hook Elementary. Growing up, a homemade flannel quilt always made me feel safe and loved. That is the feeling I would like to give these children. I know that it will take much more than a quilt but maybe a quilt could help a little. If you are interested in helping, please let me know." 

Quilt dimensions: The quilts need to be flannel on both sides, 45 x 60 with 11 ounce batting and tied with yarn. They need to be done by January 15th. If you want to help but time is too short we welcome donations of materials or money to buy the materials as well. Thanks!"

How you can help:

1. make one or more flannel quilt(s) as described above; finished and delivered to Lani McCoy's home (10828 South 1255 West) by January 15
2. assist in tying and binding (see "When and Where" below)
3. donating for supplies as they are trying to make a quilt for every student of the elementary - not just the families of the victims  (deliver to Lani ASAP)
4. lend quilting frames (contact Lani as she's trying to route out as many as possible for this Saturday - see "When and Where" below)

When and Where:

The red church building (1249 W 10775 S, South Jordan) is reserved Saturday, December 22, from 10am - 3pm. You can drop off finished quilts, supplies, and/or your hands to help assemble, tie, and bind quilts. You can also drop off items to Lani McCoy. The deadline for finished quilts is January 15, 2013.

While they acknowledge that this is a hard time of year with stress and strain on everyone, any help you can give is deeply and graciously accepted. If you have any questions, contact Lani McCoy 801-254-6330 or Tara McCoy at 801-867-4515 or Jessica MCoy at 801-254-7757.

General Relief Society Broadcast 2012

What a great opportunity it was to gather as Relief Society sisters in the River Stake to hear messages from our newly sustained General Relief Society Presidency - as well as the First Presidency on September 29, 2012.

The new General Relief Society Presidency from left to right - Sister Carole Stephens (who lives in our own River 6th Ward), Sister Linda K. Burton, and Sister Linda S. Reeves are filled with the spirit and radiate their great love for the sisters of the church.  We loved hearing each of their inspired messages.

Following the Broadcast, we continued to bask in the warmth of the meeting as we gathered in the cultural hall for a hot chocolate bar and homemade cinnamon rolls.

Many thanks to the wonderful sisters who helped that evening.  Our chairman for the gathering after the Broadcast was Kris Stratton (left).  She had great support from Pat Wilkins (right) and JoAnn Martin.

It was a beautiful display of everything you could wish for in a cup of warm hot chocolate.  Thanks to the many sisters who brought their heavenly homemade cinnamon rolls and so many ingredients for the chocolate bar.

There is nothing more enjoyable than sharing conversation, smiles, and laughter with uplifting women.

A big thank you to our capable Priesthood brethren - Brother Mike Wilson (2nd from the right) who is our wonderful representative from the High Council to the Relief Society - as well as Dave Bennett, Ty Lombardi, and Dennis Sweat (three dedicated, supportive husbands!)   We couldn't do it without you!  Thanks also to Brother Roger Harrison for setting up the satellite feed and sound in the chapel.

Women's Conference - May 10, 2012

Sister Cindy Hilton served as our Advertising Chairman this year.
The posters and invitations were beautiful, and her committee made
certain each sister was well informed & personally invited.

Our Women's Conference this year focused on realizing that the secret to our happiness and joy lies in learning to love the Book of Mormon, and applying the eternal principles there.  Over 500 sisters joined us this year - a record!


Our speakers were our own Sister Barbara Sweat, our dear President Sohm, and Sister Sheri Winkelkotter.  Their messages centered around "being enough" and basking in gratitude for all the blessings the restored gospel provides.  Many personal stories of life experiences in good times (and not so good times) were shared, along with their testimonies of the things that matter most.  Sometimes it's when we feel like we're "dwelling in a tent" that we have some of our most significant spiritual experiences.

Barbara Sweat & Sheri Winkelkotter

We are excited to have copies of both Barbara's & Sheri's talks at the very end of the next four posts for Women's Conference...  (keep scrolling - clicking on "older posts" if necessary)  Enjoy!

Thanks to these beautiful young women who shared their talents
as part of the violin ensemble.

In case you were not able to attend, here is a copy of the program for Women's Conference 2012: