Presidency message

Sisters – did you know that you represent the Lord?

Yes, you do! Each and every time you interact with a sister you are called to minister to, you help them to feel the love and support of the bishopric and the Relief Society leaders. As stated in D&C 20:33, you are to “watch over” Church members and “be with and strengthen them.”

Last week in sacrament meeting, Debbie Roderick, our new First Counselor in the West Relief Society, spoke eloquently about her experiences with ministering that it led us to look at our church resources about ministering to better understand what we need to do. From the General Handbook, we learn the specific responsibilities for ministering include:

• Helping them strengthen their faith in Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ

• Helping them prepare to make and keep sacred covenants with God as they receive ordinances. As needed, this also includes helping the parents to prepare their children to receive ordinances and keep covenants.

• Discern needs and provide Christlike love, caring and service

• Helping them to become spiritually and temporally self-reliant

This higher order of ministering (versus visiting teaching) requires us to think about our ministering sisters more deeply, to seek the Spirit regularly, and stand ready to follow where the Spirit leads us. Reaching out is always great in-person but there are other ways to connect: phone calls, FaceTime or video calls, texts, emails letters, social media and even just connecting at church. As Debbie mentioned in her talk, even the smallest efforts can be key in providing hope and showing that they are loved and being “watched over”.

We hope that despite the demands of work, school and/or family that you’ll be able to connect with your sisters regularly, and seek the Spirit continually to help and strengthen them along the covenant path. We promise that as you do so, your spiritual lamps will be filled and your faith will be strengthened.

If you’re not currently a ministering sister but would like to be, or have any concerns, please contact your Relief Society President and we would be happy to connect you with a sister who needs your watch-care.

We love you and pray for you to be blessed with all that you stand in need of each and every day.

Olivia, Debbie, Tonya, Vicki – Relief Society West Presidency

Robyn, Brecken, Martha and Karlie – Relief Society East Presidency

September Service Extravaganza - Lots of opportunities to serve coming in September!

Gayton Ward JUST SERVE Day at Shalom Farms,  Saturday, Sept 6th from 9am to 12pm

              Join us for a favorite Gayton Ward tradition--harvesting fresh vegetables for community members with                             limited access to healthy food. All ages and abilities are welcome!

                             👉 Sign up here

Relief Society Sister Spotlights

You can find our sister's spotlights in this Google Drive folder: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1GiR-hiSq5LmkEd0Y0KJq7LzZN1-kWtuy 

Relief Society Leaders

West Relief Society

President: Olivia Smith

First Counselor: Debbie Roderick

Second Counselor: Tonya Tingen

Secretary: Vicki Scruggs

East Relief Society

President: Robyn Anderson

First Counselor: Brecken Eagar

Second Counselor: Martha Smith

Secretary: Karlie Abrams

Relief Society Callings

Teachers:

Li Tang

Ministering Service Coordinators:

Michelle Thorpe 

Debra Caudill

Julie Emanuele

Storehouse Liaison:

Elizabeth Dunbar

Activities Commitee:

Lori Dudas

Shirley Garfield

Shawn A. Lawson

Lauren Shirley

Barbara Myrick

Luciana Silverio

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