Stake Relief Society Presidency Message

"ENJOY SPIRIT OF WORLDWIDE SISTERHOOD"

“In an effort to increase the feeling of sisterhood among Latter-day Saint women of all ages across the world, the general presidents of the women’s organizations have announced changes that will impact Relief Society, Young Women, and Primary…

“These changes were announced weeks before, girls ages eight and older, young women, and women in the Church will gather for the Church’s semiannual general women’s meeting—which will replace the general Relief Society and Young Women meetings that have been held annually for decades.”

“Their hope is to bring the women of the Church together with international boards, integrated global training, and the general women’s meeting to celebrate womanhood and covenant keeping.

“The ‘emphasis is the covenant path that we are all on together,’ said Sister Oscarson.

 “We know that revelation is scattered and we receive a piece here and a piece there and they all form a beautiful picture as we take each piece as it comes. It is something to celebrate.”

Excepts from http://www.lds.org/church/news/auxiliary-changes-designed-to-unify-sisters-worldwide?lang=eng

In keeping with these changes, the Centralia Stake Relief Society, Primary and Young Women’s auxiliaries have planned a new gathering on Saturday, March 29^th prior to the broadcast. The General Women’s meeting is for all women 8 years and older!

Our Stake event begins at 2:00 pm at the Stake Center. Classes/demos will be offered on the following:  Jane Austen style thank you notes, applying for scholarships, scripture bookmarks, microwave potato bags, finger pin cushions and heat rice bags demo, LDS.org 101, gratitude journals, LDS Bingo, Pinterest 101, A more peaceful, simple life, Line dancing, scarf tying, framed temple silhouette, quilting how to, hair braiding/styling 

4:00 pm to 4:45 pm Appetizers and Refreshments and socializing

Womens’ General Broadcast begins at 5:00 pm in the chapel.

We are excited about new opportunities for the women of the church to grow together. We hope you will save the date and make plans to join in the fun and spirit!

Love,

Sister Jackson

1st Counselor Centralia Stake Relief Society

PRESIDENCY MESSAGE

CENTRALIA STAKE RELIEF SOCIETY

JANUARY 2014

Just as a fresh blanket of snow changes the landscape into "unmarked territory", calling out to little explorers with their sleds and snow boots, blank pages of a new calendar can give us a sense of opportunity, possibility, and even resolve. Something about starting a new year generates energy and commitment.

Many people declare "New Year Resolutions" for themselves. If you are making "resolutions" as this new year begins, may I suggest that you resolve to have more faith: faith in yourself, faith in mankind, and most of all, faith in our Heavenly Father.

Life is tricky. It can bring us challenges, difficult decisions, disappointments, or even moments of terror. We need to know not only that God is aware of us, but that He will help us- if we believe in and seek after Him. It is our faith in God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ that will fill us with peace and hope (even in the midst of uncertainty). Faith precedes hope. It is God who helps us do what we have come here to do. When we believe that, we can become more productive and hopeful.

Whether having lived two, five, seven or more decades, we can begin again to "walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:4). New beginnings are all around us. Life gives us abundant opportunities for a fresh start-to improve our lives, complete schooling, master a career, or pursue a dream. The help we need to accomplish those pursuits is available from Our Heavenly Father.

Make a "resolution" to proceed with desire and trust to increase in Our Heavenly Father, and with His assistance, make this a wonderful new year.

Sister Val Walsh
Secretary, Centralia Stake Relief Society

Stake Relief Society Women's Conference Workshop Survey

Please take this brief survey to indicate your preferences for Centralia Stake Relief Society Women's Conference February 2014.

Click here to take the Survey.

Thank you!

Counting Our Blessings

First let me express my gratitude to our Heavenly Father for inspiring our Stake Presidency to offer the "Strengthening Marriage and Family Relationships Conference" in October. I am thankful for the speakers and caterer and for all who participated. I was especially grateful when the next day my husband came into the kitchen and offered to help with dinner preparations! And for the discussion and planning that it provoked in our marriage. WE are so blessed as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints!

Each November our hearts turn to counting our blessings. Although this should be a daily habit, we can renew our efforts to offer up to the Lord our gratitude for all with which He has blessed us.

Hear are a couple of exercises that might be fun for individual families.

*Name a blessing for every letter of the word November. Here is my list:

N is for the Nativity, Christ's birth
O is for the Overwhelming love I feel from our Heavenly Father
V is for the Very details of my life, in which He is involved and aware of
E is for the Everlasting truths of the Gospel
M is for the Marvelous creations
B is for my Baptismal covenant that Blesses me and opens the door
E is for the Eternal nature of families
R is for Repentance and the Resurrection

Your lists will be better, I am sure. I kept thinking of more words for each letter but this will suffice.

* Once a week offer a prayer that is solely giving thanks, asking nothing. You'll be amazed at how hard it is to not slip in a request, but also how your appreciation for blessings is increased.

We know the Lord requires a grateful heart.

Let us be more diligent in keeping our gratitude journals, giving prayers of thanks, writing notes of thanks, expressing appreciation and so forth. Of course living more faithfully is a great way of showing our gratitude to our Heavenly Father and His son Jesus Christ. Serving one another is a key exhibition of thanks as well. May we all have an increased Attitude of Gratitude!

Love,
Sister Christine Jackson
1st Counselor Centralia Stake Relief Society

Accepting the Will of God

God uses love inspired correction to guide us to a future we do not or cannot now envision but which He knows is the better way for us.

General Relief Society Broadcast

Please read September Presidency Message posted on Blog Archive written by Sis. Val Walsh, Stake RS Secretary.

September Presidency Message

PRESIDENCY MESSAGE

CENTRALIA STAKE RELIEF SOCIETY BLOG

September, 2013

In the mortal experience of each of us—predominantly during our teen years—most of us have returned home later than we promised or beyond the time we were expected.  Likely a parent or guardian had anxiously awaited the arrival, then asked:  “Where have you been?”  That inquiry was probably followed with other questions such as “Who were you with?” or “What were you doing?”

Depending on the rules of the home, and the frequency that this infraction had been committed, punishment or loss of privileges were probably handed out.  After a set period of time or completion of restoring actions, we were granted release and allowed to return to our normal routine, promising to never break the trust and rules again.

If we had followed the rules in the first place, we would not have disappointed others, not destroyed trust, not been punished, and not lost privileges.  Additionally, we would not have had to work so hard and long to be forgiven, and to regain trust.

At some point, each of us will have to stand before Our Heavenly Parent and may be asked “Where have you been?”, “Who were you with?”, “What were you doing?”  Will our mortal actions and associations allow us to feel comfortable with our answers?  He will know where we have been, who we were with, and what we have done.  But, with our answers, are we sure His reply will be “Well done, thou good and faithful servant … enter thou into the joy of thy Lord”?