At a recent Stake Conference for the Eight Mile Plains Stake in Brisbane, members were exposed to many civic leaders who attended the Sunday General Session.
Elder David Hoare of the Seventy was thrilled with the responses to the invitations to attend the Stake Conference Session. He indicated that he had never seen so many community leaders at any stake conference in his church career. Prior to the Sunday session of Conference, a reception was held to provide an opportunity for the Stake Leaders and Elder Hoare to meet the community leaders. Elder Hoare and Stake President Keith Walker spoke to the group and expressed appreciation to them for their attendance and offered the services of the church to assist in the community.
Those who attended were the Hon. Dr. Craig Emerson, Federal Member for Rankin and a Cabinet Minister; David Paratz, Vice-President and Immediate Past President, Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies; Gail Paratz, President of the Jewish National Fund (Queensland); Logan city Councillors Sean Black, Hajnal (Ban) Black, and John Grant. Apologies were received from Pam Parker (Logan City Mayor), Senator Claire Moore (Federal Senator), and Ari Heber (President and Community Services Liaison officer for Queensland Jewish Community Services).
During the conference proceedings President John Gibson, Brisbane Temple President, spoke directly to the community leaders and invited them to draw upon the Church's resources to help with community service efforts. He indicated that Christian service is at the heart of what we do in the Church and that their attendance was significant and appreciated.
During the conference proceedings Nick Foran from the Bornhoffen PCYC presented to the Church a plaque of appreciation for all the work the stake young adults had provided at their recent Service Conference. He spoke highly of the YSA's and the significant contribution they had made to the centre. He met with Elder Hoare after the event and personally thanked him for the assistance of the Church.
Article submitted by John Millar
Pictures courtesy of John Millar and used with permission