Bishop's letter May 31st

May 30, 2020

Dearest 5th Ward Members,

By my count, we are on day 74 of our little taste of eternity. It looks like I got my snowblower

fixed just in time for the weather to become summer-like. Soon I will have to make an

appointment to take the snow tires off, although September is only a 13 short weeks away.

I read a parenting meme that might explain how we are feeling right now:

I just wanted five minutes alone so I sent my kid in the other room to look for a

toy that’s in my pocket.

Follow me for more parenting hacks.

On a similar vein:

I’m helping my son search for his chocolate that I ate last night.

This togetherness has been both a blessing and a curse for many. Certainly, we miss seeing all

of you every week and sharing the wonderful experience of worshipping together. When that will change remains a bit of a mystery. However, the opportunities we have had to draw closer

together as a ward family despite our social distancing have been memorable and up-lifting. The service that has been offered to many, the calls from ministering brothers and sisters, as well as contacts from members of our ward, who although not officially called to minister to certain families, have nevertheless called and contacted many people to offer help and support, have been nothing short of incredible. My heart is filled with love and appreciation for all of you and for all you do. Once again, I quote Brother Gladding when I say “Ministering is alive and well in the Cardston 5th Ward.”

As I have explained in past letters, my job is in large part 2 weeks in Medicine Hat and two

weeks at home, although this is starting to loosen up somewhat as the Provincial restrictions are beginning to relax. Frankly, I can’t wait to go back to work full-time as I really need the rest. I don’t think I have ever worked as hard as I have in the past few weeks. My project manager is a fountain of new expectations and ideas. On the other hand, this same project manager looked at me one day and said “Don’t you have to go back to Medicine Hat soon?” I’d been home 4 days. I’m wondering if any other work-away spouses are having similar experiences. If this is what retirement is like, I might work until I’m 90. On the other hand, I’m happy to report that the oft mentioned garden boxes are now full of little green shoots of, hopefully, vegetables in the making. In fact, they have been so successful that the project manager suggested/directed me to build another for a birthday gift for our soon to be 8 year old grandson. Some of the work involved with the garden boxes went way easier if an extra pair of hands and eyes were involved, so I enlisted Lori’s help. It wasn’t long before she asked if I would be providing help to her on her projects. My vacant expression led her to saying that during this time of pandemic, my projects are also her projects, but her projects are hers alone. Sorry brethren, but, the secret’s out.

We are happy to welcome home Elder R Masi from the Canada Winnipeg Mission. I am

very proud of Reggie and his service. Please join me in welcoming him. We will arrange to have him report his mission and post it on the blog as we did with Elders Sloan and

Sommerfeldt as well as Elder and Sister Creed. We are so blessed to have their influence on

our ward. I cannot imagine how difficult it would be to perform missionary work in the current

circumstances. 

I apologize if I’ve mentioned this before, but our daughter Cassie and her husband and adorable little boy recently moved from one ward to another in Calgary. They completed this move in late February and attended exactly two Sundays in their new ward prior to the cessation of formal Sunday meetings. They really didn’t get to know anyone because they

were just one of many young families in a very large, and very young ward. Several weeks into the social distancing experience, the missionaries called her and, among other things, asked her if they were active. Their memberships were on the ward list, but no one really knew who they were. She reported, much to the relief of her parents, that they were very active and had just moved into the ward. The missionaries, being missionaries, then promptly asked her if she knew anyone they could perhaps approach and teach. She gave them the name of a co-worker, whom the elders contacted, all via technology. That lady is now taking the discussions. The work, although different than anything we have experienced, is still proceeding. Reach out to our missionaries. They are doing their best to stay busy, but they need our help.

I again want to tell you how much I love each of you.

Stay healthy and safe.

Love,

Bishop Brooks

Mayor Kronen's Town of Cardston COVID-19 Update #9 - Parks and Playgrounds

Promised Blessings of Family History

Upcoming Youth Fireside June 7th

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmCwPyQb6W4&feature=youtu.be

Attachments area

Preview YouTube video Youth Fireside 2020-06-07

Youth Fireside 2020-06-07

Sister's COVID Picnic Letters

Sister's Letters 

( Due date: 15 June )

Dear Sisters,

I would like to expand just a tiny bit on the purpose of the letters we would like each of you to write. We feel this could give each of us a glimpse of what our hearts are feeling during, what may be for most of us something we have never experienced. We feel that this time of 'spiritual stretching' may turn out to be one of the most uplifting and rewarding experiences we've ever had, a once in a life time gift for each one of us.

