EUROPE AREA LEADERSHIP MESSAGE

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News of the Church United Kingdom & Ireland A Lighthouse That Shines

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By Elder Fernando Rocha

was born and raised near the Tagus estuary (Portugal), and what I always considered fascinating were the lighthouses and their meaning. The word lighthouse has its origin in the Greek word Pharos, an island near the city of Alexandria, where in the year of 280 b.c., a lighthouse was erected—the Lighthouse of Alexandria—one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. Lighthouses, used since ancient times, were designed to warn sailors whenever they were approaching land. Like the Liahona, they too, guide us to a safe place. Power sources are now different—olive oil was replaced by oil and gas, and later by electricity. Simultaneously, several optical devices have been invented, which conjugate mirrors, reflectors, and lenses displayed on rotation mechanisms, also improving the light range. The lighthouse, per se, is not of much worth if it’s light isn’t bright enough to illuminate. What can we do to bring forth the light of the Lord’s gospel in Europe? Faith will precede the miracle, but faith without works is dead. It is time to act, to do things differently to boost our lighthouses, to come out of our comfort zone and put our faith to the test. It is time to add more light to the lighthouse of Europe. All around us we are beginning to see examples of success which prove that miracles do happen after we’ve done all that is within our reach. I want to tell you the true story of the small

Elder Fernando Rocha

branch of Praia da Vitória (Victoria Beach). It is found in the eastern region of the Terceira Islands, in Azores, Portugal, and has about 20,000 inhabitants. In June of 2009, there were only 6 active members and two fulltime missionaries in the entire branch. Having a strong desire to help with the growth of the Church, the elders worked with the few active members. They began to reactivate the less-active members, who then started giving referrals to the missionaries, which then led to baptisms. In December, six months later, this unit had an average attendance of 50 active members. Praia da Vitória is without a doubt a lighthouse to us all. The light that shines there now is shining because of the love, faith, and dedication of the active and newly baptized members. In our Europe Area, a number of factors combine together, leading me to believe the time has come for that lighthouse to shine forth and illuminate all the stakes and districts. We have an entire Area Presidency represented by Europeans, who are aware and sensitive to our challenges, with the goals and commitment to achieve the objective of doubling church attendance within the next 10 years. There are also a great number of strong local leaders imbued with the spirit of growth, and finally, a special missionary force. In addition to these factors, we live in a financial and social crisis that predisposes men to seek God. “But it came to pass. . . , there were great signs

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given unto the people [in Europe], and wonders; and the words of the prophets began to be fulfilled” (Helaman 16:13). I bear witness as we work and serve together

with the missionaries we will witness great miracles in every corner of Europe. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. ◼

SERVING IN THE COMMUNIT Y

Church Member Elected to Parliament

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By Lindsey Phillips

ollowing is an interview with David Rutley, a member of the Macclesfield Ward, Manchester Stake, who was elected as the Conservative Member of Parliament (MP) for Macclesfield in May 2010. Q. What inspired you to become involved in politics? A. It’s something I have wanted to do since I was 20. When I was a teenager, my father was involved in local politics with the Liberal Party. He became the mayor of our town, Lewes, Sussex. At the same time he was also bishop of the Brighton Ward, and the work he and my mother were doing in the community really inspired me. I could see they were working to make a difference. While I was serving in the Manchester Mission, the importance of this really came home to me. I was working in some of the most socially disadvantaged areas in Manchester and Liverpool. While working in Liverpool when the riots took place in 1980, I realised there was important work to be done, both in terms of being able to help people spiritually and also to help them tackle economic and social challenges as well. That’s what galvanized my desire to get involved in politics initially. Q. What do you enjoy most about being an MP? Can you tell us about your responsibilities? A. I always enjoy working with people. There are many inspiring people doing great things in N2 E n s i g n

