Two Sundays ago (23rd February) saw the 52nd Annual Harrogate
Ward Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints held at the
local Chapel on Wetherby Road; where members and friends gathered from across
the 108 villages and hamlets that make up the Harrogate Ward to worship and be
uplifted together.
Attendees were able to experience beautiful music, provided by the ward
choir, and if you arrived early enough you would have heard the tranquil tones
of a harp expertly played by a local member. Stake, or regional, leaders were
also in attendance and offered high praise to the members for their many acts
of service given throughout the year. Goals for the upcoming year, personal
experiences and teachings from the scriptures were then shared to the
edification of all. The conference closed with an opportunity to enjoy a lunch,
kindly donated by the local members, and to renew old friendships and make new
ones!
Bishop
of two years, Spencer McKeown opened the conference and shared his desire for
the ward to increase in unity, ensuring that no one misses out. He invited all
of us to focus on Christ – allowing Him to change our hearts. 1st Counsellor in
the Stake Presidency, Kent Mayall related the importance of keeping the
commandments and the safety and true joy they provide, to the precise
procedures carried out on the ‘USS Ronald Reagan Aircraft Carrier’, that
ensures safety to a crew of over 6000.
President
Roy Tunicliffe, who presides over the York Stake (which includes areas such as:
Harrogate, Scarborough and Pontefract) expounded on the Stake goal for 2014 to find joy in the journey. As we
learn from the Plan of Salvation, a fullness of joy will only be available to
us after this life. But, as President Tunicliffe reminded us, it is also God’s
intention for us to find joy in this lifetime – a lesson that took the Children
of Israel 40 years to learn after escaping captivity in Egypt. He then shared 4
ways that can help us to find joy:
1)
Repentance
2)
Keeping the Commandments,
allowing us to have the companionship of the Holy
Spirit
3)
Expressing love to our families
4)
By inviting friends and
neighbours to come unto Christ.
The
Harrogate Ward Conference has always been a time for reflection and renewal – a
time to really cement in those New Year’s Resolutions! This year has been no
exception. By following the inspired counsel that has been given, joy can be
found in this journey through life.
We thought it would be fun to make a cake to mark the occasion! Many thanks to Nancy Smith and all who helped organise the Munch & Mingle.
