Empty Nesters:

For anyone over 18 with no child dependents living at home. Come join us for good food and fun on Saturday, February 11 at the Staton home, 3651 Geneva Hwy, Manitou Beach.

Members of the Ann Arbor Stake,

Please consider joining the Stake Choir for Stake Conference on February 19th! Anyone 12 and over is welcome.

Rehearsals:

• Sunday, February 12 at the Howell Ward building at 4:15 pm or 6:30 pm at the Stake Center (choose 1 location).
• Saturday, February 18th from 6-6:50 pm at the Stake Center in the Relief Society Room (between the leadership and adult session.
• Sunday, February 19th at 8:15 am in the chapel (just before Stake Conference)

Please contact Sister Sally Mikat (248.390.2867) with question.

Stake Conference 2017:

Dear Members of the Ann Arbor Michigan Stake,

We thank you for your sincere efforts to Bring Everyone to the Temple and the Spirit of the Temple to every Heart and Home. Next month in Stake Conference we will have the unique opportunity to host a General Authority Seventy, Elder K. Brett Nattress. In our discussions as a stake council, we have had several strong impressions we wish to share with you.

1. Elder Nattress will speak in direct answer to the prayers and preparation of those who are seeking revelation about the challenges and opportunities in their lives. His assignment to visit our Stake is by design to bless our lives specifically with his ministry at this time.
2. Our preparation will greatly influence the extent to which Elder Nattress is able to share his inspired key messages and our ability to receive those messages. In other words, it is our faith in preparing that will in large measure determine what he is able to share, how he shares it and what we will individually and collectively receive.

Because of our strong desire to gather and be blessed by a spiritual feast for our stake, we invite each individual and family to prepare for Elder Nattress’s visit in specific ways they may or may not have ever prepared before for a Stake Conference.

1. We imagine individuals and families studying, pondering and discussing Elder Nattress’ recent General Conference address, "No Greater Joy Than to Know That They Know - October 2016".
2. We can see home and visiting teachers reviewing Elder Nattress' conference address in every home.
3. We anticipate those requested to be at Priesthood Leadership session clearing their schedules, preparing well in advance, and reverently sitting in the chapel awaiting Elder Nattress’ arrival to the stand.
4. We imagine walking into the Saturday evening session overwhelmed by the attendance of faithful saints eager through sacrifice in myriad ways to make themselves available for a spiritual feast.
5. We imagine children, teenagers and adults in the Sunday session excitedly anticipating the Spirit that will come as we learn at the feet of Elder Nattress.

This will only happen as all members prepare and individually seek out and invite, one by one, our brothers and sisters to join in preparing with us. It will happen as we personally communicate with each other our collective desire for revelation and our commitment to prioritize this event. It will happen as we take the initiative to drop by for a face-to-face visit, make an extra phone call, or send a personal message to someone needing encouragement to come . As every member individually spreads this news and excitement, one by one, the faith of the stake in this event will grow and we will experience a remarkably different Stake Conference than we would otherwise.

Please join us as a Stake Council by preparing in this unique and special way for the privilege to gather under the direction of Elder K. Brett Nattress.

Sincerely,

The Ann Arbor Michigan Stake Council

Please calendar these meetings now:

• Saturday, February 18, 4:00 PM Priesthood Leadership Session
• Saturday, February 18, 7:00 PM Adult Session (18+)
• Sunday, February 19, 10:00 AM General Session (Broadcast to the Howell building for members of the Brighton and Howell Wards)

Girl's Camp 2017:

• We have just gotten word that this year's girls camp will be held from July 31-Aug 5 for girls ages 12-18. More information will be forth coming

Weather Conditions and Church

• Being as road conditions can very greatly throughout the ward boundaries, the Bishop would like each individual to determine whether or not it is safe for him or her to travel to church on any given Sunday. That being said, regardless of weather conditions, the Bishopric will make every effort to have someone at the ward building every Sunday at 10:00 to conduct Sacrament Meeting. If numbers are sparse, or road conditions worsen during the hour, the second and third block meetings will be cancelled. In other words, if on any given Sunday, you decide that road conditions are not safe for travel, you should decide to not make the drive into church. Someone who has the proper vehicle for winter travel and lives in close proximity to the church will be there by 10:00 to conduct service. All leaders will be e-mailed by Sunday morning if early morning meetings are canceled, (Bishopric, PEC, Counsel.) If they aren't canceled, and you determine the roads are not safe for your travel, Bishop would rather you stay safe and come late, or stay home as appropriate. Thank you and safe travels throughout the year and throughout all your service.

Facebook

• Our ward has several Facebook pages which are updated regularly for announcements involving activities. "Adrian Ward Youth" "Adrian Ward Young Women" "Adrian Ward" "Adrian Ward RS Sisters" "Youth of the Ann Arbor Stake"

Invite the Missionaries Over For Dinner and Feast on the Spirit

Our missionaries love to share how the missionary effort is going and they would love an opportunity to come to your home to feel of your love and support while they fill your home with the spirit of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Having the missionaries over for dinner benefits them in many ways.

• They feel a connection to the area as they connect with you and your family.
• They gain more confidence that they are wanted and needed here.
• Not having to prepare a meal frees them up with more time and energy to do their work.
• They get to know your family, friends and neighbors a little better.
• They get more practice teaching the gospel and sharing their testimony as they leave a message with you.
• It helps them extend their limited budget.
• It provides comfort to their families, knowing we are watching out for their missionary children.

You are benefited as well:

• You are blessed for your service to the missionaries.
• The spirit in your home increases.
• Your children, grand children and others can feel of their influence.
• You never know who will be benefited by sitting down to a meal with the Elders and Sisters in your home

Call our ward missionaries today to set up a dinner appointment. (Their number is in the contact information for this site.)

Just Serve

JustServe is a website for people looking for local and worldwide service opportunities. Forget yourself and ease your own burdens by finding ways to lift the burdens of someone else. (The website is maintained by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but otherwise has no religious affiliation.)