A Glorious Christmas Sunday Meeting

    The Sunday before Christmas (12//19/2021) the ward was blessed with a beautiful Sacrament Meeting consisting (after the sacrament) of short narrations and a variety of music conceived by Jackie Perry who is the ward music chairperson. The program cover was illustrated with a lovely painting of the birth of Jesus.

    The Congregation sang several hymns separated by individual and group presentations. The youth in the ward performed "Away in a Manger" accompanied by Gillian Versteeg on the violin and Teresa Sroufe on the piano. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear was beautifully performed by Riley Broughton and his daughters, followed by the ward Primary singing "Could I Hold the Baby."

   The final number was a dramatic solo "O Holy Night" performed by Bernie Moreau and accompanied by Ruth Anderson. Bernie has a voice that rings through the rafters.  The song was longer than it usually is, but we hoped it could go on forever.  It was a little hard to understand the words on the last part, but Cliff Kerr (a former missionary in France) clued us in that Bernie was singing in French.  Oh! The lights came on!  He must be singing for his parents. Are they here? we wondered.

   Yes, Bernie's parents were here.  They are from Haiti and have been living with the Moreaus for several months. They speak only French and are not members of the church.  The picture below is Bernie and his parents.  It was easy to see how proud they are of him.

  

They requested a picture of them with the entire Moreau family.  So here it is below: they are joined with Bernie's wife Ashley and their four children--Amare, Arabella, Anaiya, and Ariya. 

Relief Society Celebrates Christmas with Special Evening Event

    Since the activity was for women, the RS Presidency featured a program called "The Women Who Knew Jesus."  It was beautiful.  Participating from L to R are Judy Wilcox who read what Elizabeth, Mother of John may have felt.  Next was Kathy Marshall, speaking as the wife of a shepherd (also featured in front with one of her lambs.)  Next was Cathy Leonard, wife of the keeper of an inn, and then Anne Corbin portrayed Mary, the mother of Jesus.  It concluded with all the sisters in the room singing "Mary's Lullaby."

   The cultural hall  and tables were beautifully decorated and lent a festive feeling to the evening.  The programs were a digital art beauty.  A Christmas tree  decorated with leather-like card, each with a name that Jesus was known by in the scriptures.  Example: "Savior" or "Redeemer."  Each sister was invited to choose one to take home for her own tree.

 

                              Here are a few of the sisters who enjoyed the evening.

     The Decons who (it is rumored) volunteered to serve dinner and clean up, were a delight to the sisters.  They were so pleasant, and friendly, and looked like they enjoyed their service. The picture above is the boys in front with their Priesthood leaders behind.

Seven Year Olds Learn More About Baptism

     All children in the ward who will turn eight years old next year were invited to a special program which will help them get ready for this important event.  It was called "IT'S GREAT TO BE 8."  Baptismal songs were sung and Primary staff talked to them about what it means to be baptized and how important the event it will be in their lives.

   When it was Bishop Holden's turn to talk he included a special activity.  Inviting only the children for this event, and not the adults, he asked them to follow him.  He took them on a tour of an actual baptismal font (where the above picture was taken) and explained how the baptism would take place. This was intended to wipe away any fear the children may have of being baptized.

   In the Primary song called "Baptism" it says, "Now we know that we must also, Witness faith in Jesus' word. Be baptized to show obedience, As was Jesus Christ, Our Lord.

Mokelumne River Ward Celebrates Christmas with a Dinner

The Christmas party was billed as a catered dinner. The word must have gotten out successfully--the hall was filled, and we couldn't get everyone in the picture--even with a wide angle lens.

   Amid beautiful decorations, members were renewing old friendships, and meeting new people.  Several non-members came and it was a delight to talk with them.

   The tacos and enchilada were a hit.  Then the elves brought out all kinds of Christmas cookies.   The children were devouring them by the plate full.

    The program which followed the dinner had been billed as a "variety show," and that was spot on. We saw everything from Polynesian dancers to a man who whistled to musical accompaniment. There was also a chance for everyone to join in some Christmas carols as the words appeared on the screen. It was a delightful evening enjoyed by all who were there.

Willa Joy Sroufe is Baptized

      Willa Sroufe became the latest "official" member of the church on November 20 when she was baptized by her father Adam Sroufe. In the top picture she poses for a photo with both her parents, Adam and Hilary Sroufe.  Grandparents Dan and Teresa Sroufe attended the baptism and supported Willa in her decision.  Below: Teresa poses with Willa and a special poster grandma made for the occasion. It lists Willa's outstanding characteristics. 

Primary Children Present Touching Sacrament Meeting Program

    Beautiful music and sweet testimonies highlighted the Primary's presentation.  Even the youngest children participated and sang a beautiful song ending in "I'll find my own sacred grove,"  Other touching lines from a song were: "I know He lives. I will follow Him, and I know that my Savior Loves me."

Four songs were sung -- each by a different group, and in a different language: Portuguese, Italian, Tongan, and Spanish.  They did an amazing job.   Then older children gave talks and the group sang "I love to see the temple, I'm going there some day."

   For the closing song, the children sang the first verse of "The Spirit of God," then joined the congregation in the other three verses.

