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)

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

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)

A Legacy of Faith and Service - Post Seven

Sister Susan Reinsch and her counselors, Cheri Meiners and Marsha Searle, have been released as our Stake Relief Society Presidency.  They have served together since Fall 2012.  Susan's family is moving back to Nebraska as her husband retires.  They will be missed.

The role of a stake auxiliary presidency is to provide training and support to ward/branch leaders.  Susan and her counselors tried to fulfill this role as they visited throughout the stake.  They spent many hours counseling and training ward/branch presidencies.  Much of their efforts in their service as a Stake Relief Society presidency was unseen.  They tried to relieve the burdens on ward/branch leaders by putting themselves to work on assignments - such as zone conferences meals, stake conference meals, visitor's center meals, etc.

During the time they served, changes were made to the meetings associated with General Conference.  Previously held separately were a Young Womens General Meeting and Relief Society General Meeting.  The changes brought together all the women ages 8+ for a General Womens Meeting held each Spring and Fall prior to General Conference.  Susan and her counselors, working with the Stake Primary and Stake Young Womens presidencies, strived to create an atmosphere of welcome at a pre-broadcast social.  They wanted the sisters, young women and Primary girls to come together and feel that bond of sisterhood.  Their efforts bore fruits as we have seen a continued increase in attendance at the General Womens Meeting broadcast at our Stake Center.

Susan and her counselors continued planning Stake Relief Society Spring Activities.  Each year being a little different from the one before - a women's conference with workshops and service project; a day at the Temple Visitor's Center; a morning of humanitarian service projects.  They understood the busy lives of sisters around the stake and tried to plan activities that would be of value.

These sisters have set a quiet example through their love of the Gospel, their understanding and love of the scriptures, their love of the Lord and their love of their Relief Society sisters.  We are grateful for their willingness to serve and express our love to them.

-Lorie Pierce

A Legacy of Faith and Service - Post Six

Sister Deon Tait served as the Stake Relief Society President from Spring 2010 to Fall 2012.  She had recently served as the Relief Society President in Hampstead Ward and brought with her the understanding and experience gained in that calling.  She clearly knew the burdens the ward/branch leaders faced and she worked to be a support to them.  I was personally blessed by her willingness to share her time and perspective with me as I continued to serve as a ward president.

Deon had a great concern and interest in the young single adult sisters in our stake.  She spent time talking with ward/branch presidents and trying to assess how the needs of the YSA sisters could be better met.  The great concern was how many of these sisters were active during their time as young women, but fell away from activity after transitioning to Relief Society.  Her presidency, working with the Stake Young Women presidency, focused good efforts on helping ward/branch Relief Society and Young Women presidencies have a better approach to helping young women in their transition.  It was during her time as president that the Columbia YSA Branch was formed.  She encouraged all the young single adult sisters in our stake to participate there.  She felt it was going to provide them opportunities that would lead them to strengthen their commitment to the Gospel.

Deon was also concerned about Provident Living.  She wanted to help the sisters in the stake achieve a higher level of preparedness - of self-reliance in all aspects of their lives.  The Stake Relief Society activities planned by her presidency reflected those concerns and she used those opportunities to set an example of helping young women look toward Relief Society by including the Laurels throughout the stake in the invitation to attend.  They also continued the effort to involve sisters from all around the stake in the planning and carrying out of these activities.

During the Spring of 2011, their presidency encouraged the sisters in the stake to plant gardens and in the Fall of 2011 sisters from all around the stake shared their results.  Many sisters took the invitation to heart and found blessings to themselves and their families.

As a presidency they wanted to hear from the wards/branches what the needs were and tried to help meet any needs they could through the classes and activities offered on a stake level.  Deon, her presidency and secretary looked for ways to use the always improving technology as a tool and set a great example to ward/branch leaders of effective use of these tools.  It was a result of Deon's forsight that this Stake Relief Society blog and the Stake Relief Society Facebook group came to existence.  She could see the benefit of reaching out through social media to the sisters scattered across the stake.  It's not been too many years since her presidency was released and we are still seeing the blessings of their faith and service as we continue to use technology as a tool to help us reach out to one another in our sisterhood.  Deon has since moved away from Maryland, but thanks to that very technology she encouraged us to learn to use and use wisely, we are able to stay in touch.  She is still serving and blessing the lives of sisters in her sphere.

