As anyone who lives in or around San Antonio knows, late April is Fiesta time. For the members of the San Antonio Texas Hill Country Stake (a group of congregations) of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the spirit of Fiesta is very much alive and well. That’s because each year they sponsor their own Fiesta, only this year it was a little different and a lot bigger.
A bird’s eye view of Fiesta, San Antonio Texas Hill Country Stake style!
Planning and organizing this year’s fiesta was the responsibility of Randall Wright of the Texas Hill Country Stake Stake High Council (leadership council). “We moved to San Antonio last year and I got the assignment last fall. Unfortunately I had never even heard of Fiesta and had no idea what it was all about.”
Not knowing what to do he took his problem to the Lord. He knew the Doctrine and Covenants (a collection of modern scripture) was written by asking questions of the Lord. For example, Wright said, “Joseph Smith went into the grove with a question and came out with the first vision.”
An estimated 1200 individuals attended the 2023 Fiesta.
Wright didn’t know anybody in the stake so he put his fellow High Counselors to work. “My Fiesta committee WAS the High Council. Every High Councilor has a unit so I told them it was their responsibility to share this information with their unit.”
Fiesta medals are created each year by various organizations to celebrate Fiesta San Antonio. The Texas Hill Country Stake created their own version for participants to wear.
He thought they should have a midway with booths on either side. “Every unit was to have a booth the size of three parking spaces.” To that he added booths for the Stake Relief Society (women’s ministry), Primary (children’s organization), Just Serve and Family History. The rest of the space was taken up with booths for face painting, games, crafts, displays and especially food. “My parents passed on to me a catering background. Where that came to play here was that it’s a terrible thing to run out of food.”
Quesadillas, Frito Pies and Smoked Pork Sandwiches were just some of the food served at Fiesta!
In addition to that he wanted an activity for different age groups. For example there was a petting zoo for the little kids. The large multi-acre field owned by the Stake behind the chapel provided room for soccer, wiffle ball and many other games for the older kids. To all that an obstacle course and bounce house was added.
Children enjoyed different types of animals at the petting zoo.
The next challenge was how to get the word out. Wright put a lot of emphasis on a flyer that listed “Five Reasons You Don’t Want to Miss This”. Then he made sure each family got several emails from the Stake reminding them that Fiesta was coming with the last email sent the night before from the Stake President.
Missionaries help serve food to Fiesta participants.
Well, apparently a lot of people “didn’t want to miss this” since approximately 1200 members and friends showed up. That’s an increase of 700 over last year. In addition to having a large crowd, the crowd stayed late. Wright said it was scheduled to close at 7p.m. “But we had music and a DJ and the dancing went on until much later!”
A young boy participates in making Fiesta flowers out of tissue paper.
Next year’s Fiesta may very well be larger since many members who attended left with only one regret…they hadn’t invited their friends. Well, there’s always next year.
The San Antonio Texas Hill Country Stake Relief Society Presidency, recognized a need in San Antonio to help the temporary residents of the Battered Women’s/Children’s Shelter. They found out from the director of the shelter that one of the many items needed at the shelter were purses filled with personal items that will help support them as they begin this new transition. Almost immediately, a request for assistance in this effort was sent to all women’s ministry leaders (Relief Society Presidents) in each congregation within the Stake boundaries to help collect “Handbags of Hope”.
“Handbags for Hope” are collected at the San Antonio Texas Hill Country Stake Fiesta celebration.
In the request that was issued the San Antonio Texas Hill Country Stake Relief Society Presidency, stated that, “Along with ministering and loving the sisters in our wards, we have been given the opportunity to tend and care for the sheep of another fold, those being temporary residents of the Battered Women’s/Children’s Shelter.” The message went on to say that these women were in “…very desperate situations that have made them suddenly homeless and consequently sharing quarters with up to 100 other women who are trying to get a fresh start on life.”
More handbags are collected as Fiesta attendees drop off purses and supplies.
