Antioch Stake

Stake Conference this weekend. Love, Share. Invite!

Save the Date for this fireside featuring one of the Church's most esteemed authors. Terryl Givens, will be discussing his new book Stretching the Heavens, the Life of Eugene England When: Sunday, October 24, 2021, 7:00 PM ... Where: Oakland Interstake Center Chapel, 4780 Lincoln Avenue, Oakland Speaker Background: As a New York native, Terryl Givens did his graduate work in intellectual history (Cornell) and comparative literature (UNC Chapel Hill). Now a Neal A. Maxwell Senior Researcher at the Maxwell Institute, he is Professor Emeritus of Religion and Literature at the University of Richmond. Givens’s work has been called productive reading by the New York Times and includes some 20 titles, including a two-volume history of Mormon thought, Wrestling the Angel and Feeding the Flock; a history of the idea of pre-mortal existence, When Souls Had Wings; and By the Hand of Mormon. This is a very unique opportunity. Hope to see you there! Born in East Africa and educated in Catholic boarding schools, Fiona Givens did her graduate work in European history, taught French and German, and was a lobbyist and communications director for a nonprofit. She has served as a Visiting Researcher at the Maxwell Institute and has published in the Journal of Mormon History, Dialogue, Exponent II, LDS living, and with the Routledge Press. She is a frequent speaker at firesides and women’s conferences.

Save the date- Sunday October 24th at 7pm at the Stake Center. There will be a youth fireside for all ages to hear from Patriarch Blaine Steiner. He will be discussing the blessings of Patriarchal blessings, and will be available for questions. This will be a great opportunity to hear from the Patriarch. This is for those who have received their Patriarchal blessing, are preparing for their Patriarchal blessing (including any Young Single Adults), and for those who haven't considered receiving it yet.

Everyone is welcome to feel peace in Jesus at general conference. How have you been inspired by past general conference messages? Tell us in the comments. #HearHim

Dear stake family, Our stake temple day is scheduled for Friday, October 15th. Due to current capacity limitations, we will not be able to schedule a time for all in the stake who would like to participate in temple ordinances on that evening. As a result, we warmly invite you and your families to schedule your own temple experience sometime that week (between October 12th and October 15th) using the following link: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/t/schedule/appointment... We also encourage you to prepare for your temple experience by researching your own family names at https://www.familysearch.org. We have wonderful stake temple and family history volunteers who can assist you on Thursday evenings (between 6:30 and 8:00 pm) in our virtual temple and family history center in Zoom (using the following link / meeting info): https://zoom.us/j/94410828714 Meeting ID: 944 1082 8714 Passcode: 94513

Don't miss Church tomorrow, set your clocks ahead one hour tonight for Daylight Savings time!

Join us on Sunday, March 21 at 1:00. Come and listen, share and discover the similarities. All are welcome! Topic: Women of Faith Zoom Meeting Time: Mar 21,... 2021 01:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89320751716

Here is an easy service opportunity from the JustServe website: https://www.justserve.org//e64f2778-f411-4118-b22a-1136613 Mon Ami Phone Bank... Make someone's day! #CancelLoneliness and share kindness. Sign up for the Mon Ami phone bank and help seniors isolated by COVID-19. Make friends: Meet amazing people and bring them joy Make your schedule: Call or help when your schedule allows Call from anywhere: Connect with seniors from wherever you are Strengthen your community: Rewarding and meaningful work that contributes to your community s Get valuable experience: Great experience for those entering healthcare and hospitality professions

This article is about the Interfaith Women's Group in which our stake is involved. "Women of Faith is a small but mighty group in east Contra Costa County, made up of mostly ladies from Pittsburgh to Discovery Bay. Started in 2016 by Margo Olson, Sandy Heinich, and Chris Shiber who was the minister at the Byron Methodist Church at the time their focus has been on bringing our community together." Stay tuned for information about an Interfaith Women's group zoom meeting in the near future.

Latter-day Saint Charities, the humanitarian arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, announced today a US$20 million grant to support UNICEF’s global work with the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator and the vaccines arm of the ACT Accelerator called the COVAX Facility.

Reminder from our Stake Music Director Julie Welsh Swenson time to start getting ready for Easter! https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org//easter-/easter-music

Please enjoy this delightful musical submission by members of our stake and other faiths. Thank you to all who participated! During the Christmas season, the Antioch Stake typically hosts an Interfaith Choral Concert. Due to the current guidelines on gatherings, we regret that the concert won’t happen this year but we know you will fill your lives with music that brings the Christmas spirit to you. We hope to have the Interfaith Choral Concert again next year!

This Friday, November 6, there is a blood drive at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2350 Jeffery Way, Brentwood. There are many spots available! Please consider donating. Begin by clicking on the link where you can reserve an appointment. We have had many successful blood drives this year thanks to our stake members. Thank you!

