Did You Know? "I Was A Stranger" Initiative and Other Ways to Help

Our Stake Relief Society Activity yesterday - A Humanitarian Aid Project for orphan children in Haiti - was a great success.  Thank you to all those sisters who helped us prepare and who came to participate!  Next week, I will post the photos, provide links to the patterns used, and post the video of the children in case you missed it.

Sister Reinsch asked that I provide information on the Church wide "I Was A Stranger" initiative and a bit about local and other resources available to us as we seek to lift those around us.

Many of us have been touched by the media published images of refugees around the world fleeing their homes and seeking succor in foreign lands.  As sisters of the Relief Society, we share a common desire to provide relief in times of temporal, emotional and spiritual need.  It is sometimes overwhelming to figure out what, how, where, etc.

Sister Linda K. Burton, Relief Society General President, counseled us, "prayerfully determine what you can do—according to your own time and circumstance".

I feel like the best I can do here is provide links to information and resources - allowing us each to then consider our circumstances and seek the Lord's personal counsel to us.  My list is in no way all-inclusive, but will provide a starting point.


"I Was A Stranger", Sister Linda K. Burton, Relief Society General President, April 2016 General Womens Meeting
All of the talks in the recent General Womens Meeting were wonderful and provided context for the "I Was A Stranger" initiative, but Sister Burton's specifically discussed it.


I Was A Stranger webpage on lds.org


International Rescue Committee in Baltimore relies on community support to assist refugees who are fleeing from war and perseution in their home countries


LDS Philanthropies Website
LDS Philanthropies is a department of the Office of the Presiding Bishopric responsible for philanthropic donations to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its affiliated charities.


LDS Charities Website
From LDS Charities, "Our humanitarian signature programs are built on the principles of personal responsibility, community support, self-reliance, and sustainability. We employ these principles even during times of critical aid and emergency response. Our efforts are designed to give individuals and communities the tools they need to improve their own circumstances in permanent and meaningful ways."


JustServe.org is provided as a service by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  JustServe matches faith, nonprofit, community and governmental organizations that need volunteers with volunteers willing to help. JustServe.org links you to service opportunities in your community so you can make a difference wherever you are and however you want to serve.


volunteer.lds.org

This is a new beta volunteer site on lds.org.  Volunteer tools can help you find service opportunities that work well with your time, talents and capabilities.

There are other organizations and websites within our counties that offer volunteer matching services and listings of local events.  You can simply do a quick internet search of "volunteers in xxxx county maryland" and find several listings.  You can filter your search with more specifics such as "refugees", "food banks", "homeless shelters", etc.

In the recent General Womens Meeting, Sister Cheryl A. Esplin reminded us,  "President Monson has often reminded us that we are 'surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness—be they family members, friends, acquaintances, or strangers.' He said, 'We are the Lord’s hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children. He is dependent upon each of us.'"

We are blessed in our Stake with amazing sisters willing to reach out to lift and serve.  Thank you!

- Lorie Pierce

Crocheting a Magic Circle/Magic Ring for Hacky Sacks

This is the best tutorial I've found for learning the Magic Circle/Magic Ring technique.  It is the best way to begin the hacky sacks.  If you are planning to crochet with us tomorrow morning - you might want to try this out today!

-Lorie Pierce

Sabbath Day Blessings - Guest Post Series

Jenn Knight - YSA Branch

One of the things that I have been striving to do to elevate my Sabbath Day Observance is staying in my Sunday clothes the whole day. This may seem like a really simple thing to do and it is. Several months ago I was pondering about what I could do to make my Sabbath more of a delight/elevate it, not a lot of things were coming to mind. I started praying about it.  The thought came to my mind that I should wear my Sunday clothes all day. Now, this was kind of hard for me to do. I do not enjoy wearing skirts or dresses, even though I served a mission. You would think after wearing nothing but skirts and dresses for 18 months, one would learn to love it. That was not the case with me. I often dread having to wear skirts or dresses. What I usually like to do after church is change into my PJ's or something more comfortable and relax. But since receiving this impression, I have made the effort to wear my Sunday clothes all day on Sunday. And it has made a world of difference. By remaining in my Sunday clothes all day, it has literally set the Sabbath day apart from all the other days of the week. I am more focused on the gospel, the things Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ has done for me. I am more in tune with the spirit. And I have probably received other blessings that I am not currently aware of. By doing this simple little thing, it has changed the way I observe the Sabbath day. It has made my Sabbath day more of a delight. In my personal opinion, not everything has to be done in a grand gesture. Sometimes the simple things make the biggest difference, and I have found that to be true with wearing my Sunday Clothes all day on the Sabbath.

