King George Ward
2022 WARD HISTORY
ELDER'S QUORUM
Elders Quorum and counselors organized and presided over the King George Elder's Quorum organized using priesthood keys to act under the direction and authority of the stake presidency, and under the direction of our Bishop. Activities throughout the year included:
Youth Trek: Held at the Marriott Ranch. Ward members were sprinkled across six Trek families in four companies as they pulled carts over the hills, through the woods, and across the plains, without the aid of their electronic devices. All who attended felt the Spirit and for many youth, it left an impression that they'll never forget as they shared many of the same experiences as their ancestors and other church pioneers. Activities included family devotionals, a Women's Pull, a hoe-down and dance, family skits, many games, great food, and lots and lots of walking.
Annual Elder's Quorum Barbecue (aka EQ BBQ): The Elder's Quorum held its second annual BBQ which featured much camaraderie, food, fun, games, and this year -- a shooting gallery. The BBQ was originally scheduled to take advantage of the Veteran's Day holiday on Nov 11th but was postponed to Dec 17th due to weather. This year, Ryan not only flexed his BBQ skills, but also hosted the event at his home to take advantage of his shooting range. Despite the cold weather and wind, 18 elders and young men participated in firing off various riffles and handguns. The EQ is planning on upping the ante again next year with Pumpkin Chuckin' using slingshots, catapults, and possibly a trebuchet.
YOUNG WOMEN
The purpose of Young Women classes is to help them work together to accomplish the work of salvation and axaltation. In their classes, young women serve others, fulfill covenant responsibilites, build unity, and learn and live doctrine.
The 2022 YW theme was "Trust in the Lord" taken from Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
The theme is designed to help each young woman understand her devine identity and become converted to Jesus Christ.They YW leaders sought to teach principles from the scripture throughout the year. The scripture theme ws used as a focus for youth acctivities, camp, trek, and discussions. The young women learned thatt as they put their trust in Jesus Christ and seek to do His will, He would help them to achieve their best and to make a difference.
Highlights:
Emblems of Belonging -- Annual Youth Meeting
The older youth shared testimonies of the scriptures, For the Strength of Youth program, and some of their thoughts about their Patriarchal Blessings. The new youth received their new Emblems of Belonging.
Stake Patriarch visits
The Patriarch spoke to the youth and discussed lineage, and the amazing promises and sacred nature of Patriarchal Blessings.
Youth Volunteer Session at the DC Temple Open House
Many adults and youth from the ward volunteered. Most of the youth served at the temple entrance. They assisted with greeting guests and helping them put on and off the foot coverings used for walking through the temple. A few of the older youth served as ushers helping to direct people inside the temple.
Youth Camp in North Carolina: "Trust in the Lord"
Held at a beautiful church owned campground with multiple cabins and a large lodge with a commercial grade kitchen. The camp is themed around the scriptures and history of the church. Activities included: a faith building blindfolded Iron Rod activity, hiking, boating, swimming, archery, BB guns, hatchet throwing, songs, games, skits, a giant shaving cream war, movies, devotionals, lessons, skill learning, flag ceremonies, prayers, lots of good food, and a wonderful tetimony meeting.
RELIEF SOCIETY
In anticipation of the rededication of the Washington DC Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on August 14, 2022, the King George Ward had a Temple Art Show on Wednesday evening, August 10, 2022, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm. Ward members had been encouraged for several weeks to either bring temple pictures or art they owned or to use their artistic talents to create a piece of temple art.
The Relief Society was in charge of the activity, and we set up the Cultural Hall on Wednesday morning. We had two long tables covered with table clothes to show most of the art work. The centerpiece was a Christus statue in front of a flower arrangement. On either side of the Christus were prints of the Washington DC and Salt Lake City Temples. These two pictures belong to Sister Smith, who was originally married in the Salt Lake Temple as was her current husband Brother Smith. The Smiths were sealed together in the Washington DC Temple in April 2017. The other pictures and art brought by ward members continued further down the table on either side. The art work included paintings both in acrylic and water colors as well as wedding photographs, other temple pictures, and painted stones and wood blocks. Bishop Whelan and his wife brought a large painting of the Salt Lake Temple, which is close to the Bishop’s heart. It was on an easel at one end of the two tables. The Bishop, while going to college after his mission, was a landscaper at Temple Square. He and Sister Whelan were also married there.
Some of the art work that I remember were drawings of the DC Temple by Brother Cheney, a watercolor of the DC Temple by Sister Caldwell, and a drawing of the Nauvoo Temple by Sister Whelan. However, the most magnificent art piece was done by the Primary children. During their activity days, they were given pieces of the art work without knowing what it was. Each child was to draw something on his/her paper. The Primary Presidency then put all the pieces together to make a large picture of the Washington DC Temple. You’ll notice that the DC Temple was a major theme!!
Since photography is my form of art, I took photographs from many of the temples I had visited across the United States and created a slideshow with classical piano music playing in the background. This was placed in the Cultural Hall across from the two tables of art, and chairs were in front for visitors to sit and see the show. Another wonderful piece of art was a three-dimensional model of the Washington DC Temple created by Sister Christensen. It was placed at the end of the refreshment table under a blue cloth making the temple appear as if it were on a cloud. Inside was a light, which made the beads sparkle. Also at the refreshment table were cookies that looked like the DC Temple. They were delicious, I’m told.
It was so nice to see so many of the ward members come to see the artwork that was there. The ward will be sharing all ward member-created artwork for the Stake Temple Art Show.
