March's Lesson Schedule

Mar 07 2010 KIM FULFORD
Mar 14 2010 Chapter 5: The Creation (Sister Sumlin)
Mar 21 2010 Chapter 6: The Fall of Adam and Eve (Sister Campbell)
Mar 28 2010 TFOT - Our Perfect Example by Pres Henry B Eyring (November 2009 Ensign)

Youth Fundraiser

As an effort to raise money, the YW/YM are going to have a rummage sale. Please save items that you think the youth could sell (probably sometime in April) in an effort to raise money for EFY. (Each ticket is like $400).

You can give your items to Kim Fulford (or a member of R/S presidency) if you need to get them out of your house!

Lecanto B-Ball

For a tournament that will be on the 20th of March (most likely)--we had the following sisters volunteer for the Basketball team.

Any other takers?????

Fulford
Mitchell
Frickey
Vore

We need a few more sisters!

LDS.org - Ensign Article - Strengthening Faith in God the Father and Jesus Christ through Personal Scripture Study

LDS.org - Ensign Article - Strengthening Faith in God the Father and Jesus Christ through Personal Scripture Study

March's visiting teaching message!

New Bishopric

News for the Lecanto Ward:

Our ward Bishopric was reorganized today:

Bishop: Brother Hoki
1st Counselor: Brother Mannis
2nd Counselor: Brother Fulford
Executive Secretary: Brother Barker

Bishop Sampson was called to the High Council.

We are thankful for the service of the men that were released, and look forward to sustaining the new bishopric in their callings.

Stake Updates

The 2010 Stake Calendar has been updated to reflect changes to several Ward Conferences. The following conferences have been rescheduled as follows:
- Clermont Ward - Sunday, March 7th
- Leesburg Ward - Sunday, June 27th
- Belleview Ward - Sunday, August 29th
- Lecanto Ward - Sunday, September 19th

Please note the following upcoming events:

Wednesday, March 3rd
- 6:30pm - Stake Single Adult Temple Trip

Saturday, March 6th
- 9:00am - Veil Assignment Lecanto Ward
- 9:00am - 11 Year Old Scout Camp

Sunday, March 7th (Fast Sunday)
- 1:00pm - Clermont Ward Conference
- 8:00pm - CES Fireside for Young Adults (Elder Ronald A Rasband of the Presidency of the Seventy)

Wednesday, March 10th
- 7:30pm - Audit Committee Meeting (Review audits, make assignments, stake president signs)

Thursday, March 11th
- 7:00pm - Stake Philmont Venture Crew at Leesburg building

Saturday, March 13th
- 6:00pm - YSA Hoedown at Deseret Ranch

Sunday, March 14th
- 10:00am - Eustis Ward Conference
- 5:30pm - Stake Youth Council

Stake Basketball

Brother Rhames is trying to figure out if there are any sisters interested in forming a "Lecanto" women's basketball team to participate in the stake tournament on either March 20th or March 27th.

We would need appx. 7 women to form a team. The practices would be locally, the game is at the stake center.

Let the R/S presidency know and Brother Rhames, and we'll see if we can put together a team.

Sister Hall's funeral information

Elizabeth Ann "Betty" Hall (1928-2010)
Photo
Elizabeth Ann "Betty" Hall, age 81, died Thursday, February 19, 2010, at Hospice of Citrus County Care Unit at Citrus Memorial hospital. A Funeral Service of Remembrance will be held on Saturday, February 27, 2010, at 12:00 Noon at the Chas. E. Davis Funeral Home. The family will receive friends in visitation from 10:00 a.m. until the hour of service.
Betty was born on October 3, 1928, in New York, New York, to the late Robert J. and Grace (Sterling) McConnell and came to this area in 2002 from Holiday, Florida. She was employed as an accounting and bookkeeping clerk in department stores. Betty enjoyed working word puzzles, reading and playing solitaire. She particularly liked Agatha Christie novels, "Perry Mason" and "Murder, She Wrote." She was active in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and served as church librarian several times.
Her survivors include two daughters, Linda S. (Mark) Emann and Debra A. (Armand) Beaumont, both of Inverness; stepson Bobby Hall, Ormond Beach, FL; and stepdaughter Donna Hall, Clarksville, TN; five grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and 2 step-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Hall, on 09/04/2004 and one brother, Robert J. McConnell Jr.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Hospice of Citrus County, P.O. Box 641270, Beverly Hills, FL 34464.

