A Legacy of Faith and Service - Post Nine

L-R: Camille Lund - Debbie Wood - Mendy Hunter (Dec 2018)

Sister Debbie Wood was sustained as our Stake Relief Society president in December 2018.  At the time of her call, she knew that her family would be moving in just a few months out of state.  She explained the situation to our stake president, but he assured her that despite the timing the call was inspired.  Debbie immediately jumped both feet into her calling and has given her best regardless of the mountain of work at home to prepare for their move.

She and her counselors, Camille Lund and Mendy Hunter, have served thoughtfully and energetically these past few months.  We are sad to see the Wood family move, but are grateful for the example of faith and service Debbie has provided.

During the short term of their presidency they have planned and carried out an inspired and fabulous women's conference for the sisters in our stake, set ground work for relationships between our Stake Relief Society and local volunteer organizations, became involved with educating sisters about JustServe, have provided two stake conference meals, organized meals for missionaries both within our zone and at the temple visitor's center, provided training to multiple new ward presidencies as well as providing support to continuing presidencies and have been out visiting with the Relief Societies in our stake. They have prayed for our sisters and their families and have sincerely considered ways they could minister.

As I have sat in meetings with them, I have been blessed by their positive approach to challenges and their trust in the Lord to guide them. Their enthusiasm and humble gratitude for the opportunity to serve has been a light to me and I'm sure to any who have interacted with them.

We wish Debbie and her family all the best with their move and look forward to still seeing Camille and Mendy within our stake.

- Lorie Pierce (Stake RS Secretary)

You Are Making Progress - Keep Going!

"Jesus said, 'I am the light [that] shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not.' That means no matter how hard it tries, the darkness cannot put out that light. Ever. You can trust that His light will be there for you......The Lord knows how hard you are trying. You are making progress. Keep going. He sees all your hidden sacrifices and counts them to your good and the good of those you love. Your work is not in vain. You are not alone. His very name, Emmanuel, means 'God with us.' He is surely with you." (Christ: The Light That Shines in Darkness, Sharon Eubank, General Conference April 2019)

As I listened to General Conference a few weeks ago, this talk by Sister Eubank spoke to me personally and in regards to my family & friends. I spend a great deal of my time in conversations with family & friends who struggle with anxiety, are overwhelmed by the busyness of life, are lonely, are fighting battles others don't see - people who simply need someone to listen and understand.

Some of you may have noticed that our blog posts have shifted from weekly to monthly (with occasionally some in between). Life shifts and we have to move with it. Over the past year, I have been learning to deal with a shift in my own life that involves health issues I've not dealt with before. I've had to learn how to do less and yet still do. Those who know me well, know that I've not ever been one to do less (unless it was to sit down and read a good book). But the Lord knows our journey and He knows what we need to experience in order to become who He understands we can be. Reducing the frequency of the blog posts was just a small decision to lessen my own load - allowing time and energy to be focused on other needful things.

As I talk with family, friends and sisters throughout our Stake, I am often struck by how much they are doing and yet they feel they are not doing enough OR they are completely exhausted and feel they can't go another step. They often don't recognize the progress they are making and the good they are accomplishing. They see their exhaustion as failure. The Lord doesn't ask us to run faster than we have strength. What He asks is that we come to Him with a willing heart and He will help us accomplish what is needed.  His plan is always better than what we can come up with on our own.

I love the message of this sentence: "He sees all your hidden sacrifices and counts them to your good and the good of those you love." What a hopeful thought! When you are discouraged that your ministering efforts are not making any difference - reflect on that sentence! When you are wiping noses, changing diapers and the dishes never seem to get done - reflect on that sentence! When you get up early every morning to go to a job that you don't necessarily even like, but you are working to support yourself and your family - reflect on that sentence! When you fall asleep reading the scriptures, because you are just so tired, but you're reading anyway - reflect on that sentence! When your family's attempts with the Come Follow Me program fall flat, but you move forward anyway - reflect on that sentence! When you are afraid to try, but you try anyway - reflect on that sentence! Every day we get up and move forward and that is progress, that is success.

