Bishop’s Youth Discussion – November 2009

BISHOP’S CHALLENGE TO YOUTH

Over the last three months in our Bishop’s Youth Discussions, we have been discussing the power of INFLUENCE – as it relates to friends, to the Holy Ghost and this month, as it relates to this year’s mutual theme: 'Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity' (1 Timothy 4:12). As we come to the end of the year, we committed to BE DIFFERENT in each of the areas identified in the Mutual Theme:

Word: we will be examples in word by mastering our language – by speaking positively and avoiding swearing.

Conversation: we will be examples in conversation by monitoring our conduct and behaviour.
Charity: we will be examples in charity by reaching out to one another in genuine love and concern.

Spirit: we will be examples in Spirit by being optimistic and friendly.

Faith: we will be examples of faith by believing and doing as the Saviour would have us do.

Purity: we will be examples of purity by living clean and virtuous lives.
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December 2009 Newsletters

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• 27th December 2009 - click on image to view

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• 20th December 2009 - click on image to view

• 13th December 2009 - click on image to view

• 6th December 2009 - click on image to view

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Bishopric Message December 2009

“LAY HOLD ON THE WORD OF GOD”
Helaman 3:29

Brothers and Sisters,

We are grateful for your participation in our combined Priesthood / Relief Society meeting last Sunday. In that meeting, we discussed our ward goal for this year – to “lay hold upon the word of God” (Hel 3:29). During the meeting, we were invited to do the following:

1. Lay Hold on the Words of Living Prophets: Elder Neil L. Anderson asked the following:

“Think how you would respond to the following questions: Could you tell me the names of the three members of the First Presidency and the names of each of those who comprise the Quorum of the Twelve? These are the 15 men you and I sustain as prophets, seers, and revelators.

“If we were to hold up a picture of these Brethren, would you recognize each of them?.... Could you share with me the counsel given by the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles from last October’s general conference?

“Perhaps more important, could you share with me a recent decision where you changed something in your life because of counsel received from one of these 15 men?” (CES Fireside for Young Adults, 4 March, 2007.)

2. Lay Hold on the Scriptures: we talked of the blessings that come from setting aside regular time for scripture study. In particular, we were encouraged to go to the scriptures with questions. President Henry B. Eyring has taught:

“Going to the scriptures to learn what to do makes all the difference. The Lord can teach us. When we come to a crisis in our life… we should go looking in the scriptures for specific help. We will find answers in the scriptures. The Lord seemed to anticipate all of our problems and all of our needs, and He put help in the scriptures for us—if only we seek it.” (Ensign, July 2005.)

For those who didn’t receive them last week, handouts from this meeting are available on the front table in the foyer.

In this Christmas season, we pray that each of us, as individuals, families and as a ward family, will “continually hold fast to the rod of iron” (1 Nephi 8:30). We testify that as we do this, we will witness great blessings and miracles.

Brothers and Sisters, we are grateful for all you do and are thankful for this opportunity to serve alongside you. We pray that you will have a blessed Christmas and feel again the reality of the Saviour’s life and love for each one of you.

Love and best wishes,

Daniel Shine...............Bob Howden............Rei Singsam
Bishop........................1st Counsellor.........2nd Counsellor
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Ward Christmas Party

It was great to be together as a Ward Family for our Christmas Party this year, held at Evandale Park, behind the Arts Centre on Saturday 21 November 2009. Over 150 members spent the night, under the stars, eating and watching a movie on the big screen...

Helping Hands Activity

Helping Hands Activities are an opportunity to get out and do some service in the Community. This year, we did some garden work at Benowa State Primary School on Saturday 31 October 2009... thanks to all who attended!!

Bishopric Message November 2009

Coming “Forth Out of Obscurity, and out of Darkness”
Doctrine and Covenants 1:30

Brothers and Sisters,

As you will hopefully recall, earlier this year, our Ward Mission Plan was presented. Our hope this year was to come “forth out of obscurity, and out of darkness” by doing the following four things:
• Inviting all to “come unto Christ” (Moroni 10:32);
• Implementing our Ward Mission Plan by working effectively with the full-time missionaries, the ward council and ward members;
• Teaching the doctrine of missionary work; and
• Testifying of the blessings of missionary work.

In doing these things, we hoped to see 16 people enter the waters of baptism during the year. Last weekend, Yolanda Liao was baptised as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was the 16th person baptised in the Isle of Capri ward this year.