We would like each of us to include a challenge we have had, perhaps how we have taken stock of where some gaps in our preparedness might be, or how we have learned and risen even in the smallest ways to meeting the challenge of striving to stay on the covenant path. We would like each Sister to sign her own letter, then put it in an envelope (no licking) hahahaha, and mark the envelope or decorate it how you would like so that you will recognize yours. All of the letters will be gathered and then each of us will receive back a letter that is not ours.

Sisters we really believe that whatever letter you receive, will be the exact one that is meant for you. There are no coincidences, and this experience can be so rewarding for Sisters that love each other as much as we do in this Ward. We believe this is a gift that could just keep on giving as over time we share our experiences about this activity.

Our dream is that by the end of June, we can have an outdoor picnic, and that  each of us can bring a lawn chair and a little sack lunch and drink to the Temple lawn and share smiles and our beautiful spirits with one another, and at the end of our outing each will receive our letter, our special letter meant just for us to take home and read to ourselves, where we will have the time to ponder and absorb the experience of your kindred sister.

We hope that every Sister will feel a desire to participate, but you know regardless of whether you want to write a letter, we just want everyone of us to be able to come and picnic together, it's been too dang long since we've been together, let's just all pray hard we can make this happen. I know we can do it, we love you all so much, for always. ♥️

Love,

Sis. Oertli

Bishop's letter

May 23, 2020

Dear 5th Ward Family

It has been an interesting week as we slowly seem to be returning to a sense of normalcy.

While the border remains closed for at least the next month, our temple, along with many

others, has been opened to living sealings, and some areas are allowing at least Sacrament

Meeting, as long as government directions and restrictions are followed. Unfortunately, we are

not quite there yet as it relates to gathering together but it appears we are getting closer,

figuratively, if not literally. In the mean time we are directed to continue to social distance and

live our lives in what can only be described as a remarkably strange and restrictive fashion.

Luckily, we have technology that allows us to stay in touch with family and friends.

Interestingly, I’m finding that the very fact we can’t socialize with others has seemed to

encourage us to maintain that contact virtually. Trying to find the silver lining in our current

cloudy sky is not nearly as difficult as some would seem to make it.

In the meantime, we continue to enjoy something that many of us have missed out on for many

years; being able to spend time with our families. What a great opportunity to do things with

them that our usual day to day responsibilities have prevented. I saw someone, describing

going to school in a small town, say “Your teachers either taught your parents or are your

parents.” While that’s not necessarily always true in Cardston, it does bring to mind that we

have three young men graduating from Grade 12 this year, and they will not have the opportunity

to walk to receive their diplomas in front of family and friends. I know there are people in the

community and school who are doing everything they can to come up with an alternative. I

encourage them to do so, but even if there is no solution, Kyle, Kayden, and Kaleb will have graduated

in circumstances never before experienced, at least in our lifetimes. Please take the time to

congratulate them. I’m sure it will be appreciated.

I cannot begin to tell you how much we appreciate the notes, texts and emails inquiring as to

our status and wishing us well. Our contacts with you have been one of those silver linings I

mentioned. Lori and I cannot thank you enough for your kindnesses. It reminds me once again

how much we love our ward members and what fine people with whom we have the pleasure

to associate.

I mentioned last week that we are going to see some changes in our ward with some people

moving out and others moving in. It is always hard to have beloved ward members leave, but

at the same time it’s exciting to have new members move in. We look forward to the new

families while being saddened by others moving on. I’ll provide more information as it becomes

more common knowledge, although I’m reminded of something I heard about living in a small

town, “If you don’t want the whole town to know about it, then you’d, better not do it”, but in

the meantime, take the opportunity to reach out to our ward members to strengthen our ward-

family ties.

These past two weeks, I’ve spent my weekdays back in Medicine Hat where my day job is also

trying to return to normality. I’m sure many of you who are still working are trying to adapt to

the changes that this pandemic has forced upon us.

Elder Holland said “No one has failed who keeps trying and keeps praying”.

He also said “Even if you cannot always see that silver lining on your clouds, God can, for He is

the very source of the light you seek. He does love you, and He knows your fears. He hears

your prayers. He is your Heavenly Father, and surely He matches with His own the tears His

children shed.”

Remember each day that you are a child of God, and He has sent you here. He walks beside

you, He knows you, He loves you. This is an eternal truth.

Stay safe and stay healthy.

