Maggie Jean McGhie Was Baptized

 MAGGIE McGhie had to wait through the holidays and a month long COVID illness in their family as they passed it around.  But the day finally arrived and Maggie was baptized by her father Skip McGhie.

On her baptismal day February 2022, 2022 she poses in the foyer with her father and her mother Julie McGhie.

Congratulations Maggie!

Mokelumne River Individuals Perform Service

    Joseph and Vickie Anderson had a neighbor who needed help picking oranges and citrus from his trees.  He needed help, but wanted to make sure what was picked was donated to non-profit agencies. Enter Cathy Leonard who works with many such groups.

    The Andersons headed up the project and were helped by Luis Gonzalez's brother-in-law from Ione, the Clegg family (Lisa, Arnel, Logan and Leanna.)  Cathy distributed fruit to Showered With Love, Lodi House, Loel Center, and Grace & Mercy.

   Leanna and Logan Clegg went with Cathy to deliver fruit to Sunshine Food Pantry in Galt.  Faye Gaines, the director there, was thrilled and impressed by the donation and work by these youth.

Relief Society Sisters Put LOVE into Baskets

 "Gifts from the Heart" was the theme of an evening planned by activity coordinator Stacey Kadlacsik (bottom left) and her committee. It was to be an evening of service and friendship.

   There were three activities.  (1) With the idea of filling three baskets, sisters were asked to bring three of the same gifts to go in the baskets.  It could include a favorite quote, poem, scripture, note of encouragement, candle, lotion, soap, beauty product, socks, music, pre-wrapped food item, candy, treat, etc. (2) Each sister wrote a letter for a resident of a local nursing home or care facility.  (3) A game was played that helped sisters get to know each other better.

    Sister Kadlacsik noted that the Relief Society presidency delivered the baskets to three sisters in the ward who would appreciate a little lift. The letters were delivered by RS counselor Tammy Woods. The get-to know-you game was fun.  Each person was given a page with a few questions about themselves which they answered. The papers were read and sisters tried to guess who it was.

Young Women Have "Chopped" Activity

     The Young Women had a combined girls activity called "Chopped."  The idea was taken from a TV show.  The girls were divided into 5 groups and each group was given six food items with which to create a dessert.  The items were raspberry pop tarts, popcorn, hot tamales (candy,) cooked tater tots, hostess snowballs, and circus cookies.  They could also use other basic ingredients such as eggs, flour, sugar, etc., but they had to incorporate the six items somehow.

The judges (left) choose Group #2 (below)as the winner.

Olivia Heathington Baptized

Olivia Heathington was baptized January 8, 2022.  She is posing with Sister Gonzalez and Sister McLeod who are missionaries in the ward.  About her baptism Olivia said "I feel so happy!"

Relief Society Sisters Learn How to Make Tamales

       Reyna Seifert and her sister Connie Bravo gave a lesson on tamale making in an evening Relief Society meeting.  It is reported that the sisters "had the best time!"  They learned how to make pork tamales and a Jack cheese with jalaperno tamale.  Both kinds proved to be delicious.  Reyna taught them the steps to preparing the masa with a few extra tips she learned from a friend.  She taught how she prepares the pork and how to make Chile sauce from dried California Chiles and pasilla chilies.  There was a demonstration  on how to make the tamale and fold it into parchment paper.  The sisters made about 70 tamales and steamed them on the stove.  While they were waiting Rayna answered a few more questions.  Every sister went home with a plate full of tamales to share with their families.  Thanks to Rayna and Connie for sharing their talents. It was a great evening.

Christopher Radulovich Baptized

Christopher was baptized on January 15, 2022  by his father, James.

      His mother, Margarette, wrote this about his baptism: "We weren't sure it was going to happen Saturday until it was happening.  Chris was excited, but scared about some of the details.  We had only immediate family per Christopher's request (and member of the bishopric, brother Fairbanks) and made sure Chris knew he could say no, or not now at any time.  Chis checked the temperature, and depth of the water before getting in, and took some time to get used to the water before he was ready.   We skipped the typical handhold, one of the things Chris was anxious about (confirmed optional by handbook and brother Fairbanks). James had one hand raised to the square, and the other on Chris's head during the baptism prayer, and let Chris go under on his own. That night Chris told me he was happy he had the Holy Ghost."  

 

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.