But I think the most important message is: "His very name, Emmanuel, means 'God with us.' He is surely with you." We never need to feel alone. Our Savior is always ready to encourage us, to lift us, to guide us, to strengthen us. Because of His atonement, He is the one who will always truly understand our pain, our sorrow, our grief, our exhaustion. "Jesus said, 'I am the light [that] shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not.' That means no matter how hard it tries, the darkness cannot put out that light. Ever. You can trust that His light will be there for you."

As simple as that seems, I have had dear ones ask me, "But how? How do I access the power of His atonement to help me feel less alone?" My answer is always the same. I tell them to turn their thoughts to the times when they have felt peace, when they have felt calm, when they have felt the quiet assurances that He lives. I encourage them to quiet their stress by turning their hearts and minds to Him through prayer, through reading the scriptures, through time in the temple, through focusing on the promise of the sacramental prayers "that they may always have his Spirit to be with them", and especially through reflecting and acknowledging the blessings they receive. I also encourage them to nourish both their spirits and their bodies. We need to acknowledge that life is hard, but hard doesn't equal bad. The Lord has taught us, "In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33)

How grateful I am for my testimony of our Savior! I know He does love us and I know that He desires to help us as we journey through this life. I know that as we place our trust in Him, we can find joy in our journey regardless of the difficulties we face. I am also grateful for the examples of faith, perseverance, love and service we have among the sisters of this Stake.  Thank you sisters for simply being who are are and sharing your light day to day.

-Lorie Pierce (Stake RS Secretary)

Follow the Covenant Path - Our Women's Conference in Review

What a wonderful Women's Conference we had last Saturday!  We are so grateful for all those who contributed in any way to help us have such an uplifting event.  There were many hours spent in preparation in addition to the time given on the actual day.  We truly have amazing sisters and brothers in our Stake - so willing to give of their time, talents and energy.




Our conference theme was "Follow the Covenant Path" with our classes chosen to support the 2019 North America Northeast Area plan (NANE) for stakes of the Church locally.  Sisters were able to choose from classes in the following theme rotations: Deepen Conversion to Heavenly Father & Jesus Christ & Restored Gospel, Gather Scattered Israel on Both Sides of the Veil - Missionary Work, Gather Scattered Israel on Both Sides of the Veil - Temple & Family History Work, Strengthen the Conversion of Children and Youth.  Our teachers were thoughtful in their preparations and we were all blessed by their efforts.






Sisters also had the opportunity to participate in two service projects - Sassy Caps and Sassy Seatbelts.  Sassy Caps are a soft & fun SASSY hat designed to donate to people undergoing chemotherapy.  Our sisters worked their hats using hand held knitting looms.
Sassy Seatbelts is a simple sewing project. When people receive ongoing chemo, they often have a port-a-cath surgically implanted, just under the skin in the chest that can be irritated by wearing your seatbelt in the car.  That’s where these little pillows come in handy.  They attach to the seatbelt with velcro & relieve the pressure on the port.  The two projects we chose have a direct and personal connection to the Columbia Maryland Stake Relief Society - specifically to Hampstead Ward.  Kristen and Jamie, the sisters who founded Sassy Caps, grew up in the Hampstead Ward.  These sisters began Sassy Caps in honor of their mother Sheila Braniff who was a long-time member of the Hampstead Ward Relief Society.  On the homepage of the Sassy Caps site they shared this about their mom and why they started Sassy Caps:

"Sheila was a gifted teacher and a loving mother who could laugh at herself and see the best in others. We started this project to honor her and all of the people who went out of their way to show her that they loved her when she was sick - those who wrote cards, or brought meals, or made her laugh that wonderful laugh. Mom's favorite hymn says, "Because I have been given much, I too must give." We have such gratitude for the blessing and guiding influence she has been in our lives. We were truly "given much" in the mother department, and started Sassy Caps to follow her example of giving."

We estimated there were about 30 Sassy Caps in progress during the conference.  We also completed 82 Sassy Seatbelts with an additional 18 completed after the conference, for a total of 100 donated to a local cancer center.