Macclesfield. Being able to support them and their work is really inspiring. It is also fantastic to be able to take up causes for Macclesfield in the House of Commons. There are clearly some very important issues to tackle that will help improve the economic environment so our local businesses and residents can thrive and prosper. We also have beautiful countryside in Macclesfield. I want to ensure that it is protected, so I am very involved with local farmers and the Peak District National Park, among others. It’s an honour to support what is happening on the ground in Macclesfield, and to champion important causes in the House of Commons. Once I was elected to the House of Commons, I then successfully campaigned to get elected to the Treasury Select Committee. Now I’m involved with hearings and have the chance to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer and others probing questions on economic policy. We have also met with the Governor of the Bank of England to ask what actions he is taking to improve the economy. Q. What would you say to members who are interested in being involved in their community? A. It is really important to be involved with our local communities. It shows we have an interest in helping our neighbours. I think it’s important because we can make a difference and because we can learn from others. It’s so important for us to recognise the truly tremendous work that is being done by other community groups around us. I think community work is certainly a learning experience both ways for Church members.

Q. Have you always been a member of the Church? A. My mother joined the Church when I was two, and I was baptized when I turned eight. I became more active in the Church when I was about 15, and that’s when my father joined the Church as well. Q. Does the Church influence what you do in politics? A. The Church provides strong values in my life. Whether it’s our church or another religion, if politicians have strong values they can look at problems and challenges through that lens to help guide them through difficult decisions. We have tremendous values around the family, community and hard work. I think those values are vitally important in public life. Q. Can you tell us about your family? A. My wife, Rachel, and I have four children: William (12), Jonathan (10), Sarah (7), and Jennifer (4). I met Rachel in the Britannia Ward in London. We’ve been married for 16 years. Rachel is a real inspiration to me and is incredibly hard working, juggling family life with Church callings and her work as a physiotherapist. Q. What are your family’s favourite activities? A. We love the outdoors. We do a lot of walking in the Peak District near Macclesfield, and we love going to the beach when possible. We also enjoy taking family holidays. Q. What are the changes becoming an MP has created for your family? A. Becoming an MP has made a real difference in our family life. I work in London from Monday to Thursday when the House of Commons is sitting. When I return to Macclesfield, I am busy in the constituency with local community events and campaigns. We’re learning to make the most of the time we have together and to carve out dedicated family time, which is so important. ◼

Many Helping Hands Make Light Work

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cross the British Isles, many members of the Church have served their communities in a variety of ways providing support and encouragement for a number of projects, motivated by their love of their neighbours (see Matthew 5:43) and their desire to be their “brother’s keeper” (Genesis 4:9). Members really do make a difference wherever they sincerely serve and let their light shine (see Matthew 5:16). Excerpts from a number of stories illustrate, in a very real way, King Benjamin’s statement, “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God” (Mosiah 2:17). Chester Stake Offers Helping Hands at Community Centre

Irene Ireland of the Chester Stake reported that one of the recipients of their Helping Hands project said, with heartfelt thanks, “God sent you to us”. Irene said, “The Saltney Community Centre, near the historic city of Chester, was in a sad state of neglect when we went along to assess the work to be done. It was so unwelcoming that residents in the community rarely used it and the disheartened management committee had almost reached the point of calling it a day. The youth volunteered their activity night to help and weren’t frightened by the resident population of spiders! Prayers were answered when a beautiful sunny Saturday dawned.” In a full-page spread in the Chester Chronicle, the journalist reported: “Veronica Gay, Saltney Town Mayor, was thrilled at the work the Helping Hands volunteers had been able to achieve. ‘It is a fantastic makeover’, she said. ‘I am just overwhelmed at how much support has come into this project. The centre has been in disrepair for so long, but the volunteers

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have come in and worked their magic. They have pulled together in such a short space of time, and I could not believe the difference.”

