Year: 2020

By Marci McPhee, Just Serve Specialist, San Antonio East Stake

What will be YOUR legacy from the Pandemic of 2020? With a different rhythm of life in these social distancing days, spend some time in the holy work of serving God’s children. Here are service ideas you can do safely from home.

Start with JustServe.org and click the search option “volunteer from home” for local service ideas. In addition:  

FAMILY or INDIVIDUAL SERVICE THAT REQUIRES NO SKILLS:

1. Send thank you notes to first responders, troops, health care professionals, nursing home staff, government decision-makers, kind neighbors, family members, etc. 
2. “Chalk the Walk.” Get permission ahead of time from a nursing home, hospital, rehab facility, etc. Then write notes of appreciation to staff in chalk on the sidewalk. You may want to do this for a neighbor family or shut-in as well.
3. Photograph grave markers for billiongraves.com. A family walk through a cemetery in the fresh air can also be a great service to others seeking their ancestors.      
4. Send letters of cheer to hospitalized children or adults, special-needs folks in residential facilities, elderly recipients of Meals on Wheels, etc.
5. Call, use Zoom, or Facetime with parents, grandparents, an elderly neighbor, ministering brother or sister, or other ward member. Or reach out to a friend or family member who is home with children; talk to each child individually to give their parent a break.
6. Go through the pantry and donate to a food bank any unexpired nonperishable foods that your family has outgrown. Tastes change – and someone else could use that box of macaroni and cheese if your teens decide they are too cool for kid food anymore.
7. Clean out the toybox, kitchen, attic, or garage and set things aside to donate to refugees, crisis centers, shelters, etc. Organizations may be closed for now, but they WILL reopen.
8. Go caroling. Seriously. Set up a time with a neighbor or surprise them. Ring their doorbell, then stand back 6 feet. They come to their doorstep; you sing Primary songs or hymns or your favorite goofy songs. You’ll make their day. 
9. Make care bags for individuals experiencing homelessness. Stuff plastic bags with snacks and contact information for the closest shelter. When social distancing days are over (and this WILL end), you’ll have care bags ready to keep in your car, backpack or stroller to give to someone you meet on the street who needs a hand. (See Haven for Hope care bags.)
10. Capture this moment. Try the “About Me” activities from Family Search. The pandemic will define this generation the way JFK’s assassination and September 11 defined those generations. You will want to remember your feelings, and your children and grandchildren will wonder how you got through it all. Besides, “numerous psychological studies over the years have confirmed that writing about personal experience seems to help the brain regulate emotion,” said Mark Obmascik, author of The Storm on Our Shores: One Island, Two Soldiers, and the Forgotten Battle of World War II, Atria (2019), 104. 
11. Capture someone else’s story in the “My Family” section of Family Search. How did your family members get through hard times before? Interview the oldest generation in your family.
12. Feed the missionaries or a ministering family or a neighbor, or pick up groceries for them. Arrange a pickup time, then practice “contact-free” delivery. This from Meal Train: “Place the meal or groceries on the porch. Leave the [food] by the front door and return to your car. Once in your car, kindly call the recipient and let them know the delivery is available.” Then follow up the delivery with a personal phone call, which may be just as nourishing to the soul as the meal or groceries.
13. If you have fleece on hand, tie blankets or hats and scarves for the needy. (No skills needed besides cutting and tying a knot – we promise!)
14. If you have old t-shirts, socks, rags, towels, or rope on hand, make pet toys for animal shelters. See 5 Tips for Making Pet Toys to Donate to Your Local Shelter (and notice step 1 – make sure the shelter is on board and find out their specific toy needs).

Continue reading “At Home Service Opportunities!”

by Ken Jarvis, Area Media Relations Specialist, Photos by Jacquie Eldredge

When Cynthia Miller, Evans Ranch Ward, dropped her daughter, Camryn, off at the Hill Country Stake Center to go on the pioneer trek she was immediately pleased to see the changes that began to take place in her daughter.  “She’s in a generation that very addicted to social media,” Sister Miller said,  “It was very refreshing to see all the kids talking to each other, making eye contact and doing stuff that they’re not used to doing.  I want her to put away what she’s used to doing and have a breath of fresh air.”

