Christmas for the Kids Volunteer Information

Thank you to all those who volunteered to help this weekend at the Christmas for the Kids event.  Following are the instructions for those who have volunteered to help this Saturday.

                                                                                                                                     

Good afternoon,

I wanted to send some information regarding Saturday's event.

The address for the event location is:

Osceola County School for the Arts

3151 N Orange Blossom Trl,

Kissimmee, FL 34744

When you enter the school, please proceed to the back right of the school located near loading dock of the performing arts center.  There should be a Sherriff's Deputy to direct you.

Please arrive at least 10 minutes before your shift starts to sign in and get direction, especially if you are working the 7am to 12pm shift as we will be start promtly at 7am (If your name is not on the sign-in sheet please don't be upset as I have a lot of volunteers and some names may have not made the list).  

I will also be giving instructions as to how we are going to be sorting and bagging the toy Sat 7am. If you have volunteered in the past and have a CFTKO t-shirt please wear it.

If for some reason you cannot make your shift or you will be late please contact your point person and then they will contact me. My cell # is 321-624-9965.

I'm looking forward to seeing you all on Saturday!

As always, if you have any questions please contact me.

Geoff Galvin

CFTKO Volunteer Coordinator

321-624-9965
 

Check out this video of  the service project performed by the youth at Lakeview Elementary School

12 Days of Service 2015

During stake conference the 12 Days of Service Calendar was presented to our stake as a guideline to unify our service efforts for the up coming year.   We encourage you to use it in your priesthood, relief society, young men, young women, primary and other auxiliary meetings when planning your activities for the year.  The goal is to provide you with a theme and ideas as you plan your activities.
 

We also encourage families to use it when planning wholesome activities throughout the year.  Feel free to download to your mobile device or print the calendar.

Theaters Extend Showings of Meet the Mormons

Due to impressive attendance the following theaters have extended their showtimes of "Meet the Mormons" to Thursday, October 23rd.

AMC West Oaks 14  -  9415 West Colonial Drive, Ocoee, FL 34761
Regal Cinemas at The Loop -  3232 N John Young Pkwy, Kissimmee, FL 34741

Invite your friends and family, or go see it a second time!!!

Showings at Regal Cinemas The Loop!!

Meet the Mormons will be showing at Regal Cinemas at The Loop. Their website has showings from Friday to next Thursday.

Friday October 10, 2014 thru Thursday October 16, 2014
2:10 PM
4:30 PM
7:55 PM
10:10 PM

**Early Showing off Meet the Mormans**

The AMC West Oaks 14 has scheduled an early showing of Meet the Mormons movie on Thursday, October 10, at 7:00 p.m. This will be the only showing on Thursday. Please note that students of any age will be admitted for a discounted rate of $7.00 with school identification. 

This is an opportunity for members to see the film early…and then use social media to encourage others to see it!

Meet the Mormons Showtimes

Meet the Mormons is a documentary film that examines the very diverse lives of six devout members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Filmed on location and across the globe, Meet the Mormons takes viewers on a journey into the day-to-day realities of individuals living in the U.S., Costa Rica, Nepal and beyond. From their individual passions to their daily struggles, each story paints a picture as rich and unique as the next while challenging the stereotypes that surrounds the Mormon faith.  Meet the Mormons is an opportunity for people to meet—in a very personal way—members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Six ordinary individuals - six extraordinary stories.  We hope viewers will gain a greater understanding of the richness and diversity of our faith, and that these stories will inspire people to live lives of faith and purpose.  Net proceeds (box office proceeds less distribution expenses) from the film will be donated to the American Red Cross.

​

AMC West Oaks 14  -  9415 West Colonial Drive, Ocoee, FL 34761

Friday October 10, 2014 and Saturday October 11, 2014

11:00 AM

1:15 PM

3:30 PM

5:45 PM

8:00 PM

10:15 PM

Regal Winter Park 20  -  510 N. Orlando Avenue, Winter Park, FL 32789

Friday October 10, 2014 and Saturday October 11, 2014

12:15 PM

2:50 PM

5:10 PM

7:15 PM

9:20 PM 

Meet the Mormons - Free Song Download

Exclusive Free Download of David Archuleta's Song from Meet the Mormons     Download "Glorious"

"Meet the Mormons" The Movie

"Meet the Mormons" is a full length feature documentary, produced by the Church, telling the stories of six extraordinary members from around the world.  The movie will be in theaters throughout the United States the weekend of October 10th.

