Merry Christmas!

Wishing all our sisters a Very Merry Christmas! 

Columbia Maryland Stake Relief Society Presidency
Lisa Larson - Cindy Erekson - Jill Goodrich

2017 Relief Society Curriculum

The Relief Society lessons for the 2nd and 3rd Sunday's each month will be from the newly published Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley.  You can download the manual to your mobile device via the Gospel Library app, you can access it on lds.org and most wards will still probably order a few hard copies (or you can purchase your own hard copy at store.lds.org).

The 1st Sunday of the month is taught by a presidency member on topics that they have felt inspired to share. The 4th Sunday of the month is a lesson taught based on a General Conference talk (determined by the Bishop or Branch President).

Having served in callings over the years that gave me chances to teach these various lessons - I know the value of the sisters coming prepared to learn and participate.  A large part of that preparation comes through reading the lesson in advance and doing our part to invite the Spirit into our Relief Society meetings.

I am looking forward to this year and studying the words of President Hinckley. With the exception of more recent converts, most of us will have a personal connection to him and his teachings. What a blessing it will be to recall those times we heard him speak and felt the Spirit bear witness of his words.

-Lorie Pierce

Our Missionaries - Not Forgotten

In early November, I left for Oregon and the birth of my 2nd grand-daughter.  Before I departed, I bought cards and stamps to be able to send Christmas wishes to all our missionaries serving from the Columbia Maryland Stake.  A couple days before leaving, I thought "I should do these cards before I go" BUT I immediately answered myself "I will be home right after Thanksgiving - there will be plenty of time".  Well, plans changed and I'm still in Oregon and the cards are sitting in Maryland waiting my return in a few more days.  I feel bad because I know that now many of the missionaries will not receive our card until after Christmas.

This morning I was talking with a missionary mom friend and she mentioned that her missionary had only received one card this season.  He was feeling a bit forgotten.  How very sad!  I've had two sons serve missions and have a daughter out now.  I recognize how much hearing from people back home makes a difference to these young men and women.

I know that many sisters and their families have sent and will still send Christmas wishes out to our missionaries and I along with the other missionary moms are grateful!  I also understand that some might feel awkward sending to a missionary they don't know. But I assure you that they will welcome every card.  Last year, we signed our missionary cards, "The Pierce Family of Eldersburg Ward/Columbia Stake", so they knew we were from the stake.  

Below is the link to my November blogpost with all their pictures....so fun to look at!  There is a link to the address list in that original blogpost.

http://columbiastakers.blogspot.com/2016/11/sending-christmas-wishes-to-our.html

My 3 year old grand-daughter loves to look at pictures on my iPad.  She loves it when I bring up that November blogpost.  She thinks Elder Mitchell washing his clothes in a bucket is "funny" and Elder Lindsey with the stop sign is too.  She loves to see the ones with children and in front of temples and Elder Peterson standing by the statue of Jesus.  She says "who's that?" to each and every picture.  She calls them all "Jessica's friends" - except the McGinns she says they are "Grandma's friends". Of course she gets very excited when she sees her Aunt Jessica's picture with all those other missionaries.

I know many of our sisters are participating in the Light the World campaign.  Today's theme is "Jesus Ministered To The Children...."  These missionaries are children away from their families at a time of year when most gather together as families. Let's put our arms around them with our Christmas wishes as hugs from home.

-Lorie Pierce

"Rise Up in Strength, Sisters in Zion"

Rise Up in Strength, Sisters in Zion

In her General Women's Session address, Young Women General President, Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson stated: Sisters, we live in “perilous times.” The conditions of our day should not be a surprise to us. They have been foretold for millennia as a warning and admonition so that we can be prepared...” Joseph Smith—Matthew indicates that in the last days even the “very elect … according to the covenant” will be deceived.

She quotes President Russell M. Nelson when a year ago he told the women: “Attacks against the Church, its doctrine, and our way of life are going to increase. Because of this, we need women who have a bedrock understanding of the doctrine of Christ and who will use that understanding to teach and help raise a sin-resistant generation. We need women who can detect deception in all of its forms. We need women who know how to access the power that God makes available to covenant keepers and who express their beliefs with confidence and charity. We need women who have the courage and vision of our Mother Eve.”

Sister Oscarson continues that “It will take concerted effort to be converted and to keep our covenants. To do so, we need to be girls and women who study the essential doctrines of the gospel and have an unshakable testimony of their truthfulness. There are three areas I believe are foundational to strong testimonies and that I consider to be essential to our understanding.

First, we need to acknowledge the centrality of God our Eternal Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, to our faith and salvation. Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer.

Second, we need to understand the need for the restoration of the doctrine, organization, and keys of authority in these latter days.

And third, we need to study and understand temple ordinances and covenants. The temple holds a place at the very center of our most sacred beliefs, and the Lord asks that we attend, ponder, study, and find personal meaning and application individually.”

Sister Oscarson closes by stating that: “I love the gospel of Jesus Christ, and I am eternally grateful for the direction, power, and daily help I receive as a covenant daughter of God. I testify that the Lord has blessed us, as women who live in these perilous times, with all of the power, gifts, and strength that are needed in order to prepare the world for the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. I pray that we may all see our true potential and rise up to become the women of faith and courage our Father in Heaven needs us to be.'

I echo her sentiments. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that we, as daughters of God, have all the strength we need to overcome these perilous times. All we need to do is to tap into that strength through study and faith. By doing so, we can unlock the powers of Heaven.

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

- Jill Goodrich, Stake Relief Society 2nd Counselor