November 2012

Newsletter
Message from the Bishopric
RECENT CALLINGS
Dennis McMillen Priesthood Teacher

WARD CALLINGS
BISHOPRIC Bishop: Ben Maizey 1st Cllr: Stefan Liassides 2nd Cllr: Paul Bettridge Clerk: Paul Pratt Exec. Sec: Nathan Long HIGH PRIEST GROUP LEADER Bro Colin Winters ELDERS QUORUM Pres. John Rider RELIEF SOCIETY Pres. Claire Holcombe SUNDAY SCHOOL Pres. Peter Hammond YOUNG WOMENS Pres. Maribeth Warren YOUNG MENS Pres. Andrew Nunn PRIMARY Pres. Jill Spencer

The bishop loves you I testify of that. I have had the pleasure of serving on Bishoprics with three different Bishops - and several more in various other Ward and Stake callings. One attribute that every single Bishop has, without exception and with abundance, is a love for their ward members. They are all deeply concerned for the physical, emotional, and spiritual well being of every member of their ward and anybody else that they are in a position to offer assistance to. This love is what causes our Bishop sleepless nights as he empathises with members who are suffering. He grieves when our brothers and sisters depart from the comfort and protection, and importantly the spirit, that church and the gospel provides. He wants nothing more than to help guide us all safely to be with our Heavenly Father once again - having fulfilled what is necessary in this life. As Bishop Maizey opened up to us in a recent meeting about his concerns for some members of our ward I was touched by the spirit that testified to me of his love and sincere concern for us all. May we all strive to have this same pure love of Christ our Bishop exemplifies. May we go that extra mile to help our brothers and sisters in their times of need and do our little part to ease the burden from our Bishop. May we continually have the Bishop in our prayers for all he does and sacrifices. In Jesus name, Amen. Brother Stefan Liassides 1st Cllr Bishopric

Primary
As the world constantly changes around us, I am grateful that we had the theme of Choose the Right this year. It is ever important for us to be learning all the time but to learn to discern for ourselves how to interpret and act upon the world around us: at school, at work, at church, and mostly at home. I am so pleased with the Primary and their presentation that they gave on all the things they learned this year. In the New Year we will turn our focus to teaching the children that we are all children of our Heavenly Father. We are created in His image, and our purpose and potential is great because we are His children. November is always a month of reflection for me and I am grateful to know that I am a child of God and that He loves me and you and has great plans for us all. Jill Spencer Primary President

Remember to write to our Missionary Elder Stephen Patten Flat 2 Havelock Court 112 Naylor Road Peckham London SE15 1QW

Our Missionary in the Field

Agency is a divine heavenly principle, it is a wonderful gift we have all obtained from a loving God. Since serving as a missionary I have observed in many different ways how people exercise this gift. The adversary is constantly trying to entice us to do his will, but men can not act for themselves save they be enticed by the one or the other (2 Nephi 2:16). As a missionary and also as members we have the opportunity and responsibility to entice the world to do good and to choose the right. Only when we act to share the hope of the gospel, can people dwelling in spiritual darkness make a proper and clear choice. Only after they have been enticed by each of the opposing forces of good and evil can they make full use of their agency. Remember, no effort is wasted, even if those people whom you share the gospel with reject your offer, you have allowed them to make a clear distinct choice. You have allowed them to fully exercise their agency. I have seen first hand the fruits of those that exercise their agency and choose the good path of life, to see souls walk into the waters of baptism, makes the many rejections seem insignificant. There is a great battle between good and evil going on everyday, the question we need to ask ourselves is, whose side are we on? If we really do love Jesus Christ then let us show it by inviting the world to repent as he has commanded us to do so. Remember the sobering bold words of the Master when he said, He that is not with me is against me, and he that gathereth not with me scattereth (Luke 11:23). Brothers and sisters in closing I will leave you with some wise council from the divine Prophet of our dispensation, Joseph Smith. He said: A man filled with the love of God is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world, anxious to bless the whole human race. This has been your feeling and caused you to forgo the pleasures of home, that you might be a blessing to others, who are candidates for immortality, but strangers to the truth, and for so doing I pray that heavens choicest blessings rest upon. I leave you my love In the name of Jesus Christ Amen Elder Stephen Patten - England London South Mission

Message from The Communications Director

If you wish to receive the ward newsletter through email contact me on meltp34@yahoo.com Sis. Melanie Pettersen

Happy Birthdays!
Calendar /Announcements

10th November @ 10:30am 8:30pm Multi Stake Mini EFY Day in Bristol 24th November Temple Trip (Youth and General) 25th November - Teachings for our Time The Race of Life President Monson 25th November @ 6pm 8pm Stake Conference Sisters Session 30th November @ 7:30pm 9pm Stake Conference Priesthood Session 1st December @ 6pm 8pm Stake Conference Adult Session 2nd December @ 10am 12pm Stake Conference General Session 7th December @ 6:30pm Ward Christmas Party

Happy Birthday to those with birthdays coming up in the near future!

7th Nov President Dearden 10th Nov Theo Liassides 10th Nov Sue Winters 14th Nov Nathan Long 15th Nov Lynne Pearce 17th Nov Charlie Hole 18th Nov Lisa Hammond 20th Nov Daniel Jones 23rd Nov Rhiannon Pratt 27th Nov Logan Pettersen 28th Nov Alice Morgan 1st Dec Andy Nunn 1st Dec Emily Wilson 3rd Dec Mel Pettersen

There will be another collection for the homeless this coming Stake Conference that members can get involved with. Items are to be brought to the general session. More details to be provided next week.