Love

Bishop Brooks

Mayor's COVID-19 update for Cardston

Numbers as of Friday evening:

https://www.alberta.ca/stats/covid-19-alberta-statistics.htm

(then press geospatial and scroll to the bottom)

Our temple scheduled to reopen May 26th

 https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/multimedia/file/temple-reopening-list.pdf

Bishop's letter

May 16, 2020

Dear 5th Ward members

 

I hope this letter finds you all healthy, happy and surviving these strange days. A happy Victoria

Day weekend to all. This is my 60th celebration of Queen Victoria’s special day. It seems that

the weather is never predictable, but this year’s version has been beautiful. I’m pleased to

report that our garden boxes are installed, filled with dirt and planted. Once again, we begin

our annual allegory of faith. Carrots have never been a real success story for us, but we planted

two full boxes with carrot seeds. I’m sure this year is the year.

 

On the topic of garden boxes, upon returning from Medicine Hat, I went out for a long walk

with Lori to enjoy the beautiful weather. We ran into several ward members who were also

outside. It’s amazing what you learn when you go for walks. We learned we have a new home

being built in the ward, possibly a new family moving in, and one moving out. I also learned

that when I gave credit to Brother Sloan, along with Tyler and Ridge, for building his garden

boxes, that it was really Ammie who was doing most of the work. That shouldn’t come as a

surprise to any of us. Brother Sloan, by the way, has really upped the neighbourhood garden

box ante by constructing an amazing watering system for his boxes. I was planning on an

extremely wet spring and summer. Apparently, I’ve still got some work to do.

 

I had a friend tell me today that we are truly empty nesters. I mentioned that to Lori, but she

reminded me it’s not true because she still has me. I’m not sure what she’s getting at.

It appears that we are getting some relaxation of restrictions under which we have all been

operating. I’m sure everyone is relieved. I’d like to say we can return to normal right away, but

I’m afraid that is still some time off. I’m so grateful for President Nelson and his inspired

leadership. The home centred, Church supported programs have been a life saver to us during

this difficult time.

 

We were able to listen to instructions today from area and general officers regarding Sunday

School and the youth program. The fact we can simply pick up our computers and log in to

inspiring words and directions is amazing. That the Church continues to be operated in an

efficient and inspired fashion is comforting and uplifting.

 

My favourite Broadway play of all time is Les Miserables. Its story of redemption is as inspiring

as it is profound. The author of the original novel, Victor Hugo, said, “Even the darkest night will

end and the sun will rise”. I love that both for its simplicity and encouragement. We find

ourselves, both as individuals and as a society, facing a crossroads. I can’t help but think we

are being given a chance to decide whom we will serve. Joshua poised that question to the

Children of Israel: “choose you this day whom ye will serve...but as for me and my house, we will

serve the Lord”.

 

We serve God by following our prophet, by reading our scriptures and saying our prayers, by

magnifying our callings, by seeking out those in need and bearing one another’s burdens. We

serve God by living our lives for Him, not in spite of Him.

 

I am so proud of our ward and the service they give to each other. It is truly an example of

Christlike love. Thank you so much for looking after one another. You are an inspiration.

I neglected last week to welcome our newest baptized member of the ward. Elinor Johnson,

daughter of Jeff and Brittany Johnson, was baptized last Saturday. Her mom and her sister

Layla served as witnesses while dad baptized and confirmed. The baptism was “Zoomed” to

friends and family. It was a beautiful service and we want to recognize Elinor.

 

Stay healthy, stay safe and continue to watch out for each other.

Love

Bishop Brooks

Happy Mother's Day From Bishop Brooks :)

May 10, 2020

Dear 5th Ward Members

Happy Mother’s Day to all of the sisters in the ward. I hope you

have all had a wonderful day. You certainly all deserve to be

honoured, not just today, but throughout the year.

We had a wonderful opportunity this week with the Young Women

and Young Men of our ward to bring the sisters a small token of

our appreciation. I am so proud of our youth and their

commitment to serve. I can only imagine how hard it has been for

them to be socially isolated from their friends, but I’m hopeful that

their experiences with family have been positive.

For those of you keeping track, I finished 8 garden boxes that now

sit empty and awaiting the 10 yards of premium garden soil that

we purchased from Burnco through our local Home Hardware. I

cannot believe how much soil that actually is. I’m beginning to

wonder if one of the side effects of Covid 19 is making really ill

considered and rash decisions. If so, I know I would test positive.

Oh well, we are looking forward to a bounteous harvest come fall.

I had to laugh when I saw Brother John Bridge surrounded by his

grandchildren going on a nature walk this past week. He reports

that they not only walked around the neighbourhood, but down

into the creek valley where they learned all about the local flora

and fauna. I think the average age, Brother Bridge not included, to

be somewhere around 6. I’m not sure how many kids there were

as it would have been like trying to count sheep in a pen, but I did

see that John had a rather intimidating staff as a walking stick.

