Nov/Dec RS Mag

n g i I te

Sunset Ward Relief Society Newsletter

November/December 2018

Sister Jordyn Port Apia Samoa Mission Oct 18-Apr 20

Welcome Dear sisters, on behalf of the sunset ward relief society we want to say thank you to each and everyone of you for all your love and service throughout 2018. Please know your service and ministering efforts will always make a difference in the lives of those you touch. It matters not what the measure of the it is, but it is the heart it is given with, for God looks at our hearts (1 Samuel 16:7) We have been given some wise council from our leaders this year both in general conference and from our local meetings. We encourage each of you to review we’re you are at, and take heed to what the spirit is teaching you, then consider what changes or adjustments you need to make in your life to stay on the path back to our father in heaven . We know as you do this you will experience an increase of his love and protection.

Page 2

We also pray that this Christmas is a time for each of us to show our love to our fellow man and to our saviour as we look around and consider the needs of those in our realm or even the stranger. Listen to the still small voice of personal revelation and you will find joy in his work. This is his work...Moses 1:39 for behold this is my work and my glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.

We love each of you! And pray for each of you!

Have a wonderful Christ filled Christmas this year with your family and friends.

Love the sunset ward relief society presidency Sister Congerton , Sister Sciascia Bizaoui , Sister Clem and Sister Watts

In this issue Welcome

Page 2

Ministering - Reach out in compassion

Page 4 - 7

Temple lights history

Page 8-9

Getting to know: Alvina

Page 10-11

Laurels

Page 12-13

Exercise Benefits of Walking

Page 16

Recipe - Christmas recipes

Page 16-17

End of year sign off

Page 18-19

Birthdays

Page 20

Do you need Help?

Page 21

New babies! Welcome

Page 22-23

Book Club - Book Extended

Page 25

Light the World

Page 27

Merry Christmas Page 3

Page 4

Ministering - l ds.org

Reach Out

In compassion

As you follow the Saviour’s example of compassion, you will find that you can make a difference in others’ lives.

Compassion is having an awareness of others’ distress along with a desire to lighten or relieve it. A covenant to follow the Savior is a covenant of compassion to “bear one another’s burdens” (Mosiah 18:8).

An assignment to watch over others is an opportunity to minister as the Lord would: with “compassion, making a difference” (Jude 1:22). The Lord commanded, “Shew mercy and compassions every man to his brother” (Zechariah 7:9).

The Saviour’s Compassion Compassion was a driving force in the Saviour’s ministry (see sidebar: “A Compassionate Saviour”). His compassion for His fellow man caused Him to reach out to those around Him on countless occasions.

Discerning people’s needs and desires, He could bless them and teach them in ways that mattered most to them. The Saviour’s desire to lift us above our distress led to the ultimate act of compassion: His Atonement for the sins and suffering of humankind.

His capacity to respond to the needs of the people is something that we can strive for as we serve. As we live righteously and listen to the promptings of the Spirit, we will be inspired to reach out in meaningful ways.

Our Covenant of Compassion Heavenly Father wants His children to be compassionate (see 1 Corinthians 12:25–27). To become true disciples, we must develop and show compassion to others, especially to those need (D&C 52:40).

Taking upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ through our baptismal covenant, we witness that we are willing to exercise compassion.

President Henry B. Eyring, Second Counsellor in the First Presidency, taught that the gift of the Holy Ghost helps us do so: “You are a covenant member of the Church of Jesus Christ. …

“That is why you have a feeling to want to help a person struggling to move forward under a load of grief and difficulty. You promised that you would help the Lord make their burdens light and be comforted. You were given the power to help lighten those loads when you received the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

For example, a sister in Russia had a difficult family situation that prevented her from attending church for more than a year. Another sister in the branch reached out in compassion every Sunday by calling her to tell her about the talks, lessons, mission calls, babies born, and other news of the branch. When the housebound sister’s family situation was resolved, she felt like she was still a part of the branch because of her friend’s weekly calls.

Page 5

Four Suggestions for Developing Compassion While compassion is often increased after we experience our own trials, there are some things we can do today to develop compassion. Consider ways you could apply these four principles.