Chester Stake

Daily Essentials Donated to Care Centre

their project

“On Saturday, 16 October, the Canterbury Stake sisters filled 70 decorated shoeboxes with toiletries, pens, pencils and books”, reported Diane Cardwell. “The boxes were delivered to the Blythswood Care Centre on 29 October 2010. Blythswood House were very grateful and thought that the boxes were wonderfully done. The boxes they collect go mainly to Eastern Europe and Asia.” Jan Charman, stake Relief Society president, said they chose to support this charity because “they are a Christian organisation that does so much to help people.”

members celebrate completing at the Saltney Community Centre.

explained Franz Sidney. Other visitors came from an interfaith advert in the Norwich Castle museum’s “Art of Faith” exhibition brochure. The completed quilts were duly hugged to imbue them with love by those who made them; a tradition which was appreciated by the visitors. A beautiful, warm feeling of cooperation and unity prevailed while women of different faiths and backgrounds shared their time and skills for the good of others. The quilts were presented to a representative of the Linus Project, which is a charity concerned with needy children. A visitor, Susanne, said, “I really enjoyed today. I’ve learned a new skill and helped others along the way.” The charity quilting day went hand in hand with the exhibition “Art of Faith” at the Norwich Castle Museum. Artefacts of various faiths were on display, including a huge painting by Rubens. A specially commissioned film was shown in which the Church was prominently featured. It looked at prayer as a common link between faiths. One of the items on display in the exhibition was a large quilt made by members of the Church as a symbol of the worldwide humanitarian aid given by the Church.

Norwich Stake Hosts Quilting Event Many Benefit from Talents of Manchester Relief Society Members

The Norwich Stake hosted a charity tie-quilting event on Saturday, 23 October 2010. “Entrance for sisters was contingent on them bringing a nonmember friend, and all worked together to learn simple tie-quilting skills to make children’s quilts,” Members and friends share quilting skills in Norwich to PHOTOGRAPH BY FRANZ SIDNEY

benefit those in

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need.

Sandy MacLean, of the Manchester Stake, shared the experiences of the sisters from Stockport Ward. “Sisters knitted, crocheted, sewed and cut colourful blankets to keep the knees of the elderly warmer this autumn,” she said. The lap blankets were given to Bruce Lodge Care Home in Offerton for their residents. Stockport Relief Society members also joined other members from the stake to make cards for sale in St Ann’s Hospice charity shop, filled jiffy bags for British troops in Afghanistan and made children’s blankets for a hospice involved with the Rainbow Trust. With their motto “Charity Never Faileth” and

Manchester Relief Society sisters deliver blankets to Bruce Lodge

PHOTOGRAPH BY SANDY MACLEAN

PHOTOGRAPH BY IRENE IRELAND

LOCAL NEWS

Care Home residents during one of their service projects.

their theme for 2010, “Hearts and hands to those in need”, they followed the counsel of Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president, who said, “Friendship and sociality that make life so much sweeter will be a natural by-product of our efforts. Focusing on relief will always build sociality, whereas focusing on sociality may not always bring relief” (“What Latter-day Saint Women Do Best: Stand Strong and Immovable,” ­Liahona and ­Ensign, Nov. 2007, 109). Young Teacher Volunteers to Help Those with Special Needs

David and Eileen Hester, of the Preston Stake, shared the story of Vikki Playforth, a University of Cumbria graduate. “Vikki knows all about hard work,” they said. “Not content with tackling the years of intense study necessary to become a primary school teacher for children with special educational needs, she put in an amazing 782 hours of voluntary service, with activities that took her from her native Lancashire to the South American continent. Although still only 22, Vikki’s CV now reads like that of a seasoned campaigner within the voluntary sector.” Vikki served as Young Women president in the Lancaster Ward, worked as a voluntary teaching assistant in various nurseries throughout Lancashire with the Bethan Francis Lancashire Early Years Service, and supported Signpost