That seemed to be a common thread among the parents.  MacKenzie Olson’s Mom, Kayleen, said, “I want her to be thankful for everything that she has; her pioneer heritage, her many conveniences, to count her blessings and be thankful for her family.”  She, like other parents and leaders, made it clear that this was about much more than camping and hiking.  “I want her to have a spiritual time and to be closer to her Heavenly Father.”

The leaders who went with the youth were prepared to help with these goals.  Bishop Brett Rush, Smithson Valley Ward, said, “I expected they would do some hard things and then have some opportunities to learn about the restauration, their pioneer ancestry, and be able to see that hard things actually create opportunities for spiritual growth.” 

When asked if he thought those goals were accomplished, he replied, “Absolutely!  We had great discussions as ‘families’.  The kids just opened up.”  

He went on to explain that being super tired made them more open to spiritual things and the exhaustion took away their distractibility.  “They heard some powerful testimonies about Joseph Smith and the pioneers and the sacrifices that were made.  We correlated that to the sacrifices that we need to make to be disciples of Jesus Christ.  And they got that message.”  

Before leaving, Ethan Bang, Encino Park Ward, predicted that he would walk a lot and have some great experiences.  “I’m looking forward to the spiritual uplift.”

Amanda Fletcher, Bulverde Ward, learned that growth often comes through trials.  “The first day was super-hot and there were a lot of hills.  Along the way they kept telling us ‘Just one more mile.’ And a mile latter, ‘Just one more mile.’  It was actually four miles away and we were mad about that.”  But through that experience she said she learned that in life we may have disappointments but we can grow from them.  

She also liked fording the river.  “Another person and I pulled a cart across the river.  It was fun to just get it across.”  At the end of the second day she was grateful to just sit down.  But again, there was more work.  “The guys had to push a bolder up the hill and we had to push the handcarts up the hill.”  

Before she left for the trek MacKenzie Olsen wasn’t sure exactly what was going to happen but she did know that, “I want to try to grow spiritually.”  She also knew that to do that it was best, “…to be with other kids and be separate from the world.”

When she returned, MacKenzie said, “It was cool being connected to how the pioneers lived and how they did things.  What she liked best was, “…the end of the day when you were with everyone.”  She especially liked the lesson about, “Sisters in Zion because it showed how we can be strong and work together.”  Then she paused and added, “I learned that there are more important things to do than hair.”

Chantel Keller is the Hill Country Stake Young Women’s President.  She said her biggest challenge was, “Organization!  Imagine making arrangements for sleeping, eating, transportation, entertainment, spiritual devotionals and safety for over 300 people.”  

Nevertheless, she and the other leaders did that, “…in order for the youth to better understand why the pioneers left everything behind to cross the plains amongst so much persecution, trial and heartache.”  She said the leaders also wanted the youth to participate in President Nelson’s challenge to prepare for conference by studying Joseph Smith history and the restoration of the gospel.  

President Keller concluded, “Our prayer was that each individual who participated in trek would gain a better understanding of the faith of our pioneer heritage, feel the spirit, strengthen their testimony and draw closer to the Savior.”  

By Ken Jarvis, Area Media Relations Specialist

My wife, Rosie, and I are retired.  So, when it became necessary to stay home to help control the spread of the Corona Virus, we didn’t notice much difference in our schedules.  But as we communicated with our children around the country, we quickly realized that for many families, especially those with children, staying home seven days a week was quite an adjustment.  

That got me thinking, how are the families in our San Antonio area dealing with this dramatic change in schedule?  And before long I had an appointment to meet with my Bishop…his wife, Erin, and their seven children.

Sister Clark said she had the same problem that my wife and I had, she had trouble keeping track of what day it was. “So, we talked about how we could make today different.  We talked about the fact that the boys would dress up to administer and pass the sacrament and that we should all dress up so it felt different.”

Harrison, a Deacon of three months said it was really different to pass the sacrament to just his family. “I feel less nervous and it’s easier to do it.”

Bishop Clark said they wanted to center their Sunday worship on the emblems of the sacrament. “We tried to make it as spiritual and as simple as we could.  That particular moment was very spiritual, very touching and we could feel the spirit at that moment.”

