English New Year happy, edifying
E-mail story
It's easy. Send a link to the story you were just reading to a friend. Just fill out the form on this page and we'll send it along.
Your name and e-mail address are transmitted to the recipient. Otherwise, it is considered private information; see Privacy policy.
CHORLEY, ENGLAND
More than 120 youth and their leaders gathered at the Chorley England Stake Center to celebrate the New Year in a way different than they had ever done before.
Rather than go out to parties and discos, LDS youth came together from Chorley and other neighboring stakes for an evening of entertainment and guidance that combined instruction from Church leaders with good clean fun.
The evening began with "getting to know you" games and activities and a potluck buffet dinner. The mood was then calmed as participants entered the chapel to watch a message from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland that is included in the DVD, "A Brand New Year."
Later, in the cultural hall, the young people watched other segments of the DVD, enjoyed ice cream and root beer floats and rehearsed musical numbers, including "We Are Examples of the Believers" from the DVD.
Later, when parents arrived at 11:30 p.m., the youth performed these numbers and introduced the adults to the 2009 Mutual theme, which was displayed prominently on a projection screen atop the stage.
During the evening, the youth joined their counterparts featured in the DVD and made three personal commitments from the "For the Strength of Youth" booklet. Local youth were also honored for their achievements over the past year.
The young people from the Chorley area enjoyed both the fun and serious aspects of the DVD, as well as the exciting opportunity to get together in an informal but structured way.
The evening ended at 12:15 a.m. when the youth were presented with cards showing their individual portraits, overlaid with the "A Brand New Year" logo and the 2009 Mutual theme.