Christmas fireside featuring Bob Rees, Director of Mormon Studies and Visiting Professor at Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, via Zoom (link below) on December 13. Brother Rees will be discussing Mary as a pivotal figure in God's plan to redeem humankind. Dr. Rees is a scholar, professor, poet, and humanitarian. He is widely published in the arts, humanities, education, and religious studies. His most recent book is a collection of essays on the Book of Mormon entitle...d "A New Witness to the World: Reading and Re-Reading the Book of Mormon" (By Common Consent Press, 2020). Event: Bob Rees Date/Time: Sunday, December 13, 7 PM ZOOM LINK: https://uchastings.zoom.us/j/92461312346

Elder Quentin Cook and his wife Sister Mary Cook will be speaking to the married young adults and single young adults in a Devotional for Young Adults that will be broadcast at 6:00 pm Pacific Standard Time on Sunday November 1, 2020. www.churchofjesuschrist.org//lan/naw-ya-devotional/2020/11

Dear stake family, This weekend, October 17-18, we have the opportunity to gather together for our Antioch Stake Conference. While all the sessions on both days will be broadcast virtually over Zoom, we will also have a drive-by ice cream social (Fentons' ice cream!) on Saturday, October 17th, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm at the Stake Center. The details of our stake conference weekend are listed below: Saturday, October 17th... Drive-by Ice Cream Social (Antioch Stake Center, 4:00 to 6:00 pm): Come and drive through the Antioch Stake Center parking lot for our "drive-by" Fentons' ice cream social. If you have put together hygiene kits or COVID-19 prevention kits or gift cards for our local refugee families (see https://www.justserve.org//4782eee5-1f75-41e5-b285-d18c9fa ), please bring them by at this time. Finally, if you have already met with members of the stake presidency to renew your temple recommend virtually, you can bring them by to be signed in person. Adult Session (7:00 pm in Zoom): All adults 18 and up are invited and encouraged to join us in Zoom for the adult session of our conference, featuring inspiring music, speakers, and opportunities to learn. Please be sure to install or download the Zoom client to your computer or mobile device prior to the meeting. Sunday, October 18th Priesthood Leadership Session (8:00 am in Zoom): For bishoprics, branch presidencies, and elders quorum presidencies. The link to this session will be shared in a separate email. General Session (10:00 am in Zoom): All are invited and encouraged to join us in Zoom for the general session of our conference, featuring inspiring music, speakers, and other media. Please be sure to install or download the Zoom client to your computer or mobile device prior to the meeting. Please use the following Zoom information for both the adult and the general sessions of our conference: Join Zoom Meeting https://churchofjesuschrist.zoom.us/j/99359391910 Meeting ID: 993 5939 1910 Passcode: 166922 Please mark your calendars, invite your local family and friends, and plan on participating in our stake conference next weekend. We know that as you seek to "be one in Christ" and prepare yourself to participate as you would for General Conference, you will be taught by the Spirit of the Lord and you will feel God's love for you. With love, The Antioch Stake Presidency

We are pleased to share with you a Area -Wide Christmas Devotional Broadcast in Spanish. The broadcast will be this Sunday, Dec 13, 5:00 PM (PST) We know this is short notice and we hope to reach all of our Spanish speaking brothers and sisters within our stake. The link is for a URL (no password is required). The speakers will be Elder and Sister Bragg as well as Elder and Sister Villanueva. Gracias a todos and have a joyful Christmas Season. Elder Bruce Ghent... This is the link that is printed on the flyer. North America West Area Christmas Devotional, Sunday, December 13, 2020 6:00pm7:00pm MST www.churchofjesuschrist.org//naw-christmas-devotio/2020/12 (no username or password required)

It has been difficult not having our Temple open for most of the last year. This adds depth to this year's Chanukah celebration, which starts tonight. The Jews were also unable to worship in their Temple- for a longer period and more nefarious reasons. The Greeks and Selucids, (led by King Antiochus as it would happen) defiled the Jerusalem Temple and closed it for Jewish worship. A small, courageous group of Jews, led by Judah Maccabee defeated the foreign occupiers. They... purified the Temple, but there was only one vial of oil left to light it. This one small vial lasted the entire 8 day dedictatory period. The miracles of Chanukah! "Chanukah" means dedication. I pray that our Temples will be fully opened soon, that we may maintain the freedom to worship in our Holy House of the Lord and that we may remain dedicated to serving our Lord Jesus Christ.

Dear Antioch Stake sisters! We hope this message finds you and your families doing well and finding joy in the journey, especially after such an uplifting and inspiring weekend participating in General Conference. How blessed we are to have such wonderful leaders who guide us and show the way to a higher and holier way of ministering and serving. There were a number of themes emphasized over the past two days, chief among them being the importance of service (charity) and the... fundamental truth that God is no respecter of persons but loves all of His children equally. With that in mind, we would like to invite you to participate in a service project intended for the many refugees and their families who live among us within our stake boundaries. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) and Jewish Family Services of the East Bay (JFCS-EB) are seeking donations which include, Hygiene Kits, COVID-19 Prevention Kits and Gift Cards for these refugees who are acutely feeling the effects of the pandemic, job loss and uncertainty. To find out how you can contribute to this project please visit JustServe using the link below: https://www.justserve.org//4782eee5-1f75-41e5-b285-d18c9fa After landing on this page you will be directed to click on the "Go to Organization's Website" button which will take you to a SignUpGenius page where you can sign up to donate these requested items. Here you will find the itemized lists for these kits as well as suggestions for gift cards. We ask that the completed kits be packaged in gallon sized Ziploc bags. We will be collecting the donated kits and gift cards at the Antioch Stake Center on Saturday, October 17 between 4 - 6 pm. It will be a drive through so there will be no need to leave your vehicle! If you have any questions please feel free to contact Susan Daynes at [email protected]. We thank you for your kindness, generosity and support for this service project. Love, The Stake Relief Society Presidency

