In late March, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints celebrated their rapid growth with the creation of another unit. Ipswich West Stake (similar to diocese) the eleventh in Queensland, is the third organised within the last 4 years.
This took place under the direction of Elder O. Vincent Haleck, 1st Counsellor in the Pacific Area Presidency and local leader Elder Keith P. Walker, an Area Seventy. Elder Walker, in announcing the changes on Sunday morning stated, “I am grateful and privileged to have the opportunity to participate in this special and historic occasion. Ipswich West Stake is the 131st Stake created in the Pacific Area.”
The Ipswich Australia Stake Presidency
Faamanuia Ama, Northam Tusa, President-Paolaaita Salanoa,with President O Vincent Haleck a member of the Pacific Area Presidency and Elder Keith P Walker an Area Authority Seventy
President Mark McNamee, previously of Ipswich Stake has made a smooth transition into leadership of the Ipswich West Stake, with President Paolaaita Salanoa being called as the new leader of the Ipswich Stake.
President McNamee commented “one of the great blessings of being a member of the Lord’s church is that God has provided a clear plan for us and our families to follow. Through the example of the Saviour we know what a great force for good we can be as a church. The effect of the Saviour’s love can permeate right through every aspect of our lives if we let it. What a blessing that is.”
Ipswich West Australia Stake Presidency
L-R Sitaleki T. Makaafi, Aaron D.Thayer, President Mark R. McNamee, President O.Vincent Haleck from the Pacific Area Presidency and Elder Keith P. Walker an Area Seventy
President Salanoa challenged his stake “To stand together and to lift where you stand, and rejoice in Christ. We have an opportunity to make a difference, so we need to follow the promptings of the Spirit and the teachings of the Prophet and I know the blessings will come.”
Ipswich members are active in serving the community and have donated hundreds of cans of food for the Salvation Army and local Rosewood Community Centre, knitted trauma teddies and donated blood for the Red Cross. Families, particularly teenagers have participated in tree planting activities along creek banks for the beautifying of our community and preserving our waterways. In Toowoomba and Ipswich the Family History Centres manned displays in shopping malls last November and distributed over 300 My Family Booklets to enable the community to commence their Family Histories.