April 5 Address to the Church

President Stephen M. Veazey will address the church on Sunday, April 5 at 7 p.m. CDT, at the Temple in Independence, Missouri. We strongly encourage all staff to attend in person or via the webcast. The address will be presented in English, French, and Spanish.

All Staff Meeting

The First Presidency wants to provide an opportunity for all-staff dialogue following President Veazey’s April 5 address to the worldwide church. For International Headquarters staff, April 8 individual Enrichment Group meetings are canceled. All staff are urged to take part in the all-staff meeting in person or via the webcast. If you are in or near Independence, please join us in the Temple Sanctuary.

Perseverance

April Character word of the month:  Perseverance - to continue trying in spite of difficulties. 

• When the world says, "Give up," Hope whispers, "Try it one more time." ~Author Unknown
• Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another.  ~Walter Elliott, The Spiritual Life
• Don't let the fear of the time it will take to accomplish something stand in the way of your doing it.  The time will pass anyway; we might just as well put that passing time to the best possible use.  ~Earl Nightingale

Where will perseverance take you this month? And in the future?

April Calendar of Events

Take Your Child to Work Day

Take Your Child to Work Day is Thursday, April 23.  While we are not planning a formal program this year, you are welcome to bring your child for part or all of the day.  Please let your team leader know you will be sharing with your child at work this day. 

For some children, it’s a treat to visit the Children’s Peace Pavilion while they’re here.  Please remember that children must be supervised while they are visiting the Pavilion and that most children can complete the activities in about 1 to 1½ hours.

It is a special experience to share with a child what their parents do all day at work.  If you have any questions, please contact your enrichment group leader. 

Interpersonal Peacebuilding

From Wim van Klinken (9 Sept 2008): “We will make it possible for ALL of our IHQ staff to participate in Interpersonal Peacebuilding, as part of a standard development plan for each employed staff member.”                                                                       

Due to the tremendous response...3 additional classes have been scheduled in 2009!

More than 50 people at IHQ have taken this class, and we’ve already seen many benefits from these developing skills.  All staff are expected to participate in one of the Interpersonal Peacebuilding offerings.

Listening Ear

Continuing the personal development started with Interpersonal Peacebuilding, we are now offering Listening Ear, a 15-hour course.

Each person has extraordinary God-given potential for resolving their conflicts.  This training works on skills that help the listener guide a person to recognize, access and structure their resources in a way that can help the person deal with the conflict in a healthy, positive manner, if they so choose.  Listening Ear participants learn how to assist one party without fixing them, giving advice, or counseling.

Prerequisite: Completion of Interpersonal Peacemaking

To register for either of these exciting opportunities, e-mail Judith Yager or call ext. 2358.

Initiative!

March’s Character Word of the Month was Initiative.  Faye Cooper (Customer Membership Records) took this word to heart when she needed some additional help with an ongoing project.  Looking around she contacted a couple of friends and new volunteers arrived to help!  We welcome Pat Baughman and Shirley Phelps who are helping with data entry.  Good job, Faye for taking the initiative to help a project run more efficiently.

A number of staff have taken initiative and participated in the Weight Loss Support Group that meets on Thursdays at noon.  Becky Reiss (Council of Twelve/President of Seventy) joined this group and shares her experience.  “Since meeting with the support group almost every week since its inception, I have lost nearly ten pounds.  More importantly, I lowered my triglycerides significantly (now in the "safe" zone); I have practically eliminated all heartburn; and I have gained some strength from walking and biking.  I am confident that I will meet my goals of losing twenty pounds and lowering my cholesterol.  That should also make my doctor happy - which is a good thing!” 

This group welcomes everyone who would like this support.  Contact Carolyn Bailey with your interest. It takes just a little bit of courage, practice with April’s word of the month “perseverance” and initiative can pay big dividends.