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

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

Central News

March 14&15-

Stake Confrence adult Session @7:00 pm

general session @10:00am

March 16-20-

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

Spring Break

March 16-30 -Temple closed for cleaning

March 26 -RS Priesthood dinner with Stake President
March 28
General Womens Broadcast 6:00pm

A Monthly Newsletter

March 29 -

Ward Conference
Easter Cantata Devotional 7:00pm

April 5 & 6-

Extra Extra!
New Elders
Quorum Presidency

April 25-

Page 2

Easter
General Conference - Temple Closed
Pima Stake Family Discovery Day 9:00-3:00

Issue #47--March 2015

Primary Children
Activity Days and
Blue and Gold
Banquet

Page 3

Ward Council

Young Men

Library

Bishop Rob Pursley --651-1010

Jeff McCormies 428-3263
Jeremy Hughes 322-1537

President Tom Pursley 651-1115

Sister Marva Bryce -- 428-0578

Young Women

Ward Bulletin

call Kerry Wilson at 428-6444 for an

appointment with the bishop.

President Sherrie Greer -- 245-4127

High Priests
Leader Ross Ferrin -- 428-0242

Elders Quorum
President Matt Marshall --480-268-5072

Page 8

Page 4 & 5

Bryan and Loretta Owens

Primary
President Christi Larson -- 651-4464

Sunday School
President Bill Allred -- 428-9462

Ward Mission
Leader Jeff Green -- 428-2955
call Brother Green if you have a friend you
would like to share the gospel with or if you
would like to feed the missionaries.

Sister Jamie Biggers text@480-980-2736

email to:
mikeanjamiebiggers07@gmail.com

Building Schedule
Brother Kaye and Sister Sharon Taylor -428-5799
Schedule the building far in advance. It
fills up quickly!

Ward Newsletter
Sister Tracy Pursley -- 651-2391
call Sister Pursley or send your news item
for the next newsletter edition to
traco@cableone.net We always welcome
your good news!

Elder Jacob Layton

Welcome to the Ward

Page 6

Bishopric

President Carol Parris -- 651-6568

MIssionary Corner

Cleaning the Church House. Can you find an ant, bat,

boot, duck head, feather, fork, leaf, pen, shark, swan, wrist
watch, shoe?

We are always thankful to those people who serve so willingly

Relief Society

Our Amazing Youth

Speed Dating
and
Trebuchets

Message
from the 1st
Presidency
President Thomas S. Monson

We live in a world
where moral values have, in
great measure, been tossed aside, where sin is
flagrantly on display, and where temptations to
stray from the strait and narrow path surround
us.
Because of these and other challenges, decisions
are constantly before us which can determine our
destiny. In order for us to make the correct
decisions, courage is neededthe courage to say
no when we should, the courage to say yes when
that is appropriate, the courage to do the right
thing because it is right.
!
Inasmuch as the trend in society today is
rapidly moving away from the values and
principles the Lord has given us, we will almost
certainly be called upon to defend that which we
believe. Will we have the courage to do so?

We can help ourselves in our desire to do what is

right if we put ourselves in places and participate
in activities where our thoughts are influenced for
good and where the Spirit of the Lord will be
comfortable.
Inner courage includes doing the right
thing even though we may be afraid, defending
our beliefs at the risk of being ridiculed, and
maintaining those beliefs even when threatened
with a loss of friends or of social status. He who
stands steadfastly for that which is right must risk
becoming at times disapproved and unpopular.
Not all acts of courage bring spectacular or
immediate results, and yet all of them do bring
peace of mind and a knowledge that right and
truth have been defended.
We will all face fear, experience ridicule, and
meet opposition. Let usall of ushave the
courage to defy the consensus, the courage to
stand for principle. Courage, not compromise,
brings the smile of Gods approval. As we
move forward, striving to live as we should, we
will surely receive help from the Lord.
President Thomas S. Monson
Excerpt from March 2014 New Era

Page 1

Central Ward

Central Ward
New Elders Quorum Presidency--

Announcements:
Priesthood/Relief Society
Dinner-!
The combined Priesthood and Relief
Society will be enjoying a dinner and a talk from
President Mark Beus on Thurday, March 26th. It is
sure to be an inspirational night that you will not
want to miss!

