RS activity: How to have your own Last Supper
The Relief Society sisters gathered for an evening of sharing Christ-centered Easter traditions. It was a remarkable evening that had special significance taking place on April 6, Christ’s birthday. The evening started with excerpts from Elder Stevenson’s most recent conference talk, "The Greatest Easter Story Ever Told."
Then the activity moved into discussion of the Passover tradition and the Last Supper. The sisters ate Passover-like foods while sitting on rugs spread out on the floor and reading and discussing Matthew 26:17-35. Tender testimonies, experiences, and insights were shared. The discussions were rich, and the Spirit was strongly felt.
"We should be taking steps to celebrate Easter in creative new ways: in art, literature, children’s games, poetry,
music, dance, festivals, bells, special concerts. ... This is our greatest festival. Take Christmas away, and in biblical terms you lose two chapters at the front of Matthew and Luke, nothing else. Take Easter away, and you don’t have a New Testament; you don’t have a Christianity." – New Testament scholar N.T. Wright
Then the activity moved into discussion of the Passover tradition and the Last Supper. The sisters ate Passover-like foods while sitting on rugs spread out on the floor and reading and discussing Matthew 26:17-35. Tender testimonies, experiences, and insights were shared. The discussions were rich, and the Spirit was strongly felt.
"We should be taking steps to celebrate Easter in creative new ways: in art, literature, children’s games, poetry,
music, dance, festivals, bells, special concerts. ... This is our greatest festival. Take Christmas away, and in biblical terms you lose two chapters at the front of Matthew and Luke, nothing else. Take Easter away, and you don’t have a New Testament; you don’t have a Christianity." – New Testament scholar N.T. Wright
Relief Society Gratitude Brunch provides insight
We had a lovely morning together during our Relief Society Gratitude Brunch on Saturday, November 12.
Bronte Bliss put together a delicious spread for us, and Becky Allen shared beautiful examples and stories on expressing gratitude.
If you weren’t able to be with us for this activity, be sure to pick up a gratitude journal from the Relief Society presidency. We still have some left.
Bronte Bliss put together a delicious spread for us, and Becky Allen shared beautiful examples and stories on expressing gratitude.
If you weren’t able to be with us for this activity, be sure to pick up a gratitude journal from the Relief Society presidency. We still have some left.
Painting activity brings poignant thoughts of Christ
By Jessica Potrie, RS Secretary
The Relief Society activity on September 22 was one for the books. We had a beautiful turnout and as sisters we were able to reconnect and build a stronger bond among all of us. Our activity was held in the Relief Society room, and a Young Women's group volunteered their time to come watch the kids as the women gathered together. During the activity we had a delicious array of charcuterie boards for each table. The food alone was just divine. BUT what made it more divine was the end result of each sister's painting of Christ.
As I reflected on this activity, I realized something that I already knew to be true––that our relationship with our Savior is unique and intricate to each and every one of us. This rang true to me, as I witnessed each of the sisters' paintings. It was a quick peek into their own personal relationship with our loving Savior, Jesus Christ. Each of us knows the Savior differently through our own personal experiences, our triumphs and our sorrows, our grief, our not-so-beautiful learning experiences––what I like to call "a hot mess." That is why the Savior has so many names. As life teaches us, whether we are ready for it or not, we learn a new name for the Savior. And as we reflect on the "new name" that we learned of Christ, we will realize that Christ is everything. That He is everywhere. That He wants to be near YOU always.
2021 wrap-up, by Bonnie Sullivan, RS President
We rejoiced in April when we, as sisters, could come together in an in-person Relief Society meeting, after having Sunday gospel lessons online.
During the pandemic, events were planned that would bring us together, lift our hearts, and serve our sisters and others. One opportunity for service was filling food boxes for the Tohono O'Odham Nation during their great need. We did this by having donation signups; then sisters brought their items to church where we combined all.
Relief Society sisters also connected as we hiked together outside, shared chocolate and love, and learned stargazing this year.
After learning to watercolor at one of our activities, sisters were invited to paint postcards, write an uplifting message, and send it to young women and men from our ward who were far from home in college, on missions, or serving in the military.
Cards were also made for those in our ward who haven't been able to come to church due to health issues or concerns about the continuing problems of COVID-19. These cards were personally delivered with expressions of love and of our missing these individuals, as well as an invitation to the ward/neighborhood outdoor trunk-or-treat. Many did feel comfortable enough to come to the trunk-or-treat and share chili. Families from the neighborhood also enjoyed the evening with us.
While we are slowly coming together, we feel grateful to not be distanced.