Our lunch was delicious with a chipotle bar and cheesecake for dessert.  The luncheon committee worked many hours to create such a wonderful meal for us to share together.  At the beginning of our luncheon, Debbie Wood (Columbia Maryland Stake Relief Society President) presented our donations of diapers and laundry detergent to the representatives of FIRN, a local non-profit organization which helps immigrants and their families. The donation table was overflowing.  How grateful we are for the generosity of our sisters!





As part of our luncheon, we had an instructional presentation from Mendy Hunter (Columbia Maryland Stake Relief Society Counselor) on how to use the JustServe website and app.  “JustServe.org is a website where the volunteer needs of organizations may be posted and volunteers may search for places to serve in the community, providing opportunities to help those in need and enhance the quality of life in the community.”  Visit justserve.org or download the JustServe mobile app to register and find opportunities in your area.

We also had the opportunity to hear from representatives of three local organizations - The Salvation Army, Neighbor Ride, The Therapeutic Recreational Riding Center - who use volunteers and are part of the JustServe community.

We were blessed to hear a musical number "May I Serve thee" sung by Nique Link, Trina Murphy, Kristy Nunley and accompanied by Rachel Davis.  Our concluding speaker at the luncheon was President Lorin Lund (Columbia Maryland Stake President).  His remarks were a wonderful conclusion to a conference that lifted our hearts and minds to a higher place.




-Lorie Pierce (Stake Relief Society Secretary)

Photos courtesy of Richard Brown, Lorie Pierce and Debbie Wood.

Thank you to these sisters & brethren for all their efforts:
Teachers: Steve Towne, Deandra Christiansen, Margaret Wright, Emily Robertson, Omaira Long, Cari Larkins, Lorraine Layton, Diana Gardner, Kaitlyn Dixon, Elizabeth Van Patten, Cheri Meiners, Ashley Halsey
Service Project Leaders/Assistants: Colleen Mitchell, Kaylene Stephens, Shelia Martinsen/Mickey Sheppard, Helen, Nadie, Bina Stanger, Della Jackson with Jen Taylor providing accent flowers
Luncheon Co-Leaders/Helpers: Suzanne Rigby & Janice Maughan/Kelly & Kelsey Smith, Mary Halsey, Stephanie Iroanya, Jessica Morgan, Michael Pierce, Elder Brigham Haroldsen
Decorations: Marissa Fenton, with help from Brittany Dolney and Ashley Alley
Technical Support: Ron Hutchinson
Photographer: Rich Brown
Musical Number: Nique Link, Kristy Nunley, Trina Murphy, Rachel Davis
Pianist: Anne Chilson, Chorister: Paulette Gaul
And a heartfelt thank you to the brethren from Hampstead Ward for their assistance in set up and clean up of this event.

Follow the Covenant Path - Stake Relief Society Women's Conference 2019

We are excited to announce this year's Stake Relief Society activity will be a women's conference.  There will be classes to choose from, service opportunities to participate in, an opportunity to hear about local organizations we can become involved with in our communities and a luncheon to mingle and enjoy each other's company.

Our theme is Follow the Covenant Path and the classes will provide us with insights, learning experiences and uplifting messages designed to help us participate in and support our North America Northeast Area Vision.  That vision statement is: "As beloved children of God, we will follow the covenant path by receiving ordinances and keeping covenants that lead to eternal life, and invite family, friends and neighbors to do the same."

You can find out more about the CLASSES being offered here:
https://columbiastakers.blogspot.com/p/follow-covenant-path.html

You can find out about the SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES available here:
https://columbiastakers.blogspot.com/p/service-projects.html

There is also a DONATION OPPORTUNITY:
We will be collecting Diapers (all sizes but especially sizes 4 and up are needed - even opened packages are great!) AND Laundry Detergent at this Stake Relief Society activity to benefit FIRN, a local non-profit organization which helps immigrants and their families.  Please consider donating these needed supplies.  Thanks for your help!

Please be aware that No Child Care will be available at this event.  We suggest that if the need exists, you seek out young women or young men in your ward/branch or reach out through your Ministering brethren & sisters for possible options.

We hope that many of our sisters across the Stake will be able to join us for this event.  It promises to be an uplifting and inspiring day together.

