A Need to See Each Other!

   Above: Our Relief Society presidency, Suzanne Fairbanks, Lisa Clegg, and Tammy Woods, finish setting up the table of drinks and desserts for a long overdue get together for sisters  in the ward.  Sister Clegg said that people needed to get together.  "They needed to see each other."

Since the COVID-19 virus is still prevailing in the world, precautions were taken.  Sisters were asked to bring their own dinner, wear a mask, and obey social distancing. The event was held in Ann Grether's backyard and all the chairs and tables were sanitized.   Lisa works on cleaning a chair while holding a handful of plastic eating utensils. 

Introducing our new missionary

    Attending the get-together were our sister missionaries:  Sister Brandley (left) and Sister Nicoll who has just arrived to work in our ward.  She is from Lehi, Utah and has been in the mission field for 16 months.

 

Max Young Baptized by His Father

    Max Young celebrated his 8th birthday by choosing to be baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later-day Saints. He  and his family traveled to Utah for the baptism and had friends and relatives  come from Northern Idaho, Southern Utah, and Texas.  Max was baptized and confirmed by his father Steven Young.

    Max poses with his family in the picture on the right.

Zoom Fast and Testimony Meeting Worked Perfectly

   October's fast and testimony meeting was held the last weekend in September due to general conference being on the first Sunday in October.  We haven't had such a meeting since the beginning of the COVID-19 virus back in February.  Bishop Holden (left) felt inspired to have a Zoom meeting.  Since there would likely be a lot of people attending, he felt it would be difficult to keep track of everyone who wanted to bear a testimony.  Therefore he called a few people ahead of time and asked them if they would like to bear their testimonies. Each person then responded from their own home when called upon by the bishop. Jackie Perry (right) was one of them.  All the testimonies were inspiring and it was a very spiritual meeting.

   The meeting started with a recorded hymn and opening prayer.  Then the bishop allowed 15 minutes of quiet so people at home could administer to, and pass the sacrament. Our ward has done a good job of finding creative ways to worship even though we can't meet together.

Our First Sacrament Meeting in Over Six Months

 

   We start off with this picture which was released by the Church early Sunday morning of our first Sacrament meeting.  It shows the setup three general authorities are using to communicate with members around the world.  They said that God has prepared us with the technology we need to be able to worship during the COVID-19 pandemic and continue to grow in the gospel.                                 Technology was used to help facilitate our first live sacrament meeting, as well as broadcasting it via Zoom to those who felt it would be unsafe for them to attend.

      Due to the size of our ward, we were divided into two different meeting times.  This report is from the first meeting. Many things were considered to make sure the meeting would be safe. Our meeting was held in the outdoor pavilion at the stake center. Everyone who came was required to wear a mask.  As each person entered the area, he/she had their temperature taken to be sure they didn't have a fever.  They were then guided to a hand sanitation station.  Next two young women showed them to their seats. As shown in the bottom right picture, chairs were arranged for social distancing with one chair for an individual who came alone, two chairs for a couple, and other groups of chairs in varying sizes for families.

TECHNOLOGY AT WORK!!   Bruce Jonsson (top pictures) is the stake tech specialist and he had equipment there to handle the sound.  He played recorded opening music, and a sacrament hymn.  He made sure the sound  as working for the speakers' pulpit and the sacrament table.  Below, Bishop Holden checks out the video camera attached to his laptop so the meeting can be watched by those who are at home. 

   There was a good size group in attendance at the meeting, which involved the sacrament and just one speaker.  This was Evan Webb who is a returned missionary who served in Bolivia. He told about being transferred at the end of his mission to a place called "punishment area" by the missionaries.  They were struggling there and hadn't had a baptism for over a year. Brother Webb pointed out that we can find joy in  the struggles we're having.

    "Think of the things we're going through with the pandemic," he said.  In the mission he had structure, and when he returned home he needed to find structure again, based around Christ. He said the mission changed his life.  "Because of my mission, I know how to be happy." (Editor's note: The bishopric couldn't have made a better choice for our first speaker.  It was an excellent talk.)