Brothers and Sisters, we are grateful for all of your efforts this year to help this work go forward. We are thankful for the many people who have assisted in opening their homes and hearts to investigators and new members. We are also grateful to Heavenly Father for blessing us with these precious new converts to strengthen and fellowship with.

Even though our goal has been reached, the work is by no means done! We hope that we can continue to live each day as “full-time finders”, as Elder David A. Bednar teaches (Ensign, May 08). Sometimes we think that we haven’t got time to be member missionaries or we don’t know how or we may lack desire. Elder Quentin L. Cook has taught:

"Missionary work is not just one of the 88 keys on a piano that is occasionally played… It is a major chord in a compelling melody that needs to be played continuously throughout our lives... What we desperately need is for member missionary work to become a way of life; for the Savior's mandate to share the gospel to become a part of who we are." (BYU Devotional, 13 March 2007).

We pray that each of us will have the courage, faith and determination to open our mouths and know that they will be filled (see Moses 6:32). We know that as we do this, great blessings will come to each of us, individually and collectively. We are grateful for all you do and for the blessing it is to serve alongside each of you.

Love and Best Wishes,

Daniel Shine Bob Howden Rei Singsam
Bishop 1st Counsellor 2nd Counsellor

November 2009 Newsletters

• 29th November 2009 - click on image to view

• 22nd November 2009 - click on image to view

• 8th November 2009 - click on image to view

• 1st November 2009 - click on image to view

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Bishop’s Youth Discussion – October 2009

In our October Bishop’s Youth Discussion, we expanded on our earlier discussion on influence and talked about how the Holy Ghost can be our ultimate influence as we live worthily and learn to recognise His promptings. We were challenged to do the following during November:

1. Find out - and remember who we are!

2. Get rid of the noise in our lives!

3. Listen for the still, small voice!

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Stake Song Festival

On Saturday 17 October, the Isle of Capri ward participated in the Stake Song Festival. Our entry began with a duet from Brother Peter Elliott and Brother Randy Peterson. This was followed by our ward choir presenting 'Because I Have Been Given Much' and 'Oh Happy Day!' A great time was had by everyone (except for Bishop Shine who was dragged up on stage, unaware, to perform with the choir!!) Thanks to all who helped in the organisation of our ward entry and to all who supported our ward on the night!

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Bishop’s Youth Discussion – September 2009

In our September Bishop's Youth Discussion, we discussed the power of personal influence and each committed to NOT LEAP WITH THE SHEEP! We were challenged to do the following during October:

1. Review our influence list - ask: "Do we want to be influenced be these people / things?"

2. Be the type of friend we would like to have.

3. Pray to find out we are children of God.

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Sharing the Gospel Using the Internet

This is a summary of the "Sharing the Gospel Using the Internet" presentation made on the last Sunday of September by Brother Ormond, IoC Ward Mission Leader.

1) 'Sharing the Gospel Using the Internet' Handout – Please see Ward Mission Leader.

2) Links to talk on YouTube by Elder Ballard – “Sharing the Gospel Using the Internet”

a. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePUhiMdAN3w&feature=related

b. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEsjYm6Av4w&feature=related

3) Link to text of talk by Elder Ballard – “Sharing the Gospel Using the Internet”.

a. http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=72443645a2cba110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD

October 2009 Newsletters

• 25th October 2009 - click on image to view

• 18th October 2009 - click on image to view

• 4th October 2009 - click on image to view

Bishopric Message October 2009

First to Follow the Prophet!

Brothers and Sisters,

Next Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 October, we will have the opportunity to attend and participate in General Conference. General conference is one of the main ways we are able to receive guidance and counsel from our Church leaders.

Times and details for these broadcasts are contained in this Newsletter. Please note (and inform all under your stewardship) that no Sunday meetings will be held at the Isle of Capri Chapel next Sunday.

In preparing for General Conference, I’m reminded of some remarks given by one of my mission presidents, R. John Walker. He shared the account of Moses leading the children of Israel out of Egypt (see Exodus 13-14).

As we may recall, the children of Israel were commanded to leave Egypt. But by the time they had reached the Red Sea, Pharaoh had changed his mind and he pursued them with a host of chariots. With the impassable Red Sea in front and the thundering army coming from behind, the Israelites were paralyzed by fear. Eventually, they remembered their faith and…

“The Lord … made the sea dry land… And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left” (Exodus 14:21-22).