- Lorie Pierce

A Legacy of Faith and Service - Post Five

Sister Ninon McGinn served as our Stake Relief Society President from 2006-2010.  Her presidency began their term with a dinner for the sisters prior to the General Relief Society Broadcast at the end of September 2006.  They used the theme "It'll be a Party Getting to Know You".  With this one activity they set the tone for the next several years of inviting the sisters throughout the stake to become acquainted with one another and to view ourselves as part of the whole.  Their efforts for this first event were well received.  The normal attendance for the pre-broadcast social had been averaging about 190 sisters.  That year, they had 235 sisters come!  Minus the struggle to seat and feed all the extra sisters - it was a welcome surprise.

During the years which Sister McGinn served, Relief Society itself underwent some "re-construction".  Under the direction of the General Relief Society Presidency, there were a series of changes to how the program was implemented within wards/branches.  Once such change was related to the names we gave our meetings and activities.  For decades they were known as Homemaking Meetings and then in the early 2000's were called "Home, Family and Personal Enrichment Meetings". The next step in those changes was to have "Enrichment Meetings" become the new title for all non-Sunday Relief Society meetings.  By 2010 with the publication of our current version of Handbook 2, the title was again changed.  This time to simply call everything Relief Society meetings - whether on a Sunday or weekday.  The scope and purpose remained ever the same to build personal testimony, strengthen home & family, and provide relief by serving others.

On a stake level, Sister McGinn and her presidency worked to offer meetings that would support the efforts of the wards/branches and provide the sisters throughout the stake a chance to associate, learn and serve together.  Themes for those meetings included:  "Be Ye Doers of the Word and Not Hearers Only", "Around the World in 80 Bites", "Spring into Service", "Learn, Do, Become", "Provident Living for Turbulent Times", "All is Safely Gathered In", "We'll All Work Together".

Humanitarian Aid became an ever increasing desire of the sisters within the stake and the Stake Relief Society Presidency was able to offer those opportunities on a scale which the wards/branches could not.  It was marvelous to enter the cultural hall at the Stake Center and see the room filled with sisters working together to bless the lives of people they would never meet.  Those activities gave us a sense of belonging to a truly remarkable organization - one with a global reach.

I had a unique opportunity to get to know Ninon during her time as president.  I served as a ward Relief Society president during her years as Stake Relief Society President.  I appreciated her wisdom and willingness to counsel with me about concerns I had.  She demonstrated in all that she did her love for the sisters in our Stake.  She was and still is a great example of discipleship.  She and her husband are currently in Peru, where he is presiding as mission president for the the Lima South Mission.

- Lorie Pierce

A Legacy of Faith and Service - Post Four

In 2002, following the move and subsequent release of Valerie Sucher, Sister Marilyn Edmunds was called to serve as the 4th Columbia Stake Relief Society President.  She served from 2002-2006.

Marilyn and her husband Cliff were long time members of the then Catonsville Ward.  Her willingness to accept opportunities to serve was evident as she served in many callings and capacities within her ward and the stake; including using her nursing experience when she accompanied our youth as the medical team leader on Pioneer Trek.  Marilyn brought with her years of experience and an ability to understand the larger picture and administration of the Church on a local level.  She understood how to communicate with people, how to be approachable and how to get things done.

Marilyn and her presidency encouraged the ward/branch presidencies to reach farther in improving the Sunday lessons, the scope of visiting teaching, the quality of monthly meetings and in participating in their ward/branch councils.  She was a strong advocate of women actively serving in the Church and in their communities.  She had high expectations of the sisters, but moderated that with a genuine love and concern for each sister.

As with previous presidents, I had the privilege of serving with Marilyn over the years.  She was always one of the people, that when I saw her anywhere, she would greet me with a smile and take the time to visit with me.  I knew her interest in me and my family was sincere.  As a leader that quality was a great example to each of the sisters in our stake.

Although the Edmunds have moved from the area, Marilyn continues to be an example of faith and service.  She hasn't slowed down with "retirement".  She was still serving as the Stake Public Affairs Specialist when they commenced their move and when I spoke with her via email a few months back, it was clear that there will be no slowing Sister Edmunds down.  Her desire to serve comes from her faith in the Gospel and her desire to share her love of the Lord with others.  I am grateful for her consistent optimism as she lives the Gospel.