"Meet the Mormons" is not intended as a proselyting resource, but rather to entertain, inform, and enlighten.  This movie promises to be inspiring to all who attend, and will evoke positive feelings towards the Church.  Members are asked to invite their family, friends and neighbors to enjoy this uplifting movie.  All net proceeds from this movie are being donated to the American Red Cross.



At this time, the movie will be only be shown in the Orlando area at the AMC Theater at West Oaks Mall from October 10-16.  Efforts are ongoing to have the movie available at other theaters in Central Florida.  Church members are strongly encouraged to see this movie on opening weekend. Please see below for theater information and scheduled show times for the opening weekend.

For more details, and to see the movie trailer, please visit meetthemormons.com

MOVIE LOCATION, SHOWTIMES AND PRICE INFORMATION

Since there will be LIMITED locations and show times available in Central Florida to view the movie, it is highly recommended that you purchase your ticket(s) on-line in advance.

Sales and attendance figures from Friday, Oct. 10 – Sunday Oct. 12 will be used to determine the future availability of this film.  We are strongly encouraging attendance during this opening weekend of the film, to maximize its success.

Meet the Mormons at AMC West Oaks 14 Theater (9415 W. Colonial Dr., Ocoee, FL 34761)

Show times for Friday, Oct 10 and Saturday, Oct. 11
11:00 a.m. | 1:15 p.m. | 3:30 p.m. | 5:45 p.m. | 8:00 p.m. | 10:15 p.m.

Show times for Sunday, Oct. 12
11:00 a.m. | 1:15 p.m. | 3:30 p.m. | 5:35 p.m. | 7:45 p.m.

Show times for Monday, Oct. 13 – Thursday, Oct. 16 are still to be determined.


Ticket Prices at AMC West Oaks 14 Theater

The theater is offering a Group Rate when 25 tickets are purchased by a single buyer for the SAME show time, at the theater box office, at least 30 minutes prior to the start of the movie.  Contact the box office at (407) 290-1265 for more details.

Group Rate Prices:

• Before 12 pm showings, tickets are $5.50 for the Group Rate.
• From 12 pm to 4pm showings, tickets are $6.50 for the Group Rate.
• After 4 pm showings, tickets are $8.50 for the Group Rate.

Regular Ticket Prices:

• All day Thursday - Student Day - All tickets $7.00 for any age with student I.D.
• All day Tuesday - Senior Day - All tickets $6.00 for anyone 60 or over.
• Any other day a matinee before noon is $6.00
• From Noon to 3:55 is $8.00 for adult and senior, $7.00 for child
• After 4 p.m. is $9.75 for adult, $8.75 for seniors, and $7.00 for child
• Children age under age two are no charge.  
• Tickets can be purchased in advance online at AMC Theatres, but will required a $1 per ticket convenience fee, without an AMC Stubs membership.

Food Drive and General Women's Meeting Info

The General Women's Meeting broadcast will be held on Saturday, September 27, 8:00p.m. at the Stake Center.  The Relief Society, Young Women and Primary girls age 8 and up are invited to attend this broadcast.  A service project will be held at 7:00p.m. before the broadcast.

There are over 3,000 homeless children in Osceola County and most of them live in hotels along U.S. Highway 192.  Many of these children are hungry on the weekend while they are out of school. The weekend meal program that provides non-perishable food for those children over the weekend when they are away from school.  We will be collecting non-perishable foods for the Cypress Park, Chestnut, Highlands and Lakeview elementary schools.  

On August 31st each ward building will have a container to start collecting non-perishable food to be donated to the schools.  The night of the broadcast the food will be sorted for delivery to the 4 schools.   

Here is a list of the non-perishable food that we will be collecting:  

• tuna 
• grits
• cereal 
• instant oatmeal
• mac and cheese
• applesauce
• peanut butter
• jelly
• crackers
• juice
• breakfast bars

Thank you the member of our stake for all you do!  If you have any questions please contact your Relief Society president or Sister Carol Mills.