I’ve always thought Brother Bridge was a very bright man. He

reports trying to maintain social distancing was mostly successful.

I came across a quote from Sheri Dew that made me again think

of the impact all of our mothers have on us.

“Few of us will reach our potential without the nurturing of both the

mother who bore us and the mothers who bear with us.” ~ Sheri

Dew, “Are We Not All Mothers?”

I was again reminded of all those who have impacted me

throughout my life. I’m sure many of you are having similar

thoughts.

Another quote:

“Motherhood is near to divinity. It is the highest, holiest service to

be assumed by mankind. It places her who honours its holy

calling and service next to the angels.” ~ The First Presidency in

1935, as quoted by Russell M. Nelson in “Our Sacred Duty to

Honor Women”

To all of you angels, have a happy Mother’s Day and know that

you are loved, both here and in the eternities.

Stay safe and stay healthy.

Love

Bishop Brooks

Happy Mother's Day from the Primary!

Cardston COVID-19 update

Mother's Day Devotional with Elder & Sister James E. Evanson

A Virtual Mother's Day Devotional

Elder James E. Evanson & Sister Jody Evanson

Sunday, May 10 at 6:00 pm

Click this link for access: devotional-event.com

 

Elder James E. Evanson was named a member of the Sixth Quorum of the Seventy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on April 4, 2015.

Elder James E. Evanson, Area Seventy, Sixth Quorum

Elder Evanson received a bachelor of science degree in dental materials in 1993 and a doctor of dental surgery in 1995, both from the University of Alberta. Elder Evanson has maintained a general dental practice in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, since 1995. Elder Evanson has served in a number of Church callings, including full-time missionary in the Arizona Tempe Mission, ward Young Men president, elders quorum president, stake Young Men president, high councillor and stake president.  He married Jody Zobell in 1989. They are the parents of five children. Elder and Sister Evanson reside in Lethbridge.

 

 

 

Phased Reopening of Temples

Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We are thankful for all who have worked to address the effects of this global pandemic. As a Church, we have sought to be cautious in our actions and to limit the gathering of our members, even for weekly worship and sacred temple work.
With profound gratitude to our Heavenly Father that He has heard our prayers, we rejoice in announcing a carefully coordinated, cautious, and phased reopening of temples. With this letter, we are authorizing the reopening of 17 temples.
Beginning Monday, May 11, 2020, living husband-and-wife sealing ordinances will be performed in selected temples for members who have been previously endowed. These sealings will be conducted with a minimum number of temple staff, and a limited number of participants, according to local government restrictions. As changing restrictions and local conditions allow, the Temple Department will authorize the reopening of additional temples and expanded opportunities will be made available for receiving living child-to-parent sealings and own-endowment ordinances, as well as participation in proxy ordinances. Further information, as well as a list of temples that will reopen now, may be found at Newsroom.ChurchofJesusChrist.org and will be sent to Church leaders.
We ask for your continued faith and prayers that this pandemic and its lingering effects may pass. We look forward to the day that we can resume full operation of our temples, congregations, and missionary service.
Sincerely,
The First Presidency
Members can see the opening status of their specific temple and any restrictions by going to this temple list PDF 

Phased reopening

The reopening of temples will proceed in a cautious and carefully planned and coordinated manner based on local government restrictions and as authorized by the Temple Department. The four phases of opening are designed to reduce risk, accommodate the demand and capacity of the temple, and observe any relevant health restrictions in the temple district.

Phase 1: Living husband-and-wife sealings by appointment

• Perform living sealings only for previously endowed members under strict guidelines and safety precautions

Phase 2: Open for all living ordinances only

• Perform all temple ordinances for living individuals
• Maintain closure of patron housing, clothing, and cafeteria operations

Phase 3: Open for all ordinances with restrictions

• Continue providing ordinances for living individuals
• Provide proxy ordinances for ancestors in a restricted manner
• Open patron housing, clothing, and cafeteria operations as needed

Phase 4: Open for full operations

• Resume regular temple operations

COVID-19 Fabric Scrub Bags

https://youtu.be/NMj3iNddyI8

Ok so, I heard about these from my sister, did some looking online and then made these for a couple hospital worker friends and family.  The idea is: home you come - work clothes in the bag, bag and all in the washing machine.

They are about 21"x21"'

They are super easy - and the drawstring is already in there and you don't have to cinch it through with a pin!  - Hooray!

Enjoy the easy "pattern" and instructions and straight line sewing!

And no - these are not the best instructions or diagrams or video ever - but I am rather proud of myself for sending it out without it being perfect!