Each congregation’s Relief Society, or women’s ministry, was asked to provide as many gently used or new purses as they could. In addition they were asked to fill each purse with the following items: a wallet, small mirror, hair ties, lip balm, feminine hygiene products, hand sanitizer, small notebook with pen, hand moisturizer, and socks.
The number of purses to be delivered to the Battered Women/Children’s Shelter grow.
The goal was to deliver them prior to Mother’s Day, a day that mothers are celebrated worldwide! The hope was “…to help make these ladies’ Mother’s Day be a little bit more special,” according to Cynthia Y. Miller, Stake Relief Society first Counselor.
Cindy Beattie, Stake Relief Society President, said that the goal was to have 100 filled purses delivered to Stake’s meetinghouse for the Fiesta celebration on April 22, 2023. “I’m delighted to announce that we were able to deliver over 200 filled purses to the shelter the following Monday,” Beattie said.
“We may not always look where we are going, but we always go where we are looking” said Kacee Carlson, one of the speakers at Friday night’s Women’s Conference for the San Antonio North Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. If we have a desire to grow closer to the Savior, and “Come Unto Jesus” we must be looking that way. Speakers at the conference addressed the theme of “Come Unto Jesus” and how we can draw closer to Him. Women and girls ages eight and up participated in this weekend’s conference.
North Stake Young Women played prelude for the conference: Violins: Aliya Peterson, Hallie Crofts, Camilla Antonucci, Brynn Walker, Viola: Brooke Christensen, Cello: Kayla Antonucci, Bass: Kayla Pugh
“God doesn’t cause our trials, but He doesn’t waste them” said Carlson. She encouraged participants to gain a relationship with Christ so that they can draw upon His enabling grace in stressful times.
San Antonio North Stake Relief Presidency: (L to R) First Counselor Liana Greenberg, President Darlene Westenskow, Secretary Vicky Zamarripa, Second Counselor Selena Brooks
McCalle Wilkey, another speaker, shared advice from her friend’s journey coming to Christ, she said, “I had to learn and grow and that sometimes I would struggle and fall but that made me no worse or less deserving in God’s eyes. I think this mindset is what made all the difference because I learned it was a personal journey and not a perfection race. I am not competing with anyone for the last spot in the Celestial Kingdom. We can all get there together and there is plenty of space for us all in God’s Kingdom.”
The conference continued on Saturday morning as women and girls drilled, sanded and constructed 35 beds at Sleep in Heavenly Peace. Sleep in Heavenly Peace has a motto that no kids sleep on the floor in their town.
There were a few delivery teams that went out yesterday and delivered beds to four children in the community. Darlene Westenskow, Relief Society President of the North Stake, said “Many sisters, in conjunction with the conference also donated bedding: pillows, sheets and comforters for future use of children in the community as well.”
Over 75 women and girls showed up to help with the Sleep in Heavenly Peace service opportunity. You can learn more about Sleep in Heavenly Peace here
“I get to think about all of the youth and how I can help them, so they can grow in all four areas (spiritual, social, physical and intellectual). In the council I get a chance to help be a part of that,” said Natalie Moulton, president of her 12-13 year old Young Women’s class in the Indian Springs congregation. The Lord’s way of leading His Church is through councils. Youth in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints start participating in councils at the age of 12 to help meet the needs of their peers. Youth Councils are held monthly all over the world.
Indian Springs Youth Council: (L to R) Aylee Christensen, Natalie Moulton, Josh Butler, Jack Lee, Bryant Webster, Sara Lange (not pictured: Landen Meisman)
“I hope they learn to how to identify the needs of others and ways that they can minister to them.” Said Jayce Warner, 2nd Counselor in the Bishopric over the Deacons quorum (age 12-13 young men). “In Youth Council they “organize a plan to help those in need. I think that’s something that is a useful skill they can use throughout their life, especially in leadership positions within the Church.”
