Ward Christmas Party

November Message

Hello Sisters! 

In D&C 59:21 it reads: “And in nothing doth man offend God, or against none is his wrath kindled, save those who confess not his hand in all things, and obey not his commandments”.

In this season of being thankful I am reminded of the many things in my life that I am thankful for. The main reasons I am thankful are for my husband, my children and this wonderful and glorious Gospel that we are a part of. We have the knowledge that families can be together forever and we have the exact plan for happiness.

I am also thankful for you sisters and the love that you have shown me and my family, and for the love that you show all the sisters in this ward. I have seen you support, love and care for each other in the short time that I have been here, and my testimony grows every time I am around you.

So why did I start this message with a scripture that talks about offending God? Because we are thankful for so much but do we stop and thank the power that has given us all we have? I have to admit, I am guilty of not thanking my Father in Heaven but I have now made a commitment to thank Him daily and I ask that you join me in this challenge. Take the time out of our busy schedules to be thankful for our many blessings and personally thank our Father for them. He is waiting for our thanks.

I love you sisters, and I am thankful for all of you every day.

Let us all be thankful.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Love,

Sister Calise Zollinger

Activity This Thursday

Super Saturday is Coming

Super Saturday is coming up on November 2nd!

Sign up sheets are available at church on Sundays. You may also sign up by emailing Siera Peterson at sieracorier@yahoo.com

Here is a list of the crafts that will be available:

1. Picture Frame Stands - (pricing TBD)

2. Holiday Frame Wreath - (pricing TBD)

3. Personal Christmas Planner - (pricing TBD)

4. Chalk Board Banner - $14

5. Wooden Nativity - $4

6. Tea Towel Apron for Children - Bring your own tea towel (1 per apron) and ribbon (2 yards)

7. Mounted Temple Picture - $17

Not Currently Pictured (see at church)

8. Holiday Vinyl Wood Blocks - $14

9. Christmas Sign - $20

Coming Up

Sisters,

I am really looking forward to our time together this Saturday as we will gather to enjoy the counsel from our leaders.  We will begin with a dinner at 7pm. The theme of dinner is "breakfast" foods. Who doesn't love a good waffle for dinner? Come join us for food and fun!! Please carpool if possible as parking at my house is going to be a challenge!!  (We can make it work, we have done it for graduation parties in the past) So PLEASE do NOT let that keep you away!! Call me if you have concerns 269-235-4122. For those who are new, my address is 4212 Bacon School Rd, St Joseph, the number is on the mailbox on the street. Again, looking forward to seeing you all there!!

As many of you know Shelly Sharkey (my next door neighbor) is currently fighting breast cancer. Many have asked how they can help. This weekend they are having a softball tournament in her honor. If you would like to donate a baked good for the bake sale it would be very much appreciated. You are welcome to bring it with you to the Relief Society Broadcast, and we can deliver them next door. Thanks for your help and support.

Invitations are officially out to our St Joseph Ward Relief Society Blog!! A BIG thank you to Sister Lindsay Stubbs for her time and talent!! If you have not received and invitations please let her know stjosephwardrs@gmail.com It will be filled with information for our activities, newsletters, links and information pertaining to our ward Relief Society.

Mark your calendars for a very fun event!  We will be hosting a ward Super Saturday event, November 2!!  More details coming quickly!  So please sign up for projects so we can get to work on a fabulous day for you!!  Projects or pictures of projects will be displayed beginning this Sunday in the South foyer.  Please look there for more information.

Thank you,

Sister Amy Barfuss
Relief Society President

September Message

Sisters,

First off a big welcome to our Newsletter and blog! I am so excited for what this means for communication for us as sisters!! It will be so easy to have all the information in one place!!  A big thank you to Sister Lindsay Stubbs, for her time and talent!!

Also I'm so excited to welcome our new presidency Members:
Sister Calise Zollinger as 1st counselor
Siera Peterson as 2nd counselor
Amanda Teucher as Secretary
and Lindsay Stubbs as Asst. Secretary.

Also newly called are:
Sister Carma Smith as Compassionate Service Leader
and Sister Denise Miceli as Assistant Compassionate Service Leader.

Thank you sisters for your time and service to the sisters in our ward!! I feel truly blessed to be serving with these sisters.

As I have pondered what to share in our Presidency Message for the month I have been thinking a lot about the influence of righteous women. Our small acts of kindness and service do much to lift another, and our own hearts to be more Christ-like and open to the promptings of the spirit. As Relief Society sisters, we are truly an army for good in our purpose and intent. The possibilities are endless in the good that we share.

Quoting from Sister Silvia H. Allred's talk "Charity Never Faith" given Sept 2011:

Speaking to the sisters, the Prophet Joseph said: "Don't be limited in your views with regard to your neighbors virtues...You must enlarge your souls toward others if you would do like Jesus... As you increase in innocence and virtue, as you increase  in goodness, let your hearts expand, let them be enlarged towards others. You must be long suffering and bear with the faults and errors of mankind.  How precious are the souls of men!

She goes on to state

The scriptural declaration "Charity never faileth" became the motto of Relief Society because it embraces these teachings and the charge that the Prophet Joseph Smith  had given the Relief Society sisters to "relieve the poor" and to "save souls"...

The Prophet Mormon defines charity as "the pure love of Christ." I can also testify that as we serve our families and one another we are filled with the love of Christ.  We are blessed to catch a glimpse of perhaps how the Savior must feel for us, and his concern for each of us, truly loving and caring for each soul. I feel so blessed to be a part of this truly inspired organization. I hope that each of you feel that way, or that your testimony develops to love, and long to be a part of Relief Society.

Sister Amy Barfuss
Relief Society President

General Relief Society Broadcast