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

Message from the Bishopric

Dear Banbury Ward,

In my Human Resource profession, I am often dealing with other people’s problems and helping them get through tough personal issues. That can be very difficult sometimes, especially when people lack basic common sense! At the same time, I am reminded that we often do not know the full story behind a person's struggles, mistakes, or circumstances. I recall one time where I was lamenting my own personal life mistakes to a great friend of mine in our ward and his response touched me deeply, “It doesn’t matter what you do Ron, I’m still just gonna always keep loving you.” That comment made my soul soar and helped me feel Christ like love.

I've found that life becomes a little lighter when I remember how much grace God gives me every day. When I am honest with myself, I realize that I make mistakes, fall short, and need forgiveness just as much as anyone else. That perspective helps me be less critical of others and more willing to show patience and understanding. The Savior's simple counsel, “Judge not, that ye be not judged” (Matthew 7:1), reminds me that I rarely know the full story of what someone else is carrying. Instead of assuming the worst, I want to choose compassion.

There have been times when people have hurt me, disappointed me, or acted in ways I didn't understand. My natural reaction is not always forgiveness. Yet when I think about the mercy Jesus Christ continually extends to me, I feel a desire to offer that same mercy to others. Forgiveness does not erase the pain or pretend that wrong things never happened, but it allows my heart to heal and makes room for the peace that only Christ can give. As He taught, we should forgive again and again, just as He does for us (Matthew 18:21-22).

The Book of Mormon deepens this lesson for me. King Benjamin taught that we are all beggars before God, dependent on His mercy and blessings (Mosiah 4:19-20). When I remember that, it becomes harder to look down on others or believe that my shortcomings are somehow less serious than theirs. Moroni also taught that “charity is the pure love of Christ” (Moroni 7:47). That kind of love sees people not only for who they are today, but for who they can become through the Savior. May we all remember this important phrase as we interact with each other.

My hope is to be someone who is quicker to forgive, slower to judge, and more willing to love. The world gives us plenty of reasons to criticize one another, but Jesus Christ calls us to something higher. As I strive to follow Him, I want to extend the same compassion, patience, and mercy that He so freely gives me. In the end, I believe that choosing forgiveness over judgment brings us closer to Him and helps us see others through His eyes.

Love,

Bro. Ron Thomas

• 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 23 - Youth Fireside at Bishop’s Home on Sunday August 23rd at 7:00 p.m.

• August 25 - Everyone is invited to join Linda Kohlwey for her own endowment session on August 25th at Noon at the Meridian Temple. 

• 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. Children's center for toddlers through age 5.

  1. • Donation focus this month: beanie hats, winter gloves, socks, hot pocket hand warmers, shaving cream, disposable razors, combs, deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, body wash, hot chocolate packets, hot apple cider packets

• 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 - Banbury Ward's Got Talent - 6:00PM  Saturday, September 19th at the STAKE CENTER.  Fiesta dinner at 6:00pm, talent show follows.  Food/talent sign-ups will be passed in Relief Society and Elders Quorum or via Sign-Up Genius.  Talent sign-ups (performances or table exhibits) will be passed in youth classes.

• 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/