Free Loan Modification Workshop and Community Fair

Hosted by the Law firm that Brian Mitchell works for so contact the Mitchell Family if you want more information.

Seven Rivers
Presbyterian Church
4221W. Gulf to Lake Highway
Lecanto, Florida

SATURDAY, MARCH 27th
10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Staff Attorneys and experienced
staff housing
counselors will meet with
attendees one on one.
No Income Requirements.

For more information call
866 - 428 –0105 x 2916

Attendees need to
bring:
* any letters they have received
from your lender
* proof of monthly expenses
and income
* monthly mortgage statement
* mortgage documents
Even if you have been
served with a summons
for foreclosure you may
still be able to get a loan
modification.

Employment Update

Our good friend in Atlanta, Karen Findlay has Michael Webb doing another great webinar. As always this is free so forward this on to your job seekers and specialists!

"6 Weeks to Multiple Job Offers - Your Guide to Networking in Today's Job Market" Sponsored by LDS Employment - Atlanta Regional office and the Atlanta Management Society.

Who to talk to, What to say and How to organize your Job Search. Featuring Michael C. Webb, Executive Recruiter, VP of CFOs 2Go and Author of "Six Weeks to Multiple Job Offers - For Latter-day Saints".

The strategy works, learn how others have done it.

Date: Thursday, Feb. 25th
Time: 7:00 - 9:00 pm EST
To register: Contact Karen Findlay, findlaykj@ldschurch.org (just email Karen and request the link to join the webinar)

Potential Nanny job

Sister Frickey is looking for a Nanny to help w/ the 2 kids and house cleaning a couple of days per week. Please contact Sister Frickey directly if you are interested. mrsfrickey@yahoo.com

Stuff this week:

We have our Haiti project on Thursday (from 10-12) at the church. We are putting together the kits.

There is a primary activity on Saturday from 10-12.

Sister Hall's funeral/viewing is on Saturday (I don't see an obit online yet--I'll keep checking).

Sister Pam Dounok passed away

Pamela M. Dounouk
Photo
Pamela M. Dounouk, 72, of Inverness, formerly of Wethersfield, CT, died Saturday, February 13, 2010. Born in Hartford, CT, daughter of the late Jeremiah and Pamela (Warden) Murphy, Pamela lived in Connecticut for most of her life prior to moving to Florida two years ago.
Pamela was predeceased by her husband of 46 years, Alan Dounouk. She is survived by two cherished sons, Alexander Dounouk and his wife Francine of Beavercreek, OH, and Keith Dounouk and his wife Karen of Dupont, WA; two brothers, Daniel Murphy and his wife Betty of Land O' Lakes, and Robin Murphy of Riner, VA; four sisters, Ellen Skinner of Wetumpka, AL, Augusta Doughman and her husband William of Hernando, Elizabeth Feldt and her husband JanAke of Inverness, and Geraldine Murphy and her husband Samuel of Lecanto; four grandchildren, Corrine, Nikki, Andrew and Sean; and numerous nieces and nephews. Pamela also leaves her special friends, the Temple family, Stuart, Kimberly and their daughters, Lindsay and Shelby.
Funeral services and burial will be private. D'Esopo Funeral Chapel of Wethersfield, CT, is assisting the family with arrangements. Memorial contributions in Pamela's name may be made to the HPH Hospice, 12107 Majestic Blvd., Hudson, FL 34667. For on-line expressions of sympathy, please visit www.desopo.com.
Published in Citrus County Chronicle from February 21 to February 24, 2010

Sister Carla Hickman

Mrs. Carla J. Hickman

Carla J. Hickman, age 58, died February 17, 2010, in Beverly Hills. The family will receive friends Saturday, February 20, 2010, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Beverly Hills Chapel of Hooper Funeral Homes. Arrangements are under the direction of Hooper Funeral Homes & Crematory.
Published in Citrus County Chronicle on February 19, 2010

Some stake announcements

- The YSA Hoe Down at Deseret Ranch will be Saturday, March 13th at 6:00pm. Please see Bro Byron or your ward YSA representative for details.

- The Deseret Ranch Rodeo Friday March 19, 2010. The BBQ Shack opens at 6:00 p.m. and the Rodeo begins at 6:30 p.m. Admission $5 per person, children 6 and under Free. Proceeds donated to Boy Scouts of America. For more information call 407/892-3672.