Week of the Family Essay Contests

BYU Cougars vs. UCF Knights - October 9

BYU COUGARS VS. UCF KNIGHTS
Thursday, October 9, 2014    
Event Time: TBA
UCF Bright House Network Stadium, Orlando FL

Support the Cougars as they take on the UCF Knights!

The Cougar Town Tailgate Party will begin approximately 3 hours before the game, on the UCF campus, at the corner of Knights Victory Way and W. Plaza Drive.

The BYU Football Team Fireside will take place the night before the game, on Wednesday, October 8, 2014 at the Hunters Creek Stake Center, located at 701 W. Wetherbee Road, Orlando.  All are welcome to attend.  Sunday dress recommended.

Visit alumni.byu.edu/orlandocougartown to get more information, and to purchase tickets to the tailgate party and the game.  We look forward to seeing you there!

Create Something Worthy - with Games

We’ve all seen people locked into games on their mobile devices. Even the littlest children can find games that will entertain them, even fascinate them for hours. Have you ever wished that there were games that could uplift, even inspire? Where are the games that can connect people to the gospel?

Somewhere there is an app developer who can create something a little better, something a little more Christ-centered, something worthy. Maybe it’s you!
The Gospel Game & App Contest, sponsored by the Church’s IT department in conjunction with this fall’s LDSTech Conference, encourages developers to “create something worthy”.
Wouldn’t you love to see a marketplace filled with engaging, uplifting, creative games and apps? Enter the contest and have fun!  Many starter ideas are on the Contest wiki page. Add more ideas. Get some development and creative people together to make your own app. See tech.lds.org for more information.
Just think about the potential: you can help boys and girls build a Nephite city, help them recognize the apostles, or learn the scriptures! The possibilities are endless – maybe even eternal.  

Copyright © 2014 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc., All rights reserved.

Worldwide Indexing Event - July 20-21, 2014

On July 2, 2012, a total of 49,025 FamilySearch indexers and arbitrators joined together to set the all-time record for the most indexing participants in a single day. That lofty record is about to be broken—by you!

Join volunteers from around the world on July 20 and 21 for an international history-making event!  

The goal? For 50,000 indexers and arbitrators to submit at least one batch in a 24-hour period! Do more if you would like, but one batch is all that is required to be counted in the record!

For more information, please visit this FamilySearch Blog and the Facebook Page.

NOTE: For Central Florida , the event will begin on Sunday, July 20, 2014 at 8:00 PM EDT, and end on Monday, July 21, 2014 at 8:00 PM EDT.

Back to School Service Project - Day of Service 2014

It's that time again for our Day of Service where we have the opportunity to reach out to our community and show them we are here to serve. 

This year we will be doing projects similar to what we did last year for Cypress Park Elementary, however, we will be helping three schools instead of one.  There will be plenty of work so we need as many of our members as possible to show up to help.  Please feel free to invite your families, neighbors, and less active members to help, we welcome anyone who would like to serve. 

Each ward/branch has been assigned to a school and is to report to that school to help at our day of service. We hope to make a large impact at these schools.  Our hope is that we can develop a relationship with these schools, similar to what we have with Cypress Park Elementary, so our members can continue to serve them in different capacities.

We will be collecting specific items for a Supply Drive for each school.  The same items will be collected for all the schools.  Each building has blue collection bins for each item, please bring your items on Sunday and your ward rep will collect them then.

Orlando Florida Hunters Creek Stake
Day of Service 2014
Back to School Service Project

Date: August 2   
Time: 8am to Noon
Locations:

Hunters Creek & Pleasant Hill
Highland's Elementary School
800 W Donegan Ave, Kissimmee

Poinciana & Wetherbee YSA
Chestnut Elementary School
4300 Chestnut St, Poinciana

St. Cloud, Kissimmee & Lake Nona
Lakeview Elementary School
2900 5th St, St Cloud

The following service projects will be done at each school:

* Outdoor landscaping or beautification
* Indoor deep cleaning projects and
* Helping teachers organize, clean, prepare, and decorate their classrooms

Supply Drive (items needed for donation):

• pre-k to adult shoes, any type
• belts
• tissues
• baby wipes
• copy paper

If you have any further questions please contact your ward Public Affairs representative or Bishopric member listed below.

