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016 - Thanksgiving
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November 14 Ward Thanksgiving Party @ Stake Center November 16 Stake Conference Adult Session 7:00pm November 17Stake Conference 10:00am November 27Temple closes at noon November 28 Thanksgiving December 5-7 Live Nativity and Creche festival at Temple Building ! East Lawn begins at 6:00pm December 8 First Presidency Christmas Devotional

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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
We Mourn the Passing Primary Children Sister Laree Martin Relief Society Party Page 2 Primary Program and Trunk or Treat Page 3 Our Amazing Youth
Eagle Scout Helping Hands

Central News
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Issue #35 -- November 2013

Missionary Corner
Elder Jason Boren Welcome to the Greer Family

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Bounty

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P M B W W Y R O B
Ducks God New World Share

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Cornucopia Fruit Neighbors Saints

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Family

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Feast Harvest Pilgrims Stuffing

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Corn Friends Mayflower Pumpkin Pie Vegetables

Festival Holiday Plymouth Three Days

Ward Council
Bishopric
Bishop Rob Pursley 348-9504 Jeff McCormies -- 428-3263 Jeremy Hughes --348-1607
call Kerry Wilson at 428-6444 for an appointment with the bishop.

Fish Indians Prayer Turkey

Gratitude November Strangers

We are always thankful to those people who serve so willingly

Young Men
President Tom Pursley 651-1115

Library
Sister Marva Bryce -- 428-0578

Message from the Bishopric

Brother Jeff McCormies 1st Counsellor

Young Women
President Carolyn McCormies 428-3263

Ward Bulletin
Sister Cami Launer - 428-0134 doggiedr3@gmail.com

Relief Society
President Carol Parris -- 651-6568

Primary
President Christi Larson -- 965-6598

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

High Priests
Leader Ross Ferrin -- 428-0242

Sunday School
President Bill Allred -- 428-9462

Elders Quorum
President David Allred -- 242-8187

Ward Mission
Leader Jeff Green -- 428-2955

Ward Newsletter
Sister Tracy Pursley -- 428-6370

call Brother Green if you have a friend you call Sister Pursley or send your news item would like to share the gospel with or if you for the next newsletter edition to would like to feed the missionaries. traco@cableone.net We always welcome your good news!

! My dear Brothers and Sisters, ! It is hard to believe we are approaching the end of another year. Time seems to go so fast. I must admit this is my favorite time of year. It begins to cool off, the days and evenings are beautiful and makes me realize how blessed I am to live in Central, AZ. It is also the beginning of the holiday season and what this time of year brings. Often it involves the planning of events, family gatherings, and the busyness of the season. ! In November we have the chances to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday. Dallin told me the other day this is one of his favorite holidays because of the great food and football. I agree, but as I get older I have grown to appreciate Thanksgiving and the principle of gratitude. I express my gratitude for those early pilgrims who showed such courage to come to America to exercise religious freedom. They were so willing to

sacrice so they and those who came after them would be blessed. ! I realize I have so much to be thankful for, the list is endless, and express my gratitude. I am blessed with a beautiful and spiritual wife, wonderful children, extended family who put up with me (which is not always easy) and a fantastic ward family who support me in every way. I thank all of you. I am especially thankful for knowledge. the knowledge I have of a Father in Heaven and Savior who knows and loves me. ! I would also be remiss if I did not express gratitude and thanks for service. I have been amazed at the service and expressions of love in these last few weeks as so many participated in local projects as well the county wide Make a Difference Day. It hit me as I witnessed the hours of service freely given how grateful I am for unselsh and thankful people who realize service is one way we can express gratitude. I express my love to each of you and thank you for all you do. May the Lord bless each of us during this holiday season. Love, Brother McCormies

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Central Ward We Mourn the Passing of Sister Laree Martin

Sister Laree has been a member of the Central Ward since 1992 when she married Brother Lavell Martin. She was born on October 4, 1926 to Ralph and Sarah Richardson in Virden, NM. ! She always wanted to be a teacher and obtained her Masters Degree in education from the UofA. She taught in many of the local school districts for more than 30 years and retired from Fort Thomas in 1987. Her inuence will be felt by her students throughout their lives. ! She and Brother Lavell served as temple workers in the Mesa Temple for three and a half years. She loved music, reading, gardening, and hummingbirds. Her favorite singer was Pavarotti. (she had rened taste!) ! Her family was a large one. She and Brother Lavell had 70 grandchildren, 159 greatgrandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren! Isnt that AMAZING?! ! ! After being sick for the past few years, Sister Laree passed away on October 11, 2013. We will miss her. --some excerpts were taken from her obituarty