If you have any questions, please let us know at columbiastake.rs@gmail.com.

Start or Start Again & Move Forward

Last Sunday, I was visiting a ward in our stake.  It was their ward conference and President Lund spoke during Sacrament meeting.  Something he said really struck me as important.  He was speaking about Come Follow Me for Individuals and Families.  He was encouraging the members to participate, to use the curriculum to bless their lives.  But what really struck me was when he acknowledged that we will all have times when it is hard for us, when we don't quite get it done, when we miss a week or two or more.  His counsel was to just start again where ever the current weeks reading is.  He said that the effort to do it, the pattern of doing it, is what will matter most.  I've thought about that this past week.  How many of us start something that we know is a good thing and then life overwhelms us and we aren't able to stay as involved, as on top of, as engaged as we planned.  We then get discouraged and frustrated and perhaps abandon the effort completely feeling we will never catch up.  His counsel was encouraging - just start where we are and keep moving forward and when we fall behind - start again and move forward.  There will be blessings that come from simply doing our best to participate.

Since my post a few weeks ago about the Come Follow Me for Individuals and Families, I have had sisters both within our stake and from some who have since moved away, share their experiences.  With their permission, I am sharing them with all of you - in hopes that it will encourage each of us to keep trying.

"I have struggled with an 8 year old trying to keep her away from the snow for the better part of the morning!  (It was a Sunday and she was trying to help her daughter keep the Sabbath Day holy.)  I had to think of something quick!  So once I told her Church was cancelled I said ‘they’ sent us a lesson to do at home.  So I started with a children’s bible video (from the Gospel App), we talked about the Angel Gabriel, Mary & Elisabeth.  And watched 2 more of the videos in the Bible series.  We also read a bit of the children’s version of the New Testament.  I tell you....reading the children’s version is so helpful in my journey as well!" 

-Star Miller

"Someone got her first set of scriptures…so everything needs to be underlined.  Someone else is taking this home study by storm and taking copious notes every lesson.  Going strong on week three (had to document while we were still on top of our game)."

-Darice Auston


"I just have to share how much we have loved the "Come Follow Me' program in our home. I will admit, I worried that I would have to do a lot of nagging to get our whole family together on a daily basis, but instead, it has been the most beautiful bonding experience. I don't think we have ever had the opportunity to share so much about what truly matters in life with each other. No one complains, everyone participates, everyone takes turn leading the discussion. In just a month, it has blessed us so profoundly. I know this program was inspired by a Heavenly Father who loves us, has faith in us and knows how much we need each other every day. I am so grateful for President Nelson and this powerful program. I never dreamed with our uber busy lives that we would be able to squeeze in another thing, but the time is always there! Sometimes, it doesn't happens until 10 PM, but it almost always happens and that is a true miracle. We have missed a few days and that's ok. We don't beat ourselves up, because we truly miss having missed our time as a family. In fact, our boys will actually remind us--knock me over with a feather!"

-Alex Franco

I recently read again two of the General Conference talks about the Sunday meeting adjustments and the Come Follow Me for Individuals and Families.  I felt the Spirit whisper clearly to my soul the truth in these inspired changes and focus.  I felt a desire to claim fully the promised blessings.

"The new home-centered, Church-supported integrated curriculum has the potential to unleash the power of families, as each family follows through conscientiously and carefully to transform their home into a sanctuary of faith. I promise that as you diligently work to remodel your home into a center of gospel learning, over time your Sabbath days will truly be a delight. Your children will be excited to learn and to live the Savior’s teachings, and the influence of the adversary in your life and in your home will decrease. Changes in your family will be dramatic and sustaining."  (Becoming Exemplary Latter-day Saints, President Russell M. Nelson, October 2018)

"We are confident that members will be blessed in extraordinary ways. -- The announcements made today will result in profound blessings for those who enthusiastically embrace the adjustments and seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost."  (Deep and Lasting Conversion to Heavenly Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, Elder Quentin L. Cook, October 2018)

My own family experiences were admittedly awkward at the start, but are becoming more genuinely enjoyable.  It has provided an opportunity for conversations that are helping us share and articulate our thoughts, our understandings, our beliefs in a way that we have rarely done.  I am grateful for this inspired opportunity.  And I'm grateful to know that there is no perfect, one right way to do this.  The only "right way" is to try.  Consistently trying is what will bring us the blessings.