Kenyon, a Priest, noticed one of the biggest changes was the need for personal responsibility. “We have to do a lot of learning by ourselves now that we don’t have church at the chapel.” 

Sister Clark said in reference to that, “We now have the  Come Follow Me family study.  We don’t find it at all a coincidence that we had over a year to practice this.  So, it doesn’t feel frantic.  It doesn’t feel like we’re in a hurry trying to figure this out because we already know what to do.”  

The Bishop added, “We reflected on how we are receiving, almost daily, instructions from our Prophet and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles giving us ideas and updating changes.  Then we tried to personalize it to see what the Clark family could do.”  

The Clarks then closed their service with another song and a prayer.  They were careful to divide the tasks up so that each child could have an individual experience.  Eldest daughter, Abby, who just completed her stake’s pioneer trek, saw a comparison between what her family is going through and the challenge of fording a river with the handcarts.  “We had to work together to cross the river,” she said.  “And now we have to work together to get through this.”  

By Marci McPhee, JustServe Specialist, San Antonio East Stake

When packing the Mobile Food Pantry in preparation for its monthly visit to the Buena Vista building, Julie Hoog of Catholic Charities wondered, will more people come because of the coronavirus situation, or fewer? Will more people be facing food insecurity, especially hourly workers and those who depend on tips, or will people observe social distancing and stay home? In the end, they decided to pack the truck with enough food to meet last month’s record number of 65 families helped. But the turnout even surpassed last month’s record. In March, 82 families were helped, most of them new families.

On Saturday, March 14, 2020, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (San Antonio East Stake) and Catholic Charities partnered to distribute food to those in need. The Mobile Food Pantry called “Hope Mobile” visits the Buena Vista building of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 655 Castroville Road on the second Saturday of each month. Assisting patrons in filling out forms and carrying their food were volunteers from both churches, including Spanish-speaking missionaries Elder Thrythall and Elder Tudor, and members of the Mission Creek Ward, among others. Food was donated by Catholic Charities and the Bishop’s Storehouse of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Deseret brand items). 

This time, new coronavirus precautions to help keep these vulnerable families safe included letting clients wait outside in the open air, fewer clients at a time at the sign-in tables and wiping down the table and chair between clients. James Duke of the San Antonio High Council, who has coordinated this monthly partnership since the beginning, said, “If you’re going to do it, do it right.” Taking a break from wiping tables, Brother Duke went to make more copies of the sign-in form for the greater-than-expected number of clients.

One client made it known that he was deaf. He showed his ID to the volunteer so she could copy his information onto the form. She asked him, clearly mouthing the words, “Is there anyone else in your household?” He smiled, pointed to his left ring finger and said “Rachel” (name has been changed). The volunteer grinned back at him and listened as he told his story: after a stroke left him unable to move, hear or speak, gradually his mobility and speech returned. His hearing did not. “But God is good,” they agreed, grateful for his improvement. Returning to the form, the volunteer asked, “What’s your cellphone number?” “No phone. Can’t hear,” he grinned again, pointing to his ear. They shared a laugh before they went out together to get his food.

In these challenging times, this ongoing partnership between two churches is part of the safety net to help community members make it through. “We’re in this together,” said one volunteer. “It’s what Jesus would do.” 

Members of the San Antonio North Stake Relief Society were asked to collect a variety of items to support the young women of Seton Home, a therapeutic residential facility that provides healing and education for abused and neglected teen girls who are pregnant or parenting.  More than 100 women answered the call, resulting in baskets overflowing with socks and underclothes, hygiene and beauty items, writing journals, and more. 

On February 29, attendees of the North Stake’s annual Relief Society Conference spent their lunch hour sorting donations and writing heartfelt notes of encouragement, as others assembled over 3 dozen gift baskets to make young moms feel special. In addition to these baskets, a dozen large boxes filled with socks, underwear, and feminine hygiene products were donated for the use of current and future residents.

Donations were brought to Seton Home and and gratefully received by Executive Director Gladys Gonzalez, who remarked, “The love and commitment shared through the gift baskets from the Latter-day Saints lets our young moms know how much your community supports their journey.  The community then becomes family!  Thank you for your generosity.”