Hunters Creek: Kneil Baron and Jose Toro
Kissimmee: Eric Hansen and Steve Bravato
Lake Nona: Mark Hahn and Missy Wise
Pleasant Hill: Jay Egg and Chad Tucker
Poinciana: Julio Cruz, Scott Dombrowski, Kathleen Kober
St. Cloud: Daniel Munns and Jessica Arrington
Wetherbee YSA: Michael Cajas 

Video Monday - Having the Holy Ghost

What do you need to do to have the Holy Spirit with you?

Video Monday - I'm a Mormon

Mormon Elaine Bradley, drummer for the Neon Trees, knows her relationship with God gives her freedom. She never feels more alive than when she's living the gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Day of Service 2014

It's time for a Day of Service!  This time we will be helping several schools in our stake boundaries get ready for the next school year.  We will be helping Highlands Elementary, Lakeview Elementary and Chestnut Elementary.

We will be helping to landscape, refresh gardens, assist teachers in setting up their classrooms and much more.  Mark you calendars for August 2.  More details to come. If you have any questions feel free to contact Emily Munns at fernsgr888@aol.com.

Happy Father's Day

Let us celebrate our fathers and all they do for our families.

Video Monday - Mormon Messages For Youth

"There will be times when you . . . will have to demonstrate your righteous courage in plain view of your peers, the consequence of which may be ridicule and embarrassment.
. . .
I promise the Lord will empower you. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power.” He will reward you for your courage and righteous behavior—with happiness and joy. Such courage will be a byproduct of your faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, your prayers, and your obedience to commandments."
- Bishop Gary E. Stevenson

Sometimes right choice is not always the easiest choice.


Read Bishop Gary E. Stevenson talk Be Valiant in Courage, Strength, and Activity

LDS Church announces live Facebook chat with David Archuleta

Recommended by Sarah Petersen, Deseret News
Published: Thursday, May 29 2014 9:45 a.m. MDT
Updated: 3 hours ago

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced Thursday that former American Idol contestant and returned LDS missionary David Archuleta will be participating in a live chat on Facebook.

Photo of David Archuleta arriving at the Missionary Training Center in Provo.

Archuleta Family, Deseret New Archives

On June 24 at 7 p.m., Archuleta will participate in the interactive discussion regarding his decision to serve a mission, as well as his mission experiences. The event will be available on the LDS Youth Facebook page and will be moderated by Young Women General President Bonnie L. Oscarson and Young Men General President David L. Beck, according to LDS.org.

"Youth around the world will have opportunities to ask questions in real time and hear about David Archuleta's decision to postpone a successful music career to serve the Lord," the statement on LDS.org says.

"He will also share stories from his mission, give advice for future missionaries, and share his testimony in word and song."

Archuleta returned in March from his mission to Chile, where he served for two years. Since his return, Archuleta has published two short YouTube videos mentioning his missionary service.
To find out more about the fireside, visit LDS.org.

Video Monday - Using Technology to Share Your Beliefs

In a world as advanced as ours, technology provides a unique opportunity to share our beliefs with a wider range of people, not just those we see at work, school or in our homes.  We are not limited by location or time, we can share from anywhere instantly though endless mediums. 

"With so many social media resources and a multitude of more or less useful gadgets at our disposal, sharing the good news of the gospel is easier and the effects more far-reaching than ever before . . . My dear young friends, perhaps the Lord’s encouragement to “open [your] mouths” might today include “use your hands” to blog and text message the gospel to all the world! But please remember, all at the right time and at the right place."
Quote given by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf in the Sunday morning session of general conference on April 3, 2011.

Share what you believe today, you never know the affect it will have.

Mormon teen gives up money from shoe design hobby to help family in need

By Tracie Snowder
For Aggieland Mormons
 
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — A jar full of money sits in the room of 14-year-old Kate Hinckley. While other kids might be saving up for the latest iPhone or clothes, Kate is saving her money for a family in California in desperate need of help, using her creative talent to make unique shoes.

