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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The Passing of President Gordon B. Hinckley
We were saddened to learn of the passing of our beloved Prophet and President, Gordon B. Hinckley, on January 27, 2008, at age 97. He has been so important in the leadership of our church for so long that it seems hard to imagine that he is gone. We take solace in the fact that President Hinckley’s clear vision and bold, inspired leadership will live on in his General Conference addresses and the many articles and books he wrote. During the 13 years he was our Prophet and President, the Church saw unparalleled growth. The number of temples worldwide grew from 49 to more than 120, and it was President Hinckley who was inspired to announce the building of our Vancouver Temple. The Church grew from 9 million to almost 13 million during his presidency as well, and under his leadership the Church has gone from relative obscurity to a place of prominence among the world’s religions. It was President Hinckley who called each of us to serve as missionaries in the Canada Vancouver Mission. We feel sure that he now is rejoicing with his wife and parents, and our prophets Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, and the great leaders and prophets of the ages. We shall miss him.
Inviting People to Any and All Church Events
The chapter in Preach My Gospel entitled “Finding People,” chapter 9, points out that “you need to do all you can to be placed in the path of those who are being prepared.” (PMG pg. 167) It then gives a list of 17 “honorable ways to find people to teach,” but points out that the list serves as a starting point to develop other honorable ways to find people to teach.
A Funeral Serves To Introduce Non-Members to the Church
Brother Robert Burrows, a wonderful man stricken with terminal cancer, chose to be taught and enter the waters of baptism and then be confirmed about 2 months ago to accomplish those important ordinances while on earth. He passed away 2 weeks ago. His funeral tribute in the White Rock Ward was attended by several full-time missionaries who had known and loved him and his family and also many of his non-member friends and admirers. The account of his funeral follows:
A Recent Convert Funeral, With 110 Investigators Attending, by Elders Listate Feinga (and Logan Magnusson)
“This past week Elder Magnusson and I were able to attend the funeral of Robert Burrows. A recent convert just 2 months ago, Brother Burrows had been taught by Elder Magnusson when he served in the White Rock area. He and his daughter were the only members of their immediate family. It was amazing to see how many non-members came to the chapel to pay their respects for this wonderful man. The ward members and the full time missionaries, Elder Hunsaker and Elder Amman, were expecting about 30 people in total. It turned out that there were 130 in attendance; while 20 or so were members of the Church, the rest were non-members. The funeral memorial was very spiritual, especially for those who didn’t know much about our beliefs. It particularly focused on our knowledge of the restored gospel. It was also nice to see the Surrey Zone missionaries there to support Brother Burrow’s family, and to answer any questions that people had. The missionaries also performed ‘Be still my soul,’ Hymn 124. After the memorial there were refreshments and the missionaries were able to converse with most of the people who came. So remember the opportunity a Church funeral offers to bring truth and knowledge to non-members in B.C.”
Brookswood Ward Focuses on Youth; 5 Name Program is Very Succesful, by Elders Spencer Hall (and Andrew Johnson)
“Here in the Brookswood Ward the members are a gold mine for investigators. The Young Men’s President, Mark Vance, has many non-member friends and acquaintances that he refers to us. We have made several good initial contacts, so hopefully we can teach them in the Vance’s home. Other members have friends they are inviting, and hopefully they will ‘come and see’ as well. We follow-up with members as often as we can to remind them to be missionary minded. We are starting a game day for the youth to bring non-member friends. The youth are really excited about it.
“The five name less-active program is also great. We have found quite a few people to visit and re-activate through it. Exchanges will be getting back to normal now that the holidays are through. We will do exchanges one day of the week with the bishopric, and another day we will focus on less-active work as well as work with our investigators.”
Bishop Swartzberg Sets Missionary Goals for Port Coquitlam, by Elders Dan Jenkins (and Spencer Hall)
“We had a meeting with Bishop Roy Swartzberg when we went to his home for breakfast on a Saturday. As we talked we mentioned the 5th Sunday coming up in December, and asked if we could use that time to set goals with the ward. He was all for it. In PEC subsequently he told all the Priesthood leaders about the plan, and asked each quorum to prepare some specific goals to talk about. Everyone seemed enthusiastic and excited, and it looks like the Port Coquitlam Ward will end the year with a bang and start the next one on fire!”
Editor’s Note: We pray that all members will adopt and embrace the practice of inviting their non-member acquaintances regularly (ideally at least weekly) to “come and see,” to any family or Church-related activity or event. As full-time missionaries we must become the facilitators in this process, encouraging all members to invite, helping each class and quorum presidency to give each inviting member public recognition for doing so each Sunday with a raise of the hand by those who have invited. We full-time missionaries are the “professional teachers” (Sister Ma’s description of us) who will meet and teach the investigator acquaintances of members anywhere, anytime, under any circumstance, on long or short notice.
