You're invited to the York pantomime

Everyone is invited to the York pantomime!  There's a long history going back many years, and for those of you who have taken part of attended over recent years will know that this is a show not to be missed.  Members of the York 1 and York 2 Wards plus friends from near and far - have been working hard to put together this year's spectacular.  It's free to attend, but you do need to call or email and request tickets as spaces are limited.  See the poster below for details:

Harrogate Ward Conference

  Two Sundays ago (23^rd February) saw the 52^nd 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.

Pictures from the 'Western Evening'

The 'Western Evening' held on the 1st March was a lot of fun.  Many friends and families joined for this outstanding activity where there was a bucking bronco, a variety of live music acts, games, line dancing, country dancing - and of course some great food.  Those involved in organising the event went all out create the western theme everywhere you looked, and it was great that so many people came dressed for the occasion too.  A big thank you to everyone involved!

Here's a selection of some pictures from the evening:

You're invited to our 'Western Evening' family activity

Everyone is invited to our family activity on Saturday 1st March.  This 'Western Evening' will be a lot of fun - with activities that include line dancing, a bucking bronco, rifle range, food and more.  You're welcome to come in your best wild-west fancy dress if you like!

Everyone is welcome, be sure to invite your family and friends to join us.

7pm, Saturday 1st March

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints chapel

West Bank, Acomb, York, YO24 4HA

Our Thankful Primary

As it is Thanksgiving in the US, sharing time in Harrogate ward primary this week was focused around the things that we are grateful for. The children made a blessing tree where they wrote on the leaves what they were thankful for. The things they were thankful for were lovely and included:

Jesus

Chocolate

Family

Mustaches

Smiles

Temples

Showers & baths

Living in beautiful England

Their head

Shoes

Mum & Dad

There are moments when working with and teaching these children really is priceless! I'm so thankful for the primary children in our ward and the smiles they bring each week.

Remembrance Sunday

Steve Gregory from the Bridlington Branch, travelled to London to help build the Field of Remembrance at Westminster Abbey.  Back home in Bridlington he took part in the Remembrance Sunday parade.

“I have been to London many times as an officer and have paraded in Whitehall in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen and the Prime Minister on Remembrance Sunday. I have relatives who gave their lives in both the world wars, and I have worked with colleagues who have been killed in the line of duty. I feel a strong sense of thanks for the freedom we enjoy, which drives me to honour these people – particularly at this time of the year. I have many stories I could tell but I will save them for another time.

I have helped to build the Field of Remembrance before and it is very tiring both physically and emotionally. There were about 130,000 crosses to hammer into the ground this year and most of them had been handwritten by the people sending them in. Initially I read every one but soon realised that there was so much to do and not much time in which to do it and the emotion of reading some of the inscriptions was also taking its toll. The Field was completed in 3 days despite the rain and it was ready for opening by the Duke of Edinburgh on the Thursday.

As for the Sunday parade in Bridlington we all lined up at about 10:25. There was a pipe band in front, followed by the colours, and then the wreath bearers - which included myself representing the Church. The parade also included uniform and civic groups and was about 250 meters long. We paraded through the streets to the cenotaph where a short service was held followed by 2 minutes silence and then the laying of the wreaths. Each organisation was called out over the sound system and then their chosen representative walked forward and laid the wreath, and after stepping back either saluted or paused for a moment before returning to the parade. Our wreath bore the Church's name in bold letters and was laid in a prominent position at the front for all to see. It will remain there for several weeks before being moved by the council.

I know that the Lord Jesus Christ has blessed and protected me over many years. I see this clearly when I look back. I am so fortunate to be able to honour those who lost their lives.”

We Were There

York Members Celebrate First Stake Created in the Canary Islands

The following account is shared by Mark and Luz Cosnes, members of the York 2nd Ward:

In September this year, over forty years after the baptism of the first person from the Canary Islands to join the Church, Luz and I were privileged to attend and celebrate the creation of the first Stake of Zion there.

Luz and I sat on the front left of this picture

What a joyous occasion! Tears of joy flowed freely and frequently as stories and memories of faithful pioneers brought the real meaning of the word sacrifice into appreciation.

 

We met with active family and friends and many who had returned to witness the stake being established after periods of inactivity. There were many, many smiles and hugs.

 

We met with Elder Jose L. Reina of the Seventy, who is a good friend of Luz’s family and who mentioned Luz’s parents with affection in his talk as he reminisced over some of the first members of the Church in the islands.

Elder Jose Teixeira at the pulpit

We listened to inspired leaders teach Gospel direction to the gathered saints and visitors, including Elder Reina (otherwise affectionately known as ‘Pepon’!) who spoke about the supreme necessity for us all to leave past hurts behind and to forgive one another, and also Europe Area President Elder Jose Teixeira who celebrated the diverse and many nationalities of those being baptised across Europe.

Elder Reina with Brother Gomez, the first convert to the Church from the Canary Islands and currently the serving Bishop of Toledo Spain

Luz’s niece Denise Roka with a friend

For the full story please visit the official Spanish Mormon Newsroom website: 

http://www.saladeprensamormona.es/articulo/se-crea-la-estaca-de-las-palmas-en-las-islas-canarias-

More Pictures From Stake Conference

 Greeting those attending conference - the Stake President, Roy Tunnicliffe, along with two of the sister missionaries.

We're proud to support the Poppy Appeal which helps support he British Armed Forces past and present, and their families.

Those attending conference were asked to bring food that could be donated to the local Food Banks in York and the surrounding areas.