“Empowering the Community” (a Morecambebased company) running Travelling Tots for children aged 0-5 whilst their parents attended courses. Vikki’s activities weren’t confined to the UK. She volunteered in an orphanage in Peru and helped set up and financially support a special educational needs school while she was in the country. “I also did a bungee jump and various fundraising activities, which gave me money to buy toys for the orphanage in Peru,” she said. She summarised her motivation: “I really enjoy volunteering. Throughout my course I felt that the spare time I had was best spent doing something that gave back or gave somebody the chance to succeed. I really enjoyed building up fantastic friendships, not only with the children and adults but also with my volunteer organisers. “I think the things I enjoyed most were the opportunities I was given and the chance to see what was going on and to help. My volunteering experience has definitely changed me and made me so appreciative of and thankful for the experience.” Vikki aims to set up a support group for parents of children with special needs, and at the same time she will continue to support the special needs school in Peru, Talentos Especiales. Young Single Adults Make a Difference in Africa

Andra MacDonald, of the Belfast Northern Ireland Stake, explained how two young single adults made a significant difference in Africa. “When Jonathan MacDonald was considering a placement for his medical elective for the summer of 2010, he surely could not have foreseen the lives that would be touched by the choice he made,” she said. Jonathan, a member of Bangor 2nd Ward, wanted to go somewhere in the world where his six-week placement would benefit the

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Jonathan and Emma reached the top of Mt Kilimanjaro during a recent trip to serve people in Africa.

underprivileged in a developing country. After much research, Jonathan decided to go to an Orthopaedic Hospital in Kikuyu, Kenya. As preparations for his trip progressed, Jonathan felt that he could possibly do more than just help out in the hospital. He and his friend Emma Walker, a speech therapy student also of Bangor 2nd Ward, began an exciting fundraising adventure they hoped would change the lives of a few patients at the hospital and make a generous donation to a charity. They organised events such as barbecues, clothing sales, quizzes and fun runs. They placed charity boxes in local shops and retail premises. They approached businesses for support and asked a local school to hold a non-uniform day to raise money for the Kenyan hospital and Marie

Curie Cancer. Jonathan and Emma chose Marie Curie as both have family members who have struggled with the effects of cancer. They also decided that climbing Mt Kilimanjaro would be the ultimate fundraising event. Emma travelled to Kenya towards the end of Jonathan’s placement to do volunteer work in a local school teaching English, helping out at an abandoned babies’ centre and working at an old peoples’ home. While at the hospital, Jonathan helped perform surgeries and assisted medical personnel in any required task. He felt moved by patients, especially young children, who would come to the hospital with broken bones, needing medical assistance but without the money to pay for the treatment. Jonathan decided to contribute some of the money they raised to the Poor Patients’ Fund at Kikuyu Hospital to enable them to receive the treatment they needed. Outside of his hospital work, Jonathan joined Emma in her community service. Their efforts certainly made a difference in the lives of the people they met. Their African adventure culminated in their planned trip to Tanzania to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro, the final, and most gruelling, part of their fundraising efforts. They successfully reached the summit on 5 September. ◼

S P I R I T U A L A N C H O R S I N T H E L AT T E R D AY S

Young Woman Makes Personal Progress

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By Carole Ewart

hianne Hoyle, a member of the Middleton Ward, Ashton Stake, began—at the age of four years old—kicking a ball with her brother Richard, who was then a teenager. N6 E n s i g n

She has a natural talent for football and has progressed to playing in the Liverpool Football Association Centre of Excellence under 16’s Ladies League. Within her first year she has been called up to the Premier League Elite Squad. The main reason Rhianne applied to the Liverpool team was because there were no Sunday matches, and it was important to her to

be able to attend church and keep the Sabbath day the way she had been taught all her life by her parents. All her matches are on Saturdays, enabling her to get to church every Sunday. All the girls on her team know that she is a member of the Church, and she has told them that if they want to be good footballers they should strive to keep themselves in good health by not smoking or drinking. She has also told them not to use bad language. She’s not afraid to stand up for what she knows to be right, showing by example her strong beliefs in the gospel. Since starting school Rhianne has been a member of all her school football teams, and at present she coaches the under-12-year-old girls’ football team at her high school in Rochdale. Learning to be a coach and teaching the under-12-year-olds were two of her Personal Progress goals in Young Women, along with reading the Book of Mormon.

