C e n t r a l 1st W a r d

A place where friends and family meet to uplift one another in the Central 1st Ward of the Pima Stake of the Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-day Saints
A Monthly Newsletter
Missionary Corner Elder Preston Pursley Relief Society Party Primary Children Baptism of Kayte Norton
Daddy Daughter Date

Central News
Our Amazing Youth Young Women New Beginnings and Temple trips Page 4 & 5 Page 3 Page 6

Issue #38--March 2014

We Mourn the Passing
Sister Betty Neff

Welcome to the Ward

The Biggers Family

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Message from the Bishopric

Brother Jeff McCormies 1st Counsellor

My Dear Brothers and Sisters, It was a great blessing to take part in the proceedings for the Gilbert, Arizona Temple. As I listened to the dedicatory pray and the messages given it reminded me that Temples are about eternity. Our loving Heavenly Father allows us to participate in ordinances that will bring us back to Him. I felt the spirit of Elder Hollands testimony in the lm shown just before the Temple open house tour. He got emotional (I know that has happened to me a few times) as he said he could not envision Heaven without his wife and family. It would not be a Heaven to him without them and this is why we as a church build Temples. The restored gospel provides us opportunities to know and understand our true eternal nature and

the Temple is the place we can become eternal families and help others to receive the blessings of eternity. It is amazing to think there are currently 142 dedicated Temples in the world and we have one in the beautiful Gila Valley. I am always touched by the youth of this ward who attend our assigned baptism dates in such large numbers because they know the work of eternity happens in the Temple. I would be remiss if I did not say how proud I am as I enter the Temple to see so many of our ward who serve in and attend the Temple, freely giving of their time and talents. As I thought about the historic event of last Sunday I realized I need to make a renewed commitment to attend the Temple often and be more like our youth and adults in this ward who take part in the things of eternity. I love you Brothers and Sisters and feel very blessed to be in the bishopric of this unbelievable ward. We feel of your love and prayers in our behalf and we thank you. I know this gospel is true, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. Love! Brother McCormies
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Central Ward Relief Society Party-Article and Pictures by Sister Carol Thompson A Relief Society Activity was held at the Cultural Hall on the night of Feb. 13. The Melchezideck Priesthood was invited to participate. The Hall was decorated in a Valentine theme, A pasta bar dinner was served buffet style and a chocolate fountain with lots of goodies was served for dessert. Activities included a "Newly (or Old) Wed Game" that Jessica Flowers conducted that was funny & fun, visiting, and a photo booth with lots of props for a fun time. -- side note by Tracy Pursley -The Central 1st Ward really knows how to have a good time! AND-- if any of you are expecting a baby or grandbaby, you might think about naming her Carol as that name certainly makes wonderful women. We are blessed with five Carols in our ward, Carol Thompson, Carole Pursley, Carol Cotta, Carol Jackson, and Carol Parris. They are all women worthy of emmulation and very beautiful too!

Central Ward

Our missionaries and Sister Cotta

Announcements:

-Bill &Diane Allred Bob & Carole Purlsey

Jessica Greer

Kelly Jo McCormies
! Kelly Jo McCormies, the daughter of Jeff and Carolyn McCormies has been called to serve a mission in the New York, Utica Mission. She will be reporting on June 11th. All of her family joined her for a mission paper opening breakfast. It was a very happy day. Bishop Rob, or Uncle Rob was especially happy because he served in New York as well!"

Missionary Corner
Elder Preston Pursley - California, San Jose Mission Preston has a new companion and most likely his last. His name is Elder Dutson and he is from Sioux Falls South Dakota. He is waiting on his Visa to go to Brazil. He has been waiting for 5 months now and has kind of given up hope on his Visa. He is excited about this companion and he is a hard worker! He is in the Bayside Ward in Newark California and he is serving as a District leader and loves it. He told of something that he started and is paying off. When he took on his new calling they were behind on their numbers, mostly contacts, (supposed to have 140/week) so he started a competition to see who could get the most contacts for the week. He said they literally talked to EVERYONE! So a companionship the week before had only made 40 contacts and last week they got 254!! He and his companion had 285. It was awesome to think he helped motivate their district and even his companionship. He also said that EVERYONE got new investigators from it!

Carol, Carole, Carol, Carol, and Carol! Here We Go a Caroling!!

! Jessica Greer, the daughter of Vinson and Sherrie Greer has been called to serve a mission in the Quito Ecuador Mission. She will be reporting on June 4th. She is currently attending BYU, studying Elementary Education." She is excited to get to spend the month of May getting to know the people in Central." !

Pima Stake Family History Day

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Mark you calendar and sign up at www.lds.org/familyhistoryfair for this highly anticipated event. It will be a day lled with speakers and classes ranging in many different aspects of family history. It doesnt matter how skilled or non-skilled you are, you will not want to miss this exciting day. It begins at 8:30 am with classes continuing throughout the day until 5:30. A lunch will be provided. Be sure to sign up so they will have everything ready for you. Page 7

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Central Ward Welcome to the Ward --The Biggers Family

We want to welcome the Mike and Jamie Biggers and family into our ward. They are living in the old Davis home by the Logan Mullenaux family. We are happy to have them in our ward and look forward to getting to know them better. The following is a short introduction: ! Mike was born and raised in San Dimas, CA and moved to the Gilbert, AZ area in 2004. He was baptized into the church in April 2007. He has worked in all areas of construction throughout his career but his love is large scale dirt work. He is currently employed at Freedom Ford in Thatcher. ! Jamie was born and raised in Thatcher AZ. She served a mission in Pittsburg, PA. She graduated from EAC nursing program in 2004 then moved to Mike, Sydney, Samantha, and Jamie the Gilbert , AZ area to work. She is currently working as a Nursing Clinical Coordinator for EACs nursing program. ! They met on a blind date set up in May 2007set up by Jamies cousin and Mikes neighbor that were conspiring to get Mike married, which worked as they were married in Sept. They have 2 beautiful daughters Sydney Ray (almost 3 years old) and Samantha Joy ( 5 months old).