By Marci McPhee, JustServe Specialist, San Antonio East Stake

They came with walkers, wheelchairs, canes, and medical knee scooters. They brought babies in carriers and held children by the hand. Some lined up as early as an hour and a half before the food pantry opened, standing in the cold and occasional drizzle to receive food for their families. 

On February 8, 2020, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (San Antonio East Stake) and Catholic Charities partnered to distribute food to those in need. The Mobile Food Pantry called “Hope Mobile” visits the Buena Vista building of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 655 Castroville Road on the second Saturday of each month. Assisting patrons in filling out forms and carrying their food were volunteers from both churches, including sister missionaries Hermana Abadia Pazos from Herriman, Utah, and Hermana Thayne from Bountiful, Utah.

A record 65 families were helped, a dramatic increase from last month. This was higher than the previous record of 61 families in October 2018 when this collaboration began. The food distributed included Deseret brand items from the Bishop’s Storehouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, plus other donations gathered by Catholic Charities (see “Food for the Body and Soul” hotlink to https://heartoftexaslatterdaysaints.org/2020/food-for-the-body-and-the-soul/). 

Several of the volunteers this month came from the High Country Ward, coordinated by James Duke of the San Antonio East Stake High Council. William Wise from the High Country Ward Bishopric, whispered “This is fun. I’m loving this,” as he helped another patron balance her groceries between her backpack and two bags for carrying, so she could take the bus home. Brother Wise continued, “When you help people, you feel a special spirit from them – a connection, like family, like you know them, even though you have never met. It’s like helping my own family.”

Sister Minerva Gutierrez added, “Siento mucho gozo al poder dar este servicio a la comunidad (I feel much joy to be able to give this service to the community). Estoy muy feliz de ayudar a los hijos de Dios (I am so happy to help these children of God).”

The Mobile Food Pantry not only makes these monthly visits to the Buena Vista building. It also responds to disasters, such as apartment fires or shootings, by providing hot meals to first responders or victims. It has responded to immigration issues in Laredo, helped with the annual homeless count in San Antonio, and provides weekly hot meals to those experiencing homelessness. By meeting people in the community where they are, “Hope Mobile” volunteers can also refer to other local services such as legal assistance, ID recovery, rent and utilities assistance, veteran’s services, etc. 

“Hope Mobile” not only stocks food, but also clean clothes (including new socks and underwear), coats when needed, diapers – “Whatever we have we share,” said Tom Hoog, director of programs and community outreach for Catholic Charities, working along with his wife Julie. Tom continued, “Those we serve are nourished by the food, but also the conversation. We see the humanity in each person, including the volunteers. Each one is an individual with their own story, but we see Christ in each one that comes.”

By Marci McPhee, JustServe Specialist, San Antonio East Stake

Folks who have visited or volunteered at the Bishop’s Storehouse recognize the Church’s distinctive brand “Deseret” with the honeybee symbol. But they might be surprised to see Deseret brand items distributed by Catholic Charities, alongside other basic commodities.

Thanks to a grant from the Church’s Bishop’s Storehouse, Deseret brand macaroni and cheese, turkey chunks, rice and peanut butter were distributed at the Mobile Food Pantry, January 11, 2020, alongside donations from local grocery stores, the San Antonio Food Bank and Catholic Charities. Those in need were able to fill their bags with basic food for their families.

Catholic Charities’ Mobile Food Pantry called “Hope Mobile” visits the Buena Vista building of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 655 Castroville Road on the second Saturday of each month. With the grant from the Storehouse, the Church has expanded it’s role beyond assisting with distribution. Volunteers from both churches assisted patrons in filling out forms and carrying their food. 

In addition, one of the volunteers from Catholic Charities brought a jar filled with scriptures, labeled “Soul Food.” Patrons were encouraged to reach in and choose a scripture, to lift their spirit as well as feed their soul with the healthy food they were bringing home. “Sometimes folks ask me how I do it – fill the jar with a variety of scriptures so they can choose exactly the right scripture for them. But it’s not me – it’s God, working through me.”