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

Message from the Bishopric

There is a well-known endurance athlete who is famous for doing some almost unimaginable things physically—ultramarathons, hundred-mile races, and an incredibly difficult training regimen.

 When people ask him, “What are you training for?”

 His reply is, “I’m not training for anything. But if something pops up, I’ll be ready.”

 I believe there is a spiritual lesson in that for each of us. As disciples of Jesus Christ, are we spiritually preparing ourselves for whatever the Lord may ask of us next?  I believe that is one of the purposes of daily discipleship. We don't read our scriptures, pray, repent, worship, and renew our covenants because we know exactly what challenge or opportunity is coming tomorrow.

 We aren't preparing ourselves for one specific thing. We are preparing to be ready for anything.

 Ready when a neighbor needs our help.

 Ready when our child needs to talk.

 Ready when someone needs a priesthood blessing.

 Ready to hear the prompting of the spirit.

Ready to accept a new church calling.

 The Lord said: “If ye are prepared ye shall not fear.”—Doctrine and Covenants 38:30

 Perhaps some of the experiences we are having right now are preparing us for something we can't yet see.

 I love how much of the Savior's ministry happened while He was on His way somewhere else. Along the way, there was someone who needed Him. And He was always ready.

 In the Church, we are asked to serve in many different callings. We don't campaign for them. We don't choose when they come. And we usually don't know what calling might come next. But the Lord does.

Brothers and sisters, on Sunday a new bishop and counselors will be sustained.

 And I believe that the Lord has been preparing these men and their families for what He is asking them to do. Through experiences, trials, opportunities to serve, callings, mistakes, repentance, and quiet promptings from the Spirit. And He is preparing each of us for what comes next as well.

 So my invitation in this final bishopric message is simple: Don't wait until the Lord calls to begin getting ready. Pray now. Study His words now. Repent now. Serve now. Learn to recognize His voice now.

 Then, when something “pops up”—when someone needs you, when a calling comes, when a trial arrives, or when the Lord whispers, I need you to do something—we can answer:

 “I'm ready.”

 I invite each of you to come next Sunday and sustain and support our new bishopric. Whoever the Lord calls, I hope we will trust that He has prepared them—and then do everything we can to help them succeed.

 I testify that as we turn to the Lord daily, He will prepare us—not for one particular thing, but for whatever comes next.

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Love - Brother Coltrin

• 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 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. (See flyer below)

  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

• August 29 - Youth Sports Game Night Hangout - 7:00pm at the Stake Center. Join us for a special youth sports night kick off with the missionaries! Pizza will be served at 7pm. Sports and games to follow! (See flyer below)

• 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 10 - JOY Luncheon - For sisters ages 65 and older. Please join us at 12:00 noon at the Stake Center. Bring a friend - Share the JOY!

• 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/