THE SACRAMENT

        And what does this picture have to do with the sacrament?  Let me explain.  The five deacons passing the sacrament were just perfect--all dressed up in their white shirts and ties.  They did such a wonderful job.  I recognized them all as amazing young men because I had just taken this picture of the five of them several days before when they were doing this service project.  I was dying because I couldn't take their picture at the meeting, but we can't do photography during an ordinance. Use your imagination and watch them passing the sacrament for us.  (Ann Kerr, editor)

 

 

Mokelumne River Ward is Three Years Old! Let's Celebrate!!

   It's a tradition to have a party on the birthday of the Mokelumne River Ward. But we are in the COVID-19 pandemic and not allowed to get together.  The ward council came up with the idea of having a drive-by party with donuts. It turned out to be a huge success.

   Three darling girls welcomed each car as in came in the West entry.  Next, hand sanitizers were supplied for everyone in the car. The Elders' Quorum was next with take home treats.

The Relief Society was a big hit with their giant helium balloons.  In addition to the balloons they entertained with a bubble machine constantly blowing tiny bubbles into the air.

There were all kinds of treasures for the Primary children as the primary staff offered goodies to the children in the cars.

Young Women leaders also had a table full of gifts for all to share with the ward.

The grand finale was the bishopric handing out a donut for each person in each car.  They served 160  donuts and enjoyed every minute of it. This ward knows how to celebrate!!

A Special Fireside Sponsored by Elder's Quorum

 Bishop Holden introduced Neil Anderson as the speaker for the Elder's Quorum fireside, which also doubled as a sacrament meeting.  Brother Anderson gave an excellent talk illustrated in PowerPoint. He said that the light coming from Christ is brighter than noonday. What brings happiness?  First we must have faith, which means aligning our will with Heavenly Fathers'.

   Next is LOVE.  When we make a connection with God and others, the result will be happiness. It is estimated that over 70 people attended the Zoom meeting.

Deacons Enjoy Weed Pulling Service Project

    When boys get together, hard work can turn into joy.  Six boys tackled three overgrown flower beds in Kerr's back yard.  Also there to help was their advisor Jeremy Mecham, and Joseph Stringer, bishopric counselor over deacons.  The boys enjoyed a drumstick ice cream cone after the work was done.

Missionary Changes in Mokelumne River Ward

 Sister Peapealola (left) and Sister Bradley enjoy their last Sunday together in Lodi.  Sister Peapealola will be serving in a Polynesian ward in Sacramento (where she has served before) and is being replaced by Sister Durfee (below.)  She is from Denver Colorado.

Sister Brandley and Sister Dunfee  pose for a selfie.  Sister Durfee has been in the mission field for 17 months, so her mission is near completion.  She had this to say about completing her mission here:

I've had three companions come from this ward: Sister Guymon, Sister Ballantyne, and Sister Ball.  They all said great things about this ward,  so I was so excited to  come to meet the members and friends here!  I'm super excited to see the miracles the Lord has in store for the  Mokelumne River ward.  Everyone that I've met so far has been so welcoming and kind!  Thank you so much for everyone's sweet spirit!

Two Couples Choose Marriage During COVID-19 Pandemic

 Brendt and Saane Boyer

 

    Brendt Boyer, who lives in Lodi and is a member of Mokelumne River Ward, married Saane Moli, who is from Tonga, but was working and living in Montainview. They met through a LDS dating website. Her job was taking care of a 90 year-old-man. When time came for their first date Saane was nervous, not knowing if she would be safe, so she took that man with her! He and Brendt hit it off right away as soon as they each found out the other was a pilot. The man told Saane that Brendt was the greatest, and it was all uphill from there.

    Brandt proposed to Saane on April 4 and they were married in a civil wedding July 24 on Pioneer Day.  They plan to be sealed in the temple as soon as one is available.

Isaac and Brittany King

     Brittany is the daughter of Chene and Andrea Mogler, Mokelumne Ward members.  She and Isaac King met in chemistry class in 2017 while at Tokay High School. Isaac is now on active duty with USAF and has a contract through 2023.  He works on the communication and navigation systems on the C-130 plane.  He may re-enlist or join the reserves.

   Brittany has five semesters left towards her agribusiness degree and is doing remote classes now.  She will be returning to BYU-I next year to continue on-campus learning.  She hopes to use her degree in the floral and horticulture industry.

