“People need to know they are loved and cared for”
– Mary Mitchell, North Bay, Ontario
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Topics:
RLDS Church | youth camp | church camp | Graceland University | Enduring Principles | Blessings of Community | prayer shawl ministry | World Accord | Outreach International | Mission Initiatives | Doctrine and Covenants |
Where do I start in my 80 plus years of church life? I think, in a nutshell, I could organize my thoughts under six categories: my heritage, the opportunities and encouragement to use my talents and abilities, the valued relationships and friendships, wonderful and inspired ministry, spiritual and challenging experiences, and the nudge to be open-minded in my thinking and continual learning.
Though I live in North Bay, I was raised in Toronto until Don and I married. I grew up in a very loving church home where my mother and father, and grandparents as well, were very involved in the work of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at that time. They were always open to new and evolving understandings of the gospel message and commitment. Mom was involved in the women’s department work of the congregation as well as singing in the choir and Dad was a soliciter and a high priest involved in the financial and ministerial leadership of the Toronto congregation. So, I was very much influenced by their devotion and dedicated work in the church. I remember attending a very good church school program as a child which I loved. I also participated in a very active youth program in Toronto which led me to want to attend many wonderful youth camps and family reunions. I still am excited to this day to attend family reunions.
My talents in music were encouraged early on, certainly by my parents, but also by Harold Neal, a former world church music director, who got me involved when I was about twelve years old in playing the piano for church school openings with him playing along with me on his violin! I continue to this day to be involved in music when I can, continuing to play the piano and even sing in a virtual choir! I love the new hymnal which I feel is truly inspired.
I was very much attracted to campfire leadership as a youth appreciating such wonderful examples of special ministry at campfires provided by people like Les Gardner and Roy Cheville. I could sense the spiritual value of singing and worshipping together around a campfire. So I developed my skills and led many campfires over the years, even teaching campfire leadership classes. I still love a campfire to this day!
My two years at Graceland College (University now) were life-changing and profound for me as I studied under such people as Alma Blair, Roy Cheville, Robert Flanders and Velma Ruch, to name a few. I found my studies exciting and was challenged to continue my learning, always keeping an open mind to new knowledge and revelation. I also value so very much the many wonderful friendships and relationships which developed over those two years, and in fact throughout my church life, which have been stimulating and long-lasting to this day.
Over the years I have been inspired and continue to be challenged by the excellent ministry provided by many in my life from my early years to the present: people such as John Sheehy, Al Pelletier, Linda Booth, John Bradley, Bill McMurray, Velma Ruch, John Booth—and I could go on!
What would I be excited to do and see as we step forward as a community? I want us to continue to emphasize, support and practise the Initiatives of the church and the Enduring Principles in all our planning, actions, and gatherings. I hope we will continue to have some virtual experiences and learning events even after this pandemic is over and we start meeting in person again in our congregations.
I hope to continue to personally reach out to others in whatever ministry I can offer at my age to others: phone calls, cards, letters, helping in worship experiences, for starters. As an example, with my knitting skills I am involved in making prayer shawls for people in need which activity brings untold ministry to those of us who make them and to those who receive them. People need to know they are loved and cared for. This winter I used up some of my excess yarn to make scarves for our local homeless shelter and kitchen.
I will continue to be involved in whatever way I can help in our local congregation. I will continue to study and learn always with an open mind. I will continue to uphold and support all who are involved in the church’s ministry around the world where the needs are great. This includes supporting organizations which are working for peace in tangible ways, like World Accord, Outreach International, and Habitat for Humanity. Our first international trip for Habitat was with a group of Graceland students to Honduras, an unforgettable experience.
I want us as a church to do whatever we can to pursue peace, abolish poverty and suffering and invite people to Christ wherever we can: to follow the way Christ lived — a life of love, kindness, peace, and compassionate outreach ministry to others with the goal of “shaping communities that live Christ’s love and mission” (Doctrine and Covenants 165: 1b).
Though I live in North Bay, I was raised in Toronto until Don and I married. I grew up in a very loving church home where my mother and father, and grandparents as well, were very involved in the work of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at that time. They were always open to new and evolving understandings of the gospel message and commitment. Mom was involved in the women’s department work of the congregation as well as singing in the choir and Dad was a soliciter and a high priest involved in the financial and ministerial leadership of the Toronto congregation. So, I was very much influenced by their devotion and dedicated work in the church. I remember attending a very good church school program as a child which I loved. I also participated in a very active youth program in Toronto which led me to want to attend many wonderful youth camps and family reunions. I still am excited to this day to attend family reunions.
My talents in music were encouraged early on, certainly by my parents, but also by Harold Neal, a former world church music director, who got me involved when I was about twelve years old in playing the piano for church school openings with him playing along with me on his violin! I continue to this day to be involved in music when I can, continuing to play the piano and even sing in a virtual choir! I love the new hymnal which I feel is truly inspired.
I was very much attracted to campfire leadership as a youth appreciating such wonderful examples of special ministry at campfires provided by people like Les Gardner and Roy Cheville. I could sense the spiritual value of singing and worshipping together around a campfire. So I developed my skills and led many campfires over the years, even teaching campfire leadership classes. I still love a campfire to this day!
My two years at Graceland College (University now) were life-changing and profound for me as I studied under such people as Alma Blair, Roy Cheville, Robert Flanders and Velma Ruch, to name a few. I found my studies exciting and was challenged to continue my learning, always keeping an open mind to new knowledge and revelation. I also value so very much the many wonderful friendships and relationships which developed over those two years, and in fact throughout my church life, which have been stimulating and long-lasting to this day.
Over the years I have been inspired and continue to be challenged by the excellent ministry provided by many in my life from my early years to the present: people such as John Sheehy, Al Pelletier, Linda Booth, John Bradley, Bill McMurray, Velma Ruch, John Booth—and I could go on!
What would I be excited to do and see as we step forward as a community? I want us to continue to emphasize, support and practise the Initiatives of the church and the Enduring Principles in all our planning, actions, and gatherings. I hope we will continue to have some virtual experiences and learning events even after this pandemic is over and we start meeting in person again in our congregations.
I hope to continue to personally reach out to others in whatever ministry I can offer at my age to others: phone calls, cards, letters, helping in worship experiences, for starters. As an example, with my knitting skills I am involved in making prayer shawls for people in need which activity brings untold ministry to those of us who make them and to those who receive them. People need to know they are loved and cared for. This winter I used up some of my excess yarn to make scarves for our local homeless shelter and kitchen.
I will continue to be involved in whatever way I can help in our local congregation. I will continue to study and learn always with an open mind. I will continue to uphold and support all who are involved in the church’s ministry around the world where the needs are great. This includes supporting organizations which are working for peace in tangible ways, like World Accord, Outreach International, and Habitat for Humanity. Our first international trip for Habitat was with a group of Graceland students to Honduras, an unforgettable experience.
I want us as a church to do whatever we can to pursue peace, abolish poverty and suffering and invite people to Christ wherever we can: to follow the way Christ lived — a life of love, kindness, peace, and compassionate outreach ministry to others with the goal of “shaping communities that live Christ’s love and mission” (Doctrine and Covenants 165: 1b).
