Visiting Teaching Reminder

Hello Sisters-


Just a reminder that September ends on Thursday. Please remember to contact the sisters you visit teach and see how they are doing.

Also, please contact your supervisor & give them your report.

Thank you

Sister Ruth Hopkins Passed Away

We are so sad to let you know of the passing of our sweet sister, Ruth Hopkins. She died on Sunday morning from complications arising from pneumonia.


Her funeral will be held in Atoka, on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Brown Mortuary. Her sister, Becky and the rest of the family are leaving early in the morning to prepare for the funeral.

As you may know, Ruth leaves behind a sweet daughter, Carly, who is 9 and an older son & daughter-in-law. As we get more information, we will let you know if there is anything that you might do to help. Please keep them in your prayers.

Please contact Sister Nuttall if you have any questions.

TOMORROW! Relief Society Temple Trip

Tuesday, September 14th

Meet at the chapel at 9:30 to carpool, or at the temple for 10:20 session

General Relief Society Meeting

Saturday, September 25th

Upcoming Events!!

October 11 - Ward Relief Society Activity

November 11 - Ward R.S. Service Activity

December 9 - R.S. Christmas Evening

Single's Over 30 FHE

Single over 30 Activities (please contact Marie White if you have any questions or need a ride):


-FHE at the OKC Stake Center 7-8pm in the Relief Society Room

General Relief Society Broadcast

Saturday, September 25th

 7pm.

Temple Trip

Relief Society Temple Trip-

Tuesday, September 14th

 

we'll be leaving the church at 9:30am to carpool to the temple for the 10:20am session.

Sewing Seminar

Relief Society Activity-Sewing Seminar

Thursday, September 9th

Look for a detailed description in September's RS Newsletter. Contact Melanie Glade with questions

Learn to cut Boy's Hair

Relief Society Activity-Learn to cut boy's hair


Tuesday, September 7th

7:00pm in the Primary Room - We need to have access to enough clippers.

Please contact Brandi Haymore if you plan on attending.

Swim Mondays are over!

Hey Sisters,

It's been fun having everyone over to bask in the sun and get a litttle wet.

Thanks for bringing great treats and fun conversation.

Look forward to seeing everyone at future events.

Sincerely,
RS Presidency

Don't forget! Ward Pool Party!

Saturday, July 24th

4:30pm-7:30pm

Oakdale Valley Clubhouse

Please remember to bring a salad and your family.

You might also want to bring a lawn chair or two (there are a few pool chairs there) and pool toys if you'd like.

Also, remember to keep an eye on your kids. There will be no lifegaurds. Please make sure nonswimmers are protected.

Service Activity

Thursday, July 22nd

10:00am to 11:30am and 7pm to 8:30pm

Please contact Carolyn or Tish if you need help with childcare

We will be having a give & take table, so if you have anything you'd like to pass on, feel free to bring it

Disability Resources

Sisters,



Here are some highlights of the recent lesson presented in Relief Society. Please check out the LDS disabilities web site when you have a moment. It is very informative.


We hope to see you soon.


RS Presidency

Disability Resources

http://disabilities.lds.org/disabilities/eng/

“Assisting those with disabilities usually means new attitudes rather than new programs, more caring rather than more time.” The more others understand, the more likely they will be to include individuals with a disability.”

First Presidency Statement

"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is working to provide easier access to its buildings and facilities for people with disabilities. We also are seeking more creative ways of providing religious training for those with physical, mental and emotional impairments. But there is an even greater need to reduce the barriers imposed by a lack of understanding and acceptance of those who have disabilities. "We urge leaders, teachers, neighbors, friends and families to:

· Help increase awareness and understanding of disabilities.
· Accept those with disabilities as children of God and help them to feel respected, loved and understood.
· Provide opportunities for members with disabilities to learn about the Savior and pattern their lives after Him.
· Assist in the successful Church participation of people with disabilities and the appreciation of their unique gifts.
· Provide meaningful opportunities for members with disabilities to serve, teach and lead others.

"It is our opportunity and our responsibility to follow the example of Jesus in loving our neighbors, and that includes those with disabilities" (Church News, Apr. 29, 1989, 7).

“Members who have a better understanding of disabilities, in general, will be better able to lift, instill hope, and provide comfort to those who seek support, and will find that they themselves will be blessed in the service.”

Ideas for assisting members who have special needs:

· Always see self and others as “A Child of God.”
· Follow the Spirit when serving
· Become a true friend and offer love, support, and assistance without expecting something in return.
· Help others find and build on personal strengths instead of focusing on limitations
· Respect individual’s Free Agency
· “Choose not to be Offended”
· “Develop Good Judgment and Not Judging Others”


Supporting Articles:

“And Nothing Shall Offend Them” by David A Bednar
Ensign November 2006

“And Upon My Handmaidens I will Pour Out My Spirit” by Julie B. Beck
Ensign May 2010

“Cultivating Sensitivity to Others” by Andrea Worthington Snarr
Ensign June 2008, 59-63

“Developing Good Judgment and Not Judging Others” by Elder Gregory A Schwitzer
Ensign May 2010
“You are My Hands” by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
Ensign May 2010

Relief Society Service Activity

Thursday, July 22nd

10am-12pm and 7pm-8:30pm at the church

We will be finishing the school bags, blanets and neckties!

