Monthly RS Presidency Message

Dear Sisters,

I have spent a great deal of time thinking and praying about what I should share with our Arlington 1st Ward sisters for the first Monthly Notes. What I felt would be appropriate is a little bit about my background, which might explain why the Lord has strongly impressed upon my heart that certain things are of the upmost importance.

From 1-16 years of age, my father was a Captain in the Air Force. My family moved every 1-3 years to a different location within the United States and Europe, which meant my sister and I attended a new school, it seemed, all the time. We were always the new kids in the classroom. We had ‘gaps’ in our learning which put us behind academically; not a good feeling. It was hard to be so transient. Those personal experiences of being the new girl in school played a crucial role in my future.

Fortunately, I chose to focus on the positive aspects of those experiences and made a decision to try my best to make others feel comfortable and accepted when they are in new circumstances. I don't think I was aware of my decision until much later in life when I had the opportunity to make a difference in those types of situations. Unknown to me at that time because I was not a member of the church, was that my feelings were the Holy Spirit guiding and directing my actions.

When people come into our church building for the first time, whether they are investigators, members of the church, or a member returning from inactivity, they are feeling timid, shy, scared, and not confident. It is our responsibility to create an atmosphere of love and acceptance for those individuals so they feel they are in the right place to worship. Something as simple as a smile, or a “Hi, welcome to 1st ward!” can make all the difference to those individuals. If you are able, sit next to someone you don’t know, introduce yourself and your family, and make a concerted effort to find out who they are. Look around the chapel in Sacrament to determine if there are individuals sitting by themselves by choice. You will truly make a difference in someone’s life by doing these simple things.

Gordon B. Hinckley stated in the May, 1997 Ensign, “All new members need a friend, a responsibility, and nurturing with ‘the good word of God,’ (Moroni 6:4). It is our duty and opportunity to provide this for them...I plead with you people that you will put your arms around those who come into the Church and be friends to them and make them feel welcome and comfort them and we will see wonderful results. The Lord will bless you to aid in this great process of retention of converts...Unless there are warm and strong hands to greet the convert, unless there is an outreach of love and concern, he/she will begin to wonder about the step he/she has taken. Unless there are friendly hands and welcome hearts to greet him/her and lead them along the way, he/she may drop by the side.” President Hinckley’s counsel extends to all of our sisters in the Gospel. I love each of you dearly.

Sister Lisa Williams (Relief Society President)

November 2011 Preparedness Goal

Each month we will highlight one way to help keep your family prepared in the event of unforeseen circumstances. From the small to the large, ever effort we make to become more prepared and self-reliant will bless our families.

PREPAREDNESS TIP FOR NOVEMBER

Pick up a few extra boxes of the medication you and your family use regularly. If possible, stock up on prescription medications too. Remember to accommodate all ages and to rotate your supply.

November Events

THURSDAY, NOV 4

Ward Temple Night

7:30pm Session

Dallas Texas Temple

SATURDAY, NOV 5

Stake Auxiliary Leadership Training

10:00am

Training for all Auxiliaries
(Relief Society, Primary, Young Women, and Sunday School)

Arlington Stake Center

SATURDAY, NOV 5

Stake Conference Adult Session

7:00pm

Arlington Stake Center

SUNDAY, NOV 6

Stake Conference

10am - 12pm

Arlington Stake Center

Please arrive early to find a good seat and parking spot.

SATURDAY, NOV 19

Annual Stake Coed Volleyball Tournamentn

10am - 1pm

Arlington Stake Center

Stake Coed Volleyball Tournament
Elimination will start as follows: A3 vs. A5; A4 vs. A6; A7 vs. A1; A8 vs. M2; M1 vs. A2

October Quilting Group

The RS Quilting Group will meet at the Institute Building (600 South Davis Drive) Friday, October 14th at 9:30 a.m. We will be tying another humanitarian quilt this month. This will be our last opportunity to meet this year. Please don't feel you need experience; this is chance to learn as well as a service project.

Feel free to bring a friend; we will be there until we finish. It normally takes about 2 hours but this is totally contingent on the number of participants.

Bithell Farms Berry Orders

The Bithell Farms fall berry order is due on Sunday, October 9th. Because of General Conference, there will only be one Sunday to order/pay for berries. Please see the order form below for pricing! If you have any questions please contact Trudy Loving (817-791-6634) and make sure to get your orders in to her this Sunday!

To print form click on the image to open in a new window, then click print.

Relief Society Broadcast Highlights

This past weekend we were given the wonderful opportunity to watch the General Relief Society Broadcast as a stake. Preceding the broadcast, women from our ward put on an encore presentation of The Ten Virgins musical they performed for us earlier in the year. We are very grateful to every sister who participated and shared their talents with us. It was wonderful!

After dinner and time to chat we were able to hear talks from the General Relief Society Presidency and President Uchtdorf, of the First Presidency. For a highlight from his wonderful message please take a minute to watch the video below. If you were unable to make it to the broadcast you can read transcripts and watch highlights here!

September Visiting Teaching

Thank you so much for reporting your visiting teaching and thank you, as always, for being visiting teachers! I hope you realize how important this calling is.

Here are the links to the visiting teaching message and handout for September:

VT Message

VT Handout

I just want you to know that your service as a visiting teacher is so helpful to the Relief Society Presidency, the Bishopric, and--most importantly--to the Lord. Through the visiting teaching program, each and every sister in the ward has someone looking out for them. How amazing is that?

I hope everyone's adjusting to the new school year well. Have a wonderful month!

— Dansell Winslett