Do you think the women in our ward are stylish?

Guess where many of them shop...

The Relief Society Clothing Swap!!

Tuesday, May 24, 2011 @ 7:00 pm 

Relief Society Meeting/Activity

Perfect excuse for spring cleaning & "shopping" for new duds. 

Clothing Swap in conjunction with the Park Slope Young Singles Branch at the church building. Please bring your gently used clothing, shoes, and accessories to the church for swapping.  You may also bring men's clothing and accessories and children's as well.  

Get there early...things tend to go quickly.  See you there!!

To see the last clothing swap please click here.

May 8th Lesson Recap

Chapter 33 

Missionary Work

What does it mean to you to share the gospel?

• Associate with and have friends that are nonmembers
• Everyone should know you are lds
• Teach our children the gospel
• Willing to say and live "I believe in Christ". 
• "Share the gospel always and if necessary use words" Elder Uchdorf
• When helping friends out help them know paths to a solution thru Christ. 
• Be prepared and courageous

The sisters were asked if we had the desire to share? And then asked what our fears may be?

Christ was given as an example.  He taught many and converted few (if you compare how many people he taught to how many people followed)

How many people joined Christ and were converted? He was deserted. 

• How do we measure the success of our missionary work? 
• It is personal.  
• It can be just by sharing or conversion.  
• It can be planting a seed.
• Every soul that is saved is worth it. If only a seed was planted or one was converted it was worth it. 
• If you have followed your promptings. Willingness. 

What did Jesus  tell his apostles? Mark 16:15

Go yea unto all the world and preach my gospel. 

Overcoming fears through Faith. 

Sharing the gospel is personal. 

There is a statistic that states it takes 7 times for a person to hear about the gospel before they are converted.

Women shared experiences good and bad about sharing and testifying. 

What has worked for you?

• Don't leave it out. (do not omit the fact that you are LDS)
• Live true. 
• We represent Christ and he loves everyone. 
• Share the good news of Christ. 
• Do not take offense or get defensive. 
• More important to be Christian than Mormon. 

To read the full lesson please click here.

May 1st Lesson Recap

 April 2011 General Conference by Elder Dallin H. Oaks:  Desire.




In this talk he asks each of us to search our hearts for our true desires.  

We are asked to think about our basic human desires and how we overcome them. 


Here is a list from the class discussion:


        Desire                       How we can over come it (sometimes with a greater desire)

• Food                    
• fasting to overcome our desire for food by a greater desire of clarity

• Shelter           
• Elder Oaks gives an example of camping and a desire to get a merit badge 

• Sleep       
•  " As a young soldier in the Utah National Guard, I learned an example of this from a combat-seasoned officer.In the early months of the Korean War, a Richfield Utah National Guard field artillery battery was called into active service. This battery, commanded by Captain Ray Cox, consisted of about 40 Mormon men. After additional training and reinforcement by reservists from elsewhere, they were sent to Korea, where they experienced some of the fiercest combat of that war. In one battle they had to repel a direct assault by hundreds of enemy infantry, the kind of attack that overran and destroyed other field artillery batteries.
  What does this have to do with overcoming the desire for sleep? During one critical night, when enemy infantry had poured through the front lines and into the rear areas occupied by the artillery, the captain had the field telephone lines wired into his tent and ordered his numerous perimeter guards to phone him personally each hour on the hour all night long. This kept the guards awake, but it also meant that Captain Cox had scores of interruptions to his sleep. “How could you do that?” I asked him. His answer shows the power of an overriding desire." 

• Chastity before marriage
• Long term desire for a Temple Marriage and keeping the commandments.

• Parenting and sacrifice self
• We can see the long term benefits of our family and children for all eternity. 

Other comments about our basic desires:


Enos was told that his sins were forgiven and became concerned for his brethren.  He had a desire to save them from sin and prayed on their behalf.

Faith can begin with no more than a desire. 

Readjusting our priorities for eternal nature. Reprioritize.  Asking the lord to change your heart. 

Choices determine our actions. Search our hearts and be honest to ourselves. 

We are imperfect but Heavenly Father can make something of our desire. 

Moment by moment for the eternal perspective. Am I in tune with him to be present?

Kenya Service Project

This past Wednesday the Relief Society along with our Young Women worked together to make Menstruation Hygiene Kits for our RS President to take to Kenya and give to the women and young women.  The link if you would like more information is HERE.

We cut out fabric...

and cut some more...

Then passed it off to the women at the sewing machines...

Preparing the envelopes for the machines.

The Young Women helping out too.

It was so amazing to sit as women together and enjoy our time together as we serve others.  It made us all really grateful for how blessed we are and grateful for the opportunity to help others.  Please feel free to leave comments about your experience at this activity...