1

Pray for it. As you appeal to Heavenly Father, He will open your heart, and “you will come to feel a sincere concern for the eternal welfare and happiness of other people” (Preach My Gospel: A Guide to Missionary Service [2004], 118; see also Moroni 7:48).

2

Practice it. You can show compassion by listening and understanding.

Put yourself in their situation and consider how they might feel. If appropriate to the situation and timing, you could offer to help alleviate their pain, suffering, or distress.

3

Follow promptings. The Lord can reveal to us ways to show compassion that we might not have noticed on our own. When you feel a nudge from the Spirit to help others, don’t hesitate to act on it.

4 Page 6

Be a personal friend. Showing compassion can be as simple as showing genuine interest in peoples’ lives. Learn to listen well (see “Ministering Principles: Five Things Good Listeners Do,” Liahona, June 2018, 6–9).

Your love for them will increase, and it will be easier to recognize ways to show that love.

Page 7

Page 8

Temple Lights

History Even though we can’t enjoy the Temple lights we can appreciate past displays.

Here is some history about the lights. The lighting tradition was begun in 1985 by Glen Rudd, who was the president of the temple at the time. He collected about 10,000 donated lights with help from family and friends.

The first year saw 5,000 visitors. Over the years those numbers have grown as people have learned of the event. Numbers have been up to 50,000 visitors.

Page 9

Getting to know

Alvina Sciascia-Bizaoui

Hi everyone, well just incase you don’t’ know me my name is Alvina, I have a strange surname which I understand if you don’t get it right, it is a mouthful. The Sciascia part is my maiden name, it originates from Italy where my fathers family come from. The Bizaoui is my husbands surname and it originates from Egypt with a french twist. I have one son, Nicholas and he is currently serving in the Japan Tokyo north mission, he returns in January so I’m really looking forward to that.

My occupation is graphic designer which I love, I like to say I work in the colouring in department because that’s really what I do.

My main thing I love is music, it really is a big part of my life. I love listening to music, singing, playing various instruments. I mainly Page 10

play the piano but I also play the bass guitar and cello. My favourite instrument to play is the Ukulele, I love it so much that I started a ukulele club at work and we get together every Wednesday and have a jam session, it’s so much fun and gives us a great break from our day to day work. There are 10 of us and some days the singing is hilarious and loud, I do feel sorry for others in the a joining meeting rooms.

In the past year I have joined Auckland Choral as a provisional member, the picture to the right is my first time singing Handels Messiah.

It was such a challenge and I loved every minute of it, when we sung the Hallelujah chorus it was amazing, it was hard to fight off the tears. I love the Messiah so much I feel

it is the most inspired music ever written.

Singing these wonderful verses from the scriptures with a bunch of non members makes it even more special. This year will be my second time singing the Messiah and I’m really looking forward to it. It’s the choirs 100 years anniversary of singing the Messiah so if you have managed to get tickets I think you will love it. I sing in the choir with Becky O’Gram who is in the front row with the blue tip hair, she is in the Hibiscus ward but originally was in Sunset ward when they moved to NZ.

friend and I decided to move up to Auckland, so we jumped in the car and never looked back and I have been in Auckland ever since.

I am originally from Napier and was brought up in the church by my mother, my father died when I was nearly 2 years old. When my mother died I was 19 years old my best

I hope you all have an awesome Christmas, in our house we also celebrate Chanukah as my husband is Jewish. So Merry Christmas and Happy Chanukah, bring on 2019! xox

I love being part of our ward and serving in Relief Society, it amazes me how awesome the woman in our ward are.

This Christmas I am going to relax and do nothing, it’s been a crazy year so I’m looking forward to having a week of nothing, my favourite days are pyjamas days, I haven’t had a chance to have many of those this year which isn’t a bad thing, it’s good to be busy.

Page 11

Young Womans

Laurels

Page 12

Its that time of year to celebrate those who are graduating seminary.

Our YSA girls that are graduating are: Bree, Hannah Shin, Hannah Schulte, Britney, Corrine. Maania.

Big thank you to Sister Marsh for being an awesome teacher.

