Today for our Relief Society council we had a Ministering part 2 discussion! Joining us were new sisters to our ward; Kimberlee Easton and Jennifer Sears! They are both coming to us from nearby areas. They each have four children so keep your eyes open for new youth in our hallways! We also had visiting sisters; Janice Neerings, Kristi Deaver and Carlton Taylor's mom (I didn't catch her name). We love having new faces around our circle!
A couple of things to keep in mind: Next Sunday during the third hour ALL of the sisters (including the young women) will join together in the cultural hall for a Mother's Day brunch! Also, mark your calendar for our next Relief Society night on June 14!
If you would like more clarification and ideas for the new direction of ministering there are videos and information on ministering.lds.org. One of the invitations (by Elder Ballard?) we have received is to look at the scriptural references for "minister" or "one by one" in 3 Nephi. There are a ton and if you think about what was happening in 3 Nephi maybe there is a direct correlation as we prepare for Christ's second coming?!
Sister Alicia Call Peterson shared the vision behind ministering is for us to all be true disciples of Christ by reaching out in love to bring each other back to Heavenly Father.
Sister Rachel Terry Thomas said as the ministering program was introduced in Conference she felt that VT/HT was more the letter of the law and was intended to help us understand the "how" but now we are being asked to live the spirit of the law as we come to understand the "why". We are being asked to live a higher law.
Sister Trina Murphy shared an example of ministering she witnessed this week as she drove by a yard in our ward that was being sprayed for weeds by a member in a different ward. With the new emphasis on ministering we do not need to be assigned to see a need and help.
Concerns were expressed that those we do not see often may get forgotten. Assignments will still be given to help prevent this from happening however, we are all able to step in and lend a helping hand, a listening ear, or a friendly face even if they are not on our list.
Sister Korilyn Wilkins Burt and Sister Sarah Noah-Shobe pointed out that when we respond to needs and thoughts of inspiration our service will feel more genuine. On the other hand Sister Sarah Noah-Shobe and Sister Kristen Winter also shared their love of having an "assigned friend". Assignments provide an opportunity to get to know sisters that we may not otherwise have an opportunity to interact with.
Sister Alicia Call Peterson who led our discussion today reminded us that a balance is needed between the two approaches.
There may be sisters among us who may not be open to our ministering efforts but as Sister Kimberlee Easton reminded us the question we will all face as we stand before our Savior is "Did you love the people?" We can continue to love and to pray for all of our sisters regardless of where there heart is or what their choices are.
Our visitor, Sister Kristi Farnsworth Deaver noticed as she reviewed 3 Nephi that the Nephites did not hear Heavenly Father's voice the first two times. Yet, he persisted and eventually their hearts were softened and ready to hear.
The best way we have to know how to minister is to pray for guidance and then to follow through on every good prompting. Sister Rachael Bonnell Inman reminded us of the great example our youth can be of this. With school being out this past week, her daughter's 16 year old (previous home teacher) called and asked if he could take her children to the park so she could have some rest with her newborn! She also has a friend who actively prepares a way to serve by making a second dinner or grabbing a bunch of flowers as she's grocery shopping and then she prays throughout her day to know who could benefit from her service. Our visiting sister, Sister Janice Neerings, explained when she was serving as a Relief Society president she would pray to know who needed a visit from her and she was able to be there at a critical time of need for a young newlywed couple.
Sister Joanna Beck added her testimony that when she specifically asks Heavenly Father to know who she can serve she receives promptings. Someone pointed out that Heavenly Father cares about each of us and our feelings and when we pray specifically for others we will be given specific direction on how we can be His hands.
Sister Alicia Call Peterson concluded by saying she remembers hearing one of our leaders say why go to meetings if we don't change from them. She challenged each of us to try and do one thing differently so that the ministering efforts in our ward can really take off.
Sister Janice Neerings said she has never been in a ward where she has felt so welcomed. That is one ministering effort we can all participate in as we continue to see new faces in our midst! With Mother's Day next week we will undoubtedly have visitors, including Sister Sarah Noah-Shobe's children. Let's be sure and welcome them all!
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