Kate, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was never really into art when she was younger and says she didn't have a knack for it. That all changed the moment she stepped into her eighth grade art class earlier this year.

“I was never really a good artist when I was younger, but my art teacher has really helped me have a love for art,” Kate said in a video for the College Station Independent School District. “I love to really just doodle and draw to make stuff.”

Kate’s doodling turned into beautiful designs, and she brainstormed a way to use this talent. Together with her parents, Shane and Amy Hinckley, they decided to see what Kate could do with a white pair of tennis shoes. Amy came home one day and surprised Kate with her first pair of shoes and told her to “just go at it.”

“So I just created a pattern and drew it on the shoe and it turned out really well,” Kate told AggielandMormons.org.

Kate posted a picture of the shoes to her Instagram page and a friend asked if they were for sale. Kate decided to sell her first pair for $25 and the eighth grader already knew how she wanted to spend the money.

Click the link to read the full article:

Mormon teen gives up money from shoe design hobby to help family in need | Deseret News

Video Monday - Daily Meal

Daily Meal is a program organized by the Osceola Christian Ministry Center.  At their facility, meals are served to the homeless daily by several different churches and organizations on a volunteer basis.  



Our stake has been involved in the Daily Meal program for many years at the ward level. After years of having rewarding experiences helping to serve the homeless, we are asking each ward to take part in this wonderful opportunity. Our stake has been assigned one day each month to prepare and serve a meal and each ward has been assigned one of those days See the listing below.

We hope all involved will enjoy serving and remember what Christ taught about serving others.

"Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Matthew 25:40


Our assigned day is the 4th Monday of every month.
(Except where noted * on 2 occasions)

Thursday, May 29* - Hunter's Creek Ward
Monday, June 23 - Lake Nona Ward
Monday, July 28 - St. Cloud Ward
Monday, August 25 - Kissimmee Ward
Monday, September 22 - Pleasant Hill Ward
Monday, October 27 - Poinciana Branch
Monday, November 24 - Hunter's Creek Ward
Monday, December 22 - Lake Nona Ward 

Contact Emily Munns with questions or for more information:
Cell Phone: (407) 414-5011   Email: fernsgr888@aol.com
Click here for more details.

Service Opportunity - Book Sorting and Cleaning

Are you in need of volunteer hours, have some extra time to help, or a desire to help children from the age of 5-8 years old improve their reading skills?  Then this is an opportunity for you!

The Osceola County School District is looking for volunteers to help sort and clean over 100,000 books. The book project will give 6 take home books for the summer to all the K to grade 3 students in Osceola County. This is part of a district project to improve reading skills.

A total of 40 pallets of books where purchased and each pallet has 3,000 to 4,000 books that need to be cleaned and sorted.  They are in serious need of volunteers to help with the project.  If you would like to volunteer see the place and times listed below.

Habitat for Humanity Restore
2340 N. Orange Blossom Trail
Kissimmee, FL 34744

Monday - Friday  9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday  9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday 12:00 PM - 5:00 PM

For more information or any questions you may have please contact Richard Birmingham at (407) 343-7330.

Hunters Creek Stake awarded Outstanding Partner in Education for service project at Cypress Park Elementary

If there's one thing the members of  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints  understand, it's service. They believe that serving others is the way to show their love for the Savior and all mankind.

On Friday, May 2, the Hunters Creek and Orlando South Stakes of the church received the Outstanding Partner in Education award for 2013-2014 from the Orange County Public Schools for service projects performed at Palmetto and Cypress Park Elementary schools.

On October 26, 2013 Orange county schools held a day of service for many schools across their district with participants in the Partners in Education program.  The Hunters Creek Stake, which covers southern Orange county and most of Osceola county, organized a service project at Cypress Park Elementary.

In the weeks leading up to the service project, members of the church collected 17 bins of clothing, 18 boxes of books, and put together a teacher supply box for each classroom. On the 26th over 200 people including church members, students, parents, and teachers showed up to the school to beautify the campus.

Participants restored the reading garden by trimming, weeding, planting new plants, laying mulch, and pressure washing the side walks so students could enjoy their reading time in the garden. 