CONGRATULATIONS GIRLS! Awesome work, big thank you to Kathy and Kim Marsh for their dedication

Sunset Seminary Class 2018 Page 13

Page 14

Internet sourced

Benefits of Walking Tips for Walking We are so blessed to have beautiful beaches and areas to enjoy. We hope you get a chance to go out and enjoy Heavenly Fathers beautiful creation around us. Here are some benefits of walking.

You carry your own body weight when you walk. This is known as weight-bearing exercise.

Some of the benefits include:

1 Increased cardiovascular and pulmonary (heart and lung) fitness 2 Reduced risk of heart disease and stroke 3 Improved management of conditions such as hypertension (high blood pressure), high cholesterol, joint and muscular pain or stiffness, and diabetes

4 5 6

Stronger bones and improved balance Increased muscle strength and endurance Reduced body fat.

Page 15

Cooking - Countdown recipe

Christmas Ham 1/4 cup orange juice 1 tsp finely grated orange zest 1/2 cup maple syrup 2 Tbsp brown sugar 2 Tbsp Dijon mustard 1 Tbsp English mustard 4 1/2 kg half leg ham (skin on) Cloves Salad greens, to garnish

Method 1. Preheat oven to 200°C (180°C fan-forced).

Line a baking tray with baking paper.

2. Place juice, orange zest, maple syrup, sugar and mustard in a medium-sized saucepan over a high heat and whisk to

Page 16

combine. Bring to a boil and cook for 5 minutes until thickened, stirring occasionally.

3. Remove skin from the ham by pushing your fingers in between the meat and the skin, leaving a generous covering of fat on the meat. Pull skin back as you continue to work over the meat. Cut off at the bone and discard. Score fat diagonally and stud each diamond with cloves.

4. Place ham onto the lined baking tray and brush liberally with glaze. Bake for 25 minutes, brush with remaining glaze and return to the oven for another 20 to 30 minutes until golden brown.

5.Transfer ham to a serving platter and decorate with salad greens. Can be served hot or cold.

Tip: If you need a break from leftover ham, keep in the freezer in an airtight container for a later date.

Chocolate Date Mousse 400ml can coconut cream 200g dried pitted dates 2 cups warm water

2. Soak the dates in warm water for 10 minutes, then drain.

3. Coarsely chop the dates and place in a food processor. Add the chilled coconut cream and process until well mixed.

Strawberries, to serve

4. Add the cocoa powder and vanilla extract, and blend together for 1-2 minutes or until it’s as smooth and creamy as possible – there will still be tiny flecks of date.

Method

5. Divide the mousse between 4 glasses or ramekins and chill for 2 hours, to set.

1/3 cup cocoa powder 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1. Refrigerate the coconut cream in the can for at least 4 hours, or overnight. This helps the mixture whip up to a thicker, creamier consistency.

6. Decorate with strawberries, to serve.

Tip: For a new flavour, replace the cocoa with the melted milk chocolate and fold through 1/4 cup roughly chopped toasted almonds.

Page 17

Enrichment - Weekday meeting Nikki Murray

Ministering End of year sign off

Our last enrichment for 2018 was amazing, we shared good food, thoughtful comments about ministering, spiritual experiences, fun laughter and the spirit of womanhood. My favourite part is that at the end we just did all packed up, cleaned and put everything away together.

Some quote that I remember were “being dropped lemonade ice blocks when my child was sick�. We shared some wonderful experiences that we have had with ministering.

Big thank you to Nikki and Naomi for the fantastic activities we have had this year and we look forward to what you have install for us next year.

Thanks 2018 you were amazing!

Page 18

Page 19

November &

December Birt hdays!

Happy birthday to the following sisters this month. We hope you have a wonderful day on your birthday.

1 Nov - Lupe Ieremia - Chevonne Wellington 5 Nov - Teresa Wilson 9 Nov - Tania Mitchell - Liz Young 19 Nov - Donna Porter 22 Nov - Winifred Tipene 23 Nov - Kelsey Mitchell 26 Nov - Caroline Ong 27 Nov - Bianca Taylor 28 Nov - Carol Keyes

Page 20

19 Dec - Moreen Sami 24 Dec - Lekina Otukolo 27 Dec - Stevie Sikuea

- Lisa Tukuni

31 Dec - Nancy Naea

Do you need help ?