Sara Lange, president of the Young Women’s 14-15 year old class, speaking about the Youth Council said, “One of the older youth will lead the meeting and we will go around and we’ll talk about what we’re doing in our classes and quorums and what needs we have.”
Jack Lee, president of the Deacon’s quorum attended his first Youth Council. He said, “It helped me develop a sense of empathy for the situations. I know some people have a hard time getting a ride to activities, so feeling that empathy for them — has had a big impact on me.”
Youth and a leader from the Indian Springs Congregation (L to R): Brooklyn Webster, Taylor Allen, Sister Rachel Potts, Amy Severy, Hailey Moulton, Natalie Moulton, Amelia Potts
As a result of discussions in Youth Council, Lange said, “We have been offering rides, saying ‘we have this activity, do you need a ride?’ Or ‘do you need a ride on Sunday?’” It’s that initiative that Warner hopes the youth will learn. He said, “We hope that they are able to notice those that need help and then develop a plan to act and provide them with the help that is needed.”
Amy Severy picks up downed limbs
It is just that initiative that led to a recent activity. Warner continued, “One of the Young Women knew about a sister in the ward who needed, and had asked for some help, with the fallen limbs on her property. She brought it up and asked the council what could be done to help her. From there we discussed how we could get the youth organized and to find out who else could use similar help.”
Taylor Allen (in the gray) and Natalie Moulton (in the navy) help remove a large limb
Lee was excited to help clear limbs, he said: “Doing the right thing gives me a good feeling.” He enjoyed planning the service activity. He said, “Some people couldn’t even get out of their driveways or access their garage because of the limbs that had been blocking their driveways. So we decided to get some yard tools and help clear that away. We’re trying to get as many helping hands as we can.” They were able to organize a lot of helping hands.
(L to R) Jax Potts, Amy Severy and Ryann McCooey work together to remove a large tree limb
Leadership training and planning of activities is done in class and quorum presidency meetings. In Youth Councils deeper items are discussed such as the work of salvation and exaltation and how the ward, classes and quorums are meeting the needs of the youth. Efforts to reach out to youth who are less active or new members are also discussed.
(L to R) Jax Potts, Zander Taylor and Jack Lee help remove downed tree limbsTaylor Allen carries an armful of sego palm limbs to the trash
Elder Neil L. Andersen, of the Church’s Twelve Apostles, taught that “revelation is scattered among us” (Ensign, April 2011). Councils allow members to gather that revelation as they carry out the Lord’s work. “Everyone can share ideas” says Moulton “and we can think and talk about different people and how we can benefit all of them.”
Tragedy begets sorrow begets compassionate response. That summarizes how the terrible school shootings in Uvalde last May resulted in 22 pastel portraits being artfully created in a small town in Utah and distributed to surviving families in Uvalde.
The artist stands next to a family recipient of a portrait
The artist is JR Johansen, who lives in Huntsville, Utah. His brother-in-law is Ross Davidson of Uvalde. In conversation following the May 24 tragedy, the two men came together on the idea of Johansen painting a portrait of each of the shooting victims to comfort sorrowing families.
“As we talked, it became apparent that each of us had received the same impression to try to help these bereaved families,” says Davidson, who has just been released after five years as Eagle Pass District president. The two men’s wives—Jolene Davidson and Deanna Johansen—are sisters.
JR Johansen and Ross Davidson stand in the Davidson home with some of the paintings arrayed behind them
Davidson contacted grieving family members in Uvalde and was assured that such portraits would be well-received. He then collected favorite family photos of victims and sent them to Johansen. The 22 portraits were completed near the end of 2022 and transported to Uvalde.
At their home in Uvalde, the Davidsons and the artist privately hosted visits by individual family members in which Johansen personally presented his framed artwork. These visits occurred over two days, Jan. 26-27. “Tears were shed and smiles lit up faces,” says Brother Davidson.
The gifts, of course, were without cost to recipients, with frames being donated by a Layton, Utah, frame shop and other materials and transportation costs being absorbed by anonymous donors.
