Stake
Presidency Message
There is a sign of fall in the air, leaves are turning,
gardens are slowing in production of the produce, apples are ripe and farmers
are out in the fields harvesting soybean and corn, gathering all the harvest
in. A question comes to my mind if I have done all I could this year in my
“harvest” of names for Temple work, and if I have taught some others to do the
same. Have I “harvested” all the knowledge I could from reading the Book of
Mormon daily? Did I “harvest” my Sabbath Day free time and use it to serve
others, or increase my love for the Savior?
There is still some time left in this year to increase the
yield from our personal “harvest”, after all when farmers do everything they
can to increase crop production, they are rewarded at harvest for their
efforts. May we increase our efforts to harvest more in the remaining months of
the year. We as a Stake Presidency are already seeing the fruits of your
personal labors, keep up the good work of salvation, it does not go unnoticed.
May you be blessed throughout the upcoming holidays and continue to increase
your personal “harvest”. We love you and continue to pray for each of you to be
protected and blessed in your homes and at work. If you get a chance sing
through Hymn 94, “Come, Ye Thankful People” in one of your family home
evenings, and feel the blessings Heavenly Father and the Savior Jesus Christ
have for you. Have a great “harvest”!
President Dana W. Harju
Stake Relief Society Message
Solid,
Strong, True
I
feel blessed to serve in the Youngstown Stake Relief Society Presidency. I have
so much to learn in this new calling, and I am fortunate to have great
counselors, LaToya Gispert (Rootstown Ward) and HelenRae Tarantino (Alliance
Ward), and a wonderful secretary, Casey Rieger (Warren Ward). And, of course, I
have the sustaining support of each of you.
I
should admit that in many ways, I feel like a new member of the Church, having
joined in 2007. I am the only Latter-day Saint in my family, and the only
member of the Church most of my non-member friends know. I began investigating
the church in 2006, during a period of profound personal and professional
distress. Although I was a practicing Catholic at that time, my desire to learn
more about the Church was inspired by my boss, who was the first Latter-day
Saint I’d ever known.
Yet
a few years before I actually began investigating, I had an accidental
experience with the Church that I now know was not an accident. In 2002, during the Salt Lake City
Olympics, I was on an overnight flight to Germany. I was having trouble
sleeping, so I grabbed a news magazine that had a cover story on the Olympics
and the Mormons. The only thing I remember from the entire article is that the
Gordon B. Hinckley, the President of the church at the time, was asked why so
many people were turning to the LDS faith after 9/11. President Hinckley said it was because people
were looking for something solid,
strong, and true. Those three words made such a powerful impression on
me that I scribbled them down on a scrap of paper and stuffed them into my
wallet, where they remained in 2006 – when I began to search for those
attributes in my own life … and my search led me to the missionaries.
Because
I do not believe in spiritual accidents, let me share one more story. Years later, in 2011, I was invited to talk
about my conversion at a student devotional at Southern Virginia University. I
told the students about finding President Hinckley’s words, and the impact they
had on me. After my talk, a lovely young woman sought me out. She told me her
grandfather would have loved meeting me. Her comment took me by surprise –
until she explained that her grandfather was Gordon B. Hinckley! It was then I knew my first contact with the
church was all part of an inspired journey – a journey that continues even now,
with this special calling.
I
close with a portion of my testimony. I know we are all on spiritual journeys
that often begin with quiet – even inexplicable -- promptings. I know that
sisterhood is one of most powerful forces for good in the world. And I
absolutely know the Church is solid,
strong and true.
Love,
Sister Stephanie Smith
November 2016 Newsletter
Let me share the names of our new presidency & secretary: Elaine Seaman (Alliance Ward) is 1st
Counselor, Padmini Waldron (Youngstown Ward) is 2nd Counselor, and
Galynn Rossiter (Ashtabula Ward) is secretary. I know that the Lord had a hand in putting us
together! May I say that I love these women already!
But enough about our presidency and on to news about the
youth activities in our stake! The October Fall Harvest Quad Stake Dance (Oct. 22nd) was well attended by
youth from Youngstown, Cleveland, Akron, and Kirtland Stakes. A newly formed
Stake Youth Committee, made up of youth from each ward in our stake, took the
lead in decorating for the dance and cleaning up afterwards. We, as stake
leaders, were so excited to see their eagerness to participate and used their
great ideas and talents to make it THEIR dance! We were very proud of their
efforts!!
November 19th will be the next Quad Stake Dance.
It will be from 7-10 pm at the Cleveland Stake Center. As soon as we receive a
flyer with more information we will send it to the ward youth leaders.
I know that Heavenly
Father loves each of us very much. He is
very interested in the details of our lives. I testify that this is His church
and that we will be blessed as we keep His commandments and live the gospel to
the best of our ability. My prayer is that we can have the strength and
determination to do so!
In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Sister Debbie Headrick
Love
is Making Space in Your Life
Stake
Women’s Conference 2016
The women of the stake had an
opportunity to be spiritually fed in October during the Stake Women’s
Conference. We were able to hear from the new Relief Society President
during
the opening exercises. Then we were asked to choose 3 classes out of the 5
offered.
Each was uplifting and inspiring to hear. During lunch we were asked
to make a “blessing bag” to give away as we saw someone in need. What a
wonderful idea!
Family Discovery Day
This year’s event exceeded the expectations of the planners.
About 110 people attended the activity to learn how to search out their kindred
dead.
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Beginners Class |
Classes were offered
in the beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels with a work session that
followed.
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Intermediate Class |
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Advanced Class |
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Work Session & Lunch |
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