Swindon Ward News

21/11/2020

Yesterday evening the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a man we sustain as a prophet of God, gave an invitation to all people across the world. You can see that invitation on the video below.

“Gratitude provides us with a greater perspective on the very purpose and joy of life.”​ In his 96 years of life, President Russell M. Nelson of The Church o...

10/11/2020

We support Interfaith Week in the UK https://www.facebook.com/ChurchOfJesusChristUK/videos/714427972787156
You are welcome to join us this evening at 7pm for our quiz night as part of this year's commemoration of Swindon Interfaith Week
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87401190600?pwd=VmllaVpNYkFmd3VZQ0ZlWkw1RGZvdz09
Meeting ID: 874 0119 0600
Passcode: quiz

Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom Rooms is the original software-based conference room solution used around the world in board, confer...

07/04/2020

President Nelson has invited all to join in a worldwide fast on Good Friday:

For the second time in as many weeks, Latter-day Saints and all others are being called to join in a worldwide fast on Good Friday, April 10.

07/04/2020

The Church have produced a series of videos to enhance your observance of Easter here:

Bring inspiration into your home with a special Easter video playlist. Click to watch.

28/03/2020

FAST SUNDAY 29th March 2020

In case you are not aware, President Nelson has invited all members and friends to join in a global fast this Sunday and to pray for relief from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Here is a brief message from our prophet containing his invitation.

An email has just been sent to Swindon Ward members with an invitation to consider others (some local) for whom you may wish to fast and pray, too. If you did not receive this email, but wish you had, then please contact the Ward Clerk to update the email held on your records.

In a new video message , President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints invites the world to join him on March 29, 2020, for a day of fasting and prayer for relief from COVID-19.

25/03/2020

THE ‘ARMY OF VOLUNTEERS’

Want to help locally during the covid19 outbreak ? One way is join the ‘army of volunteers’ called for by the government to support our NHS and help save lives.

There are a variety of roles for those aged 18+ who are fit and well, and showing no symptoms. Those in higher risk groups, including aged over 70, can apply to offer help by telephone.

More information and application here:

GoodSAM

23/03/2020

COVID-19 Update on sacrament meetings in the home

The most stringent restrictions on our movements ever known in this country are now in force, with police powers to enforce them. Members should be keeping in touch with latest government advice. With daily briefings by the Prime Minister and others the specific advice and expectations can change quickly, hence no link is being provided here in case people later check it when it is out of date.

For the avoidance of any doubt, we clarify that the temporary authority from Bishop Culbert for Priesthood holders to administer the sacrament now applies ONLY to administering in their own home to members of their own household, i.e. those who normally live there. Any exceptions to this need to be authorised by Bishop Culbert, and families should not physically gather together with other families for sacrament, or other Sunday, meetings.

As previously advised, we invite all those who do not have access to the sacrament being blessed to read the sacrament prayers in D&C Section 20 (verses 77 and 79) and ponder the prayers and their meaning to you at this time.

If you don't know who your ministering brothers/sisters are please contact a member of the Elders Quorum or Relief Society presidencies. Ministering brothers/sisters should be having at least a weekly contact with Ward members for whom they have a responsibility. There is an increasing need for us to provide a loving human voice to those who may not otherwise hear one through their day.

21/03/2020

SWINDON WARD NEWS UPDATE

Quite a lot has happened over the past week so it’s time for another update !

SUNDAYS
A reminder that there are no Sunday services at the meetinghouse until further notice. The youth have a Young Women/Aaronic Priesthood lesson at 11am tomorrow (22nd March) by Zoom videoconferencing if they wish to join (details on their Facebook groups). There is no obligation but it is a good opportunity for them to see each other again as well as hear and discuss the Gospel. Please remember to keep the Sabbath Day holy - dressing appropriately gives us a physical reminder that it is a special day - and we ask the brethren to remember the guidelines which have been issued to them regarding administering the sacrament.

Current guidance from our Area Presidency about taking the sacrament to members’ homes is that if this is attempted it should be done with great caution. Older people, or those at greater risk, may not want to have visitors during this time and we must honour that wish. Those ministering should not feel a need to go if they are older or in a vulnerable group. Use wisdom and judgement on who receives it, when and from whom. At all times, even in your own home, exercise careful hygiene practices.

We invite all those who do not have access to the sacrament being blessed, to read the sacrament prayers in D&C Section 20 (verses 77 and 79) and ponder the prayers and their meaning to you at this time.

MINISTERING
Earlier today the Elders Quorum President and Relief Society President sent an email containing a very important message from Bishop Culbert regarding ministering. Would ministering brothers and sisters who have not seen this email please contact Sister Hurley or President Brooke asap.

TEMPLES
Both the London and Preston temples are now closed and will not re-open, even for living ordinances, until further notice.

TITHES & OFFERINGS
Regarding the payment of tithes and offerings, any donations by cash/cheque should be held by yourself until services at the meetinghouse recommence. This is an ideal time to start paying by electronic bank transfer if you are not already doing so. Details are available from the Ward Clerk, Brother Keith. Web-based payments should be available later this year for UK members.

FULL TIME MISSIONARIES
A substantial number of full time missionaries will be returning to their homeland soon. Missionary Training Centres (MTC) have switched to online teaching and no new missionaries are being admitted to MTC’s.