JR Johansen is a Vietnam War veteran who during the war was injured in an Agent Orange air-drop that went awry. His lungs were severely damaged in the incident and he later developed a heart problem.
Many years later, Johansen began painting as a therapeutic activity, focusing on portraits of children with terminal illnesses. That led to requests for portraits of missionaries who lost their lives on their missions. To date, he has produced more than 500 portraits of children who died in a variety of circumstances.
“When I began painting,” Johansen says. “I realized I looked forward to getting up every morning to paint. There were days I didn’t feel good, but it was a positive thing for me because of some of the experiences I’ve had. It has helped me to be happy and I love it.”
The Johansens also are members of the Church and, among other callings, served three missions in Nigeria.
KSL-TV in Salt Lake City aired a story about the artist and his donation to the Uvalde victim’s families which can be viewed here: Johansen’s Donation
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Artista de Utah produce 22 retratos para consolar a las familias de la tragedia de Uvalde
La tragedia engendra dolor engendra una respuesta compasiva. Eso resume cómo los terribles tiroteos en la escuela en Uvalde en mayo pasado dieron como resultado que se crearan ingeniosamente 22 retratos en colores pastel en un pequeño pueblo de Utah y se distribuyeran a las familias sobrevivientes en Uvalde.
El artista es JR Johansen, que vive en Huntsville, Utah. Su cuñado es Ross Davidson de Uvalde. En una conversación posterior a la tragedia del 24 de mayo, los dos hombres acordaron la idea de que Johansen pintara un retrato de cada una de las víctimas del tiroteo para consolar a las familias afligidas.
“Mientras hablábamos, se hizo evidente que cada uno de nosotros había recibido la misma impresión de tratar de ayudar a estas familias en duelo”, dice el hermano Davidson, quien acaba de ser relevado después de cinco años como presidente del distrito de Eagle Pass. Las esposas de los dos hombres, Jolene Davidson y Deanna Johansen, son hermanas.
Se puso en contacto con familiares afligidos en Uvalde y le aseguraron que tales retratos serían bien recibidos. Luego recopiló fotos familiares favoritas de las víctimas y se las envió a Johansen. Los 22 retratos se completaron a fines de 2022 y se transportaron a Uvalde.
En su casa en Uvalde, los Davidson y el artista organizaron visitas privadas de miembros individuales de la familia en las que Johansen presentó personalmente su obra de arte enmarcada. Estas visitas ocurrieron durante dos días, el 26 y 27 de enero. “Se derramaron lágrimas y las caras se iluminaron con sonrisas”, dice el hermano Davidson.
Los obsequios, por supuesto, fueron sin costo para los destinatarios, con marcos donados por una tienda de marcos de Layton, Utah, y otros materiales y costos de transporte absorbidos por donantes anónimos.
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JR Johansen es un veterano de la Guerra de Vietnam que durante la guerra resultó herido en un lanzamiento aéreo del Agente Naranja que salió mal. Sus pulmones y su corazón resultaron severamente dañados en el incidente.
Muchos años después, comenzó a pintar como una actividad terapéutica, centrándose en retratos de niños con enfermedades terminales. Eso condujo a solicitudes de retratos de misioneros que murieron en sus misiones. Hasta la fecha, ha producido más de 500 retratos de niños que murieron en diversas circunstancias.
“Cuando comencé a pintar”, dice Johansen. “Me di cuenta de que tenía muchas ganas de levantarme todas las mañanas para pintar. Hubo días que no me sentí bien, pero fue algo positivo para mí por algunas de las experiencias que he tenido. Me ha ayudado a ser feliz y me encanta”.
Los Johansen también son miembros de la iglesia y, entre otros llamamientos, sirvieron en tres misiones en Nigeria.
Eagle Pass District’s new presidency isn’t entirely new: President Brady Williams was first counselor in the previous leadership team. However, the presidency is a new mix of talent and life experience.