Rhianne Hoyle shows her soccer skills.

PHOTOGRAPH BY TIM HOYLE

PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF JONATHAN MACDONALD

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Her busy weekly schedule includes attending Mutual as a priority, keeping up with her studies at high school, training two nights with her Liverpool team and a football match every Saturday. During 2011 she will be training four nights a week plus one or two matches every week. Rhianne wears glasses, and unfortunately many pairs have been broken playing football. She has been rewarded with sponsorship from Warburtons because of her excellent standard of football and sportsmanship. They will pay for a pair of prescription sports glasses which cost approximately £400. They are designed so that they will not fall off or be broken during her matches. This is a blessing that Rhianne never expected— a reward for living up to her strong testimony of the gospel that she has shared at Young Women camps and youth conferences. In 2009 Rhianne realised another of her goals. She was able to travel to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah, USA, and join the BYU Soccer Academy for two wonderful weeks of football. She plans to go to University to study for a degree in Sports Science. One of her goals is to attend BYU and play for the BYU women’s soccer team. ◼

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Irish Saints Fly the Missionary Flag

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By Chris McKenzie

n 18 July 2010, the Dublin Ireland Stake organised a missionary activity with the aim of strengthening the faith of stake members in missionary work. Some 170 members attended with over 100 returned missionaries who have served in many different missions throughout the world. Each

returned missionary brought a flag of the mission in which he or she served. Scotland, England, Ireland, Japan, Germany and France were among the countries represented. Speakers included a missionary preparing for a mission, a returned missionary, the mother of a missionary currently serving and the stake president, Ben O’Farrell. There was a great missionary spirit present, and all who attended left with renewed energy and enthusiasm to share the gospel and assist

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PHOTOGRAPH BY CHRIS MCKENZIE

the missionaries in finding people to teach. The meeting closed with all the returned missionaries singing “We’ll Bring the World His Truth: Army of Helaman” (Children’s Songbook, p. 172). The stake is currently working together with the goal of giving out 600 copies of the Book of Mormon over a six-month period. Members are encouraged to wrap a Book of Mormon in gold paper, write a testimony in the book and give it away as a gift. The charge of President Ezra Taft Benson (1899–1994) to flood the world with the Book of Mormon has never been rescinded. ◼

EFY Experience Nurtures Desire to Serve

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By Ken Barber

he call came to his home in Dublin Ireland on 1 September. “Elder Barber, you have been called to serve in the England London Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints.” There was a deafening silence in the room as we waited for Kenneth’s reaction to his call. “Well, we have London covered, I guess,” he said, grinning at his big brother Eric, who had served his mission in the England London South Mission from 2005 to 2007. Kenneth recalled, “It was at an EFY conference

Members of Dublin Stake gather for a missionary activity.

in Manchester in 2009 that I started to develop my desire to serve a mission. I met some people my own age who were preparing to go, and who were so excited and sure about it that I couldn’t help wondering why. We chatted about it over the week and the desire they had for missionary work and their commitment to going left such an impression on me that I seriously started considering going on a mission myself. I gained that desire, but without their examples and the example of my older brother, I may never have considered going. “I know that surrounding myself with positive and helpful people has helped me in developing my desire to share the gospel. I have recognised the importance of the gospel in my life. I have realised how it makes me a better person and that it is the main source of joy and light in my life. I have developed a desire to share that with those around me. I began to want to share the gospel with my friends and people in work and college so that they could be happy and feel fulfilled. I could see some of them searching and I realised that I had the answer.” Elder Barber entered the MTC in Preston on 1 October 2010. ◼ Editor’s note: EFY conferences in the summer of 2011 will be held at Nottingham University. For further information please contact your youth leaders in your ward/stake.

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