California Pioneer History Event

 

   Mokelumne River Ward members participated in the annual California Pioneer History day.  Lodi Stake Communications Director Cathy Leonard (above in white apron and bonnet) and Laura Crayun,Stake  Relief Society 2nd counselor were instrumental in helping the event succeed.

   Another member of the ward, Kathy Marshall is a "California Living History Missionary" and was highly involved in producing all of these events through the years. The occasion celebrates the Ship Brooklyn saints who came to California to settle a place for the main body of saints who were coming West. Two hundred and thirty-eight pioneers were recruited to sail to the West coast.  It took them six months to sail 24,000 miles around cape Horn and arrive in Alta California, surviving two terrible storms.  They were instrumental in building San Francisco. Then Brigham Young and the saints arrived in the Salt Lake valley and it was announced that that was the new gathering place for the saints. The Brooklyn Saints wanted to go there but lacked resources to undertake an 800 mile journey. Within three months gold was discovered and and gave them the needed money.  Samuel Brannan became a millionaire and others were promptly rewarded for their work in placer mines along the American River. The help from the Brooklyn saints made it possible for the Utah group to succeed in settling. (This is the short version.  Read the entire story on the Wikipedia written by Kathy Marshall.

    Children pioneers had lots of fun doing all the activities planned for them in the beautiful setting of Marshall Gold Discovery Stake Park in Coloma, California. The picture in the upper right is called 
"The Storm Coaster," and while riding on it one has the experience of how it feels to be on rough water.  One little boy had so much fun that he did it seven times.

Top Picture:  Three Mokelumne River Ward families not only enjoyed the day, but camped overnight in the beautiful mountains. They were the Brad Parker, Tim Shull and Don Daley families.

Bottom Picture:  A group of young men and women sang pioneer songs for everyone to enjoy.

Mokelumne River Ward Contributes to Refugee Food Project

   Mokelumne River Ward has joined other wards in the Sacramento area to provide food for the refugees who are coming in from Afghanistan.  Thirty boxes were delivered last week, and 60 more will go to Sacramento next week. So far the stake has assembled 157 kits.  There are now another 67 kits at the Bishops Storehouse.  The plan is to build that up to 100, so when the Church Welcome Center calls for another 30-60 kits we are always ready.  The kits include flour, rice, cooking oil, tomato sauce, kidney beans, garbanzo beans, lentil beans, raisins and tea.

   The young children have been busy coloring welcome cards and notes to welcome the refugees.  They are helped by the Sister Missionaries.

Sister Missionaries Clean Up Cemetery

 

      Sister  Gonzalez and Sister McLeod, our current ward missionaries, went to "Just Serve" on the Internet to see if they could find a service project.  They found that the historical Harmony Grove Cemetery needed some upkeep. So they volunteered.  They were helped by Manual (top picture,) a man they encountered while searching for people to teach.  They knocked on his door and asked him if he would like to help rake leaves.  He agreed and helped them out, as did Lisa Holden, Bishop Holden's wife.

    The bottom picture gives us a clue as to how much fun this project was!!  We have amazing full time missionaries in our ward.

Missionary Work Involves Love, Share, Invite

     There was a 5th Sunday in October, so it was used to enhance and encourage missionary work.  Brother Don Daley (center) is ward mission leader and led the discussion based on love, share, invite.  Sister missionaries Sister Gonzalez (left and Sister McLeod (right) spoke about the importance of these three things in having success in presenting the gospel to non-members. The group was composed of both adults and youth in the ward.

       Brother Daley asked the congregation to form three groups.  Each was to take one of the three subjects, discuss how it could be achieved and why it was important.  The reporter in group three was Owen Daley (right) and he did an excellent job of leading and reporting.

    Some of the suggestions from the groups are: introduce yourself, smile, serve each other, text or call, ministering to everyone, listen to the spirit, pray for people, be genuine and show genuine interest,  courage to act on inspiration, practice love, be friendly, build relationships, build a happy home where love can be felt.  Last, but not least: "You'll never meet someone the Lord doesn't love,"

Young Men and Young Women Celebrate Their Ancestors

 The oldest Young Women class (15-18,)  led by their leader Hilary Sroufe planned a joint activity to celebrate eternal families and loved  ones who have left this life.

    Each member of the group was asked to bring a picture or memento of an ancestor or family member. These are the pictures and objects that were displayed.

    Several things were encouraged:  Beginning a story of your own life, learning something about your ancestor, looking on the Family Search app to find out more.  Several found names ready to be taken to the temple!

   Another fun aspect of the evening was for each person to bring a family recipe dish or treat to share.  For example, cookies their grandma made or a roll recipe passed down in their family.  They definitely had a great night celebrating their families!

Best Halloween Ever

 

       The Mokelumne River Ward Halloween event was a great success.  A crowd of children and parents dressed in costumes "Trunk-or-Treated" the delightfully decorated car trunks prepared by various families.  The Halloween goodies were donated by members of the ward.  Before the candy hunt started, the children had a parade and showed off their costumes. The Primary was in charge of the event and was headed by Primary president Ginny Shull (bottom left.)

   Here are six of the beautifully decorated trunks. The children could visit them all--at the same time not having to worry about unsafe conditions. Everyone's participation  is what made this Saturday a wonderful time for the Halloween tradition which calendared the next day (Sunday.)