President Williams accepted the mantle of leadership, he says, with a sense of urgency about building on a foundation already laid “to try to foster more love and caring and unity across the District, and to strengthen every one of our councils.”
The president cites passages in the Book of Mormon describing congregations of believers “who were not without problems but were described as the happiest of peoples. I want our District to strive to become Zion.”
Following is an introduction to the new District authorities:
The Eagle Pass District Presdiency (l to r) 1st Counselor Dennis Russo, President Brady Williams and 2nd Counselor Kevin Dewey
PRESIDENT WILLIAMS is a native of Durango, Colo., one of several places he lived in his youth as a member of a U.S. Air Force family. He was the oldest of eight children—and a brother to other siblings, as well, because his parents through the years also adopted 10 children.
His parents—Danny and Brenda Williams—moved the family to Del Rio in 1987. From there, the president left in 1990 on a mission to the Colorado Denver Mission. His subsequent church callings include serving as bishop of the Uvalde Ward for six and a half years—his term being extended when the ward was moved to another stake in San Antonio.
The 51-year-old District leader has been employed at Uvalde Memorial Hospital for more than 20 years, where he is a certified registered nurse anesthetist. He and a partner have a medical practice that includes exclusive contracts with Uvalde Memorial Hospital and Dimmit Regional Hospital in Carrizo Springs.
He and wife Amy have six children—three of whom have served missions in such places as Peru (Dallin), California (Aspen), and Missouri (Amber). Two sons, Chase and Michael, are currently serving missions in, respectively, the Honduras San Pedro Sula West Mission and Spain Madrid North Mission. The youngest child, Ashley, is yet in Uvalde High School.
DENNIS RUSSO, the presidency’s first counselor, speaks fluent Spanish as the son of Argentine parents. He and his wife Vicki have two sons—and five grandchildren. The couple is active in the Eagle Pass 1st Branch.
The 56-year-old counselor has served in numerous callings through the years including 14 years as a branch president. As a youth, he served for two years in the Argentina Buenos Aires Mission.
He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and completed four years in uniform. Then he switched uniforms and became a member of the U.S. Border Patrol, where he worked for 25 years before retiring.
KEVIN DEWEY, the presidency’s second counselor, is a native of Hillsboro, Ore. He first connected to this part of the country as a missionary in the Texas McAllen Mission. “I didn’t know it then, but it prepared me for my future wife and for living here in Del Rio.”
The 31-year-old presidency member met his wife Alejandra as a student at BYU-Idaho, from where he graduated with a bachelor of fine arts, specializing in user experience design. He was employed by FamilySearch for five years, where he says he learned to love family history and the worksurrounding it.
In 2020, he returned to Texas, this time with a family, taking a job in San Antonio. The next year, the couple was prompted to move to Del Rio, where Alejandra Dewey grew up. President Dewey was able to reconfigure his work so he could continue his career working remotely from their Del Rio home.
The Deweys have two boys—six-year-old Dale and four-year-old Jasper. Sister Dewey home-schools them and has started a non-profit organization on the side. “We love it here,” President Dewey says. The couple is active in the Del Rio 3rd Branch.
La nueva presidencia del distrito de Eagle Pass no es completamente nueva: el presidente Brady Williams fue el primer consejero en el equipo de liderazgo anterior. Sin embargo, la presidencia es una nueva mezcla de talento y experiencia de vida.
El presidente Williams aceptó el manto de liderazgo, dice, con un sentido de urgencia sobre la construcción sobre una base ya establecida “para tratar de fomentar más amor, cuidado y unidad en todo el Distrito, y fortalecer cada uno de nuestros consejos”.
El presidente cita pasajes del Libro de Mormón que describen congregaciones de creyentes “que no carecían de problemas, pero que se describían como los pueblos más felices. Quiero que nuestro Distrito se esfuerce por convertirse en Zion”.