Rocks that covered part of  the parking lot were removed and replaced with pavers and all the lines in the remaining parking lots were repainted.

Lastly, the front of the school and other areas were beautified with new plants, mulch and sod to give the campus a needed restoration.

In the months since the service project the members have continued to build a service relationship with the school and is planning another day of service this summer before the next school year begins.

Click on any of the collages to see the full gallery of pictures from the day of service.

Video Monday - I'm a Mormon, Former Ballerina, and Fashion Executive

Inspiring story of a former dancer turned fashion executive after ex-boyfriend comments on her wearing a t-shirt under her dress to be modest.

Video Monday - Mormon young men bring smiles to 36 girls' faces

Mormon young men bring smiles to 36 girls' faces, video reaches thousands

By Alison Moore, Deseret News

Published: Thursday, March 27 2014 9:30 p.m. MDT

Updated: Friday, March 28 2014 12:19 p.m. MDT

A unexpected youth activity taught a group of young men and women the power of positive words and is now reaching beyond the small group to thousands.

The teachers quorum and leaders organized an activity based around the song "Words" from Christian rock band Hawk Nelson. The lyrics read, "Words can build us up. Words can break us down. Start a fire in our hearts or put it out."

Inspired by this message, the young men wrote words and phrases about each young woman while the girls were in another room. They then had each girl come into the room to be surprised with the positive words from the boys. The girl's reactions were more enthusiastic than Johnson or the young men had anticipated.

"From that very first reaction we thought, 'Oh boy this is, that was pretty cool,'" Johnson said. "I don’t necessarily know what we were expecting per se, but it was different. There was something just in the air that you could feel that said, 'Yeah, this is what can happen when you treat people the way that they need to be treated.'"

The girls enjoyed their experience so much, they all stayed in the room to watch as the rest of the girls came in and read the kind words written about them.

"By and large, it was amazing," Johnson said. "... And it has nothing to do with me, and it has everything to do with, 'Wow, I didn't know my peers looked at me like that.'"

The girls' reactions were edited and shared through a YouTube video posted March 21, which now has thousands of views.

Johnson said that while the young men and young women learned a lesson, the leaders and parents did too. He said one message viewers could take away from the video is to address everything in a way that builds others up instead of tearing them down.

"To group it all into one, just don’t be afraid to compliment someone," he said.

Alison Moore is a writer for the Faith and Family sections at DeseretNews.com. She is studying journalism and editing at Brigham Young University.

Email: amoore@deseretdigital.com Twitter: @alison_kathleen

Service Opportunity - Meal Packing Event

According to recent research, nearly 4,000 children in Osceola County are homeless. Additionally, a staggering 30.8 percent of children in Osceola County are “food insecure”.  Osceola Connected, a coalition of various organizations in Osceola County, is hosting a meal packing event on May 3rd & 4th and would love your help in their efforts to reduce the number of children who do not always know where they will find their next meal.  By partnering with Feeding Children Everywhere this coalition is directly providing meals to food pantries throughout Osceola County.

Participants will be hand-packaging 500,000 healthy meals that will be distributed to hungry children throughout Osceola County. There will be great music, good fun and the chance to make a tangible difference in the life of a hungry child.  Donations are also welcome, just $20.00 will feed 80 children.  There are locations in Kissimmee, St. Cloud, and Celebration to volunteer.

Please visit www.osceolaconnected.com for more details and sign up to volunteer or donate now!

The Meaning of Easter

May your families have a beautiful Easter Sunday and remember that because of Him all things are possible. He is risen and through him we can attain all the Father hath.

President Uchtdorf, Other Faith Leaders Meet With President Obama on Immigration

News Release —  15 April 2014
Church Reaffirms Position on Immigration

Washington, D.C. — 

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints today reaffirmed its position on immigration as the White House met with religious leaders to discuss immigration reform.
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf of the First Presidency of the Church was among invited leaders from various religious faiths to meet with President Obama and administration officials to give their input on immigration policy.