April 10th Lesson Recap

Honesty

Chapter 31

Bishop Edgely shared a story during a previous conference talk. He had been working for the season away from home about 370 miles and he drove home and his father noticed 3 towels form the resort he was working for (the kind you cannot buy) in the back of his truck.  His father simply said that he expected more of his son.  Bishop Edgely drove the 370 miles there and 370 miles back to return the towels and his father did not need to ask why he was doing it.  

What is honesty?

(definitions shared by the sisters)

• integrity
• truth
• sincere and truthful without deceit in all of our dealings

We must be honest in our thoughts and to ourselves. One sister made the comment about not being honest about something and how sometimes you are "waiting for the other shoe to drop" or rather waiting for you to be caught in your dishonesty or deceit.  

How are we tempted to be dishonest?

D&C 10:25-26

Satans goal to destroy our souls. Lying just a little is still lying.

Read paragraphs in the chapter:

To Lie is Dishonest

Lying is intentionally deceiving others. Bearing false witness is one form of lying. The Lord gave this commandment to the children of Israel: “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour” (Exodus 20:16). Jesus also taught this when He was on earth (see Matthew 19:18). There are many other forms of lying. When we speak untruths, we are guilty of lying. We can also intentionally deceive others by a gesture or a look, by silence, or by telling only part of the truth. Whenever we lead people in any way to believe something that is not true, we are not being honest.

The Lord is not pleased with such dishonesty, and we will have to account for our lies. Satan would have us believe it is all right to lie. He says, “Yea, lie a little; … there is no harm in this” (2 Nephi 28:8). Satan encourages us to justify our lies to ourselves. Honest people will recognize Satan’s temptations and will speak the whole truth, even if it seems to be to their disadvantage.

To Steal is Dishonest

Jesus taught, “Thou shalt not steal” (Matthew 19:18). Stealing is taking something that does not belong to us. When we take what belongs to someone else or to a store or to the community without permission, we are stealing. Taking merchandise or supplies from an employer is stealing. Copying music, movies, pictures, or written text without the permission of the copyright owners is dishonest and is a form of theft. Accepting more change or goods than one should is dishonest. Taking more than our share of anything is stealing.

To Cheat is Dishonest

We cheat when we give less than we owe, or when we get something we do not deserve. Some employees cheat their employers by not working their full time; yet they accept full pay. Some employers are not fair to their employees; they pay them less than they should. Satan says, “Take the advantage of one because of his words, dig a pit for thy neighbor” (2 Nephi 28:8). Taking unfair advantage is a form of dishonesty. Providing inferior service or merchandise is cheating.

Why should we be honest? We may have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost when we are completely honest.

A Chance Meeting in Manhattan...does it exist?

Yes! 

    Christy a guru of many things--food being one of them heard that I (Lyida) had never had bubble tea, something had to be done. She did her research to find a top-rated bubble tea place, and one that offered fruit juice options (us being non tea drinkers) and we went to check it out.  Bubble tea is essentially a drink with black tapioca balls in it. Which are really delicious and delightfully chewy. 

We went to a place in Chinatown called Teado. Christy got hers hot with lime & kumquat. And I had mine cold with aloe vera & grapefruit. 

Chrisy was on her way to school and happened to know a great Vietnamese sandwich place on the way, so we added a phase 2 to our outing! Saigon Vietnamese Sandwich is a place that Christy says is well rated and a frequent stop for her. And yes, the sandwiches were good. I loved the cilantro and that unique Vietnamese flavor. 

On the walk over we saw a bike cozy, cheap chinatown produce (oh I love the price of produce in Chinatown!), and one of the women we visit teach. Isn't it amazing that you run into friends in New York City? One would think it would be statistically impossible. 

2 big sandwiches & 2 bubble teas for $9 and a chance meeting with a friend in one of the biggest cities in the world...not a bad day!!

Relief Society Activity for April

Our Relief Society activity for April 13, 2011 will be to assemble menstruation hygiene kits to be delivered to women in Kenya. Young women in Kenya often miss a week of school or other activities due to their monthly menstruation.  In an effort serve them and help them to go on with their lives we will be making hygiene kits that will be re-usable.  

We need fabric (flannel, terry cloth, wool, broadcloth or other absorbent material), cotton briefs (size youth through young adult) and Velcro. 

If you have a community board at work, perhaps you can post the notice there as well.

 

Please e-mail if you believe you will be able to contribute any of these items. Also, please advise which items you believe you will be able to contribute so we know which items we will need to purchase.

What: Making menstruation kits to take to girls/women in Kenya - combined activity with YW

When: Wednesday, April 13th, 7pm

Where: Church

Here is a link to the kits we will be making.  Hope to see you there.

http://www.reachandunite.com/p/reusable-menstrual-kit.html

 

New Beginnings...The Amazing Young Women

(Retold by a member of the YW Presidency)


New Beginnings was a WONDERFUL experience!  It was one of the highlights of our lives to be there and to see our lovely YW so full of the spirit.  

It was very special this year to have the room FULL!  In attendance were our four YW, parents, the Relief Society sisters, the Bishop, and the Young Women (YW) leaders.   We thank each and every one of you from the bottom of our hearts for being there. There was so much love in that room!  Everyone there was united with love for our YW and the YW program.   And it was really wonderful and powerful to stand united with the YW and so many RS sisters as we recited the YW theme.   

The overall YM/YW theme for the world this year is "WE BELIEVE",  taken from the 13th Article of Faith.  We made our New Beginnings theme "Black and White".  The focus was on our beliefs and how important it is to have  a strong testimony opposed to one that is full of too many blurred lines.  To make it memorable, we all wore black and white, had black and white decorations in the room and also served black and white cookies with hot chocolate. 

The highlights of the night were the spiritual messages that were heard.  We had wonderful talks by the YW leaders, a member of the Relief Society Presidency , and the Bishop.  One of our very talented  young women performed a beautiful musical number on the flute which added so much to the meeting.   And we were all blessed to hear our girls each stand and share their testimonies.  They each have a beautiful light and we are so proud of them for sharing it with us! 

Goal Setting Forum 2011

In January our activity was to meet at a group with a panel of women with experience/expertise in particular areas of interest.  

We had a runner/blogger, health coach, working mom of 2, and a woman working on religious improvement.

 

After introductions and descriptions of what they do, work on or strive for, we had a question and answer portion.

And then of course...Healthy Snacks.

 Protein Peanut Butter Balls and others not pictured but eaten.

Serving a Friend

A woman in our RS is in the hospital and would love a visit.  She also requested a haircut and this very stylish sister got a new "do" and a little pampering from some of her friends in the Park Slope Ward.  Here are a few photos from the "spa day."

 Hair stylist at work.

 Ahhhh....a foot rub too!

You look fabulous!

For information on how to visit this sister please contact us at pscharityneverfaileth@gmail.com.

Annual Chili and Pie Cook-off and Halloween Party

Every year we (Park Slope Ward) has a Chili Cook-Off and Dessert Contest along with a Halloween Party.  Here are some photos from the event.

Costumes just for kids.....maybe the kid-at heart.

Themed costumes are always a hit. 

The winning pie was a Smores' Pie. Is your mouth watering?

The winning Chili was Black-Eyed Pea Chili.  How is the mouth watering now?

This event was open to friends and neighbors.  The children went door-to-door trick-or-treating inside the church building.

March 27th Lesson Recap

Divine communication and direction

Elder Oaks:  Two Lines of Communication
Elder Bednar: Receive the Holy Ghost

I. Two lines: personal and priesthood
 Use proper balance to achieve growth

II. Cautions
A. Personal
1.  Not independent 
2.  Obedience

B. Priesthood
1.  Not supersede personal
2. Obedience/worthy

III. Obtaining Holy Ghost guidance
A. Sincere desire
B. Appropriate intuite- gentle & tender
C. Faithfully obey

Clothing Swap

Twice yearly we have a Clothing Swap.  This fall it was business as usual, and the business: Fashion and Accessories.  The best kind of shopping anywhere...no money spent and yummy pumpkin treats for your pleasure.

Here are some photos of the fun.

Accessories

Shopping Buddies

Friends/Fashion Consultants

Quite the selection...

Mmmm...Pumpkin Bread

The pumpkin treats did not disappoint.

Nice boots...did we mention it is free?!

All clothing not given a new home that evening was sent to a local charity.

A Sleepover in the City that Never Sleeps

Every Autumn we have our Annual Relief Society Camp Out and this year we decided to have a sleepover instead.  We had a party on a rooftop in Brooklyn with food, games and a beautiful devotional.  

The lighting for the evening was provided by the Two Towers light from Ground Zero. It was a beautiful and reverent reminder.

After the party the Sleepover began.  Bundled up and snunggled into sleeping bags and some on air mattresses everyone gradually drifted off to sleep under the stars in the "City that Never Sleeps."

In the morning we woke with the sunlight and Yoga.

Yawwwnn..... and then Ommmmmm

It was a wonderful time and a great opportunity to bond with our sisters.

Welcome to Our Blog!!!

P.S. Charity Never Faileth...Park Slope (PS) Ward Relief Society Blog.   We are members and friends of the Church if Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Thank you for visiting our blog. We hope you visit often.  

You may be asking or have wondered...

What is Relief Society? 

Relief Society is the auxiliary of the church created for women. At the very first Relief Society meeting Emma Smith, wife of Joseph Smith, exclaimed, “We are going to do something extraordinary!” (Minutes of the Female Relief Society of Nauvoo, 17 Mar. 1842). It is now one of the oldest women’s organizations in existence and has been doing extraordinary things for more than 150 years. 

And why have a Blog?

• To share our activities with our friends of all religions and areas of the world.  
• To share our gifts and talents with you and each other. 
• To bring others unto Christ through friendship and example.  

Please feel free to leave friendly comments to posts of interest. 

We hope you enjoy!!