Banbury Ward of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Message from the Bishopric

Isn't it amazing how often, when our hearts are searching for truth and guidance, the scriptures take us directly to the answer? That happened to me this week as I prepared this bishopric message.

 As you'll see below, Bishop Price is inviting our ward to participate in a special fast this Sunday. As I pondered that invitation while studying Come, Follow Me this week, I found myself skimming through some of the chapters that are skipped in the curriculum. In Ezra chapter 8, I found exactly the message I needed.

 Ezra had been entrusted to lead a group of Israelites on a long and dangerous journey back to Jerusalem, carrying gold, silver, and sacred vessels for the temple. Rather than requesting soldiers to protect them, Ezra turned to the Lord through fast and prayer.

 "Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance." (Ezra 8:21)

 They fasted for three simple but important blessings: a right way for their journey, protection for their little ones, and protection for their substance.

 The phrase that has most remained with me is "a right way." Ezra did not simply ask the Lord to remove every obstacle or guarantee a safe journey. He asked the Lord to show them the right path. What a beautiful pattern for our own fasting.

 As we fast, we can certainly pray for miracles and specific blessings. But perhaps we can also ask Heavenly Father to show us His way. As we trust Him enough to follow where He leads, He will strengthen us, guide us, and sustain us through whatever lies ahead.

 Love - Brother Coltrin

Special Invitation to Fast from Bishop Price

 Bishop Price is asking all ward members to join together in fasting this Sunday for Sister Liz Vande Merwe, who is battling an aggressive cancer, that she may be blessed with enduring strength, comfort, and peace for the difficult road ahead. We also invite members to remember others in our ward, families, and communities who are facing illness, hardship, or other challenges and are in need of the Lord's blessings.

I know that some of God's choicest blessings come as we unite in prayer and fasting. Isaiah said, "Is not this the fast that I have chosen? ... to undo the heavy burdens, ... Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer; thou shalt cry, and he shall say, Here I am." (Isaiah 58:6, 9)

May our hearts be knit together as we serve Liz, Rob, and all those carrying heavy burdens at this time.

• Sunday Youth Assignments

  • • August Chair Set-Up - Deacons Quorum.  Please come at 8:30 a.m. to help set up chairs.

    • August Greeters - Builders of Faith class

• We are creating a Ward Mission Plan video!  Bro. and Sis. Nelson (Larry and Sharon) are organizing this, and we are looking for about 70 ward members, adults, youth and children, to say a sentence each on camera, to help teach about our Ward Mission Plan and the simple ways to Love, Share and Invite all to come unto Christ.  Please accept their invitation to participate.

• August 18 – Red Cross Blood Drive - 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Stake Center

• August 25 - Relief Society Activity - 7:00pm at the Coltrin's home. An evening of fun and games for all sisters! Table and card games, pickleball, and a cool relaxing dip in the pool. We will serve light refreshments. Bring a game to share if you wish!

• August 27 - Stake Humanitarian Workday - 10am-1pm at the Stake center. Child care provided. Projects for every age and skill!

• September 9 - Summer Music Festival - For ALL YOUTH. 7:00 pm at Scentsy Commons & Amphitheater. A night for all youth in our stake to come together and be uplifted through music.

• September 19 - Ward Talent Show - 6:00PM - save the date! More info to come...

• September 25-27 - Treasure Valley YSA Conference for ages 26-35

• October 28 - Ward Fall Harvest Social - Save the date! More info to come...

• The Remember Him Area Initiative, which invites us all to focus on Becoming Lifelong Disciples of Jesus Christ, is featured on the Area website. All members are invited to:

  • • Share the Remember Him Video featured on the Area Website.

    • Invite families and individuals to visit the site and discuss the video message at home.

• Missionary Meals - We can invite the missionaries to dinner any day or night of the week; there is no longer the requirement to have a non-member present. Please reach out to our Ward Missionary Leader, Larry Nelson, if interested, and for further details and options. The missionaries will not be passing a calendar around, you will need to schedule directly with the missionaries. 

• Are you interested in being called as a Temple and Family History Worker with the assignment to work in the Family Search Center? Like a temple worker, this would be a weekly commitment, however each shift is only 2.5 hours. This is an extremely fulfilling calling and an opportunity for anyone to serve the Lord in a meaningful way.  Those who work at the center are witnesses to the miracles that happen there and the joy that the work brings into their lives.  Please reach out to a member of the bishopric if this is something you would like to discuss.

• "To allow for greater access to the words of the living prophets, printed copies of Church magazines are now available at no cost. These magazines include the Liahona, For the Strength of Youth, and Friend. This policy will eventually apply to every area of the Church.

  • • • Members can use their Church account to choose their preferred subscription(s) on a yearly basis at MagazineSubscriptions.ChurchofJesusChrist.org"

      • Please contact a member of the Bishopric, Relief Society Presidency, Elders Quorum Presidency, or your ministering sisters/brothers if you have any questions about this change or if you need assistance with subscribing for no-cost print magazines.

• For temple recommend interviews with the Bishopric and other meetings with the Bishop, please call or text David Swenson at (208) 447-8903.

• All temple recommend interviews with the Stake Presidency must be scheduled ahead of time. There are no walk-in appointments at this time.  For recommend renewal interviews, please visit https://calendly .com/minorth/temple to see available times and schedule an interview with the stake presidency.

Worldwide Church Events

The following link will take you to the church website with a list of all the upcoming and recent church events

https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/events/