   The couple were married August 29 in a beautiful ceremony in Sister Ann Grether's backyard, officiated by Bishop Eric Holden.  It was her sister Lily's 16th birthday too, so they had a special birthday cake for her in addition to their wedding cake.  Her mom Andrea said "It was very sweet." Ward members helping with the details were Sister Annie Leach, photography; and Sister Megan Blackwell who did hair and makeup. The family picture includes Chene and Andrea next to the couple, and their other two daughters Pamela and Lily.

Tammy Woods Joins Relief Society Presidency

    Sister Tammy Woods has been called as a counselor in the Mokelumne Ward Relief Society presidency.  She replaces BrieAnn Congrave who was released as second counselor. Tammy said this was her first time serving in a Relief Society leadership calling.  "I am excited to work with a wonderful group of ladies and I look forward to getting to know the sisters in our ward," she said. Her assignments include overseeing compassionate service, young adults, and a portion of ministering.

   Tammy began service right away when she accompanied the presidency to welcome Saane Boyer (who was recently married to Brendt Boyer) into the ward with a bouquet of flowers.  Pictured from left to right are Suzanne Fairbanks, First Counselor; Bronwyn Webb, Secretary; Saane Boyer; Lisa Clegg, President; and Tammy Woods, Second Counselor.

Mark and Judy Wilcox Love Their Pathway Calling

    "BYU-Pathway Worldwide brings an innovative approach to education--one unique to the Church Educational System, and to the world ," says President Russell M. Nelson.  The church values education and with BYU-Pathway Worldwide, everyone can access higher education.

• The cost is low and there is adaptive pricing.  Tuition is approximately half the cost of traditional universities.
• BYU-Pathway Worldwide inspires hope, opening new opportunities to learn by study and by faith
• Courses and programs are completely online.  All a student needs is access to the Internet to be able to participate--anywhere in the world.

   Where do Mark and Judy Wilcox come in?  They do their work on the Internet like teachers, but they fulfill another roll.  They encourage potential students to register for Pathway to earn certificates or degrees. They welcome students to the program with pre-coursework phone calls. They facilitate a two hour "gathering" on Wednesday evenings where a lead-student directs a discussion of the week's lessons. They use a Zoom room to talk with their 18-20 students, answering questions, sharing testimonies and encouraging everyone to participate.

   The Wilcoxes are given an agenda for each week. They encourage  students to share insights with one another so they can learn from each other and deepen their understanding.  The evening includes prayers and songs that invite spirituality.  Mark and Judy are a support to the students with reminders of their goals and they help them stay on track. They are known as Pathway Missionaries. They say: WE LOVE WHAT WE DO!!

Sister Missionaries Teach Through Social Media

   Since Covid-19 has extremely hampered our ability to meet together, full time missionaries have had to invent more ways to communicate through social media.  Elder Uchtdorf recently gave a virtual talk for an MTC devotional broadcast. He said that innovations like smartphones and social media are unexpected advances that can provide inspired means to share the Lord's gospel in normal and natural ways.  Elder Uchtdorf recalled President Spencer Kimball's April 1974 address on missionary work, "When the World Will be Converted."  The late Church president called for "better and additional methods of approaches" for missionaries, saying "I believe the Lord is anxious to put into our hands inventions of which we laymen have hardly had a glimpse."

   President Uchtdorf said, President Kimball "envisioned a day when missionaries could be supplied with handheld devices that would help them teach the gospel." Fifty years ago, he was thinking of small recording devices, but the Lord had much bigger plans, recognizing what is possible today. He also commented that the recent pandemic may have been a "divine reset" that could help us recalibrate our efforts to reach more people--and especially a younger audience.

Our Sister missionaries are doing a great job.  Sister Peapealalo shared on Facebook a personal experience with the Savior softening her heart. She had a picture of the Savior the whole time and it was very touching.  As of this writing it has been viewed over 3,000 times.

Her companion Sister Brandley is an artist.  She used her talent to offer a free Book of Mormon.  She did a speed version of her painting a scene from the New Testament on the front of the book.

These pictures show Sister Brandley working on the book, and the picture below shows the finished front of the book. She ran a contest on Facebook and offered the book as a prize.

    Members can help the missionaries by seeing their post in their news feed, liking them, commenting on them, and sharing them on their personal profile, or sharing them through Messenger if they think they can help any of their friends.  The missionaries said that "the more people follow these pages and engage with their posts, the more other people are likely to see the posts and learn more about the gospel of Jesus Christ."