COVID19 Update – 03/28

We want to express our love and appreciation for each one of you.  These are unprecedented times and the strain of homeschooling, telecommuting and social isolation can be challenging to say the least.  We are thankful for those who are finding creative ways to reach out to others through phone calls, texting, video chats and other small acts of service.  

Here are 3 items of importance for this week:

1.  Temporary suspension of sacrament services – In light of the Governor’s Directive and Mayor Mendenhall’s Order, the area presidency has indicated that we cannot have members take the Sacrament to the homes of other members. Accordingly, the Stake Presidency has decided to suspend all administration of the Sacrament throughout the Stake until April 13 when the Governor’s directive is scheduled to end.  

2.  Missionaries! – The Parleys 1st Ward has welcomed home a number of missionaries recently:

• Spencer Gardner – Brazil Sao Paulo North
• Jonny Cook – California San Jose
• Sam Palmer – Dominican Republic Santo Domingo East
• Matthew Parkin – Mozambique Maputo

These young men have served faithfully and have been honorably released.  We are putting them to work speaking to our young men about their mission experiences and hope they will be able to share some thoughts with the rest of you soon! We also welcomed Andrew Pynes home this past week from the Cote d’Ivoire Abidjan mission.  Andrew has been released and will be reassigned in the future when the pandemic has subsided.  Others will be coming home soon and will be reassigned as well.  In addition, Isabelle Steele will begin her remote MTC experience this week as she prepares to serve in the Arkansas Bentonville mission!  She is the granddaughter of Max and Kathy Steele and recently moved into the Steele’s home along with her parents, Ryan and Sheri.

3.  Fast Sunday – As we approach this special worldwide fast Sunday tomorrow, I will join with all of you in praying for the Lord’s help with this pandemic.  I hope you will once again take advantage of the opportunity to worship at home.  While we pray for divine assistance, we need to do our part as well by adhering to the directions of our local and state leaders.   We can do this by following the instructions in Governor Herbert’s “Stay safe, stay home” directive.  Thank you again for your continued efforts in ministering to those around you.

Parleys 1st Ward Bishopric

Chad Wallis

Dave Burbidge

Ron Pynes