Gathering As Sisters Series - C1 & HA

Our "Gathering As Sisters" post series is designed to help us as sisters within our wards/branches see that we are part of a whole - that across the stake there are other groups of sisters gathering together in activities and service to support & teach one another and develop friendships as they fulfill the purposes of the Relief Society in building faith, strengthening families and providing relief.  Each month through the end of this year, we will share one or two highlights from activities within our Relief Societies.

We have truly been blessed with our current Handbook of Instruction that allows each ward/branch to counsel together and then plan with inspiration according to their specific needs. We hope that by sharing some of the wonderful things happening within our wards/branches, we can understand better the individual yet similar needs we share as sisters in the Columbia Maryland Stake.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Our Hampstead Ward Sisters:

For our February activity we got together to try and improve our communication and better understand our style of communication. We gathered together in a circle so it would be easy to talk with one another. I handed out a quiz for everyone to take, so they could understand their communication style. Everyone loved it. It was fun and informative. Then I threw out some questions to get the conversation flowing about what things they have all learned, what bothers them, what do they like, what has worked when communicating with your spouse, co-worker, children, etc. we laughed about the mistakes we've made and we were able to learn what works for others that we might try in our own lives. We ended our activity with cookies and milk and conversation hearts. It was a laid back, but enjoyable and informative activity.

-Ashton Jensen

Here are some of the tips/advice from their activity:

From Barry L. Johnson, associate professor of sociology, serves as bishop of the  Brigham Young University 148th Ward, BYU Sixth Stake - Here are some suggestions to help you improve your “couple talk.”     1.    When you want to talk about concerns and problems with your spouse, pick a comfortable setting, one free of distractions or interruptions. Choose a  place where the two of you can be alone.     2.    Talk face to face, close enough to touch each other and with enough light  to see each other’s features clearly.     3.    Express your thoughts and feelings by using “I” messages rather than  “you” messages (blaming and criticizing statements). Try “I feel unimportant  when I don’t get to explain the problem” instead of “You never listen to me!”     4.    Keep your comments brief—no more than two sentences.     5.    Don’t put your spouse on the defensive. Express negative feelings in a  respectful manner, such as, “When I am criticized, I feel angry and hurt.” Say  how you want the burgers cooked rather than criticizing after they’re done.  Accentuate the positive.     6.    Don’t hide your feelings behind intellectual jargon. Instead, be kindly  straightforward about what you really feel and think.     7.    Make requests clear and respectful: “I’d like you to put gas in the car this  morning. Do you have time to do that?”     8.    Do not try to be a mind reader. The only way to find out what your  spouse thinks or feels is to ask.     9.    Do not blame, demean, or accuse. Focus on the problem rather than  criticizing. Use the no‐fault approach: “I’m uncomfortable/unhappy with this  situation. Let’s talk about what we can do to change it.”     10.    Remember that listening, controlling anger, and using the appropriate  tone of voice all contribute to good communication. Nagging, conversational  discourtesies, and sullen silence detract from it.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Our Columbia 1 Ward Sisters:

In March, many Relief Societies across the world celebrated the birthday of the Relief Society.  I was able to visit the activity held by the Columbia 1 Ward sisters.  They enjoyed a salad bar, a fun baby picture matching game, table question prompts designed to help sisters get to know each other better, yummy cake and lots of chatting & mingling.  It was fun to be with them and it was clear how much they enjoyed getting together.

-Lorie Pierce

General Womens Meeting - March 26, 2016

Last week we had the opportunity to gather as sisters of the Columbia Maryland Stake with sisters from all around the world for the General Womens Meeting broadcast from Salt Lake City.  If you were unable to listen to or view this meeting, you can use this link to access the talks and video presentations from that night.

General Womens Meeting - March 26, 2016

About 190 of our Stake sisters, young women and Primary girls joined us at the Stake Center for a meal before the broadcast.  It was fun to see so many of the younger girls there with moms establishing traditions and making new friends.  We are very grateful for the assistance and support provided by the brethren that day.  Without their help, we would not have been able to manage such a large meal.

Humanitarian Aid Project Q & A

If you are looking for a Conference Weekend project...we could use some experienced crocheters to make some hacky sacks up to the fill stage - so that we will have some ready for filling early on at the April 23 Activity.  Click Here for the Pattern

This is an additional blog post....if you didn't see the original post with details about this upcoming Stake RS Activity CLICK HERE

We are getting questions about the April 23 Stake RS Activity - A Humanitarian Aid Project for orphan children in Haiti. I will post here the questions so far and my answers back. If you have further questions...feel free to email me (loriepierce.rs@gmail.com) and I will do my best to provide answers.

Questions to date:

Q - Are the hacky sacks a beginner friendly project?