U.S. President Barack Obama (center) met with faith leaders in the Oval Office of the White House 15 April 2014 to discuss immigration reform. From left to right, President of Esperanza Luis Cortes, CEO of Christian Community Development Association Noel Castellanos, General Superintendent of The Wesleyan Church JoAnne Lyon, Russell Moore of Southern Baptist Convention, Executive Coordinator of Cooperative Baptist Fellowship Suzii Paynter, and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, second counselor in the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.© 2014 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

Stake Presidency Spotlight - President Baerga

President Harold Baerga was born in Brooklyn, NY to Harold and Elizabeth Baerga.  He grew up in Bayamon Puerto Rico where he enjoyed playing baseball from the age of 7 up to the semi professional level as center-fielder. His team, the Titans, won the Baseball World Championship at ages 14, 16, 17, and 18 and was inducted into the Puerto Rico Sports Hall of Fame in Dec 2013.  Then at 19 won the Championship of Puerto Rico at the semi professional level.

Pres. Baerga graduated from La Salle Private School in Bayamon Puerto Rico. He then attended college at the University of Puerto Rico where he earned a BBA in Business Administration with minor in Math. He then attended the University of San Francisco where he earned his Master Certificate in Supply Chain Management and Globalization. He now works as a Sales Executive.

Before being called to the stake presidency he served as branch president, second counselor in bishopric, scout master, and ward missionary leader.

In his spare time he enjoys coaching his son in baseball and watching his girls play volleyball and soccer. He said, "All my time is dedicated to my wife and kids. Most of the time being taking them to sports events and watching them play."

In 2003, he married his wife Wendy in Rincon, Puerto Rico.  They have four children Sabrina (16), Keilani (15), Alana (8) and Harold Baerga III (7) and live in Orlando, FL.

(Back Wendy, Harold, Keilani, Front Harold III, Alana)

His favorite scripture is 1 Nephi 3:7

And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them. 

Stake Presidency Spotlight - President Rucker

President Justin Rucker was born in Tucson, AZ to Charles and Vickie Rucker.  He grew up in Ajo Arizona, a small copper-mining town where he went through all levels of the school system.  He played basketball, ran on the cross-country and track teams in high school.  He was an eagle scout, two time State Champ in the 300M High Hurdles and student body president.

Pres. Rucker graduated from Ajo High School and served his mission in Budapest, Hungary. He then attended college at Brigham Young University where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration.  He now works as an Illustration Agent for Shannon Associates and a freelance illustrator.

Before being called to the stake presidency he served as bishop, counselor in the bishopric, stake young men president, scoutmaster, elders quorum president.

The things he likes to do in his spare time are spending time with my wife, kids, family, and friends! Playing sports, music, cooking with and for family, eating good food, board games, Pinochle, Date nights, movie nights, camping / being outdoors, laughing, a good chocolate cake (Lori's), and any creative project.

In 1999, he married his wife Lori in the San Diego California Temple.  They have four children and live in Celebration, FL.

  

(Abby, Lori, Justin, Kate, Mary, Hudson)

His favorite scripture is Helaman 5:12

And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

184th Annual General Conference Info and Links

This coming weekend, April 5-6, we will be addressed by our prophet and other esteemed leaders of the church. What a wonderful time to ponder and receive answers to our questions.  It is a great opportunity to invite family and friends to experience the feelings of the spirit and the inspiration of our church leaders.

If you missed the General Women's Meeting on March 29th, it is available on the church website, click here to view.
General Conference Schedule is as follows:

April 5th
Saturday Morning Session      12:00pm EST
Saturday Afternoon Session   4:00pm EST
Priesthood Session                8:00pm EST

April 6th
Sunday Morning Session        12:00pm EST
Sunday Afternoon Session     4:00pm EST

The are many different options available for viewing conference.  It will be broadcast to the stake center and other local church buildings.  For a list of other options to view conference live, please visit the church website by clicking the link below.

How to View Live

For ideas on ways to invite family and friends to watch conference check out the following two links to the church website.

Invite Others to General Conference

General Conference Has Something for You

 

 

Stake Presidency Spotlight - President Munns

Over the next few weeks we will be featuring a stake presidency spotlights with some interesting facts you may not know about our stake presidency.