Brother Dallas Davis and Family

President Matt Marshall and Family

Brother Jordan Herbert and Family

This past month welcomed in a new Elders Quorum Presidency. We are all very thankful for the
fine job that Brother Dave Allred and his councillors did. We look forward to the new leadership of
Brother Matt Marshall, Dallas Davis and Jordan Herbert. President Marshall will be focusing on
touching each family through faithful home teaching. He says, President David O. McKay admonished:
Home teaching is one of our most urgent and most rewarding opportunities to nurture and inspire, to
counsel and direct our Fathers children. It is a divine service, a divine call. It is our duty as home teachers
to carry the divine spirit into every home and heart. To love the work and do our best will bring unbounded
peace, joy, and satisfaction to a noble, dedicated teacher of Gods children. Let us be dedicated to the
glorious cause which we are a part of. I know the Lord will bless us as we endeavor to magnify our
responsibilities. I bet he also will throw in a good party or two as well!

Empty Nesters

Wylie Merrill Green

We have a fantastic Empty Nesters Family

Home Evening Group. They meet every 4th
Monday at the old Bush and Shurtz building
in Pima. They have good food and great
speakers each meeting. Contact Brother Bill
Allred for further information.

!
Congratulations to the Jeremy and
Adeline Green family. They were blessed
with a beautiful new baby on January 17th at
10:30 am. He weighed 7 lb 7 oz and was 20
inches long. I am happy to report that both
the baby and the mother are doing fine.
!

Pima Stake
Family Discovery Day
Mark your calendar and sign up at
www.lds.org/familydiscoveryday for this
highly anticipated event on April 25th. It will
be a day filled with speakers and classes
ranging in many different aspects of family
history. It doesnt matter how skilled or nonskilled you are, you will not want to miss this
exciting day. It begins at 9:00 am with classes
continuing throughout the day until 3:00 pm.
A lunch will be provided. Be sure to sign up
so they will have everything ready for you.
!

Ben and Norm Knight

The Flowers Family
The Camerons

Page 2

The Mastens

Page 7

Central Ward
Welcome to the Ward --Bryan and Loretta Owens
We want to welcome Bryan and Loretta
Owens into our ward family for a few short
months.
They are living with Lorettas
parents, Dave and Stacey Perkins while Bryan
is going to school for a semester. Here is their
introduction:
!
We were married May 16, 2014. We just
moved back from Utah for one semester at
Eastern Arizona College. Bryan is from
Oklahoma City. He is majoring in chemical
engineering and plans to attend the University
of Arizona in the fall. Retta is working part
time at the hospital and the movie theatre. We
are excited to be in the ward even if it is just
for a short time. Glad you are here Bryan and
Loretta!