-Lorie Pierce

A Legacy of Faith and Service - Post Three

In 1999, Sister Valerie Sucher was called as the third president for the Columbia Maryland Stake Relief Society.  She had been serving as a counselor to the previous president, Sister Maureen Johnston.

Sister Sucher had attended a BYU Women's Conference a few months earlier and had been impressed with the scope of the humanitarian service projects.  She had a vision of the sisters of our stake coming together to accomplish something of a similar kind.  This idea came to fruition in the form of the 2000 Women's Conference held at the Columbia Stake Center.

The following is from a news clipping saved in the Relief Society history papers:

This humanitarian service project set the tone for future Stake Women's Conferences and ward level activities.  Our wards/branches have found ways to continue involvement with organizations such as Project Linus, The House of Ruth, Walter Reed Hospital, Grass Roots as well as other shelters and food banks.

The 2001 Stake Women's Conference theme was "Beloved Daughters of God" and Sister Sucher's presidency took on more challenging topics that they could see were of real concern for the sisters in our Stake.  Subjects of depression, abuse, stress, forgiveness, women's health and diversity were addressed.  But the new expectation was the humanitarian project and that year the sisters participated in efforts to bless the lives of children in the Johns Hopkins Children's Center.

"Let Your Light So Shine" was the theme for the 2002 Stake Women's Conference.  Again Sister Sucher and her presidency broadened our horizons, as they invited Sister Chieko N. Okazaki, former counselor in the General Relief Society Presidency (1990-1997), to come speak to the sisters in our stake.  Sister Donna Schott of the Hampstead Ward recalled her visit, "I remember her as a vivacious, happy lady.  I think her husband had died recently before her visit, but her talk was uplifting and filled with encouragement."

Another significant part of the 2002 Women's Conference was the inclusion of the newly formed Columbia 3 Spanish Branch.  The sisters of the branch presented a class entitled "Sharing the Latin Heritage".  They shared about their cultural diversity within their common Latin heritage.  

Sister Sucher was released later in 2002 as she and her family moved out of the area.  In the short time, she served as president, many of us were able to realize the ability to reach beyond our small sphere of influence and see a way to help others in a way that would truly matter.  She and her presidency set the bar high as they challenged us to live more fully lives of faith and service within our homes, our ward/branches, our communities and the world.

-Lorie Pierce

A Legacy of Faith and Service - Post Two

Sister Maureen Johnston served as our second Stake Relief Society President from 1995-1999.  She like several of the previous presidents has since moved out of our Stake.  She was and still is a woman of quiet strength and dedication to her assignments.  When she was called to serve as Stake Relief Society President, she brought with her a desire to serve and a desire to bless the lives of the sisters.  What impresses me the most though is her continued example of quiet dedicated service.  Almost every time I go to the Washington DC Temple, I am greeted by Maureen with a hello and a smile.  She serves there as a coordinator.  Just a few weeks back, I was again witness to her gentle leadership style.  There was quite a large group of sisters desiring to participate and there was a lack of temple workers.  Maureen's assistance was requested and I just smiled inside as I saw the demeanor of the temple workers shift from a bit frazzled to calm as soon as she arrived.  That is how she always has served - without fanfare and yet accomplishing much good.  How grateful I am for that example.

During the years Sister Johnston served as president, Women's Conferences continued to be a large part of the means whereby her presidency could reach out to the sisters in their care.  The conferences they planned were always founded on scriptures and the need for strengthening their sisters.  I can recall attending those conferences with sisters from my ward.  As I've read through the saved conference programs, I have seen the many names of sisters who planned, prepared, taught, cooked, served and simply shared of their time and talents to help lift their sisters in our Stake.  It is a witness to the legacy of faith and service the sisters in our Stake share.

-Lorie Pierce

A Legacy of Faith and Service - Post One

In November 1991, the Columbia Maryland Stake was organized under the direction of Elder Richard G. Scott from the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.  Sister Irene Whitlock was then called by the newly sustained Stake President, C. Brent Bargeron, to serve as the first Stake Relief Society President.  Her counselors were Judy Stephenson and Donna Schott with Kay Paulson as secretary.

