Peter and Donna Vidmar of San Clemente, California and Ken and Tess Ward of Dana Point, California, return to Rancho Santa Margarita to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Santa Margarita ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
On September 13-15, 2013, members of the Santa Margarita ward of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints commemorated their 25th ward anniversary. In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), a ward is a geographical congregation that worships together. The ward is presided over by a bishop who has a job description similar to a pastor of a Christian denomination. Bishops serve without any remuneration, generally in addition to their regular careers.
The current bishop, William Chapman, originated the concept of the event and assigned Jon Coleman, his first counselor, to direct a committee of members to plan the event. “We planned an activity that was tailored to all ages and interests,” explained Coleman. The event began with ward members gathering together at the Newport Beach Temple on Friday with both youth (ages 12 and over) and adults participating in ordinance activities and spiritual worship. On Saturday, September 14, the day was packed with recreational activities, including a family stroll around RSM Lake, mountain biking, and even surfing at Doheny Park in Dana Point. The high point of the daily activities was the “ward 25th birthday party picnic,” held at the RSM City Hall Park behind the Bell Tower. Members Annette Brennan, Beth Green, and Juli Warnick planned and hosted the event. Coleman explained, “The party featured a live band, games for primary-aged children, and a rousing rendition of ‘happy birthday’, balloons, birthday cake, and other refreshments.”
On Saturday evening, there was a special all-adult conference held at the Santa Margarita Stake Center, with special guest speakers Arlen and Debi Woffinden. Bishop Woofinden was second bishop for the Santa Margarita ward. The couple spoke about their work in the church and offered their unique local, regional and global perspectives. Locally Arlen was a bishop and stake president. (An LDS stake president oversees 6-7 wards in an area.) Regionally he served as President of the Brazil, Belo Horizonte Mission and most recently he is serving worldwide as an associate general counsel for the church. As general counsel Woofinden works for the church in providing legal support in its operations around the world. The Woffindens shared their own unique perspective on the church’s growth over the past 25 years – from Santa Margarita to Brazil and to the rest of the world.
The evening began with a welcome reception in the cultural hall, where the walls were covered with hundreds of photographs taken during the ward’s 25 year history. Coleman mused, “It was wonderful to watch people enter the cultural hall, greet one another and then spend time reminiscing with friends surrounding the photos.”
On Sunday morning, members were delighted during morning worship services when all six bishops, who had served in the ward over the years, spoke concerning the spiritual lessons they learned as they served as bishop. These bishops included Peter Vidmar, former Olympian, and Sterling Brennan, the current stake president. The members in attendance at the meeting enjoyed the many stories and words of inspiration each bishop had to offer regarding their service. One bishop, Arlen Woffinden, commented how nice it was to learn from the ward’s first bishop, Bob Warnick, when he was called as bishop. To conclude the wonderful weekend of events, the bishops posed for a group picture outside of the ward chapel.
William Chapman (current bishop), Sterling Brennan, Peter Vidmar, Hal Nelson, Bob Warnick (first SM Ward bishop), and Arlen Woffinden
What is a ward?
Congregations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are organized geographically and members attend worship services near their home. Each member belongs to a ward or branch. The lay leader of a ward is called a bishop. He is a member of the congregation who has been asked to serve as a volunteer in this position.
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http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/ward
What is a stake?
Congregations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are organized geographically and members attend worship services near their home. Each member belongs to a stake, which is similar to a Catholic diocese. The leader of a stake is called the stake president.
Click here for more…
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/stake
What is a bishop?
A bishop is the leader of a local congregation (known as a ward) with duties similar to those of a pastor, priest or rabbi. In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this position is unpaid.
Click here for more…
http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/article/bishop
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Local Press Contact:
Karen Lake
Article by: John Skousen
a member of the Santa Margarita ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