July 2010 Visiting Teaching Message

Strengthening Families and Homes

Study this material, and as appropriate, discuss it with the sisters you visit. Use the questions to help you strengthen your sisters and to make Relief Society an active part of your own life.


Strengthening at Every Opportunity

"Each of us is in a different family situation. Some families have a mother and father with children at home. Some couples no longer have children at home. Many members of the Church are single, and some are single parents. Others are widows or widowers living alone.

"No matter what our family looks like, each of us can work to strengthen our own families or help in strengthening others.

"[Once] I stayed in the home of my niece and her family. That evening before the children went to bed, we had a short family home evening and a scripture story. Their father told about the family of Lehi and how he taught his children that they must hold fast to the iron rod, which is the word of God. Holding fast to the iron rod would keep them safe and lead them to joy and happiness. If they should let go of the iron rod, there was danger of drowning in the river of dirty water.

"To demonstrate this to the children, their mother became the 'iron rod' that they must cling to, and their father played the role of the devil, trying to pull the children away from safety and happiness. The children loved the story and learned how important it is to hold fast to the iron rod. After the scripture story it was time for family prayer. . . .

"Scriptures, family home evening, and family prayer will strengthen families. We need to take every opportunity to strengthen families and support one another to stay on the right path."1


Barbara Thompson, second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency.





From the Scriptures
Genesis 18:19; Mosiah 4:15; D&C 93:40; Moses 6:55–58


From Our History
From the beginning Relief Society has had a charge to strengthen families and homes. The Prophet Joseph taught sisters at an early Relief Society meeting, "When you go home, never give a cross or unkind word to your husbands, but let kindness, charity and love crown your works henceforward."2

In 1914 President Joseph F. Smith told Relief Society sisters, "Wherever there is ignorance or at least a lack of understanding in regard to the family, . . . there this organization exists or is near at hand, and by the natural endowments and inspiration that belongs to the organization they are prepared and ready to impart instruction with reference to those important duties."3


What Can We Do?

What ideas for strengthening families and homes will you share with your sisters? As you ponder their individual circumstances, the Spirit can bring ideas to your mind.

What priorities can you change this month to better strengthen your own family and home?

For more information, go to www.reliefsociety.lds.org.



Notes

1. Barbara Thompson, "His Arm Is Sufficient," Liahona and Ensign, May 2009, 84.
2. Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith (2007), 482.
3. Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith (1998), 186.

Relief Society Temple Trip

Meet at the church at 9:30am to carpool to the 10:20am session.
Tuesday, July 13th

Ward Temple Night

Just a reminder that ward temple night is tomorrow,

Wednesday, July 7th

7:20pm session

June Visiting Teaching Message

Renewing Covenants through the Sacrament

Teach these scriptures and quotations or, if needed, another principle that will bless the sisters you visit. Bear testimony of the doctrine. Invite those you visit to share what they have felt and learned.

Jesus Christ Instituted the Sacrament

“Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to his Apostles, saying, ‘Take, eat’ (Matt. 26:26). ‘This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me’ (Luke 22:19). In a similar manner he took the cup of wine, traditionally diluted with water, said a blessing of thanks for it, and passed it to those gathered about him, saying: ‘This cup is the new testament in my blood,’ ‘which is shed … for the remission of sins.’ ‘This do in remembrance of me.’ …

“Since that upper room experience on the eve of Gethsemane and Golgotha, children of the promise have been under covenant to remember Christ’s sacrifice in this newer, higher, more holy and personal way.”1

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

We Renew Our Baptismal Covenants through the Sacrament

“When we are baptized, we take upon ourselves the sacred name of Jesus Christ. Taking upon us His name is one of the most significant experiences we have in life …

“Each week in sacrament meeting we promise to remember the atoning sacrifice of our Savior as we renew our baptismal covenant. We promise to do as the Savior did—to be obedient to the Father and always keep His commandments. The blessing we receive in return is to always have His Spirit to be with us.”2

Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

“I was with an eight-year-old girl on the day of her baptism. At the end of the day she said with all confidence, ‘I have been baptized for a whole day, and I haven’t sinned once!’ But her perfect day did not last forever, and I am sure she is learning by now, like we all learn, that as hard as we try, we do not always avoid every bad situation, every wrong choice …

“… It is not possible to make real change all by ourselves. Our own willpower and our own good intentions are not enough. When we make mistakes or choose poorly, we must have the help of our Savior to get back on track. We partake of the sacrament week after week to show our faith in His power to change us. We confess our sins and promise to forsake them.”3

Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president.

Relief Society Meeting

Thursday, June 17th

7pm

72 hour Prepardeness Kits