Central Ward

Announcements:
Ward Thanksgiving Dinner
When: Thursday, November 14th Time: 6:00pm Where: Pima Stake Center Bring: A Pie to Share

Relief Society Activity

We really have the best Relief Society in the church. This past October 17th they put on a Therapeutic Thursday where the ladies all met together to make holiday crafts, learn cleaning shortcuts, eat good food, visit one another. It lasted four hours and was very well attended. Our Relief Society sisters worked so hard to make it a fun event. Thank you for all that you do!

Elder Justin Layton

Dont Forget-Stake Conference is November 16th & 17th Elder Justin Layton reports to the MTC on November 6th. He will be going to the Washington Everett Mission. Congratulations!

Roxanne Smith

Performances at 6:00, 6:45, 7:30, and 8:15 At the Building by the Gila Valley T emple Lawn Dress Warm. Bring a Blanket if Desired.
Friends and Family are welcome to enjoy the Nativity, Creche Festival, and walk around the T emple. Page 9

December 5th - 7th

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Jean Naegle - Diane Allred - Sally Jo Donaldson

Central Ward Missionary Corner Elder Jason Boren - Pittsburg Pennsylvania Mission
Elder Jason Boren is doing great. " He loves the people, and he loves the beauty there in Pennslvania. "He also enjoys seeing the change of colors in the trees. "He did say that it is getting really cold there. " He is currently in Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania. " His address is: Elder Jason Boren, 518 Short St., Belle Vernon, PA 15012-1456. "He would love to hear from you. "I would like to share a spiritual experience he had with you. "He said, "A member in our ward called us in the afternoon, and said he would like us to go with him to his daughters house, who is a less-active, to talk with her, and try and help her back into the gospel. "We had been trying for weeks to get in with her, but never could have. "He said he had prayed and fasted for her, to see what we would talk about. "He said, prayer, and the Holy Ghost, would be a good thing to talk about. "As a new missionary, I am supposed to take the lead in all things in the last week of training, which was this last week, so I was the one who guided the conversations. "I prayed, and honestly wanted to know what to talk about, how to start, but nothing was coming. " I felt like I was not being led whatsoever. "Throughout the whole day, I searched and did all that I could, but nothing. "We get to the appointment, and 5 minutes before we went in, I asked if we could have another prayer." And so we did. "We get in there, and we just started talking with her, to make her feel comfortable in our presence. "Then, the simple most impression came to my mind, to ask "Why do we pray if God already knows our wants and needs?" "So I asked, and it was the perfect question to ask her." She later, in the lesson, said that she had been struggling to know how the Holy Ghost feels. "We talked, and told her about how she can feel the Holy Ghost, and had an amazing lesson. " At the end, she told us to come back, and talk. "Then she said something very profound that amazed me." "I feel it, I feel the Spirit." "Elder Boren continues to say how grateful he is and what a priviledge it is to share the gospel to those in need, and to everyone. " He realizes that answers will not come right away, but they will come. "In Ether 12:6, it "says, "You shall receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." "This work is true, and I am thankful to be serving."

Central Ward

ie The McCorm

tcher s help in Tha

October 26th was the Churchs National Make a Difference Day. It was wonderful to join hands with county leaders and friends of other faiths and really make a difference. We met at 8:00am and had a ag raising and prayer then set off to various areas around the county to clean. There were over 350 people in attendance. Community members were heard to say,This is a real unifying event. We have all colors of people and religion. We even have the MORMONS here helping! All of these 10 dump trucks like these from Thatcher are garbage that was collected from the area after Across from the Safford Centerpictures for the Arts many dump trailers were taken to the landll!
Please bring your own water, gloves, & shovel

