We Say Goodbye to Mary Ellen Meyers

   
Mary Ellen Meyers returned to her heavenly home October 20, 2022 a few weeks shy of her 81st  birthday. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and a friend to all, a giver of smiles and joy to others as a representative of Jesus Christ and a member of the the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Her days were spent in gospel study and kind service to fellow saints and neighbors. Her funeral was held November 2 conducted by Stake President Counselor Dan Sroufe who is a member of Mokelumne River Ward.

   The pictures on the right above were taken in 2016 when Mary Ellen was recovering from a long hospital stay. She enjoys a PowerPoint RS lesson with Ann Kerr and a friend. Suzanne Fairbanks and her daughter visited Mary Ellen with gifts of flowers and magazines.

    As mentioned before, Mary Ellen was always smiling.  In the picture on the left she was visited in the hospital in Sacramento just before her death by her ministering couple Loren and Jackie Perry.  Brother Perry gave her a priesthood blessing that she would be comforted and without pain. He also spoke at her funeral, teaching about the plan of salvation that is a blessing to all righteous followers of Christ. Her grandson Adam Meyers wrote this about her:  "Because of you, I know my Savior Jesus Christ better because you always strived to be like Him.  You are as celestial as they come.  Now rest easy and watch over us until we meet again."  We will miss her!

Ward Halloween Party Was A Blast!

    The Halloween party has been a wonderful tradition since the beginning of Mokelumne River Ward.  It's a fun get together. Families decorate their cars for "trunk or treat."  Members donate candy to be used for the event. The children have an amazing time trick or treating in a safe place. And they don't just collect candy--many of the cars have games to play and a fun time to be had.  The above pictures are just a few of the decorations and excitement of the evening.

   Almost everyone was involved. Is that Bishop Sroufe and his wife Hillary on the right?  And to their left is Dan Sroufe who is a counselor in the stake presidency.  The skeletons serving fruit and vegetables instead of candy are Ruth Anderson, Stake RS President, and her husband Neil. (Their daughter Aubrey was at the same location sending candy down a long tube to the waiting hands of children!) Then we have Janet Cook at Jurassic park and ward clerk Cody Nore  serving chili and cornbread to hungry children as well as adults.  Hot dogs and drinks were also served at another location.

  Adults as well as children got creative with their costumes. The Sister Missionaries don't have much to choose from in Halloween gear so they got creative and came as Brother Missionaries.  They were quite proud of their presentation too!  The whole event was a lot of fun and a bonding of the ward as we got to know each other better.

A Special Day for the Holden Family

          On the same day (September 24) Carson Holden was baptized and his new sister Sydney was blessed.  They are the oldest and youngest of the Colby and Rebecca Holden family which made it even more special for all of them.  This is Carson's testimony:  I know I made the right choice getting baptized because my sins were washed away and I have the Holy Ghost with me now.

Megan Caldwell Joins the Church

   Megan Caldwell, daughter of Dave and Ginna Caldwell, was taught by these three wonderful missionaries and joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on October 29.  She was first taught by Sister Tolman on the right, who was then transferred to another location.  Sisters Black and Miller finished the lessons.  Three very devoted and happy missionaries!

   Megan was baptized by Elder Cioffe and confirmed by Elder White, local missionaries who hold the priesthood.  Sister Tolman gave a talk on the Holy Ghost during the program. Branda Croiser of Canyon Creek Ward gave a wonderful talk on baptism.  Relief Society president Julie Cooper welcomed Megan into the ward.

   Special family members (both of her grandmothers, Gaye Cornell and Rita Caldwell) at the baptism. (picture on the left.)  In the picture on the right Megan is posing with her parents Dave and Ginna Caldwell.

 

Youth Learn Gun Safety

   The ward's youth participated in a shooting activity supervised by Brother Eric Holden and Brother Terry Renberg (San Andreas Ward.)  This was a wonderful opportunity to learn about gun safely and handling, as well as have an opportunity to try out new skills by shooting targets.  One of our young men, Carson Burke, had superior skills when target shooting.  Sheriff Renberg said to Carson, "Wow you're our first person to hit the target 100%, 10 out of 10 times.  Carson shrugged, smiled, and said, "Well, I've been shooting Nerf guns my whole life!"

