Vista 6th Ward ROCKS Vistans ROC this year!

Bishop Gene Cook helping to beautify a neighbors home at Vistans ROC.

The crew of the Vista 6th Ward and friends!

On a beautiful warm Saturday morning in North San Diego County, when most young single adults would either be sleeping or heading to the beach, one young adult group headed to a cordoned off area of Vista, where community members were joining together to improve the homes of those who live there. An annual event in Vista, called Vistans ROC, promoted by the city and supported by businesses in the area, pulls together the skills and labor of volunteers to “Revitalize Our Community.”

Members of the Vista 6^th Ward (Young Single Adults) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spent the day painting the house and fence, digging holes for new shrubs and trees, spreading mulch around the newly planted area, and having a great time doing it. All the materials, paint, plants, and supplies were provided by local businesses, while different volunteer and civic organizations throughout the city provided the manpower to transform and renew the appearance of the homes in the selected area. Each group was responsible for one house, and where there were too many individuals for one, volunteers were spread out to others.

“There’s a tremendous spirit of goodwill here today,” said Gene Cook, Bishop of the Vista 6^th (Young Single Adult) Ward. “It is wonderful to see the community members draw together to make this neighborhood brighter and happier. These young adults have a terrific amount of energy, and it is great to have it channeled into such a positive event.” Thirty-two members of the ward contributed their time and talents to the project.

SEMINARY GRADUATION by Mary Jane Poulter

Link to article in the Village News: http://www.thevillagenews.com/story/48881/

Early Morning Gospel Instruction called Seminary

“What kind of teenager would get up every morning at 5:00 am to attend a class on religious instruction these days? I’ll tell you what kind, a member of the Church ofJesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS), a Mormon, that’s who.”

Youths who are in grades 9-12, ages 14-18 are offered a 4 year course study that covers a different book of scripture each year including The Old Testament, The New Testament, The Book of Mormon and The Doctrine & Covenants. The seminary classes themselves are about 50 minutes long and it is quite common to find most of the instruction located in the LDS church building closest to the local High School.

LDS Seminary, which began in the church in 1912, is a place for extended spiritual education beyond the Sunday school instruction offered by most Christian churches. Teens study the doctrines of the church in the same way they would English or Algebra, in a daily classroom setting. This results in an educated, motivated core of young believers who have helped to make Mormonism one of the world's fastest-growing faiths today.

The importance of Seminary: (1) Providing a spiritual foundation (2) Putting youths together who share the same values (3) Getting youths to read and study the scriptures (4) Being taught by a teacher who has a testimony and is both worthy and well trained.

“This seminary program will bless them throughout their lives" stated L. Tom Perry.

LDS Seminary Photo Caption: (courtesy photo)
Congratulations Seminary Graduates!

(left to rt.) Brother Todd Frame, teacher (F1); Natalie Frame (F1); Brett Turley (F1); Dane Mckissick; Troy Monson; Daniel Arnold; Chris Beck (F2); Geoffrey Jameson; Tressa Barrett; Erin Meeks; Aubree Neilson; Michael Nichols and Adam Holzer (not pictured: Matthew Nichols and Brother Red Barrett, Seminary Principal)

TRIBUTE TO THE MILITARY by Silvija Hellbusch

TRIBUTE TO THE MILITARY

Pictures and story by Silvija Hellbusch

Military heroes, past and present, were honored on July 3^rd with a musical and video presentation at the Vista Stake Center. The Patriotic Choir of the stake, directed by Debbie Allen of the Vista 9^th Ward and accompanied by Garth W. Smith of the Vista 8^th Ward, presented six patriotic hymns, with the audience of about 250 joining in on some of the verses. Boy Scouts from the Vista 3^rd Ward presented the flag, and Rowena Greenwood and Diane Smith of the Vista 8^thWard sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.” A touching tribute was paid to members of the audience who had served or were serving in the different branches of the military, as they were asked to stand while the choir sang each of the anthems of the five branches.

Retired Marine Colonel Dayne G Gardner (Fallbrook 2^nd Ward) presented a tribute to Colonel Jack R Jones, who passed away on May 1, 2010. Jones served in the Marine Corps at various posts and stations around the world for 21 years. He served in WWII and Korea and was awarded the Navy Cross, two Silver Stars, the Bronze Star, and six Purple Hearts. In his honor, Michael Wiley, a Corporal in the Marine Corps and a member of the Vista 6^th Young Single Adult Ward, played the traditional TAPS on the trumpet. President Jones served as the first Stake President in the Vista California Stake, as well as in the San Diego Mission Presidency, and the San Diego Temple Presidency. He served as an educator at Potter Junior High School in Fallbrook after his military retirement. His wife Dorothy and children David Jones and Jody Lowell still live in Fallbrook in the 2^nd Ward.

Retired Marine Colonel Skip Curtis (Vista 10^th Ward) hosted the program, and retired Army 1^st SGT Jon C Gregory (Fallbrook 1^st Ward) was the narrator. Diane Varner of the Vista 6^th YSA Ward also accompanied the choir on the Baritone, and Barbara Adams (Vista 3^rd Ward) was a soloist for “God BlessAmerica.” Two display tables were set up with military memorabilia and models.

The Vista Stake is honored to have three retired Marine Colonels in their stake boundaries. Pictured, they are, from the left: Ron Hellbusch, Skip Curtis, and Dayne Gardener.