At the end of each year, the auxiliary and quorum secretaries of the wards, branches and the stake are asked to submit a history of their organization. These histories are compiled and submitted to Salt Lake for archiving. I enjoyed the opportunity to review and reflect on all that has been done within our stake this past year. I thought our sisters might like to see what I submitted.
I know that each ward and branch in this stake has amazing Relief Societies with faithful sisters serving in many ways. I am grateful for the chance I've had this year to witness so much goodness.
-Lorie Pierce
Stake Relief Society Secretary
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Columbia Maryland Stake Relief
Society – 2015 History
President – Susan Reinsch
1st Counselor – Cheri
Meiners
2nd Counselor – Marsha
Searle
Secretary – Traci Spires (released in
March when she moved to South Africa)
Lorie Pierce (called in March)
 |
| (L-R: Cheri Meiners, Susan Reinsch, Marsha Searle – taken Fall 2015) |
The year began with Stake Conference and
Ward/Branch Conferences. The presidency
enjoyed visiting each unit and having the opportunity to teach in their Relief
Societies during the conferences.
In March, the Stake Relief Society,
Primary and Young Women presidencies came together to organize a pre-broadcast
social for the General Womens Meeting held on March 28, 2015. The sisters, young women and Primary girls
ages 8+ were invited to gather together at the Stake Center for light
refreshments prior to viewing the broadcast.
We had about 200 come for the social and then a few more arrived for the
broadcast, bringing our total attendance to 224. It was a wonderful opportunity to see the
sisters of all ages mingling together.
 |
| Photos taken at the Social prior to the March 28, 2015 General Womens Meeting |
We held our annual Stake Relief Society Activity on April 25,
2015. The theme was “Come to the Temple”. We met at the Washington DC Temple Visitor’s
Center. The sisters were able to listen
to the current temple president and matron (President & Sister Colton) as
well as the recently released temple president and matron (Brother & Sister
Swinton). Sister Deborah Hirschi of the
Savage Mill ward also spoke to the sisters about the history and symbolism of
the temple. We participated in writing
letters to missionaries and family search indexing. We concluded our activity with boxed
lunches. It was a busy Saturday morning
for many, especially as there was a last minute Regional Training meeting held
that same morning for all auxiliary presidencies. But we had a nice group of 73 sisters who
were able to join us.
 |
| Columbia Stake Relief Society – “Come to the Temple” – April 25, 2015 |
In June, the Stake Relief Society presidency was asked to
provide a meal to the brethren attending the Stake Priesthood Meeting as part
of Stake Conference. We served about 75
brethren.
From March through October, 6 of the 8 unit Relief Society
presidencies were released. The Stake
Relief Society Presidency & Secretary were kept busy with visits and
training of the newly called presidencies.
It is always a pleasure to see the willingness of the sisters to serve
within their wards/branches. It is
always nice to be able to visit their meetings and feel of their love for the
Gospel.
In September, we again worked with the Stake Primary and
Young Women presidencies to organize a social prior to the General Womens
Meeting. It was decided to serve a light
meal in the form of a taco salad bar.
The response from the sisters and their daughters was great. We had about 215 come for the meal and then a
few more arrived for the broadcast, bringing the attendance total to 225. We greatly appreciated the Priesthood support
organized through the High Council.
 |
| Panorama of light meal held prior to the September 2015 General Womens Meeting |
In November, the Stake Relief Society Presidency met with
all the ward/branch presidencies & secretaries to provide training. The theme of the meeting was from D&C
88:119, “Organize yourselves….Prepare Every Needful Thing”. The topics of welfare, visiting teaching,
gospel teaching and the purposes of Relief Society were covered.
To end the year, our Stake Relief Society was assigned to
provide 6 light meals to the missionaries serving at the Washington DC Temple
Visitor’s Center during the month of December for the “Festival of
Lights”. We divided our assignment up
between the presidency and several wards.
Our stake boundaries are large and the sisters have little
opportunity across ward/branch boundaries to associate. We try to help our sisters connect with one
another through a closed Facebook group – Columbia Stake Sisters. We also have a blog designed to uplift and
inform them.
(columbiastakers.blogspot.com)
The sisters of the Columbia Maryland Stake are great
examples of faith & testimony, strengthening family, and giving service
& relief to those in need. We are
grateful for the blessing of serving with them.