Irene Whitlock served as president from 1991-1995.  During that time, their presidency had opportunities to serve alongside the brethren in building up the newly formed stake.  One such event was in 1993, when Elder Packer, Elder Scott and Elder Kofford came for training meetings.  Irene's husband, Jerry Whitlock, recalled, "That time was a great one for Irene and me.  She let me attend all the quarterly meetings (to set up the tables and to do the dishes and cleanup while the meeting was being held).  I received a special apron from the Relief Society when she was released and was named an honorary member of the Relief Society."

L-R: Elder Kofford, Elder Scott, Donna Schott, Kay Paulson, Elder Packer, Irene Whitlock, Judy Stephenson - 1993

L-R: Irene Whitlock, Judy Stephenson, Kay Paulson, Donna Schott, Elder Scott - 1993

Women's Conferences and other Stake Relief Society meetings were held to provide opportunities to strengthen and encourage the sisters of the stake.  Irene and her presidency always had the best interest of the sisters in mind as they organized stake meetings and activities.  Their presidency reached out to the wards to understand the needs of the sisters and to build a united sisterhood.

Irene Whitlock passed away at the age of 82 on December 19, 2014.  Throughout her life, she set a personal example of faith and service.  She served with graciousness and humility - always with her mind and heart focused on seeking the Spirit to discern how best to teach and lead.  She served without hesitation and gave her best effort to every assignment.  Her love of the Lord was always evident as she spoke.  Her testimony of the importance of the temple was demonstrated clearly as she served in the Washington DC Temple for 30 years, first as a volunteer answering the telephone and then later as an ordinance worker.

Even if we didn't know these women personally and maybe didn't even live in the Columbia Maryland Stake during their time of service, we have been blessed by their efforts.  They laid a foundation of righteous choices, faith & devotion in our Savior and selfless service.

- Lorie Pierce

**Note - a correction has been made since the original publication of this post.  The visit of Sister Chieko N. Okazaki originally referenced did not occur during Sister Whitlock's time as president.  It was not until 2002 that she visited and it will be addressed in a later history post.

Keeping A History

In sifting through the large stack of papers inherited with my calling as Stake Relief Society Secretary, I came across a brief history entitled "History of Columbia Maryland Stake".  At the end of each year, secretaries in the quorums and auxiliaries are asked to submit a brief history of their unit.  This paper appears to have been the submission for the year 1992 and was likely written by the Stake Relief Society Secretary at the time, Kay Paulson.

As I read that brief history, my mind was turned to a talk given by Sister Julie B. Beck when she was serving as General Relief Society President.  It was her introduction to the publication of Daughters in My Kingdom.  (If you haven't read that book - you really should.  It is an amazing work!)  I went back and re-read her talk.  It is powerful and the principles she teaches not only apply to Relief Society, but to our families and our family histories as well.

She makes four important points:

History Teaches Us Who We Are
There is a worldwide hunger among good women to know their identity, value, and importance. Studying and applying the history of Relief Society gives definition and expression to who we are as disciples and followers of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

History Teaches Us What We Are To Do
Through our history we learn how to prepare for the blessings of eternal life.

History Unites Faithful Women
The history of Relief Society is a Spirit-filled story of strong, faithful, purposeful women. As a part of the Lord’s restored Church, Relief Society can now be found in nearly 170 nations.

Knowledge of History Can Help Us Change
Ultimately, the value of history is not so much in its dates, times, and places. It is valuable because it teaches us the principles, purposes, and patterns we are to follow, it helps us know who we are and what we are to do, and it unites us in strengthening the homes of Zion and building the kingdom of God on the earth. 

You can use the link below to listen to or read the entire talk for yourselves.

Daughters in My Kingdom: The History and Work of Relief Society, Julie B. Beck, General Conference October 2010

Looking back at that yellowing paper, typed on an actual typewriter, I have thought of the women who have come before us.  The sisters who have served faithfully by increasing their faith & testimony, strengthening their families, providing relief to those in need and helping to further the Lord's work in the Columbia Maryland Stake over the past 23 years.  I would like to compile a history of our Relief Society for them and us.  I plan to publish it via this blog.  I need help in tracking down names, dates, pictures, recollections, etc.  I'd like to start by finding out the names of each Stake Relief Society Presidency & Secretary and when they served.  If you can help supply details for me, I would greatly appreciate it.  Please send whatever you may have to columbiastake.rs.sec@gmail.com.

- Lorie Pierce