-Lorie Pierce

A Home Centered Learning Experience

We are preparing to start week three with the new Come Follow Me for Individuals & Families Curriculum.  I very  much appreciated the remarks made in Stake Conference last weekend by James Mitchell, our recently released Stake President.  He shared that his family's experience that first week was a work in progress and not perfect.  That made me feel so much better about our own rather tenuous first week's attempt.  I don't know how it's been going for anyone else, but I thought perhaps sharing our family's experiences and thoughts might be helpful to others.

Our family at home consists of just me, my husband and our 24 year old son, but for the first few days we also had our 21 year old daughter home participating.  I'll be honest it was rough starting.  That first week's material was hard to feel we were getting any real scripture reading or discussion going.  Our family has always been consistent in daily scripture reading together - granted not much discussion - but always reading together.  So that first week was VERY different from our norm.  We all agreed that we would stick with it and find our new norm.  This second week has been better.  As we read Matthew 1 and Luke 1 along with the supporting materials included in the outline, we found we were having better and less forced discussions - more sharing of ideas and insights.  I can see how this pattern will serve to strengthen our relationships.  Communicating on a deeper level is always good.

Our daughter returned to college at the end of that first week and on that Sunday evening she and her roommates held their own "family" discussion using the Come Follow Me outline.  They invited other friends and ward members to join them.  She wasn't sure going in just how uncomfortable or forced that group discussion might be.  But she shared with me the following day this: "The apartment study was really good. Ended up being small which was nice and there was really good discussion."  She is hopeful that they will be able to build on that first success and as result find a greater portion of the Spirit in their apartment and in their relationships.  She is also committed to spending more personal study time in the scriptures - looking at both the Come Follow Me materials and continuing her personal reading of the Book of Mormon.  She has learned for herself the great blessings that come from daily time with the Book of Mormon.

Our oldest daughter is married with two young daughters (ages 5 and 2).  I asked her about their experiences so far.  Here is what she shared: "I really like using the Primary manual  (Come Follow Me For Primary) as a supplement because not all the family scripture study ideas are workable for young children.  Kate came home from her first day of class and asked me directly if I had a testimony and if I would share it with her.  She has never been that direct before and it was amazing!  I complimented her incredible teacher afterward."  Our daughter also commented: "Just establishing a habit of reading and discussing the scriptures with your young kids is more important than always covering the assigned materials.  Ask questions. What does that story mean to you? Be actively reading, not passively reading."

Our oldest son is married.  He and his wife started reading and discussing the Book of Mormon as they were dating, so time with the scriptures was foundational in their relationship.  I asked them how this new approach was working for them.  They responded with: "We're really enjoying it!  We also teach Primary so we like how the lessons align for every age group and we're able to talk with our Primary kids about the same things we've been studying together."

I think for everyone this will be a work in progress.  A year from now everything will feel and look differently.  It will be an ever changing - hopefully ever improving - experience. Our family has committed to sticking with it even when it might not always be great.  We know that there will be blessings that come, unexpected blessings, simply from engaging and following our prophet.

-Lorie Pierce

2018 A Year in Review

This has been a year of changes!  In June 2018, Kim Olivier was released as second counselor in the Stake Relief Society presidency.  She was replaced by Mendy Hunter of the Savage Mill Ward.  Then in December 2018, Cindy Erekson was released pending her move to Illinois and with her release, her counselors Lisa Larson and Mendy Hunter were also released.  Sister Debbie Wood was called as the new Stake Relief Society president with Camille Lund as First Counselor and Mendy Hunter as Second counselor.  They were sustained on 2 December 2018.  Lorie Pierce remained as Stake Relief Society Secretary.

