January and February Rain with Activity

London brings training

Traveling to London in early January, we had the opportunity to spokesperson train the National Director of Public Affairs for Ireland, John Connolly of Dublin. Brother Connolly is a former District President and member of the Preston Temple Presidency with gifts of vision and persuasion.

Joyce conducting a mock television interview with John Connolly in the Hyde Park Hosting Room.

John's keen sense of humour and vast experience with help the perception of the Church in Ireland.

Our Story Goes On

Not only did this extraordinary choir perform in Downham, but they put on a missionary focused performance at the Chorley Stake Centre. Written with a combination of Church and popular songs, the production featured wonderful talents including Robin Dick.


Visit to Wales to see the Owens in Anglesey

Elder and Sister Owen are friends from Farmington with deep Welsh roots who are once again serving as missionaries in two small branches in northern Wales. Elder Owen is a Cambridge educated Chemistry professor with two doctorates and speaks Welsh. Sister Owen is as sweet an individual as there is and raised a wonderful family (three of their children's families live in our neighborhood in Somerset).

After lunch we enjoyed the sights and seacoast with each other.

The Owens have reconnected with friends and colleagues of thirty years ago with remarkable success in re-activating members and bringing the gospel to friends not of our faith.

Dare you to pronounce this short Welsh name for a city in Wales?

Garfield Elm with the Burkes

Elder and Sister Burke replaced us in Solihull prior to starting a new ambassadorial outreach in London. 53 Embassies have been contacted by the Burkes which have resulted in new-found friendships with Ambassadors from all over the globe. Elder Burke had ancestors that joined the Church from the United Brethren in Hertfordshire.

Elder Haw presenting the history of Gadfield Elm and the conversion of the United Brethren.

Sister Haw and Sister Turvey explaining the family history information of these early saints.

Self Reliance Launching Leaders 

These three YSAs from Manchester joined a Launching Leaders program based on the Self Reliance twelve core principles. Together with five Muslim students and three Catholic colleagues, they formed the first class of what the Roman Catholic Church hopes to be a collaborative program bringing young people of various faiths together in promoting inter-faith cooperation.

Mentors and students of the program participating in the joint
leadership program.

Manchester YSA Conference

Savannah Stevenson of West End Wicked fame was the featured speaker for the Manchester YSA Ward's Annual Conference featuring courses on how to live the gospel in a secular world.

Though her world may seem glamorous and exciting to many, she assured the YSAs that her life has been much like theirs, stressful and often filled with periods of rejection. Her anchor has been her personal testimony, relationship with God,  and association with others of like-minded values.

Together with her husband, Nate Copier whom she met in Utah while filming the Bible series for The Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints, Savannah is currently devoting time and attention to speaking to several youth groups, missionaries, and YSAs throughout the UK. (Savannah portrayed the role of Mary in the Bible series). 

Parrishes Arrive in London

Greeting Stan and Joyce Parrish at Heathrow on a beautiful sun-filled day in London proved curious as we all manned the luggage.

We were privileged to join with Lee and Diann Burke, President and Sister Stevens and other missionaries in welcoming the Elder and Sister Parrish to Public Affairs in the hosting room at Hyde Park Chapel.

Baptisms

Two dynamic sister missionaries, Sister Horwath from Switzerland and Sister Thornton from Australia, taught and prepared Ilene Mansea for baptism.

At the same time, they taught and prepared Jewel who courageously joined the Church.

Solihull Ward Conference Munch & Mingle 

Mixing, mingling and eating are a great anticipation for ward members as both the Sheldon and Solihull ward members seek to find common ground as one united ward.

What a joy to serve and to know you are on the Lord's errand.

Solihull Ward Missionaries: Elder and Sister Jones, Sister and Elder Wills, Elder Garralaga, Elder Kovach, Sister Thornton, and Sister Horwath.

The Partridges join the Solihull Public Affairs office

Standing in front of the mission office, President and Sister Leppard welcome Elder and Sister Partridge to the Birmingham Mission.

On their first cultural field trip, the Partridges stand in front of the ancient armor in Warwick Castle.

 Malcolm explains the importance of helping leaders see local opportunities to share their story.

Noticing an ice cream van parked  outside the Hyde Park Chapel, Dan and Joyce treat everyone to British ice cream with a "flake" included!

Elder Ron and Sister Marie Partridge are all smiles as they anticipate their new adventure as Public Affairs missionaries.

Looking Forward

To preserve the memories and the choice associations.