Two recent deaths

We had two of our dear sweet sisters pass away this week, Sister Carla Hickman and Sister Elizabeth (Betty) Hall.

Betty Hall is Debra Beaumont and Linda Emann's mother (they are both in our ward too).

Sister Carla Hickman will have a viewing at the Hopper Funeral Home in Inverness (http://www.hooperfuneralhome.com/)

The viewing will be from 11am - 1pm on Saturday this week. The funeral will be in Colorado.

We do not know the time/location of Sister Hall's funeral, but it will most likely be early next week (perhaps on Monday). We will get more information out as we know it. (See http://www.ldscyberzone.blogspot.com/ for more information too).

The compassionate service leaders and/or the Zone 4 leader will be making phone calls to help with food.

Bishop's Valentine Luncheon 2010

Bishop Sampson with the Sisters

We love our Bishop

2010 Lecanto Ward Pinewood Derby Winners

Announcements

**We hope the sisters enjoyed the valentine cookies! We love you and are thankful for your constant support.

**We are grateful that the YW joined us today in Relief Society.

**Ward Temple Day is coming up (this Friday)

**Primary Activity Day is Feb. 27th (Saturday morning)

**Haiti Service Project is Feb. 25th (Thursday morning)

**Today we did lesson 4; Next week is Lesson 3 (the teachers needed to trade off).

**Thanks for all those that stayed for 3rd hour today--we had a full house!

Additional announcements

1) We passed out V/T postcards at the workshop. If you want some, let us know--we have a whole bunch in our R/S closet.

2) There is a sister in our ward in need of size 10 clothes (esp. church clothes). Please get w/ Sister Fulford if you have some clothes to donate.

3) Our Haiti collection is ongoing. Read through the blog to get more information on that.

4) There is a need for meals in Zone 4. Sister Whitman is calling and making assignments for the next few days to help a sister that just had surgery.

5) Tomorrow is our Valentine's luncheon for the single sisters and widows in our ward. Bishop's treat! Please come even though the forecast has rain. It's a special treat!!!

6) Today we had a great time w/ Blessings in a Backpack! Thanks to those that participated.

Yesterday's lesson CIRCLE OF SISTERS

We worked on Julie Beck's January Ensign article on the purpose of our Circle of Sisters.

Here are some ideas that came out of the lesson:

To increase personal righteousness:
1) We could fast for the health of our sisters.
2) Compete on scripture mastery issues w/ seminary kids (idea that came up later)

To improve home and families:
1) Create a phone tree
2) Herb growing class
3) Collecting 1 recipe per sister that "stretches" food and money
4) Napkin folding class

To Reach Out and Help Others:
1) Come up w/ 5 reactivation names and fast about them
2) Have a Book of Mormon to pass out on a monthly basis

TIME OUT FOR WOMEN

Time out for women is in Orlando during the first weekend in March.

Sign up at

http://deseretbook.com/timeout/event/92

Blessings in a Backpack

We are not named, but here's a description of our service project: (From the 2/5/2010 version of Citrus Chronicle)


By Nancy Kennedy

Imagine being 5 or 6 years old and hungry. During the week you get to eat breakfast and lunch at school, but by Saturday you’re hungry again.

Imagine your mom saying to you, “Don’t worry. Monday morning will be here before you know it,” but you’re just a kid. You’re hungry now, and it’s hard to concentrate on anything else when your tummy’s growling.

Thanks to Blessings in a Backpack, a nationwide program of USA Harvest and a local program of Citrus County Harvest, 46 students at Hernando Elementary School bring food home on Fridays, enough for six meals, so they won’t go hungry waiting until school starts again on Monday.

The pilot program, which began this past Sept. 18, combines efforts from Citrus County Harvest, Hernando United Methodist Church and local businesses, civic organizations and individuals.

The original cost of the program was an estimated $15,000 for as many as 50 students for 35 weeks.

“We’re going to be able to do it for $13,000, but we’ve raised $15,000,” said Debbie Lattin, Harvest chairwoman. “We raised it by going out into the community and telling our story, and people are giving a little bit here and there. We’ve got a lot of partners.”

Also, about 2,500 pounds of food has been donated by people in the community.