Mental health, Food, child care Physical health, spiritual help

Sisters do you need help with the following? Do you know where to go if you need help? If you need help with anything please contact anyone in the Relief Society presidency, we are here to help and have several resources available to help you. We also have our compassionate service team who are ready to help. We are available during church and we are also available by phone or via fb messenger. Please don’t be afraid to ask for help.

Page 21

Congratulations to the Mitchell family on their new baby boy Congrats Kelsey and Luke

Page 22

Congratulations to the Mera family on their new baby girl Congrats Naomi and Alan

Congratulations to the Sloan family on their new baby girl Congrats Nathalie and AJ

Page 24

RS weekly activities

Extending to Feb

Book Club

Small Great Things SMALL GREAT THINGS is the most important novel Jodi Picoult has ever written. Frank, uncomfortably introspective and right on the day’s headlines, it will challenge her readers...

The difficult self awareness is what sustains this book...forcing engaged readers to meditate on their own beliefs and actions along with these characters....

It's also exciting to have a high-profile writer like Picoult take an earnest risk to expand our cultural conversation about race and prejudice.

Washington Post

Book club Questions 1. What stereotypes about people of another race do you remember hearing and believing as a child? Were you ever encouraged to question stereotypes?

2. How have you understood racial difference? In terms of biology? Culture?

Have you given it much thought? Why or why not?

3. Think of a time you grossly misinterpreted a person (of any race) or situation. What information was missing that allowed you to draw the incorrect conclusion? What in your belief system contributed to your misinterpretation?

4. The title alludes to a quote attributed often to Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.: “If I cannot do great things, I can do small things that are great.” In what ways do the actions of each of the narrators support this statement?

Page 25

Page 26

Join thousands of people around the world by choosing to #LightTheWorld with service. This calendar can help you with ideas to give as Jesus gave throughout the month.

Big or small, a simple act can spread the light of Jesus Christ.

Week

1

Dec 2-8

Light The World Focus on ways you can serve those in need globally.

Week

2

Dec 9-15

Light Your Community Find ways you can reach out and serve your community.

(For more ideas visit JustServe.org)

Week

3

Dec 16-22

This week, show love to those closest to you.

4

M

Dec 23-29

Light Your Faith Use this final week to increase your own faith in Jesus Christ.

1

the day(s) of the week 2 Circle you’d like to serve. what you’re doing online 3 Share using #LightTheWorld.

Help people around the world through charitable donations.

T

W Donate a toy to a children’s hospital.

Help clear off an elderly neighbor’s driveway.

Eat lunch with someone new at school or work.

Share your family’s heritage.

Invite a friend to participate in a family Christmas tradition.

Ask an elderly person about some of their life experiences.

M

T

F

S

W

T

F

S

T

F

S

Do chores with your family around your parents’ home.

Christmas Day

Attend (or invite someone to) a special Christmas worship service—you’re invited to one of ours on December 23.*

Visit a temple or other religious site.

S

Write a handwritten note to your parents or in-laws.

At dinner, tell each person why he or she is loved.

Make a goal to offer a kneeling prayer every morning this week.

F

Is there a family member you haven’t talked to lately?

Call him or her.

Take each of your children on a one-on-one activity.

M

T

Invite a widow or widower over for dinner.

T

Have a family prayer.

S*

(For local ideas visit JustServe.org)

Share on social media about someone who is an example of Christlike service.

Volunteer to help a friend move.

S

I will serve by...

Donate your old phones, watches, or other electronics to a charitable group.

Listen to a refugee’s story. See if there are ways you can help.

M

W

Dec 1

Worldwide Day of Service

Sacrifice the cost of your favorite meal and feed the hungry.

Learn about some of the problems in another country.

How can you help?

S

Select one (or more!) weekly ideas or fill in your own.

T

Call (not text) your parents.

Light Your Family

Week

S

Saturday

Instructions:

W

Set your alarm 15 minutes earlier for scripture study.

Read the account of the Savior’s birth (Luke 2:1-16).

Share an experience on social media when prayer helped you carry a burden.

LightTheWorld.org © 2018 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. 9/18. PD60006927

Page 27

Page 28

Page 29