    As a whole, those youth who participated had a fantastic and educational time. We thank Brother Renberg and Holden for sharing their time, patience and expertise with our youth.  We greatly appreciate it!  (Reported by Cori Daley, Young Women Secretary.)

Young Men Service Project

 Mary Sterrett (center of picture) is a widow and unable to take care of her yard.  A group of young men from the ward  helped her out and it was really appreciated! 

Out of Date Plaques

 These plaques have been taken from the walls in the meetinghouse and have been photographed so they can be remembered.

Sister Miller is Our New Missionary

    Sister Miller, right is Sister Black's, left, new companion.  She's just arrived from Logan, Utah and has only been here for one and a half weeks. She is a licensed cosmetologist and is also a talented wedding photographer.

   She comes from a family of five children and has always wanted to go on a mission.  She loves our ward and is happy to be here.  Welcome Sister Miller! This is a great place to begin your mission.

Young Men and Young Women Enjoy the Beach

      When the youth planned their activities for the year, one of them was to take a trip to the beach. They wanted to be together and have fun. Little did they know then that they would have a new bishop to get to know a little better.  Bishop Adam Sroufe was sustained as bishop the Sunday before the trip.  Along with his wife Hillary who is the ward young women leader, they were joined by stake president Scott Means and his wife Jill. Also making the trip were Luis Gonzalez, Winston Burke, Brenda Casper and Rylie Nore.  There were twenty-nine youth.

   The warm weather at RioDelMar Beach was perfect for swimming in the ocean.  Lots of splashing and fun.

       Playing games in the sand was enjoyed by all the youth, especially the young men.

    Talking and relaxing in the sun made for a perfect day.  After a day of fun the group went to Pizza My Heart to have pizza and get a T-shirt.  Sister Sroufe said it was a great activity for adults and youth alike and was a wonderful opportunity for the youth to get to know their new bishop. 

 

Adam Sroufe Called As Bishop of Mokelumne River Ward

 

Mokelumne River Ward new bishopric: L to R: Ben Carlston, 2nd Counselor; Adam Sroufe, Bishop; John Godi, 1st Counselor.

    Bishops are asked to serve for 5 years.  Bishop Eric Holden was called as the first bishop of the Mokelumne River Ward.  We recently had the ward's 5th birthday party, although at the time we didn't realize it would also be a farewell to our bishop.  Bishop Holden has been a wonderful bishop.  In a general conference talk in 2017 Elder Uchtdorf said, "We accept callings with grace, humility and gratitude.  When we are released from these callings, we accept the change with the same grace, humility and gratitude.  Our service--whether great or small--refines our spirits, opens the windows of heaven and releases God's blessings not only upon those we serve but upon us as well."  In his farewell remarks, Bishop Holden said, "It's bitter sweet, but it's been a blessing to serve this ward."

    God has blessed us with a new bishopric.  Adam Sroufe was called to be bishop.  In his remarks he said that he knows we are sons and daughters of God.  He has peace that Christ is with us and acknowledges our service with approval.  We are blessed with another amazing, but humble,  bishop.  Brother John Godi was called to be first counselor in the bishopric. In his remarks he said that he was excited for the opportunity to serve.  He is grateful for the blessings service gives us in this gospel.  Brother Ben Carlston is our new second counselor.  He said he knows  that the Lord loves all of us the same.  He wants us to love Him and do our best to serve Him.  Brother Carlston said he knows the gospel is true.

Coyle Brother and Sister Baptized Together

    Emma and her brother Eli had a joint baptism! Their parents said they had worked really hard to gain their own testimonies through lots of study and meetings with the sister missionaries.  "They received their answers in individual and unique ways and were very prepared to partake of the baptism covenant.  It was a very special, very spiritual baptism service," they said. The cute picture on the left was on the cover of their baptism program.  The sister missionaries are shown in the picture on the right with the children and their father Chris Coyle who baptized them

   

Amari Moreau Baptized

    Berny Moreau had the privilege and opportunity of baptizing his son Amari. It was lovely for Amari to start on the covenant path. Ward and family members (including his grandparents from Haiti) were there to support hm.