A continuación se presenta una presentación de las nuevas autoridades del Distrito:
EL PRESIDENTE WILLIAMS es nativo de Durango, Colo., uno de varios lugares donde vivió en su juventud como miembro de una familia de la Fuerza Aérea de los EE. UU. Era el mayor de ocho hijos, y también hermano de otros hermanos, porque sus padres a lo largo de los años también adoptaron a 10 niños.
Sus padres, Danny y Brenda Williams, trasladaron a la familia a Del Rio en 1987. Desde allí, el presidente partió en 1990 en una misión a la Misión Colorado Denver. Sus siguientes llamamientos en la iglesia incluyen servir como obispo del Barrio Uvalde durante seis años y medio; su mandato se extendió cuando el barrio se trasladó a otra estaca en San Antonio.
El líder del distrito de 51 años ha trabajado en Uvalde Memorial Hospital durante más de 20 años, donde es un enfermero anestesista registrado certificado. Él y un socio tienen una práctica médica que incluye contratos exclusivos con Uvalde Memorial Hospital y Dimmit Regional Hospital en Carrizo Springs.
Él y su esposa Amy tienen seis hijos, tres de los cuales han servido en misiones en lugares como Perú (Dallin), California (Aspen) y Misuri (Amber). Dos hijos, Chase y Michael, actualmente están sirviendo en misiones, respectivamente, en la Misión Honduras San Pedro Sula Oeste y la Misión España Madrid Norte. La hija menor, Ashley, todavía está en la Escuela Secundaria Uvalde.
DENNIS RUSSO, el primer consejero de la presidencia, habla español con fluidez como hijo de padres argentinos. Él y su esposa Vicki tienen dos hijos y cinco nietos. La pareja está activa en Eagle Pass 1st Branch.
El consejero de 56 años ha prestado servicio en numerosos llamamientos a lo largo de los años, incluidos 14 años como presidente de rama. De joven sirvió durante dos años en la Misión Argentina Buenos Aires.
Se alistó en el Cuerpo de Marines de los Estados Unidos y completó cuatro años en uniforme. Luego cambió de uniforme y se convirtió en miembro de la Patrulla Fronteriza de los Estados Unidos, donde trabajó durante 25 años antes de jubilarse.
KEVIN DEWEY, el segundo consejero de la presidencia, es nativo de Hillsboro, Oregón. Primero se conectó con esta parte del país como misionero en la Misión Texas McAllen. “No lo sabía entonces, pero me preparó para mi futura esposa y para vivir aquí en Del Rio”.
El miembro de la presidencia de 31 años conoció a su esposa Alejandra cuando era estudiante en BYU-Idaho, donde se graduó con una licenciatura en bellas artes, especializándose en diseño de experiencia de usuario. Fue empleado de FamilySearch durante cinco años, donde dice que aprendió a amar la historia familiar y el trabajo que la rodea.
En 2020, regresó a Texas, esta vez con una familia, tomando un trabajo en San Antonio. Al año siguiente, la pareja decidió mudarse a Del Rio, donde creció Alejandra Dewey. El presidente Dewey pudo reconfigurar su trabajo para poder continuar su carrera trabajando de forma remota desde su casa en Del Rio.
Los Dewey tienen dos hijos: Dale, de seis años, y Jasper, de cuatro. La hermana Dewey los educa en casa y ha iniciado una organización sin fines de lucro. “Nos encanta estar aquí”, dice el presidente Dewey. La pareja está activa en la sucursal 3 de Del Rio.
Last weekend’s Eagle Pass District conference featured the sustaining of a new District presidency, and an appeal by the president of the Texas San Antonio Mission president for members to come together and strengthen the District.
Released as presiding District authorities were President Ross Davidson, 1stCounselor Brady Williams, and 2nd Counselor Brent Laub. Brother Davidson had served as District president since March 2018.