That we might link arms with members to achieve President Gordon B. Hinckley’s challenge to double our baptisms is our constant prayer. We love you.
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.
“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.” -- Matthew 7:7
The Coveted “Off the Hook” Award:
(Week-ending Jan 27, 2008)
In Recognition of the following:
Baptisms Year to Date
Kelowna (3 Baptisms)
Baptisms this Week:
Vernon and Victoria (1 Baptism Each)
Investigators with a Baptismal Date:
Abbotsford (9 with Baptismal Dates)
Investigators Attending Sacrament Meeting:
Van. Language (19 Investigators at Sacrament Meeting)
Honorable Mention: Abbotsford & Vancouver 18, Victoria 17
Lessons with a Member Present:
Abbotsford Zone (24 Lessons with a Member Present)
Other Lessons Taught
Vancouver Language (215)
Contacts
Victoria (30.6 contacts per day)
Honorable Mention: Surrey Language (21)
Progressing Investigators:
Abbotsford Zone (25 Progressing Investigators)
New Investigators:
Vancouver Language (16 New Investigators)
Honorable Mention: Abbotsford (14)
Full Lessons:
Surey Language (Average of 18.5 )
Tours
Surey Language (7)
COMPANIONSHIPS:
Elders Whittenburg and McDowell: 1 at Sacrament, 1 member present, 25 other, 400 contacts, 16 full
Elders Shibayama and Fullmer: 1 with baptismal date, 3 at Sacrament, 7 member present, 43 other, 3 progressing, 398 contacts
Elders Carlisle and Parson: 4 member present, 3 progressing, 156 contacts, 17 full
Elders Godfrey and Hea: 2 at Sacrament, 3 member present, 90 other, 4 progressing, 196 contacts, 21 full
Elders Seitz and Mousseau: 1 at Sacrament, 2 member present, 24 other, 2 new, 104 contacts
Sisters Nibley and Lee: 40 other, 3 new, 110 contacts, 17 full
Elders Choi, Mun and Huh: 122 other, 3 new, 239 contacts, 26 full, 22 to non-members
Elders Barker and Klekas: 3 at Sacrament, 2 member present, 25 other, 5 progressing, 1 new, 136 contacts, 18 full, 10 to non-members
Elders Roberts and Smith: 2 with baptismal date, 7 at Sacrament, 3 member present, 36 other, 3 progressing, 7 new, 119 contacts, 21 full, 18 to non-members
Elders Wells and Terry: 1 with baptismal date, 1 member present, 26 other, 173 contacts
Elders Earnest and Knapp: 2 with baptismal date, 2 at Sacrament, 5 member present, 54 other, 2 progressing, 15 full, 9 to non-members
Honorable Mention:
Elders A. Johnson and Ramsey: 10 at sacrament, 4 member present, 38 other, 5 progressing, 140 contacts, 17 full, 8 to non-members
Elders Lassetter and Douglas: 1 baptismal date, 2 at Sacrament, 4 member present, 5 progressing, 18 full, 9 to non-members
Sisters Dalling and van den Bosch: 4 at Sacrament, 3 member present, 4 progressing, 7 new, 17 full, 6 to non-members
Elders Ruesch and McAllister: 2 at Sacrament, 3 member present, 22 full
Elders Marcum and Homer: 6 member present, 18 other, 20 full
Elders Peck and Cheng: 26 other, 183 contacts
Elders Thompson and Zmoos: 4 at Sacrament, 3 member present, 53 other, 179 contacts
Elders Martinez and White: 4 at Sacrament, 2 member present, 4 progressing, 136 contacts
Elders Bowles and Heinzen: 2 with baptismal date, 10 at Sacrament, 165 contacts, 17 full, 14 to non-members
Elders Fillmore and Seebeck: 3 at Sacrament, 3 member present, 100 contacts
Elders Hatton and Weinert: 2 at Sacrament, 6 member present, 17 full
Sisters D’Amours and Anderson: 7 at Sacrament, 8 progressing, 16 full, 9 to non-members
Elders Harrison and Reynolds: 5 with baptismal date, 9 at Sacrament, 5 member present, 26 other, 16 full
Elders DeHerrera and Tolleson: 4 with baptismal date, 5 at Sacrament
Elders Hall and Kirby: 140 contacts
Congratulations on your accomplishments this week!
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