This is the Alberta facebook group organized into zones:  So for us, look here under "South Zone"

Scrub Bags for Alberta Health Care Workers https://www.facebook.com/groups/2976459049080476/

Here's the cbc news link which is interesting and describes the Calgary effort:

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/local-heroes-alberta-covid-19-bags-front-lines-1.5525752

Enjoy and make some bags if you want!

Bishop's Message

Dear 5th Ward Family

As I awaken on this beautiful Sabbath morning, I am filled with a sense of hope and joy as we
begin a new month and, in many ways, a new season in our lives.

Like many of you, Lori and I have taken the arrival of spring as an opportunity to prepare our
yard for the upcoming summer. Much of the old detritus (Shauna, this word is for you) has been
raked out of flower beds and lawns and set aside for compost purposes, and materials to build
new garden boxes have been purchased. It’s always exciting to see new growth and to plant
seeds with the expectation of a bounteous harvest in the fall.

I like to think of myself as a bit of a planner, so when Lori mentioned, for likely the 100th time
last year how much she hates the deer coming into our yard and eating all the flowers and
vegetables, and how much she wanted a fence to prevent that, I’ve been gathering information
and amassing supplies to start that project. Then she said she wanted to try using garden
boxes for our vegetable garden, and that again required some careful thought, planning and
acquisition. While embroiled in this carefully thought out organization and planning, I returned
one day from a short trip to Lethbridge to discover that my neighbour and good friend, Paul
Sloan, with the help of at least Tyler, if not Ridge as well, had, in less time than it took me to
drive to Lethbridge and back, already completed a whole series of garden boxes, while mine
hadn’t even begun to take shape.

Now there are some lessons there for all of us, and especially me. The first is, it’s not nice to
have unkind feelings toward a person just because he works with otherworldly speed resulting
in a really bad case of “garden box envy”. I’m sure he’ll have a deer fence up by noon
tomorrow. But I digress.

The second, and more important lesson, is that we can so often get caught up in the planning
and perfection of a matter that we fail to execute. Hours and hours of planning and
preparation, while potentially important, likely mean nothing if we cannot pull the trigger on the
execution.

I think in many ways, our gospel lives can find some parallels. We can buy all the study
material, purchase online resources, pray earnestly for inspiration concerning service, and even
attend meeting after meeting regarding being a better member of the Church, and it means
little if we don’t put all that information to use. An unread Book of Mormon might look good on
a table in your den, but it does you no good unless you actually feast upon its words. Action is
always required, otherwise we are likely only going to ever have good intentions, which,
although laudable, rarely, if ever, accomplish much on their own.

Today is Fast Sunday. Ordinarily, we would be gathering together to bear and hear testimony. I
urged you last week to take this opportunity to share that testimony with family and friends
using technology of some kind. I realize that may be difficult for some, for all kinds of reasons.
So I have another suggestion; do it the old fashioned way. In other words, put pen to paper
and write your testimony in a letter, or record it in your journal. Expressions of faith and a
testimony of the divinity of Our Savior are never wasted. Whether they touch someone today or
years from now, the simple bearing of testimony can sometimes make all the difference.

I attended my first virtual funeral this past week as the Hegedus family gathered to celebrate
the life of Pat. She left a marvellous legacy and I was moved as I listened to her family speak of
her loving influence on their lives.

Each one of us has a similar opportunity. By our actions and words, we can impact, hopefully
in a positive fashion, the lives of those around us.

Lori and I stepped out of our home the other day to find messages of love and support from
some of the Young Women of our ward written in chalk on our driveway. Their act of kindness
was so appreciated. To them, and to all of you, let me say, we too love you to the moon and
back.
Have a wonderful Sunday.
Bishop Brooks

(and this is my own addition to the Bishop's letter ... these last 2 were on Spencer's driveway and too pretty to not include)

Cardston Mayor Maggie Kronen's COVID-19 Update

April 29th Blood Tribe COVID-19 Announcement of 1st Case

In Blackfoot then in English (3:19) Blood Tribe Chief Roy Fox "Makiinima", Director of Emergency Management/SEO Rick Soup "Matsowaimmoniisi"

In English: Blood Tribe Department of Health Inc. Chairperson Martin Heavy Head, and Dr. Esther Tailfeathers address the COVID-19 Pandemic that now has landed on the Blood Reserve.

Alberta Covid-19 relaunch strategy

Premier Jason Kenney's announcements today:

full details:  April 30. 2020 Alberta Relaunch Strategy PDF

Do your part:  

 We’re confident Albertans will face relaunch with the same adaptability and resilience they have shown throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Our individual actions are the strongest tool we have to protect our health-care system as we pull together to relaunch our economy.