Succeeding him Sunday in that position was President Brady Williams, who is a member of the Uvalde Branch. Dennis Russo of the Eagle Pass 1st Branch was sustained as 1st counselor in the new presidency, with Kevin Dewey of the Del Rio 3rd Branch as 2nd counselor. Each of the new presidency members and their wives shared a testimony from the podium in the Del Rio church building. The proceeding was broadcast to all other District meeting places.
In his remarks following the sustaining of church officers, mission President Steven Fitzgerald called for a new awareness of the need to serve and honor one another.
The president said it is irrelevant how long members have lived in the District, or their circumstances, or their future plans—their contributions to the work are needed. “We are here now. We all are asked to give our all while we are living here. It doesn’t matter if we are living in a stake or a district, a branch or a ward, we are here.”
He recalled former Church President Gordon B. Hinckley’s admonition that each member of the Church needs a friend, a responsibility and nourishing by the good word of God. “We are unified through the good word of God,” President Fitzgerald said.
Texas San Antonio Mission Presidency (L to R) 2nd Counselor Michael Villarreal, President Stephen Fitzgerald, 1st Counselor, Benny Millar
He went on to encourage individual Church members to recognize in themselves their capacities and their limitations. Each member is adequate to fulfill a call from the Lord, he said, yet each member needs the help of others to truly magnify a call. He asked each member to remember his covenants with the Lord, to ask for help as needed, and to help others.
“We must help one another. There is a place for each one of us in this work of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Earlier in the meeting, Michael Villarreal, 2nd counselor in the mission presidency, spoke about unity and love and the key role that service plays in developing each. “Faith truly grows when we serve one another, as we exercise our faith in Christ through service,” he said.
“Lose yourself in service to others”
He encouraged members to “believe Jesus Christ,” who admonishes us to lose ourselves in service and thereby find our true selves. President Villarreal quoted a hymn on the subject, “I’ll Go Where You Want Me To Go.” One verse reads…
Perhaps today there are loving words,
which Jesus would have me speak.
There may be now in the paths of sin,
some wanderer whom I should seek.
O Savior, if thou wilt be my guide,
tho dark and rugged the way,
my voice shall echo the message sweet.
I’ll say what you want me to say.
Saturday evening in the Del Rio church building, assembled leaders heard talks about branch councils—that is, mission, Young Women, Relief Society, and temple and family history councils—and how to improve them.
President Benny Millar, 1st counselor in the mission presidency, then likened the work of the four councils to four cylinders in an engine. He spoke at length about how to get branches “hitting on all cylinders.”
He said the fuel for a branch engine is the collective faith and testimony of its members. Air needed to vitalize the fuel is love for one another in the branch. The spark that ignites the work is revelation. In addition, President Millarinvited branch council members to invite fulltime missionaries serving in the unit to turbocharge the work by bringing their pure love of God to it.
Ross Davidson meets with members of the Uvalde community
President Davidson was Saturday’s concluding speaker. He spoke of members receiving the fullness of blessings from our Father in Heaven by devotedly loving our Savior and living the principles of His gospel. By so doing, he said, we can build a kingdom of holy people. He also shared District membership data that showed areas where individuals and leaders have opportunities to hasten the work.
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Una nueva presidencia de distrito, un nuevo llamado a la unidad y a la participación de los miembros
La conferencia del Distrito de Eagle Pass del fin de semana pasado presentó el mantenimiento de una nueva presidencia de Distrito y un llamado del presidente de la Misión Texas San Antonio para que los miembros se unan y fortalezcan el Distrito.
Las autoridades distritales que presidieron fueron liberados: el presidente Ross Davidson, el primer consejero Brady Williams y el segundo consejero Brent Laub. El hermano Davidson se había desempeñado como presidente de Distrito desde marzo de 2018.
Lo sucedió el domingo en ese cargo el presidente Brady Williams, quien es miembro de la Rama Uvalde. Dennis Russo de Eagle Pass 1st Branch fue sostenido como primer consejero en la nueva presidencia, con Kevin Dewey de Del Rio 3rd Branch como segundo consejero. Cada uno de los nuevos miembros de la presidencia y sus esposas compartieron un testimonio desde el podio en el edificio de la iglesia de Del Rio. El procedimiento se transmitió a todos los demás lugares de reunión del Distrito.