Missionary Corner--

Central Ward

Primary Children
Activity Days

Article by Activity Leader

Janette Ferrin

Elder Jacob Layton - Peru, Arequipa Mission

--Article by Mom- Renee Layton

Blue and Gold Banquet

!
Elder Layton loves his mission, loves the people, loves serving The Lord, and says Arequipa is the most
awesome place ever. Here is some recent excerpts from his letters.
Our cubs were reporters this past
"Today we had interviews with President Zobrist! He literally cares so
month. Here is their report on the Blue
much for every single one of his missionaries. He actually told me
and Gold Banquet. Good job boys!
something that really made me feel super good.....
!
He said my last comp Elder Grandon has basically had a
!
The cub scouts did the blue and
tough time on his whole mission and he said that this last change with
gold
banquet.
They had a magician come
me was the happiest he has ever been. President said that he knows he
and do tricks. Then they had some BBQ
can put me with anybody and help them out.....so we will see how that
sandwiches. Then they auctioned off cakes.
works out.
Leland Thompson
!
This Saturday we are going to have another baptism. We had
I think the auction was the best because
noche Blanca, or white night, last Saturday and 5 were baptized from
auctions (in general) have been around for
the zone. We, my comp and I, baptized Alex and Lisbeth, both are
super awesome. Alex is 27 and has been searching for the church is
hundreds of years in real life. So I think it
whole life.....and he lives right next to us. Lisbeth is the niece of the
was fun to actually be in one! And I liked the
Young women president and has always wanted to get baptized and
pork sandwiches and cakes too!
her parents finally gave her permission!!
Christian Marshall
Literally the mission doesn't stop. I learn new stuff each and every day.
I took pictures and got a pizza cake. I loved
I have learned that God needs us and needs our weaknesses and our
the sandwiches!
strengths. It all works together....what is the song?
Derek Cameron
!
It's like a symphony, just keep listening! You just have to play
I had lots of fun. I was happy because this
your part! I want to challenge each of you to play your part and find
was my last year. I love being in auctions.
someone this week who is in need or who is having a hard time and do
Jacob Flowers
something
for them! I love you all so very much.
Page
6

!
This group of 8-9 year-old
girls are so much fun! We are trying
to focus on getting our Articles of
Faith learned and have had fun
working on them and passing off
other requirements as well. Three
weeks ago we decorated Valentines
cookies and went to visit the
residents at The Beehive House in
Thatcher. The girls took turns
sharing a talent and did a great job!
Some played the piano and a couple
of them did some cartwheels and
other gymnastics tricks. Then we all
sang a couple of songs and we
enjoyed ourselves immensely. We
are learning how fun and rewarding
service can be! These are talented
and amazing girls!

Page 3

Central Ward

Our Amazing
Youth
Speed Dating

Central Ward
Gearing Up Again !
!
Our priests are always up to
something fun. This year, under the
direction of leader Parker Merrill, the
boys are learning to make a Trebuchet!
Can you believe it?
What is a
trebuchet you ask? It is a mid-evil
type bomb thrower that the boys are
going to load up with pumpkins or
other paraphernalia and then sling at
targets. They are CRAZY! It sounds
like fun and I look forward to hearing
how it turns out. As far as welding
goes, new priest, Cameron Clark, is a
complete natural at it and picked it up
faster than anyone else. Good Job!

!
I bet you have never heard of
Speed Dating. All of the Priests and
Laurels from Central 1st and 2nd
along with the Pima 2nd ward
gathered together and played games
in the minute to win it style. The girls
sat on one side and the boys on the
other. Each couple would answer questions and then they would play a short game
and then switch to a new partner. It was a fun evening where the kids were able to
meet new people and have a super and speedy fun time!
!
We have amazing students and athletes
here in the Central 1st ward. This past month was
especially exciting for Dallin Cook, Sarah Green and
Hailey Greer. They all went to the state basketball
tournament for Thatcher School in Phoenix. The boys team had an especially exciting game
with a win literally at the buzzer! Fun! -- Also, Central is famous for having more than its
share of Valedictorians. The Junior class is no different. Both Shane Skinner and Gavin
Windsor are in the running for that position. Gavin can also boast of being a very good trailer
backer-upper. He was quick to pick that skill up at the Priests trailer backing activity. Yep,
Central Ward truly shines forward and backward!

Up Coming
Activities
March 8th
All YW- New Beginnings
March 11th
YW- Not sure if have mutual because of
New Beginnings Sunday
D- Merit Badge
T- Scout Night
P- THS- Choir Concert
March 18th
All Youth- No Mutual- Spring Break
March 21st
All Women- Gen Womens Broadcast 6:30

Did you know...

Page 4

Shane Skinner learns to weld on the Trebuchet

March 22nd
BYC- Fireside
Mia Maids Host- Teachers- Refreshments

Big Ball Volleyball -- The fun never ends

with these kids. They had so much fun
kicking this larger than life ball between
teams. They played and played until they
broke the Volleyball!

March 25th
Combined Activity- Kick Ball Teachers Host
March 27-28th
D- Spring Camporee
March 28th
Priests & Laurels Rock climbing
Page 5