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Public Affairs
Issue 8 August 2013 Around noon as the sun came out, hunger set in, and participants made their way back to the stake center for a delicious and filling meal catered by Araujos Mexican Grill/El Paisa Taqueria - an LDS family-owned business located in South San Jose. Members from the stake sat and chatted to get to know each other better, which many noted was a highlight of the event. This is the fourth year that Latter-day Saints in the San Francisco area came together for Mormon Helping Hands. Notable persons buried at the Golden Gate National Cemetery include Congressman Leo who was killed during a congressional trip to Jonestown, Guyana in 1978, and one of Americas most valiant naval officers, Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz. An estimated 60,000 total volunteers in California and Hawaii served on April 27 for the Mormon Helping Hands program. _____________________________________________________

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Mormon Helping Hands Preserves Burial Grounds while Building Bridges

April 27 - An army of over 230 members from our stake gathered together for a day of service at the Golden Gate National Cemetery located 12 miles south of San Francisco in San Bruno. Although a chilly 50 degrees at 9 AM when the event commenced, San Bruno Mayor Jim Ruane kicked-off the festivities by extending his gratitude for our time and efforts. He was followed by Kathleen McCall, director of the cemetery, who gave equally gracious remarks. They gave participants perspective of the importance of the work being done. With a prayer and a bucket-in-hand, participants set off to scrub headstones, rake leaves, pull weeds and generally beautify the cemetery, which has 161 acres and 112,700 grave sites. From little ones to the elderly, volunteers wore the famous yellow Mormon Helping Hands vests that have now been captured by news reports around the world for service done by the saints. It was a great opportunity for families to work side-by-side while honoring those who had fallen for our country.

San Francisco Stake Helps Sponsor Interfaith Blood Drive

This is the same title that appears at the top of an article written about our stake in the Church News. For the third year in a row, a month-long interfaith community blood drive and concert in our area has provided needed blood donations while deepening relationships with the Catholic diocese in Oakland and San Francisco. Each year the interfaith blood drive has worked in tandem with performances of the Lamb of God. More than 5,000 people attended performances of the oratorio at Temple Hill, at the Cathedral of Christ the Light in Oakland, and the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption, Catholic Diocese of San Francisco. Performers and audience members were then encouraged to donate blood to show a continual desire to serve the local community. On Saturday, July 6, there was a blood mobile at St. Marys, and one week later the blood mobile was parked at our Bay and Golden Gate ward building on Gough St. An amazing 75 donors signed up for the Gough St. location, and a total of 47 units were collected. The American Red Cross folks were pleased with the results and considered it a success. The American Red Cross urged the blood drive to happen in July when supplies run critically short. Big thanks to all those who volunteered their timeand their blood, to help our neighbors in such a personal way.

Whats Happening in Stake Public Affairs

Public Affairs Team Hosts an Education Night Among Multi-Faith Friends
As you might imagine, many of these questions were vested in an experience that the questioner had with a Mormon. It was a very clear and transparent dialogue that rendered only feelings of respect. One attendee noted at the end of the evening that she was so glad to have participated in this evening because she had learned so much and it was valuable to her. She was applauded by both the attendees and the Public Affairs team. Two more education nights are forthcoming and everyone is invited to attend. They are: September 24 The Pacifica Institute (Turkish Muslims) 1310 Bayshore Highway, Burlingame at 7 PM October 22 Beth Jacob (Conservative Judaism) 1550 Alameda de las Pulgas, Redwood City at 7 PM

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Lift Up Your Voice Presentation to be Used as a Missionary Tool

June 13 - Our stake public affairs team had the opportunity to host an evening for the purpose of educating and clearing up misconceptions about our church. As a member of the Peninsula Multi-Faith Coalition, each congregation has a chance to display its tradition and discuss the important tenants of its faith. On our evening, most of the attendees were affiliated with the Coalition, but anyone was welcome to come. We welcomed Muslims, Jewish, and Christian believers to our building in Foster City. The program was only an hour long and started with CS2 ward member and high councilman, Matt Mossman, who gave a condensed history of the church. He was followed by Golden Gate ward member Vivian Iyamba, who spoke about what the typical Sunday is like for a Mormon. Bishop Atkisson of the Golden Gate Ward gave an overview of the growth of a Mormon boy and girl from primary to adulthood. The question and answer session was the final segment and elicited some interesting comments. Some of them included: In the time of Joseph Smith, what was missing in the world that necessitated a prophet? What role does music play in your church? What are the leadership positions available to women? What does a bishop do? Tell us about your welfare system. Help me understand the care of the garment. August 25, 4 PM - Peninsula Multi-Faith Coalition Potluck at Beresford Community Center, San Mateo th October 27, 5 PM - 5 Annual Interfaith Choral Concert at First Presbyterian of Burlingame

Youre a lucky one if you had the chance to see this presentation given by the Public Affairs team. Originally created by leaders in Salt Lake for the church in Manhattan, it was then given to our stake since the needs here are similar. The team took the presentation to each ward to provide tips on how to integrate the missionary message into our everyday lives including in our online presence. If youd like a copy of Lift Up Your Voices, let us know on our Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/sflds.

THINGS TO COME: