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

Message from the Bishopric

Dear Banbury Ward,

I've been reflecting a lot lately.  I happened upon a picture from a summer hike from a high adventure a few years ago.  It led me to another picture from a Book of Mormon murder mystery we held downtown.  In both, I saw so many young men and young women from our ward who have served, are serving, or are about to serve missions.  So many!  Some I've known since they were "knee-high to a grasshopper," and now they are wonderful young adults, with so much life in front of them.  My heart was lightened and grateful at that thought, and I couldn't help but share it with a few people. 

I've thought too about some I know swimming through deep water.  For some, most of their wonderful lives are behind them; much of what they face now is the difficulty of mortal lives nearing their end.  Others aren't at mortality's end, but facing disappointment, uncertainty, loneliness, and various afflictions.  My heart is heavy and my prayers drawn out for each of you.  Many I count as dear friends.  

These reflections led me to our Savior, Jesus Christ.  I thought of all those who followed him and were healed from afflictions and forgiven of sin.  Faith in Him, coupled with His power, gave sight to the blind, healed the paralytic, cast out devils, fed thousands, calmed the stormy sea, and raised the widow's son, Jairus' daughter, and His friend Lazarus from the dead.

He first invites us to be disciples: "Follow me." (John 1:43)

Then from disciples to sons and daughters: "all those who receive my gospel are sons and daughters in my kingdom." (D&C 25:1)

Then he calls us friends: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; ...but I have called you friends" (John 15:13-15)

As I pondered this, I thought how fitting that Jesus raised from the dead a son, a daughter, and a friend.  Every person born on this earth is a son or a daughter.  Each of us can be a follower of Jesus Christ, like those young adults, and each of us can be a friend of Jesus.  We must only do what He asks.

I love this hymn (it's not one of our new hymns, not yet):

What a friend we have in Jesus,
all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
all because we do not carry
everything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged;
take it to the Lord in prayer!
Can we find a friend so faithful
who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness;
take it to the Lord in prayer!

I'm grateful to be a follower of Jesus Christ.  I know that through my baptism and through His atonement I am born again as His child, spiritually begotten and delivered by His blood.  I know that He is our greatest Friend.  I know He lives!  He is the way, the truth and the life.  I know I can carry my burdens to Him, and He will bear them away, and I will have rest.  I know that "the gate of heaven is open unto all, even to those who will believe on the name of Jesus Christ, who is the Son of God." Each of us can "lay hold upon the word of God", and through Christ as our guide, land our immortal souls on that Celestial shore, "at the right hand of God in the kingdom of heaven" (Helaman 3:28-30).  Because of Him, I know we will all live again!

May you each have the peaceful assurance that this is all true, as Bro Ward would say, "every word!"

Love,

Bishop Price

• 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. 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 - 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/