Central Ward

Primary Children
Kayte Norton is Baptized
! Saturday, March 8th Kayte Ruby Norton had the opportunity to be baptized and conrmed a member of the Church of Jesus Article by Mom- Karyn Norton Christ of Latter Day Saints by her father, Tanner Norton. Baptisms are always special, but this was a little extra special. Kayte was able to share her baptism day with her cousin and best friend, Hali Christensen in Newcastle, Utah. Kayte and Hali were born in February of 2006 less than 24 hours apart (Kayte is older which is often rubbed in). These two special spirits were sent to our family when Papa Clint was sick with ALS. These girls brought so much joy to their Papa during his last year on earth. We know he was there with us as these beautiful girls were baptized together! ! The event started off pretty amazing when the girls went to get dressed into their jumpsuits. The only size available for the girls was large. They posed for some pictures as sumo wrestlers in the huge suits! ! The church in Newcastle is much like our old Central ward building. It is small and only holds one ward. The baptismal font has to be lled up over hours because there is not enough hot water for the font. Unfortunately, the water was pretty cold. The girls were shivering Kayte on the right with her cousin Hali as they exited the water. We took this opportunity to tell the girls how many of the pioneers had to break ice in rivers so they could be baptized. I think this helped the girls appreciate the font! Article by Activity Leader ! It was such a great day lled with family Janette Ferrin and love. These two girls will denitely Daughter Date remember this special day for the rest of their lives.

We Mourn the Passing of Sister Betty Neff

Sister Betty Neff, passed away March 11, 2014, at her home in Bonanza, Oregon. She lived in Central for many years. She was born December 17, 1931, in Crawford, Colorado to Charles Joseph and Lucitta Ankenman . Betty was married to Jesse Oliver Rossiter, May 23, 1950, who passed in March 1980. She married, Marion T. Neff, October 1, 1983, who passed in 1992. She had four children , Chuck and wife Janice Rossiter, Omaha , Nebraska, Linda Rossiter, Bonanza, Oregon, Don Rossiter, Canon City, Colorado , and Curt and wife Kang Rossiter, Thatcher, Arizona. She has 14 grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild. Throughout her years she was a dedicated home health provider, quilter, and home maker. She loved going to listen to the Fiddlers and was inducted to the Fiddlers Hall of Fame. She served a two year mission in Tacoma, Washington in 1996.
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Daddy

Activity Day

" The 8-9 year old activity day girls had a Daddy/Daughter party in February. We have such good Dads in this ward! They were such good sports to play the games and embarrass themselves as they did. " As you can see in the picture (well not mention names!), notice the Father and Daughter in the center they are posing in the dress-up clothes they all had to wear in a relay race. Dads, these young girls love and look up to you so much. We appreciate your great examples and the love you show them. Any man can be a Father but it takes someone special to be a Dad! We love you Dads!

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Our Amazing Youth

Gilbert Temple Open House
I hope all of you were able to go through the Gilbert Temple Open House last month. It is a BEAUTIFUL temple! The Priests and Laurels took advantage of a half day of school and drove over for the event. The lines were long, but well worth the wait. It was such a treat to have gone through the open house and then join the state wide celebration with the prophet for the dedication. How blessed Arizona is! Of course living in the shadow of the Gila Valley Temple is a blessing beyond measure for all of us.

Central Ward

Central Ward Gearing Up!

! The Priests have been studying and taking classes from Bishop Rob to get certied to scuba dive this summer. This past month they were able to take their rst try at it in a pool. They are EXCITED!

Did You Know...

! Our youth are so talented! The Thatcher choir went to Disneyland this past month. They sang, played, went whale watching, and went to Dallin, Gavin, Breanna, Tristie, Madie clinics. When they came home they had a concert for the parents. Of course our Central 1st ward singers were the best of the show! ! The Mormon Prom was 26also this past month. The kids can March All Combined Activity - Firebuilding either go with a date or just come March 28-29D- Camporee for a fun time at a dance. March 29Many of the kids dressed General Women!s Conference 30up and had a wonderful March Fireside time. Madie and Tristie April 26Stake YM/YW Family History Day even shared a date! What @4:30pm Billy Masten and good kids! Courtney Cook

Tom and Tristie Pursley, Shane Skinner, Breanna Watson, Cody Larson

Up Coming Activities

Young Women year by introducing the new 11 and 12 year old girls to the Progress program. This years program was New Beginnings Personal organized as a YW value project by Jaci Brimhall. She did
an excellent job. Everyone had a wonderful time
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Every year the Young Women program starts the

Tristie Pursley with date Connor Christensen

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