Mendy Hunter (2nd Counselor), Cindy Erekson (Presdent), Lisa Larson (1st Counselor) - June 2018

Camille Lund (1st Counselor), Debbie Wood (President), Mendy Hunter (2nd Counselor) - December 2018

In addition to these changes, we have experienced the shift from twice yearly General Women’s Meetings becoming once yearly General Women’s Session of Conference, curriculum changes with the introduction of Council Sundays, the changes regarding Ministering replacing Visiting Teaching, and most recently the announcement of the 2 hour Sunday schedule with the introduction of Come Follow Me for home study.  It has been an exciting time to be part of the Church and part of the Relief Society.

Our Stake Relief Society held an activity in the Spring at which we served breakfast to 167 sisters and listened to an inspiring and uplifting message given by Sister Sandra Turley.  She helped us focus on Ministering in our lives personally and in our service to those around us.  We were richly blessed by the Spirit as Sister Turley shared the gift of her voice and her heart and her testimony of the Savior.

Lisa Larson, Sandra Turley & Daughters, Cindy Erekson, Kim Olivier - 28 April 2018

At our 2017 Stake Relief Society Women’s Conference, we began a quilt.  With the help of the Hampstead Ward Young Women, that quilt was completed and donated to a homeless shelter in April 2018.

The Stake Relief Society presidency held two leadership training meetings with the ward and branch Relief Society presidencies during 2018.  We discussed Ministering, Council Sundays and the 2 hour Sunday schedule change as well as local concerns.  Each meeting was held as a council meeting to practice and reinforce the principle of counseling together.

We again in December were assigned to provide meals to the missionaries serving at the Washington DC Temple Visitor’s Center during their Festival of Lights.  This year we were assigned 6 days and sisters from the following wards/branches fulfilled this assignment: Columbia 1st, Columbia 2nd, Clarksville, Ellicott City, Eldersburg, and Savage Mill.  Thank you to the sisters who helped us accomplish this task!

-Lorie Pierce

Stake RS Secretary

North America Northeast Area Plan 2019

Across the Stake yesterday during the 3rd hour of church meetings, we received information and instruction about the North America Northeast Area Plan. This plan is organized under the direction of our Area Presidency with the approval of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. It is designed to focus on prophetic priorities.

If you would like to view the broadcast again, or for those who may have missed it, please use the following link to access it: North America Northeast Area Plan 2019

We are all invited to adopt this plan and set personal goals consistent with our individual circumstances.

Our New Stake Relief Society Presidency

Camille Lund - Debbie Wood - Mendy Hunter (Dec 2018)

Debbie Wood, President
I was born and raised in the beautiful city of Portland, Oregon.  I was the 5th of 8 children born to wonderful, loving parents who lived the gospel by example and teaching.  My family’s home was filled with all the fun and activity of a large family and with music.  Our family loved to sing together and all the children were encouraged to learn to play musical instruments.  I was drawn to the piano and violin and studied both from elementary through high school as well as the organ in my later high school years.  I also loved to sing in choirs.  Music has always been an important part of my life and a great source of joy for me. 

I attended college at BYU, studying elementary education.  I met my husband in an unusual way through my sister, who was my husband’s MTC teacher.  It all began with a plate of homemade cookies to cheer a poor missionary in my sister’s district who wasn’t getting any letters, as his parents were traveling back across the country.  Elder Wood was very surprised to receive the cookies and wrote a thank you letter back.  We started a friendly correspondence by letters which lasted the full two years of his mission in Canada.  We were able to meet in person at BYU after his mission.  All worked out (by heavenly plan I believe) and we were engaged and then married in the Portland Temple in May 1990.  My husband and I both graduated from BYU a year and half later.  I received my Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education with a minor in Music.  Five months later, our first daughter, Nicole was born.   We lived two more years at BYU while my husband finished his Master’s Degree.  A month after graduation, our second child, Joey was born.  And then our adventures around the country began.

We moved first to Georgia (near my husband’s family,) then to Rochester, New York when my husband was accepted into a graduate program at the University of Rochester.  Our 3rd child, Jesse was born while we lived in Rochester.  A few years later, we moved across the country with our three little ones to Palo Alto, California where my husband attended Stanford University.

The next twenty years were filled with many life experiences -- many joyful ones as well as some very spiritually growing ones and many opportunities to serve.  As we raised our family, we were led by Heavenly Father to accept further schooling and job opportunities for my husband and to live in new locations around the country.  We have special places in our heart for each of them --  upstate New York, California, Georgia, Utah, Kansas, and Maryland.  Our youngest daughter, Emily was born during our 8 years in Utah. I also taught piano in my home for ten years.  We have lived here in Maryland, now for 6 years.  Each place has been unique and wonderful and made even sweeter by new friends.  The later years have also brought exciting changes for our family, including Spanish-speaking missions for our two sons (in Arizona and Chile), the marriages of our three oldest children and the birth of four grandchildren.  Our married children and their families live in Utah, Idaho and Missouri.  Our youngest daughter, Emily (17), is still at home.  She is finishing her Senior year of high school.

My current interests and hobbies include: family history research, gardening, reading, history, anything to do with homemaking, emergency preparedness, gentle yoga, and cooking for special dietary needs.

I have a great love for Relief Society and am excited to serve in my new calling and get to know the sisters in the Stake!


Camille Lund, 1st Counselor
I was born and raised in Provo, Utah, the third of eight children.  I attended Brigham Young University majoring in Elementary Education.  Lorin and I met while attending BYU, though not at BYU (we both lived at home and were in the same stake).  We married in December of 1984 and graduated together the following August.  I taught school for two years while Lorin earned a Master’s Degree and then we moved to Maryland where Lorin took a job with the Department of Defense.  We have lived in Maryland ever since, raising our family and supporting each other in our callings.  We have five children ranging in age from 33 to 15.  Three of our children are married, one is in her first year of college at BYU-Hawaii, and the youngest is at home, a sophomore in high school.  We have six grandchildren.  I like to crochet, garden, cook, teach piano lessons, read, and do family history work.  Most recently I have been serving as the Relief Society President in the Columbia 2nd ward.

For me Relief Society is a place of faith, love, and service.  Sisters from many backgrounds work together to learn, grow, and help others experience more of the Savior’s love.  I feel happy and blessed to be part of this great work.


Mendy Hunter, 2nd counselor
I was born in raised in York County, PA, the 4th of 8 children.  I grew up in Shrewsbury--the same town my dad's family has lived in since the 1730s! After graduating from high school, I attended BYU where I majored in English. Before graduating from college, I served a mission in Romania where I fell in love with the warm people and the breathtakingly beautiful Transylvania. After my mission, I graduated from the Y, backpacked through Europe with a friend, and then married Michael Hunter. While Michael finished his schooling, I worked in the staffing industry until our first baby, Maia (20), was born. When Maia was only 3 months old, Mike and I decided to move from Utah back to the east coast, where most members of our families lived. With Mike's family in Virgina and my in Pennsylvania, Mike suggested we move to the middle: Laurel, MD--and that's where we've been for the past 19 years! Here, we have added a son, Mason (18), and two more daughters, Marlee (15) and Mackenna (12), to our family. I have remained a full-time homemaker and enjoy volunteering at our kids' schools, reading, doing crafts, and learning new DIY skills. I love Relief Society and I am especially excited to get to know more of the sisters in the stake through this calling.

Letter from our Stake Presidency - Sacrament Meeting 23 December

6 December 2018

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

What a wonderful season when we can give thanks to Our Heavenly Father for the gift of His Son, our Savior Jesus Christ!  He is truly the Light of the world!

As we try to follow His example and Light the World with faith this Christmas season, we are all encouraged to invite our friends and neighbors to come with us to a special sacrament meeting on Sunday the 23rd of December where we can worship together.  Talks will be centered on the Savior and the meeting will be one where all can feel welcome. This will be the only meeting held that day.

Please take time right now to consider who you can invite to this special meeting, and then contact them right away so they can reserve time on their busy holiday calendars.

As you invite your friends to this sacrament meeting, or to other events such as the Festival of Lights at the DC temple, or to events in your home, you can help others come unto Christ.

May you all have a truly blessed Christmas season and a very Happy New Year!


