At a recent press conference, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced a tightening on the rules surrounding gatherings of people during the coronavirus pandemic.
Reaching out in support of each other during this challenging time, a group of sisters from Jandakot Ward (congregation) Relief Society in Western Australia decided to utilise a Zoom video conferencing call to have a ‘virtual morning tea.’
Relief Society women gather for virtual morning tea, March 2020.
Relief Society women gather for Virtual Morning Tea, March 2020. Top row (left to right) - Carrie Reedy (Zoom host), Barbara Sherriff, Kathi Lecordier, Desrae Marsh Middle row – Paula Allen, Camille Spencer, Jacki Palm, Lois Pinnell Lower row – Donna Mackwell (Jandakot Relief Society President)© 2020 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Relief Society provides a support network for women of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who not only worship together but assist one another to stay emotionally balanced and spiritually strong. Missing their regular Sunday meetings, the sisters recognised the importance of providing encouragement and hope to many who may feel isolated from their peers and support system.
The online get-together enabled women of all ages to join in from the comfort of their own living rooms, although they were told they would need to provide their own morning refreshments as modern technology wasn’t advanced enough to do that!
Video conferencing call provided an opportunity for sisters to feel connected and to share their ideas and thoughts on how to manage and adjust to the rapid changes that have occurred in their lives recently.
Primary music leader and mother of three boys, Sister Kathi Lecordier commented, “I loved being able to connect with my sisters via a virtual morning tea this morning. Even though I'm grateful to be isolated at home and safe, it brought me such joy to see some familiar happy faces.”
A single senior sister cried tears of joy because she was able to visit with others and hear other sisters laugh and talk.
The virtual morning tea was so successful that it will be continued weekly, alternating between 10 am and 7 pm. Women in the community are encouraged to set up their own virtual meetings or join in with a Relief Society group in their local area.
For more information, contact Barbara Sherriff, Southern River Stake Communication Director barbarasherriff@yahoo.com.au