November Newsletter

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

As I have told some of you, when I learned of a possible release of our Stake Young Women’s presidency of which I was a part, I could not have been more confident that I would NOT be called as the next Stake Young Women’s President!  But when the call came, I decided to trust that Heavenly Father knew better than I did what was needed for our stake! I love serving Him in whatever capacity I am called to do! That is what my desire has always been!

Let me share the names of our new presidency & secretary:  Elaine Seaman (Alliance Ward) is 1^st Counselor, Padmini Waldron (Youngstown Ward) is 2^nd 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. 22^nd) 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 19^th 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.

Beginners Class

 Classes were offered in the beginning, intermediate, and advanced levels with a work session that followed.

Intermediate Class

The activity was full of the spirit. Bro. Talentino, the regional Family History Director, commented that this was the best that he's participated in as well as the best attended. 

Advanced Class

Work Session & Lunch

Other Activities In Our Area