President Ryan Munns was born in Orlando, FL to Ranier and April Munns.  He grew up north of Orlando in the Longwood.  When asked what the highlights of his childhood were he said, "growing up with 12 brothers and sisters and lots of different animals, I enjoyed the suburban farm life.  I was an Eagle Scout and loved to play sports, especially volleyball and basketball."

Pres. Munns graduated from Lake Mary High School and served him mission in Geneva, Switzerland. He then attended college at Brigham Young University for his undergrad and law school education where he earned both his bachelor's degree and professional doctorate.  He is now an attorney at Bogin, Munns & Munns, P.A.

Before being called as the stake president he served in the high council, a bishopric counselor, YM president, stake YM counselor, gospel doctrine teacher, and elders quorum president.

In 1996, he married his wife Heather in the Washington DC Temple.  They have 6 children and live in St. Cloud, FL.

(Maddie, Jamison, Caroline (back row), Lizzie, Heather, Ryan, Porter, Lillie)

His favorite scripture is Alma 29:1-4

1 O that I were an angel, and could have the wish of mine heart, that I might go forth and speak with the trump of God, with a voice to shake the earth, and cry repentance unto every people!

 2 Yea, I would declare unto every soul, as with the voice of thunder, repentance and the plan of redemption, that they should repent and come unto our God, that there might not be more sorrow upon all the face of the earth.

 3 But behold, I am a man, and do sin in my wish; for I ought to be content with the things which the Lord hath allotted unto me.

 4 I ought not to harrow up in my desires the firm decree of a just God, for I know that he granteth unto men according to their desire, whether it be unto death or unto life; yea, I know that he allotteth unto men, yea, decreeth unto them decrees which are unalterable, according to their wills, whether they be unto salvation or unto destruction.

Semi-Annual General Women's Meeting & Service Project

On Saturday, March 29 at 5:00pm our stake Relief Society will be hosting a service project before the General Women's Meeting for all women, young women and girls age eight years and older. They will be making chemo hats with a card of encouragement or scripture to be donating to the Osceola Cancer Center. A light meal will be served.

They will also be collecting "nearly new"clothing and personal care items for the sister missionaries.  The mission will use the clothing as one part of a special conference they are having for the sister missionaries.  Please bring your donations that evening to help the sister missionaries.

Following the service project the General Women's Meeting will begin at 8:00pm.  Please come and join us for an evening of service and sisterhood.

Fort Lauderdale Temple Open House - Register Online today!

 

Registration open today for the Fort Lauderdale Temple open house.   

Click here to make your reservation! 

Eagle Scout builds fence for a local church

On December 14, Madsen Senden completed his Eagle Scout Service Project by installing a parking lot fence for Iglesia De Dios Pentecostal Church, on Kentucky Ave in St. Cloud. The project consisted of removing an old and dilapidated fence, cleaning up the grounds, and constructing a new fence to divide the parking lot from the surrounding buildings.

The Eagle Scout Service Project is considered to be the most meaningful requirement to becoming an Eagle Scout, the highest rank. A scout is directed to "plan, develop and give leadership to others" in a service project deemed beneficial to a school, religious institution or community. 

It took over 100 hours for Madsen to plan and organize the project.  He oversaw a crew of about 14 younger scouts. His father and other adults also helped. He was responsible for the construction design, collecting the materials, delegating responsibilities and discarding the old wooden fence. 

When asked what he learned most from doing this project Madsen said, "It was incredible how much can be accomplished when you work together as a team. There was a lot more involved than just putting up a fence, the hours of planning and organizing sure paid off. I would still be there if it was not for the support of Troop 294. We came together as a troop."

Ft. Lauderdale Temple Open House Youth Trip

 

The youth of the Hunters Creek Stake Youth are invited to the Fort Lauderdale Temple Trip on Saturday, April 12, 2014 from 8:00am to 6:00pm.

The youth and their leaders will meet at the St. Cloud building (2821 Old Canoe Creek Road, St. Cloud, FL) at 7:30am.  They will depart at 8:00am in charter buses to the Ft. Lauderdale Temple to attend the open house.  Lunch will be provided.  They will return to the St. Cloud building at 6:00pm. 

To register to attend please visit the Eventbrite Registration page.  If you have any further questions click the link "Contact Hunters Creek Stake YC" at the bottom of the registration page