Each Friday, students in the program receive backpacks identified by a number, filled with three protein items, crackers, an entrée, fruit, cereal and snack items. Once a month they receive plastic jars of peanut butter and jelly and a box of (shelf) milk.

They try to focus on protein foods and foods that do not need to be cooked or refrigerated. Not every family has electricity or means to prepare food.

Kids return the backpacks on Monday and a team of volunteers meets Thursdays at the Harvest room at the Historic Hernando School to fill them.

The zippered backpacks are provided by USA Harvest.

Enough food is also sent home for younger siblings who don’t go to school.

In Citrus County, about 45 percent of students are eligible for free or reduced lunch. At Hernando Elementary, it’s 65 percent.

“Our school has a great need,” said Susan Bailey, school guidance counselor. “This has been such a godsend. One parent said, ‘I don’t know how we’d get through the weekend sometimes without it.’”

Lattin said she learned about the program from the CEO and founder of USA Harvest, Stan Curtis. She and fellow Harvest board member Cyndi Ellzey met Curtis in Orlando, where he explained the program, and Lattin said she and Ellzey drove the whole way home to Citrus County overwhelmed.

“We kept saying, ‘We can’t do this, but we need to do this,’” Lattin said.

Primarily, Harvest is a food recovery program, picking up perishable food from the hospital and restaurants and delivering it to local soup kitchens.

“We ask for food, but not money,” Lattin said. “So, this was new to us.”

Meanwhile, Phyllis Smith, former longtime schoolteacher at Hernando Elementary School and member of Hernando United Methodist Church, learned about a similar backpack program at a friend’s church in Georgia, told her friends at the Hernando church, and called Lattin.

The church initially committed to providing an assembly team and later raised $2,000 to buy food.

Lattin said Harvest’s goal is to bring Blessings in a Backpack to Homosassa Elementary School next. Ideally would be to have “Blessings” at every county elementary school. That would entail a place to store and assemble the food, funds to purchase the food and partnering churches and/or civic groups to provide volunteers and help raise funds.

“Ownership is in the community where the school is,” Lattin said.

One mother wrote a letter, thankful for her children’s weekly backpack. “Thank you to everyone involved with the program,” she wrote. “My children and I are truly blessed to have people like you looking out for us in our time of need.”

“We ask these children to come ready to learn new concepts, to communicate with adults and peers, to follow directions and listen carefully and (be) ready to work cooperatively,” wrote county schoolteacher and Harvest board member Tobey Hunter on Harvest’s “Silencing the Hunger” brochure. “All these children can think about are the stomach pains — how hungry they are.”

For information about Blessings in a Backpack, call Citrus County Harvest at 341-7707.

Contact Chronicle reporter Nancy Kennedy at 564-2927 or nkennedy@chronicleonline.com.

HOW TO HELP

To help feed a hungry child, consider donating either funds or food.

Items needed are:

* Protein items (peanut butter, boxed (shelf) milk, tuna, canned chicken, beans, canned stew).

* Pasta (canned spaghetti or ravioli, canned prepared macaroni and cheese).

* Soup (ready to eat, no heat or refrigeration needed).

* Juice (pop or pull-top).

* Cereal (single serving portion).

* Fruit (no glass, pre-packaged, single serving).

All items must be ready to eat, prepackaged in single servings and easy to open.

Call Citrus County Harvest at 341-7707.

Haiti Service Project

We hope you will join w/ us in the month of February to participate in the Haiti "orphan" service project. We are collecting items for small children. We will assemble the care packages on the 4th Thursday in February in the morning.

22 January 2010 (The Church News Room—linked to www.lds.org)

The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints issued the following statement today:
Our hearts are filled with sadness as we have watched the suffering in Haiti in the wake of the devastating earthquake. We turn to the example of Jesus Christ, who reached out to “lift up the hands which hang down” and “strengthen the feeble knees.” We are keenly aware that many in America are dealing with economic challenges caused by the recession. However, we are appealing to members to donate to Church Humanitarian Services as their means allow in order to help our Haitian brothers and sisters. Many have already contributed and others are anxious to do so.
Money is not the only need in Haiti. People are frightened, bewildered, and wholly uncertain about their future. In addition to what people can do in helping with food, water, and shelter, there needs to be a calming influence over that troubled nation. We invite our people everywhere to supplicate God for a spirit of calm and peace among the people as urgent aid and reconstruction efforts continue.