As the Egyptians pursued them, “the waters returned, and covered the chariots, and the horsemen, and [of] all the host of Pharaoh … there remained not … one of them… Thus the Lord saved Israel…” (Exodus 14:28, 30).

In recounting this miraculous event, President Walker observed: “I hope that I would have been the first to follow Moses – the first to jump into the water and trust him as the Lord’s ordained servant” (personal notes, Greenwich Stake Conference, 19 August 2001).

As we prepare to attend and participate in General Conference, we pray that we will each have that same determination – to be the first to follow the counsel of our prophets, seers and revelators. As Elder Neil L. Anderson has taught:

“We are not forced to obey; there is no compulsion. But if we will be attentive to their words, if we will be responsive and willing to change our behavior as the Holy Ghost confirms their counsel, we will not be moved out of our place.” (CES Fireside for Young Adults, 4 March 2007).

Brothers and Sisters, we love you. We are grateful for all you do and all you are. We pray that each of us will have our faith refreshed as we attend these meetings. We testify that as we do this, we will be happy and enjoy peace of mind and Spirit.

Love and best wishes,

Daniel Shine........ Bob Howden........ Rei Singsam

Bishop................1st Counsellor......2nd Counsellor

September 2009 Newsletters

• 27th September 2009 - click on image to view

• 20th September 2009 - click on image to view

• 13th September 2009 - click on image to view

• 6th September 2009 - click on image to view

Bishopric Message September 2009

Welfare Month: Prepare for the Unforeseen

Brothers and Sisters,

Under the direction of our Stake Presidency, September 2009 has been designated ‘Welfare Month: Prepare for the Unforeseen.’ During this month, each ward has been asked to focus meetings and activities on practical ways to prepare for the unforeseen.

Sometime during this month, we will each be invited to participate in a Mock Emergency Day. Phone calls will be made on a Friday night to notify everyone of an ‘unexpected emergency’ and a safe gathering place. At the meeting place, we will be able to fellowship together and attend classes that will help us to prepare for the unforeseen.

Further details on this month’s activities will be shared today in a special combined Priesthood / Relief Society meeting.

We testify that the most important preparation for each of us as we face the uncertainties of life is to be spiritually prepared. President Henry B. Eyring has taught:

“What we will need in our day of testing is a spiritual preparation. It is to have developed faith in Jesus Christ so powerful that we can pass the test of life upon which everything for us in eternity depends…

“The great test of life is to see whether we will hearken to and obey God’s commands in the midst of the storms of life. It is not to endure storms, but to choose the right while they rage. And the tragedy of life is to fail in that test and so fail to qualify to return in glory to our heavenly home…

“However much faith to obey God we now have, we will need to strengthen it continually and keep it refreshed constantly. We can do that by deciding now to be more quick to obey and more determined to endure. Learning to start early and to be steady are the keys to spiritual preparation. Procrastination and inconsistency are its mortal enemies.” (Ensign, November 2005).

Brothers and Sisters, we pray that each of us can prepare early – and be steady in that preparation – both temporally and spiritually. We are grateful for all you do and are thankful for this opportunity to be in your service.

Love and best wishes,

Daniel Shine - Bishop

Bob Howden - 1st Counsellor

Rei Singsam - 2nd Counsellor

Bishop’s Youth Discussion – August 2009

In our August Bishop’s Youth Discussion, we discussed the importance of receiving a HIGHER EDUCATION – a spiritual education – through seminary and institute. We committed to do the following during September:

1. Read the article from Elder Paul V. Johnson, ‘A Higher Education’ from April’s New Era magazine:
http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=024644f8f206c010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=3ed85e8d52440210VgnVCM100000176f620a____

2. Study our scriptures every day.

3. Attend Seminary every day (if we are old enough!)

Youth Etiquette Night

On Tuesday 11 August, our youth combined with Helensvale ward youth for an Etiquette Night at the Watermark Hotel. Our youth were taught the finer points of etiquette by Bishop Skipps (the ‘a’ and ‘b’; how to eat soup; and how to eat a bread roll!) A great night was had by all, as shown by the pictures.

Primary Activity August 2009

The activity was based on D&C 88:119 concentrating just on 4 things:

1. House of Faith (planting tomato seeds in a cup)

2. House of Order (making a game of folding laundry)

3. House of Prayer (making a prayer rock)

4. House of Learning (making a bookmark) which each child got to take home the things they made.

A big thank you to all those involved in organising and those that helped throughout the evening.

Photo's courtesy of Sis Missouri Skipps