Vancouver Mission Star
This message was written by President and Sister Middleton. It also appears in the Vancouver Star, the weekly newsletter of the Vancouver Mission. It is sent to each companionship throughout the mission.
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USE CHURCH ACTIVITIES TO FIND
Our wonderful stakes, wards and branches have been having creative and well organized activities which are great fun for our members as well as being attractive events for our non-member neighbors. It is easy for a member to invite a non-member acquaintance to an activity, which can readily be coupled with a Spiritual Tour of the Chapel for those non-members (or less actives) who come. The Brethren have suggested, in fact, that each ward and branch aim towards at least one activity monthly, both for member camaraderie as well as a Set-A-Date activity to which members can commit to bring their friends. PMG speaks of the important role of activities in attracting investigators (pg 220). Realizing that there have been far more than the three activities we spotlight here, we congratulate all member leaders who are stepping forth so wonderfully with excellent and frequent activities.
Port Alberni Ward has a Choir Festival
The Port Alberni Ward had its 6th Annual Choir Festival on Friday, April 6th. Organized by Philip and Bonnie Wallbank, the Festival featured 8 choirs plus separate string groups. Five of the choirs were from non-LDS Churches two were Community Choirs not associated with a Church, plus the Port Alberni Ward Choir. The music was chosen by each choir director to be spiritual and uplifting, and was reviewed by Bishop Thomas Housholder and his bishopric beforehand to be sure the music was appropriate.
On the night of the performance, the weather was “terrible,” but there were still 275 people filling the Chapel and cultural hall, with an estimated 75% being non-members. The music was beautiful and 6 Spiritual Chapel Tours resulted that day! The many non-members in attendance had a very positive interface with the Church, and hopefully will become investigators.
Prince George Saints produce “One Fold, One Shepherd”
On June 15, 2007, “One Fold, One Shepherd” was presented by the Saints in Prince George. Organized by Bishop Frank Penny and Sister Shirley Penny of the Fraser Ward, performers from both the Nechako and Fraser Wards contributed. They had produced a “Book of Mormon Pageant” three years ago as well. “One Fold, One Shepherd” consisted of music by the choir, narration and scripture reading by President John Young, to tell of Christ’s mission and accomplishments in both the Old and New World, and video segments were interspersed, with segments from the Church-produced “Joy to the World” video depicting Christ’s interactions with His disciples in the Americas and in Jerusalem. The performance concluded with “Our Savior’s Love” followed by the video “My Joy is Full”, then a child began singing “I know My Redeemer Lives” with the full choir joining in.
All who attended enjoyed a wonderful evening, including 3 less-active families and 10 non-members, with 6 Spiritual Chapel Tours being given!
Lower Mainland Stakes Multicultural Musical
The Abbotsford, Surrey and Vancouver Stakes conjoined this spring to produce a musical, “Every Nation ….Every People”. Using a cast of hundreds including many of our full-time missionaries, it told the story of Vancouver as seen through the eyes of the children whose families had migrated here looking for a new life, opportunity and security. It focused on the nations from whence immigrants came – First Nations, British Isles, China, India, Japan, Europe, Philippines, Korea and Latin America. Ruth Yates was the Creative Director, while Shelley Murley was the Composer,
Alice Davies was the Orchestrator, Gabrielle Tambre was the Associate Director/Stage Manager and John McCulloch was the Music Director/Sound Designer, plus dozens more in many capacities. Performed in the Massey Theatre in New Westminster on both May 11 and 12th, many non-members attended from all 3 stakes, and a great missionary outreach was accomplished. The event was wonderful!
Editor’s Note: We express our heartfelt thanks to all the members and member leaders who create and execute marvelous stake, ward and branch activities, such as the 3 we mention above plus many others not mentioned. These well-done activities are a pivotal part of our missionary labors, and are a central part of attracting and fellowshipping investigators as well as producing important social bonds between members. Thank you!
The August Liahona Spotlights British Columbia Member Missionaries
In the August edition of the Church magazine The Liahona appears an article entitled, “How to Be a Great Member Missionary.” Found on page 38, it features British Columbia member missionaries and describes the great missionary efforts of our stakes, wards and members. Please share copies of it in each Ward Council and Ward Missionary Coordination Meeting, that it might spotlight our great member missionaries and spur us all on to greater missionary efforts. Congratulations to our wonderful, dedicated, missionary-minded saints throughout British Columbia!
We love our members as well as our missionaries!
President and Sister Middleton
(Check off weekly whether you have achieved each of the eight goals below.)
q Ask for a referral name in every conversation with a member or non-member alike… “Will you bring an acquaintance on a Spiritual Tour?”
q Challenge members to Set-A-Date for a Spiritual Tour or a Church event which can be coupled with a Spiritual Tour with their non-member friend at least 3 times yearly.
q Our goal is to find at least one new investigator daily.
q Our goal is to teach 15 or more full lessons weekly…
q …with at least 3 Spiritual Tours weekly.
q Extend at least one baptismal invitation and commitment each week.
q Remember our mission goal: 10 Gospel contacts per day per missionary outside our usual finding and teaching duties. That includes a Gospel message to everyone you see.
q As weekly goals are set for each Key Indicator, pray for inspiration, and set goals that are lofty yet achievable. Our ultimate long-term goal is for at least 3 baptisms per companionship per transfer.
“When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.” (Mosiah 2:17).
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