Preparing for Stake Conference - August 24 & 25

We have a special opportunity this month to attend stake conference and in addition to hearing from our stake leadership we will also be able to hear from Elder D. Todd Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

We have been asked by the stake president to study the General Conference talks that he has given since he was called as a General Authority and to also read his short biography on lds.org.

To help you prepare for this, here are the links:
Biography Information
Elder D. Todd Christofferson Bio
Elder D. Todd Christofferson on Mormon Channel (Video)
Deseret News Bio
General Conference Talks
April 1993 - I Know in Whom I Have Trusted
October 1998 - The Priesthood Quorum
October 2000 - The Redemption of the Dead and The Testimony of Jesus Christ
October 2002 - That They May Be One In Us
April 2004 - When Thou Art Converted
October 2006 - Let Us Be Men
April 2008 - Born Again
October 2008 - Come to Zion
April 2009 - The Power of Covenants
October 2009 - Moral Discipline
April 2010 - The Blessing of Scripture
October 2010 - Reflections on a Consecrated Life
April 2011 - "As Many as I Love, I Rebuke and Chasten"
October 2011 - The Divine Gift of Repentance
April 2012 - The Doctrine of Christ
October 2012 - Brethren, We Have Work To Do
April 2013 - Redemption
Additional Talks
January 2011 - CES Fireside Address - Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread
January 2009 - BYU-I Address - Always Remember Him

YW Broadcast and Dinner @ Stake Center

This Saturday, March 30 is the General Young Women Broadcast from SLC.  The Brandon stake is having a dinner for the Young Women and their mother's prior to the broadcast.  The dinner begins at 6:00 pm and the broadcast begins at 8:00 pm.  We encourage you to attend with your daughter.

You can read more about it here.  https://www.lds.org/church/events/general-young-women-meeting-will-be-march-30?lang=eng

Festival of the Nativity FAQ

1.  Where can I find out more information about the Festival of Nativity?

• The dates are Friday, Nov 30 and Saturday, Dec 1, 6:30-9 pm both evenings 
• http://brandonnativity.org/

2.  How much is admission? 

• The entire event is totally Free to the public

3.  What can I expect to see when I arrive?  

• The entire building is beautifully decorated with lighted Christmas trees
• You'll hear live musical performances, both instrumental, choir, and voice
• The cultural hall is beautifully decorated with Nativities from around the world; this year pictures of the Savior will also be displayed.
• Free refreshments of hot chocolate and homemade cookies are available
• There is a live nativity display outside, in front of the chapel
• Free family pictures are available
• There is also fun nativity activities for the children

4.  What can I do to help? (click here for more details)

• We need your lovely nativities loaned for display.
• We need your beautiful paintings of the Savior (with easel, if possible) loaned for display.
• We would love to have you donate 2 dozen cookies for free refreshments.

5.  How do I loan my nativity or picture of the Savior?

• Please see this form for detailed information.

6.  Where do I take my nativity or Savior picture for display, and when?

• You may make arrangements to drop off your loaned items at the Temple Terrace building.  RaLene Compton will take them and get them to the stake center.
• You may take them directly to the stake center.  See the form link above for stake center times.

7.  How do I get my loaned items back?

• You need to pick them up from the stake center on Saturday, December 1st from 9-10 pm.  There is no where to store them after that time and their security cannot be guaranteed after that time.

8.  I purchased poinsettias to be displayed at the stake center.  How do I get my poinsettias after the Festival of the Nativity is over?

• All purchased poinsettias will be available for pick up on Sunday, December 2nd, after the meeting block.  Bring your yellow tithing receipt so we know what you ordered and how many you should pick up.
• Pick up will be in RaLene Compton's office in the institute wing.

9.  What if I still have more questions?

• Please contact our Ward Festival of Nativity coordinator - Michelle Compton.  She can answer any more questions that you may have.

Festival of the Nativity

Here is a link to the Nativity Website where you can learn more about the event.
http://brandonnativity.org/

We'll post more about loaning your Nativity sets and pictures of Christ for display during the Festival.  Be sure and check out the ward assignments link to find out more.

September 9 - Ward Conference

Pres. Thornton, Pres. Howell, Pres. Clayson

We wanted to remind you that this Sunday is Ward conference.  We will meet at our own building at the usual time, 9:00 am.  We look forward to hearing counsel from our stake leaders.

Brandon Stake Career Workshop

Please consider attending this course, or passing on the information about this course if you (or someone you know, member or not) is unemployed, underemployed, or looking to change their employment (or worried you will be forced to change employment in the near future).  The Career Workshop is a fantastic way to hone your interviewing skills, learn what employers are looking for, polish up or create a resume, and so very much more.

Please see the photo of the poster below for more details.  Don't forget to bring a sack lunch, this workshop is all day long on a Saturday.  You are also asked to wear your "interview" clothing to the workshop to help with the atmosphere of success.

August 26th Stake Conference

Stake Conference is this Sunday at 10 am at the Brandon Stake Center 4806 Bell Shoals Rd, Valrico, FL  33596

Stake Conference - Saturday Sessions

Saturday, August 25th sessions are:
4:00 pm Priesthood Leadership Session
7:00 pm Adult session (no children)

Brandon Stake Center 4806 Bell Shoals Rd, Valrico, FL  33596

Brandon Stake Pioneer Day

Back in the Pioneer Days it was not about the hustle and bustle, it was about a simpler life.  So this year we are going to keep Pioneer Day SIMPLE.  The hope is that you will sit back and relax, fellowship and enjoy the entertainment.  This year's theme is:  "Keep Calm & Push Along"

5:00 - 7:30 pm @ Brandon Stake Center, 4806 Bell Shoals Rd, Valrico, FL  33596 (click to get a map)

• Each ward has an assignment.  Temple Terrace is to help take down the chairs and tables as soon as the dinner is over.
• Some of the Activities include: Music entertainment, Live entertainment, Pie Baking contest, Costume Contest (Pioneer & Western themes)
• Food: The High Council has been asked to serve dinner (minus the dessert).  
• The stake will provide (including all paper goods): Shoulder (Pork) Steak, Chicken (thigh or leg), Hot dogs (limited amount for the kids), Cole Slaw, Baked Beans, Bread, Lemonade, Water.
• Ward Families to provide: Desserts (Each dessert should be large enough for 1 1/2 families)
• Members should bring their own lawn chairs or a picnic blanket.  More info can be found at http://www.ldsbrandonstake.com.

Reminder: Stake Pioneer Day Celebration

This Saturday, July 21st, 5:00-7:30 pm at the Brandon Stake Center, 4806 Bell Shoals Road, Valrico, FL  33596.  There will be lots of food, Shoulder (pork) steak, chicken, hot dogs, coleslaw, baked beans, and bread.  They are asking that you bring a dessert to share and lawn chairs for your family to sit on.  They will also have a western/pioneer costume contest, a pie baking contest, music entertainment, a parade for the children to participate in.  It will be lots of fun.  See you there.
Note:  You can click on graphic to make it larger.

Brandon Stake Pioneer Day Celebration

Saturday, July 21, 5:00 - 7:30 pm

We are awaiting more details for this year, but the kids dress up like pioneers, if they want, adults can too.  They have activities and a wonderful BBQ dinner ready for us.  Then the kids participate in a pioneer day parade around the stake center.  Here is a link to the Brandon Stake website.

Because we want to encourage participation in this stake activity, our ward RS has chosen not to hold our monthly RS meeting.  Please gather your family and make plans to join the rest of the ward and socialize "pioneer style" on July 21.