Author: tykenworthy

Marriage can be hard at times. Parenting is always hard. Neither comes with a manual and yet both are so impactful to our general well-being, mental health, and testimony. And this is especially true through periods of extended external stress, as we have all experienced during the ongoing pandemic. If you are like me, your family—whatever its composition—is the most important group of people in your life. Like all things of value, we should invest the time and effort into strengthening our families and developing the skills which will help us foster stable and happy family relationships no matter what phase of life you or your loved ones are in.

In an effort to help each of you strengthen your marriages and families at this time, the ward will begin offering the Church’s Marriage and Family Relations class via online webinars beginning in August. We will hold two or more classes concurrently to help accommodate schedules and specific needs. The classes are divided into two sections: Strengthening Marriages and Parents’ Responsibilities to Strengthen Families. Each section is covered in 8 weeks, so the class lasts for 16 weeks in total. One class will begin with the Strengthening Marriage section and the other will start with the Parents’ Responsibilities to Strengthen Families section. You may choose to attend all 16 weeks, or you might choose to attend only the section most relevant to your circumstances. These classes are open to everyone. I recommend this course for newly-weds, oldly-weds, soon-to-be-weds, hopeful-weds, single parents, adoptive parents, aunts, uncles, and grandparents. Please look for more information regarding days, times, and sign-ups from the Sunday School in the coming days.

On a personal note, Cami and I took this class early in our marriage. It was one of the best classes we ever took. We learned skills that we use every day to build our marriage and our family. Truth be told, I am excited to take the class again to brush up on those skills, and maybe pick up some new skills now that our children are older. In other words, everyone could find value in these courses. They are not just for those who are experiencing great stress in their relationships or are struggling to figure out how to raise their kids.

Finally, on a somewhat related note, Brother Seth Hewett was called and sustained as a Gospel Doctrine teacher this last Sunday. If anyone who was not assigned to attend last week is opposed to this action, please reach out to me, otherwise Brother Hewett is now active in this calling. Also, as a gentle reminder, families whose last name begins with M through R and T are invited to attend Sacrament Meeting at 1pm this Sunday.

Faithfully yours,

Bishop Ty Kenworthy

Brothers and Sisters,

First, thanks to all those who joined with us in fasting for Sister Tami Vander Werff this last weekend. She posted a message of gratitude to the Geneva Heights 12^th Ward Activities page on Facebook. I have included it here for those who do not currently follow that page:

“I wanted to get on here for a minute before everyone started their day and let you know how much I appreciate all of the many things that you have done for me and my family. I am in awe of your willingness to fast in my behalf and to pray that I may continue to meet the challenges of cancer and to overcome them. The biggest challenge for me was the fact that I could not be with all of you each Sunday to gain wisdom from your testimonies and to share in the Sacrament as well as prayer. But as I continue, I have felt your faith and prayers lifting me up and helping me as my body continues to fight. This I could not have done without all of you.

During this fight I have never for one minute been alone. I have felt love and understanding and most of all the Savior’s love for me. Please know that he is with you too! And that he loves us so perfectly, so much!! He understands our thoughts and feelings and understands our emotions! And still loves us! My heart is overflowing with emotion today. I pray that the Lord will bless each of you in whatsoever blessings you stand in need of. I pray for our ward family every evening hoping that all is well. I love seeing all of your fun pictures that you post! Thank you so much again for all of the love and prayers words cannot express my depth of gratitude for each of you.

I love you all.”

Second, during the time we have been holding limited attendance Sacrament Meetings, we have conducted ward business with various groups of the congregation. As a matter of information, the following changes to callings have been sustained or ratified in one or more of those Sacrament Meetings. If you object to any of the callings issued listed below, please reach out to me to discuss, otherwise all callings sustained are active. We will do our best to keep the entire congregation apprised of changes as they are made.

Callings Issued by the Stake and Ratified in Sacrament Meeting

• Elders Quorum President – Brother Aaron Scott
• Elders Quorum 1^st Counselor – Brother Chandler Stohlworthy
• Elders Quorum 2^nd Counselor – Brother Spencer Schwenke

Ward Releases

• Primary First Counselor – Sister Sierra Prina
• Primary Activities Leader – Brother Kris Whitehead
• Primary Activities Leader – Brother Aaron Scott
• Primary Teachers – Brother and Sister Adam and Erin Bayer
• Young Women Specialist – Sister Jill Benson
• Young Women Specialist – Sister Mallorie Morillas

Ward Callings

• Relief Society Secretary – Sister Tammy Hewett
• Relief Society Communications Specialist – Sister Sara Mills
• Primary First Counselor – Sister Stephanie Scott
• Primary Activities Leader – Sister Serina Bona
• Primary Activities Leader – Sister Ayisha Farmer
• Young Women Adviser – Sister Jill Benson

Also, as a reminder, those members with last names beginning with G through L are scheduled to attend Sacrament Meeting this week at 1pm. We look forward to worshipping with you soon!