Pacific Area

LDS Technical College celebrates 20th anniversary

SUVA, FIJI - The LDS Technical College of Fiji recently celebrated its 20th anniversary with a parade, assembly, cultural program, rugby game and fireside. The school is operated by the Church Educational System and is staffed by members of the local community and CES missionaries. Since its dedication on July 11, 1976, it has offered a balanced program of academics, religion, music and athletics for 325 students in classes Form 1 to Form 7 (7th grade through 13th grade).

The celebration included a visit from Isikia Savua, the island nation's police commissioner. The technical college campus is a modern facility located in a beautiful residential area. The Church also operates a primary school.

North America Southwest Area

Stake plans missionary week

KINGWOOD, TEXAS - Members and missionaries in the Kingwood Texas Stake studied Wilford Woodruff's tireless commitment to missionary work in England and decided to follow his example by dedicating a week to enthusiastic proselyting.

During the week, 300 members logged 1,000 hours working with missionaries, referrals jumped from an average of two per week to 17, and missionaries taught 50 percent more discussions working with members.

The week concluded with nine baptisms and commitments for more.

One of the spiritual highlights of the week happened one Sunday after sacrament meeting. Elder Ron Cook had begun the week by fasting and praying for the name of someone willing to receive the gospel. The name of an investigator came to mind. This particular woman had already rejected baptism on many occasions and had become less interested in the Church each time.

Still, he felt impressed to ask her again. Ten minutes later she walked into the chapel. Elder Cook said he felt prompted to ask. She smiled and accepted the invitation to be baptized.

North America Southeast Area

Young Women `Adopt a Ward'

COLUMBIA, S.C. - When the Young Women of the Windsor Lake Ward in the Columbia South Carolina Stake were considering a service project, they remembered comments from several ward members that some branches overseas lack the same resources that their ward enjoys.

They called their project "Adopt A Ward." Through their contacts, they located a branch in Saarbrucken, Germany. After Primary leaders in the branch explained their needs, the Young Women spent months preparing materials such as laminated pictures, flannel board pictures and a homemade flannel board that would help leaders teach basic gospel principles. They also sent pictures of the prophet, made singing time helps and sent some of their favorite treats.

Europe North Area

Stake holds conferences

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - The Edinburgh Scotland Stake recently held special conferences for the Primary children and Relief Society sisters.

Nearly 100 sisters attended a Super Saturday which was centered on a theme: "Oil in Our Lamps." The conference consisted of seven workshops, a luncheon and activities including dancing and skiing at the Edinburgh Ski Centre.

The Primary conference, "When He Comes Again," was attended by approximately 100 children. Stake Pres. Stephen Kerr presided over the conference, while 11-year-old Andrew McCormack of the Falkirk Branch, assisted by Alexander Logan, conducted the meeting.

Pacific Area

New Zealand hosts BYU Singers

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - The Brigham Young University Singers toured New Zealand recently as part of the Auckland International Festival of Choirs. As part of this event, the choir gave concerts at Trinity Cathedral and Aotea Centre where audiences responded enthusiastically.

At the Aotea Centre, the choir was called back for an encore performance after performing an American routine in jeans and vivid stars and stripes shirts. They presented a lighted-hearted musical sketch about Brigham Young's role in founding Salt Lake City and Brigham Young University.

The Singers also performed in a musical fireside that included young single adult choirs from six stakes.

After enjoying the concert of choirs, an Auckland young adult, Todd Jackson, said the evening with the BYU Singers helped him appreciate the talent the Auckland stakes have to offer. Outstanding performances included the music by the Mt. Roskill stake which performed an original composition by a New Zealand LDS Church composer, Tina Ahmu. Solo performers included Jonathan Waetford and Robert Wiremu.

North America Southeast Area

Youth can tomato soup

LILBURN, GA. - More than 20 youth from the Lilburn Georgia Stake celebrated National Make A Difference Day in October by canning nearly 600 cans of tomato soup for a local children's shelter. Their activity drew coverage in a local newspaper and an hour-long interview with the local CBS affiliate.

The event inaugurated the Lilburn stake's newly formed LDS Humanitarian Canning committee. The committee is presently composed of members from the Lilburn stake but has plans to include members from each stake in the metro Atlanta area, as well as representatives from the mayor's office and other denominations.

An Atlanta interfaith broadcast called "Congregation of the Week" will feature the work of the committee during a 30-minute program that will air several times on a local cable station during the week of Nov. 25. The program will also include footage of the youth at the cannery.