! Vinson and Sherrie Greer just moved to Central from St. Johns. They are living in the old Ron and Shani White home on Shiet. " Vinson was raised in St. Johns and Sherrie in Eagar. They met while attending BYU. "Vinson has taught Seminary for the past 27 years in Idaho, Utah and Arizona. "They were blessed to teach and raise their family in Vinces home town of St. Johns for the past 19 years. He has just started his new assignment teaching at the Gila Valley institute. Sherrie has taught preschool and piano in her home for the past 15 years in St. Johns and is hoping to establish a preschool here in Central. ! They have 6 children: Matthew is 26, and attends Medical School at the Cleveland clinic in Ohio. (He is single and very eligible), Megan is 24, a senior at BYU and getting married in December, Amanda who is 21 is serving a mission in Osorno Chile, Jessica is 19 and a freshman at BYU and plans on leaving on a mission in the spring, Hailey is 14 and a freshman. She is having fun playing volleyball at Thatcher High and Michael is 11 and in the 5th grade. "He loves animals and anything involving a ball. ! The Greer family loves boating, scuba diving, (boy did they move to the right ward!) and playing basketball and volleyball together. " They are excited to get to know everyone here in Central. -- We are excited to get to know them too! Welcome!
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Welcome to the Ward

Meet the Greer Family

Lets join together with our friends of all faiths to get outdoors and do our part to help make Graham County beautiful.

Together we can Make A Difference

Jessica Sandeno Jon Stevens - Brenda Christensen Tracy Pursley

A new sign for Vista Linda

Primary Children
Primary Program - 2012
The Primary Program was held on October 27th. The theme was I Am a Child of God. Our building was lled with parents and grandparents all smiling with pride as their little ones (and not so little ones) sang and bore testimony of how they choose the right. There are 74 children in our primary. They were GREAT! Thank you leaders and teachers, for making this years program a success. We appreciate all you do for our children.
The Brimhall children enjoy the Halloween Trunk or Treat

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Central Ward

Central Ward Service Could Be Their Middle Name!

Our youth really go the extra mile when it comes to serving those in need. This past month the boys teamed up with the Elders quorum and High Priests to help a widow in our ward with her yard work. And the entire mutual got out their shovels and rakes, rolled up their shirt sleeves, and cleaned the cemetery. What would we do without these wonderful youth? They are GREAT!!

Our Amazing Youth

Jaci Brimhall, Beth Pursley, Christiana Johnson

An Eagle Scout Family

The Layton family has much to be thankful for this month. Their three boys have now all received the rank of Eagle! Jared earned his Eagle, Justin already had his Bronze Palm and Jacob received the silver palm for earning 15 more merit badges over the required 36! Well done! I asked Renee to tell you about it-An Eagle Court of Honor was held on Jared, Justin, and Jacob Layton October 20th for Jared Layton. " He received his Eagle and Bronze Palm. " His Eagle Project was cleaning and painting the inside walls of the Thatcher Primary School Multi-Purpose room. " Jacob was awarded his Silver Palm at the same Court of Honor. " We are proud of Jared and Jacob for all they have accomplished in scouting." Many thanks should also go to those leaders who helped make this possible. Justin previously received his Eagle and Bronze Palm too. The month of October was and will always be a historic month for our three sons and family. Justin receiving his mission call and the other two receiving awards at the Court of Honor. Again thanks for all those who have helped our sons reach this point in their lives. We appreciate all the love and concern you have shown them."
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Did You Know...

Fair week is always a busy week for many of the youth in our ward. They spend all year feeding and caring for pigs and other animals to enter in the livestock Kelly Jo McCormies with her pig competition. The spend the days before the fair, washing and shaving their animals. The animals have to be weighed, walked around the arena, and judged. On Saturday they are sold at auction. One year, our daughter, Tassys, pig did not make weight, so we just kept it for our own freezer. One day we were eating pork chops, and she asked, Are we eating Flower? We hummed and hawed, but Tom nally said, Yes, dear, it is. She said, Yum! She is delicious! Arent kids the best?
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Up Coming Activities
November 3November 6Priests & Laurels & Parents Stake Fireside 6:00pm @ the Stake Center All Youth Temple night 5:45 @ temple Combined YW - YW in Excellence D- Service Project T- Personal Management P - Scuba Class

November 13-

November 30November 24-

Combined - Dutch oven Cook-off Fireside 5:00pm No Mutual - Happy Thanksgiving

November 27 November 29-

14 & up-Tri Stake Dance 8:30-11:00pm Safford Page 7