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En sus comentarios posteriores al sostenimiento de los oficiales de la iglesia, el presidente de la misión, Steven Fitzgerald, pidió una nueva conciencia de la necesidad de servir y honrarse unos a otros.
El presidente dijo que es irrelevante cuánto tiempo han vivido los miembros en el Distrito, o sus circunstancias, o sus planes futuros: se necesitan sus contribuciones al trabajo. “Estamos aquí ahora. A todos se nos pide que demos todo mientras vivamos aquí. No importa si vivimos en una estaca o un distrito, una rama o un barrio, estamos aquí”.
Recordó la advertencia del ex presidente de la iglesia, Gordon B. Hinckley, de que cada miembro de la iglesia necesita un amigo, una responsabilidad y el alimento de la buena palabra de Dios. “Estamos unidos a través de la buena palabra de Dios”, dijo el presidente Fitzgerald.
Continuó animando a los miembros individuales de la iglesia a reconocer en sí mismos sus capacidades y sus limitaciones. Cada miembro es adecuado para cumplir con un llamado del Señor, dijo, pero cada miembro necesita la ayuda de los demás para magnificar verdaderamente un llamado. Pidió a cada miembro que recordara sus convenios con el Señor, que pidiera ayuda según fuera necesario y que ayudara a los demás.
“Debemos ayudarnos unos a otros. Hay un lugar para cada uno de nosotros en esta obra del evangelio de Jesucristo”.
Anteriormente en la reunión, Michael Villarreal, segundo consejero de la presidencia de la misión, habló sobre la unidad y el amor y el papel clave que juega el servicio en el desarrollo de cada uno. “La fe realmente crece cuando nos servimos unos a otros, cuando ejercemos nuestra fe en Cristo a través del servicio”, dijo.
Animó a los miembros a “creer en Jesucristo”, quien nos amonesta a perdernos en el servicio y así encontrarnos a nosotros mismos. El presidente Villarreal citó un himno sobre el tema, “Iré a donde tú quieras que vaya”. Un verso dice…
Tal vez hoy hay palabras de amor,
que Jesús me haría hablar.
Puede haber ahora en los caminos del pecado,
algún vagabundo a quien debería buscar.
Oh Salvador, si quieres ser mi guía,
aunque oscuro y escabroso el camino,
mi voz hará eco del dulce mensaje.
Diré lo que quieras que diga.
**
El sábado por la noche en el edificio de la iglesia de Del Rio, los líderes reunidos escucharon charlas sobre los consejos de rama—es decir, la misión, las Mujeres Jóvenes, la Sociedad de Socorro y los consejos de templo e historia familiar—y cómo mejorarlos.
El presidente Benny Millar, primer consejero de la presidencia de la misión, comparó el trabajo de los cuatro consejos con los cuatro cilindros de un motor. Habló extensamente sobre cómo hacer que las ramas “golpeen a toda máquina”.
Dijo que el combustible para el motor de una rama es la fe colectiva y el testimonio de sus miembros. El aire necesario para vitalizar el combustible es el amor mutuo en la rama. La chispa que enciende la obra es la revelación.Además, el presidente Millar invitó a los miembros del consejo de rama a invitar a misioneros de tiempo completo que prestan servicio en la unidad para potenciar la obra aportando su amor puro por Dios.
El presidente Davidson fue el orador final del sábado. Habló de los miembros que reciben la plenitud de las bendiciones de nuestro Padre Celestial al amar devotamente a nuestro Salvador y vivir los principios de Su evangelio. Al hacerlo, dijo, podemos construir un reino de personas santas. También compartió datos de membresía del distrito que mostraban áreas donde las personas y los líderes tienen oportunidades para acelerar el trabajo.