A - - I tried one out today. Once I understood the directions it was simple. It is all done in single crochet.  (see the first video below)  You will also need to know how to single crochet 2 together. (second video below) You will need to know how to single crochet before this activity if you want to actually make hacky sacks that day.

Q - Do we need knitting needles?

A - At this point unless we find someone with a good knitting pattern able to be there that day to guide a knitting group...we will be going with all crochet.

Q - What types of yarn do you need?

A - This is a great project for using up all the leftover yarns from other projects you have done. But fuzzy, tinsel woven, extra fat yarns will not work.

Q - Is there something we can do if we don't knit or crochet?

A - Yes. We will need people to wind and splice yarn to create variegated balls, fill the hacky sacks and stitch them shut with a tapestry needle & yarn. Also we are making draw string back packs which will need people to iron fabric, cut fabric, pin seams, sew seams, cut cording, lace cording.

Q - Do you need fabric? And what kinds?

A - We have some, but more will be great! Most fabrics will be usable - Except minky, satins, extra light weight cottons, fleece, velvets. More durable fabrics will be best.

Q - How big do the fabric pieces need to be?

A - 1/2 yard of fabric per bag is a good measurement.  The regular size bags when cut are 15 x 38 (folded 15x19) inches and the toddler size bags when cut are 12 x 32 (folded 12x16) inches.  Because these orphanages have children from infant all the way up to young teens, we will make both size bags.

Q - I have yarn or fabric to donate but won't be able to come that day?

A - Let me (loriepierce.rs@gmail.com) know and I will help coordinate getting it from you.

Q - How are the items going to get to Haiti?

A - My son will be visiting us the first weekend in May. I will give everything to him them. He and several other volunteers will be returning to Haiti in July and will take it all down then. The airlines have been very good about not charging him for his suitcases with donations to the orphans :-)


Q - What if we don't get everything finished on the 23rd or in time for your son's visit in May?
A - Any items that are finished later by sisters can be passed back to me and I will ship them to my son in Utah before his July trip.


Q - What will the Hacky Sacks be filled with?
A - Plastic pony beads


Q - What if we would like to continue helping these orphans?
A - I can help coordinate with my son for delivery of items on his upcoming trips down to Haiti.


Q - What other kinds of things are helpful for them?
A - They love Futbol.  Used soccer balls are great.  My son deflates them for packing to take in suitcases.  Clothing is always welcome - just think durable and hot, humid.  They wash everything by hand and hang to dry.  Life is hard on clothes for these children.  Old children's jeans (like with worn out knees) that can be cut off and hemmed into shorts are great (if you don't sew, I'll take them and hem them).  Left over school supplies are also appreciated.


Q - Will you be collecting these other items at the April 23 activity?
A - We haven't made plans to, but if sisters want to bring them to me that day, I will be happy to collect them.  Or sisters can directly contact me about passing them on.  (loriepierce.rs@gmail.com)


Q - What language do they speak?
A - Haitian French

FYI - We will need sisters willing to bring sewing machines (threaded), rotary cutters w/mats & straight edge, scissors, irons & boards, crochet hooks, tapestry needles. AND there will be an awesome digital slideshow at our activity of children from the 3 orphanages we are helping.

Stake Relief Society Spring Activity -- Save the Date!

A Humanitarian Aid Project To Benefit Orphan Children In Haiti

Saturday, April 23, 9am-12pm at the Stake Center

Brunch Buffet    --   Casual Dress

"We are the Lord's hands on the earth."   - President Thomas S. Monson

My son, Matt, for the past few years has been working with three orphanages in Haiti that have about 300 children between them.  The women who began and maintain these orphanages are also Relief Society sisters.  They like us are doing what they can to help those in need.

Matt helped us decide what would be a good project and he will deliver the items for us on his trip in July.  Some of you may be aware that I have been making t-shirt dresses and shorts for these children.  We decided that our stake project needed to be easier to accommodate beginner sewers and avoid the need to serge or French seam clothing as their living circumstances are very hard on clothing.

Sisters will be able to help make hacky sacks and draw string backpacks.  Regardless of sewing or crochet/knitting ability, there will be things to work on.  Sometime in the next couple weeks someone from the project committees will be in touch with ward/branch presidencies regarding items (like sewing machines) that we will need to borrow/have sisters bring.

These children have so very little and this is a simple way to bless lives in a real way. The backpacks will be very useful for them and they love futbol, so the hacky sacks will be fun for them.

We are looking forward to this opportunity to work together as a Stake Relief Society.  The morning will be very relaxed and allow sisters to mingle as they work.  There will be a slide show of children from these orphanages.  We hope many of you will be able to join us.

-Lorie Pierce