Sincerely,
James R. Mitchell
Steven L. Towne
Steven R. Peterson
The Columbia Maryland Stake Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

A Legacy of Faith and Service - Post Eight

Sister Cindy Erekson has served as our Stake Relief Society president since June 2016.  Her husband has taken a new job and they are relocating to Illinois.  Her "light up the room smile" will be missed at our Stake Relief Society functions.  During the course of Sister Erekson's service, she has been assisted by remarkable counselors - Sisters Lisa Larson, Jill Goodrich, Kim Olivier and Mendy Hunter.  These women together have sought inspiration regarding how to lift and bless the sisters in our Stake.

2018 - Mendy Hunter, Cindy Erekson, Lisa Larson

2017 - Lisa Larson, Cindy Erekson, Kim Olivier

2016 - Lisa Larson, Cindy Erekson, Jill Goodrich

During the course of their service they have seen constant changes to the Relief Society program and general Church changes as well - Ministering replaced Visiting Teaching; the General Women's Session of Conference dropped from twice yearly to only in the Fall and moved to the Saturday evening of Conference Weekend instead of the Saturday prior; curriculum changes (including the introduction and pending discontinuance of Council Sundays) and the newest announcement of the 2 hour Sunday schedule.  Sister Erekson and her counselors have worked with the ward and branch Relief Society leaders to help understand and implement these changes.  They have set an example of counseling together as they have worked with our unit Relief Society presidencies.

Sister Erekson and her counselors have planned and carried out activities including a Women's Conference in 2017 with multiple classes on a variety of topics, a "Morningside" breakfast in 2018 with a wonderful speaker - Sister Sandra Turley - who shared her testimony of Christ through word and song, as well as meals & socials prior to the General Women's Meetings - now called General Women's Session.  Their love and concern for the sisters of our Stake has been evident in their planning and in their personal contact with the sisters.

Part of their focus as the Stake Relief Society presidency, has been to get out and visit the wards and branches regularly.  They have sought to be available to the presidencies and to become acquainted with the sisters in each unit as much as possible.  Their love and concern for the sisters of our Stake has been evident in their interactions with the sisters and in their private conversations as a presidency.

In November 2017, Sister Erekson was invited to participate as a presenter at the local InterFaith Thanksgiving Service.  She represented the Church at this event and it was notably the first time that a Church leader had been invited to participate in this way.  She was able to share verses from the Book of Mormon which related to the theme of Light.  Her participation and shared words were well received by those in attendance from other faiths.

These women have consistency shown their love for the Lord and for His covenant path as they have taught and instructed in Sunday meetings, written posts and provided leadership training.  Their excitement in embracing the changes announced by President Nelson over the course of the last year has clearly demonstrated their faith and desire to help move the work of salvation forward.

I personally am grateful for the opportunity I've been blessed with to serve with these amazing women.  I have learned a great deal about Christlike leadership from their examples.  We've already had to say goodbye to Kim Olivier as they moved to Pennsylvania and now we sadly say goodbye to Cindy Erekson.  We want to express our thanks and love to Sister Erekson and wish her all the best in their move.

-Lorie Pierce (Stake Relief Society Secretary)

Christmas Wishes to Our Missionaries 2018

We want to invite our Columbia Stake sisters and their families to send Christmas cards to the missionaries serving from our stake all around the world.  We have been doing this for the past few years and I've heard back from parents and missionaries alike how much they appreciate that little remembrance from home.  Please note that if you are mailing international it will take longer for the cards to arrive.  Also please note that packages should not be sent unless you have checked with the parents of the missionary first.  You can find the mission home addresses for these missionaries using the LDS Tools app or the Directory in your LDS Account on lds.org.  But to make it more convenient, I have compiled them together in a Google Doc.  Use link below to access that:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Z_7rcAU5TTF9aIpK5muNZxRKmenlLskbeciqyvlMeTA/edit?usp=sharing

As usual, I have collected photos of these missionaries to share with you! Thanks to their parents for helping me accomplish this post!!  I hope you enjoy seeing their smiles as much as I did.

If there is a missionary I have missed, please email me their information at our general email account: columbiastake.rs@gmail.com.  Thanks!  Lorie Pierce (Stake RS Secretary)