Please join us for a virtual "Behold the Gift" this year. Here is the link: https://youtu.be/slndFN_CO9s

Dear Friends from our church and community, Our Area Presidency has invited us to participate a day of fast on September 27. We invite all to join us. Dear Brothers and Sisters, We extend our love to you and want you to know we are praying for your safety and well-being.... This is a time of significant challenge and economic struggle for many as efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19 continue and devastating wildfires burn across Washington, Oregon and California. We assure each of you that our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, are mindful of us and our individual needs. We can turn to Them for peace and comfort. Sunday, September 27, 2020, is a fast Sunday. It is also the weekend just prior to October General Conference. As an Area Presidency, we invite you to join us in a special day of fasting and mighty prayer. The purpose of this fast is five-fold: 1. To pray for increased understanding and personal revelation in preparation for general conference and the prophetic guidance and messages we will receive. 2. To pray that those suffering the physical, emotional, and economic impact of COVID-19 will be blessed according to their needs. 3. To pray that the hearts of people everywhere will be softened and turned toward the Lord in humility and that faith in Jesus Christ will increase on the earth. 4. To pray for spiritual strength to overcome fear and anxiety, for inspiration to protect ourselves and our families, and for the awareness and ability to minister to those in need. 5. To ask the Lord to bless and inspire our leaders as they address the complex challenges facing our nation and seek to protect the health and well-being of all people. We invite you to consider a generous fast offering and based on your personal circumstances, a donation to the Humanitarian Fund. We encourage each of you to seek opportunities to reach out to those around you who need assistance and support. Sincerely, Kevin W. Pearson Scott D. Whiting Mark A. Bragg North America West Area PresidencyDear See more

Brothers & Sisters, A few weeks ago we held a panel discussion with parents and educators on how to suceed during distance learning. This Sunday, we are following up with "Surviving and thriving in the time of Covid" - another panel discussion but this discussion will be by youth and for youth and will discuss what the youth can do to succeed in school as well as their personal, social, and spiritual lives. Please feel free to extend invitations to the youth and any friends... you feel may benefit from this discussion. Please log on by 7pm on Sunday August 30th at http://bit.ly/AntiochThrive Please see and share the attached poster. Thank you, Antioch Stake Presidency

On Thursday, August 20, Diana Graham from the Red Cross spoke about Emergency Preparedness, specifically, how to be safe during earthquakes, wildfires, and the current Covid-19 pandemic. A recording of the presentation is available at: https://isugroup.zoom.us//wc5VLbig2VtIHrfuxkj4SpAwJ6nlT6a8 Password: DA^R4%rh Also, you may be interested in the community preparedness resources that can be found in multiple languages at the bottom of the page on the Red Cross website at...: https://www.redcross.org//our-/community-preparedness.html Visual images can be found in the letter sent by President Daynes yesterday, August 20, 2020.

Part of a letter received by Jim Davis, who has been heading up the blood drives in our stake. 441 people helped through our donations! And more to come. "You and your church have been amazing with the assistance you have offered during this pandemic. We at the American Red Cross can not thank you enough! So far this year your church has held 4 blood drives on 4/30, 6/24, 7/10-as a favor to another church thank you and on 7/31. Thus far you have collected 147 units of bloo...d and had 158 donors walk through the door hoping to give and this number includes power red donations. The 147 units of blood that you have collected has potentially saved 441 lives WONDERFUL JOB! There have also been 42 first time donors at your church this year. You have three drives to still to come this year 8/28 which has 76 donors signed up, this is the biggest drive so far this year! The next drive is set for 9/12 and it has 54 donors signed up so far and 10/10 already has 15 donors signed up. From the bottom of my heart, I want to say thank you and I appreciate the kindness that your church has shown during a time of fear. " Spots are still available for upcoming drives, but they are filling up quickly! Please consider signing up.

Dear Brothers & Sisters, We are grateful for your faith and efforts to continue to live the gospel in your homes while we wait patiently for the opportunity to gather once again. Recently, we asked the question "is there anything else we need to learn before we return?" We discussed this question with the Relief Society Presidency and we're pleased to share with you a special video message for your Sabbath day. We also invite you to ask yourself or family the same question... and seek answers from your Father in Heaven that will bless your life. The message can be found at: https://youtu.be/a7YLn_7eUDA We are so grateful for each of you, we express our love for you, and hope you have a wonderful Sabbath day! With love, Antioch Stake Presidency

With remote learning happening in schools all over the stake soon, perhaps your family can be assisted by this webinar.