Great Opportunity to Serve!

The Truman Heartland Community Foundation, Lee’s Summit Human Services Advisory Board and Pavilion at John Knox would like to invite community members to explore opportunities to engage in contributing to the sustainability of a safe and healthy community.  The event will showcase over 30 nonprofits offering various volunteer choices.  While the focus is to engage our population 50+, all potential volunteers are welcome.

 

JUNE 18, 2014
7:30 A.M. – 10:00 A.M.
THE PAVILION AT JOHN KNOX

520 NW MURRAY RD., LEE’S SUMMIT, MO

Coffee and  rolls will be available

 

Please share this information with anyone who migh be interested.

 

 

Conquering Divisions In Our Midst

We had a great discussion in Relief Society today and we don't want it to end there!  We based our discussion today on Question #2 (see the post on RS Bulletin Boards!) --> What things divide us in KC1RS?  We had a lively discussion on the things that divide us and how we can connect in spite of those differences.  Here is a picture of our bulletin board at the end of class:

We have so many sisters who are unable to attend Sunday RS meetings for a variety of reasons, we want all of our RS sisters to have the opportunity to participate in this (and other) fabulous discussions!  Comment below to share your thoughts!

Book Review: Eve and the Choice Made in Eden by Beverly Campbell

What a great book! We, as women, daughters of Eve, are so very important to Heavenly Father's plan. This book is so well thought out and documents explanations with scripture and the words of the prophets. I will read it again and again, but I want everyone else to read it too! I have it here and would love to loan it to anyone who would like to read it (and return it to me, of course).

At the risk of violating copyright, here's some excerpts from the back cover:

Because Eve's story and the choice made in Eden have been so negatively addressed through the centuries, author Beverly Campbell believes it is time for us to examine anew this story and its consequences...The insights presented here may well change or perception of Adam and Eve and the Garden experience. We come to recognize that Eve was foreordained to be a partner, organizer, builder, and co-creator. We come to understand how apparently conflicting commandments gave opportunity for the exercise of choice and agency..., the partnership between motherhood and priesthood emerges as empowering and essential to our progression...the vital premise of this book is set with President Gordon B. Hinckley's gentle counsel regarding that first woman of Creation: "I like to regard Eve as His masterpieces after all that had gone before, the final work before He rested from His labors." Sister Campbell relies throughout on the clarifying insights and words of our prophets...this exploration of the events surrounding Adam and Eve's transgression to mortality testifies to the reality of an eternal God who created the earth, to the necessity of our own tests and trials, and to the glory of the promised Savior, whose Atonement makes possible our ultimate return to that selfsame Heavenly Father who created us.

Call or email me (Tammy, 816-804-0848) if you'd like to borrow it!

May RS Meeting: Family History

From the bulletin board inside the RS room, our next activity will be May 13 at 7pm.  Sarah and Dot will be sharing their expertise on the topic of Family History!

RS Bulletin Boards

For those who may not have time to browse the bulletin boards on Sunday....

We have a great bulletin board outside the RS Room that highlights our 2014 theme and the discussion of this theme (from a recent RS board meeting):

Question 1: What are the things that unite us in the KC1RS?

Question 2: What are the things that divide us in the KC1RS?

 

 

Question 3: What can we do to strengthen the feeling of sisterhood in KC1RS?

 



Question 4: How do we use Sunday meetings to promote unity in KC1RS?

Question 5: How can we use RS meetings (formerly known as "Homemaking" or RS Activities) to promote unity in KC1RS?

Question 6: How can we use Visiting Teaching to promote unity in KC1RS?

Question 7: How can we use Compassionate Service to promote unity in KC1RS?

Question 8: Are there additional callings we need or tasks we should assign to current RS Board/RS workers that will increase unity in KC1RS?

 

 

For each of these questions, we welcome input from all the sisters in our Relief Society.  Comment below to share your thoughts!

More thoughts on unity

From Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson (Young Women General President) at the General Women's Broadcast

"There is tremendous strength in our unity this evening. "

"Tonight we rejoice in our many different roles as women in the Church. Though in many ways we are different and unique, we also acknowledge that we are all daughters of the same Heavenly Father, which makes us sisters. We are unified in building the kingdom of God and in the covenants which we have made, no matter what our circumstances. This combined assembly is, without a doubt, the most glorious sisterhood upon the face of the earth!<sup>1"

"</sup>The adversary would have us be critical or judgmental of one another. He wants us to concentrate on our differences and compare ourselves to one another. You may love to exercise vigorously for an hour each day because it makes you feel so good, while I consider it to be a major athletic event if I walk up one flight of stairs instead of taking the elevator. We can still be friends, can’t we?"

"If there are barriers, it is because we ourselves have created them. We must stop concentrating on our differences and look for what we have in common; then we can begin to realize our greatest potential and achieve the greatest good in this world."

You may read or watch the full talk here.

From President Eyring (October 2008 General Conference):

"The children of God have more in common than they have differences. And even the differences can be seen as an opportunity. God will help us see a difference in someone else not as a source of irritation but as a contribution. The Lord can help you see and value what another person brings which you lack. More than once the Lord has helped me see His kindness in giving me association with someone whose difference from me was just the help I needed. That has been the Lord’s way of adding something I lacked to serve Him better."


You may read or watch the full talk here.

Of Unity and Uniformity, April Newsletter Message

As a ward Relief Society, we have been focusing on the topic of unity.  We are commanded to be one, following the example of the Godhead.  The Godhead is made up of distinct beings who are one in purpose.   Like the Godhead, it is important that our Relief Society is unified (i.e. one in purpose), but we should not confuse the command for unity with a desire for uniformity.  There is great diversity within the Relief Society at every level, and it is one of our strengths.

There are many who may assume that there is a “typical” Mormon woman.  If you ask for a description, it might include a list of noble qualities blended with traditionally feminine skills.  When we try to imagine this paragon of womanly virtue, we might assume that she is clean, organized, skilled at all things related to homemaking, spiritually strong, and morally upright. She always reads the Sunday School lesson in advance and is always ready to substitute in any classroom of the church on a moment’s notice.  In short, she perfectly possesses all the qualities and skills we most admire and very few of our own shortcomings.  Fortunately, she is a myth!

So,  what is truly typical of our people?  Truly, the one thing that will always unite us is our doctrine.  The doctrine of the gospel is the one thing of eternal value and lasting importance that we really need to focus on.  Everything else is just fluff.  Our differences are wonderful and should be celebrated.  Our diversity can even help us strengthen our commitment to being one in Christ, without giving up those qualities that make us each unique.  The Relief Society declaration states that “we are united in our devotion to Jesus Christ, our Savior and Exemplar.”  That is important.  Fitting a mold or a stereotype of a "typical" Mormon women?  Not so much.

Welcome!

Welcome to the Kansas City First Ward Relief Society Blog!  Here you will find uplifting thoughts, spiritual messages, announcements and anything else we can think of.  We invite you to follow the blog and send in submissions as you feel prompted.  This is not an official website of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but will be a place for the sisters in our local ward to share their thoughts and experiences.  Submissions and suggestions may be sent to kc1rsvt@gmail.com .