COVID-19 Doesn't Stop Primary Children

   It's impossible to have a "normal" Primary sacrament meeting program when children would have to wear masks, stay six feet apart, and are not allowed to sing.  All of this didn't pose a problem for our creative primary presidency.  They decided to invite all children to participate in any way they desired.  Primary president Ginny Shull (left) said it was totally "free range." Children could sing, bear their testimony, play an instrument, give a talk--just about anything they wanted.  Some children were filmed by Sister Shull on her front steps, all the while she was wearing a mask.  Other children were filmed at home and parents sent their video to Sister Shull who compiled them all into a presentation.  The program has been saved and a link can be sent to grandparents and friends who would like to see talents and testimonies of our delightful children. 

Below are pictures of all the children who participated in the video program.

New Interview Series: Living for Family History

"Living for Family History!" is a new interview series about the blessings of Family History and Temple work.  Hosted by the Ward Temple and Family History leader, Luis Gonzalez, members of the Mokelumne River Ward will share their experiences and testimonies.  For the first interview, Judy Wilcox shared amazing stories about her ancestors and her own life.  It's very interesting.  Brother Gonzalez does a great job of conducting the interview and hopes to do one a month.  Links to the interviews can always be found on the weekly ward newsletter.

 

Shad Farlee is Baptized

 

   Eight-year-old Shad Farlee was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on October 24 by his father Clay Farlee.  On this special day he also received the Holy Ghost.  His mother Sara said, " We are thankful for the covenants (promises) we can make and keep with Heavenly Father and in return receive His promised blessings!"

                                         The Farlee family on baptism day.

Serena Allen Called to Serve Fulltime Mission

    Serena Allen, daughter of Adam and Mecarla Allen has just received her call to serve a mission in the Louisville, Kentucky mission. Sister Allen said she had been struggling in High School with a variety of things and decided she needed to come to church more often.  She reached out to the sister missionaries and went to teach a lesson with them.  At 17-years-old Serena "just knew" that she needed to serve a mission.  She will begin at Home MTC (due to the COVID-19 virus) on November 18, and will leave for her  mission in Kentucky on December 8.

   

Left picture: Serena is standing with her grandmother, Susan and grandfather, Lawrence.  Her grandparents have offered to pay for half of her mission.  Right picture:  Serena with her mother.

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!