The Denver North Stake held its eighth annual Helping Hands Food Drive in November. Six food banks were benefited by the generous donations of stake members and the Bishop’s Storehouse of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The successful drive was a coordinated effort between the public affairs committee, stake leaders, members, and missionaries. Church members and friends collected food in their neighborhoods and delivered it to the stake center where it was sorted and boxed. A large truck then distributed the donations to local food banks, including: The Stewardship Center Food Bank Immaculate Heart of Mary, Northglenn Christian Church’s Food Bank, Thornton Community Food Bank, Amazing Grace Church and Food Bank, Senior Hub of Adams County, and Food for Hope.

At times, some organizations have bare shelves when the Helping Hands arrive. “It is very inspiring to fill shelves and prepare the organizations for the holidays.” said Sister Keith, Public Affairs Director, Denver North Stake.

City council and state representatives, including Representative Kyle Mullica, attended the event and were impressed by the good work of the Denver North Stake and members in their community. The Helping Hands Food Drive has been a tremendous blessing to their neighbors in need. In the last two years alone, members have donated more than 2.5 tons of food.

A Christmas Creche featuring nativities from around the world will be held Dec. 6 and Dec. 7 in Colorado Springs. The exhibit will also include musical performances and a live nativity.

The event will take place at

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 8710 Lexington Drive, Colorado Springs.

Friday — Decmeber 6, 2019: 2:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Saturday — December 7, 2019: 1:00 – 8:00 p.m.

Live Outdoor Nativity: 15-minute presentation with live actors and animals starting promptly at 6:00 and 7:00 p.m. both nights.

Admission is free and open to the public. Canned food donations accepted but not required.

For more information visit: http://coloradospringscreche.net/

The Jeffco Interfaith Coalition is having its annual pumpkin patch fundraiser to benefit Habitat for Humanity. The group of interfaith partners from Arvada, Wheat Ridge, and Lakewood and the Habitat for Humanity have worked together to build homes for nineteen years. Each year three semi-truck loads of pumpkins, squashes, and gourds from a Navajo farm in New Mexico are sold at a pumpkin patch in Arvada (near Trinity Presbyterian Church 7755 Vance Dr. Arvada) and also in Lakewood (near Mile Hi Church 9077 W Alameda Ave. Lakewood). They are currently fundraising to build their 20th house in 2020.

This year, Arvada United Methodist Church invited the Arvada Stake to participate with other members of the coalition along with the Arvada Fire Department and other interfaith and community groups to help unload their truck. On October 9th, twenty members of the Arvada Stake joined with fifty others to help unload an astounding 2,521 pumpkins! A freezing storm was coming through the next day and it was important to pack the pumpkins carefully and cover them to prevent freezing. Kids unloaded smaller items and youth and adults stayed through the changing weather to unload pumpkins. 

Stake members had a wonderful experience working with interfaith and community neighbors while supporting a great fundraiser. They look forward to additional opportunities to serve alongside the community.  If you are looking to support a great interfaith group, please stop by to pick up a pumpkin and meet the wonderful people volunteering at the patch!

Elder Keck and his companion, Elder Dallin Thompson, 19, of Sahuarita, Arizona, were driving Sept. 13 in Kamloops, British Columbia, when their vehicle reportedly collided with a truck. Days later Elder Keck died due to his injuries. His mother was with him at his passing. Elder Thompson was critically injured in the accident.

Elder Bryant Keck, 19, of Sanford, Colorado, served in the Canada Vancouver Mission since June 2018. “He was a wonderful missionary who was full of life,” said Canada Vancouver Mission President G. Blake Wahlen. “Everyone that served with him or around him loved Elder Keck. He was just a great, hard-working missionary.”

“Our deepest condolences go out to the family and loved ones of Elder Keck as they mourn his passing and honor his life and missionary service,” said Church spokesman Daniel Woodruff.

“We continue to pray for Elder Thompson and his family as well as the individuals in the other vehicle. We hope everyone involved in this tragedy will feel the comfort and peace of the Holy Spirit during this difficult time.”

Last November, the First Presidency announced an important change to missionary service.  Beginning January 2, missionary-age youth in North America may officially embark as service missionaries. With the individual in mind, each service mission is customized to the needs and abilities of the one who has been called to serve. For some, that may mean being  able to serve a few hours a week; others may serve more than 40. 

Who is being called as service missionaries – and how does it work?  Missionaries can serve for a period of time between 6 and 24 months. Those who started a proselyting mission and came home early can apply to complete their missions as service missionaries. Those who have limitations keeping them from a 18-24 month proselyting mission are also prime candidates. 

Service missionaries’ days are filled with volunteer work at a variety of locations. Evenings and weekends still mean a base at home. In the Denver area, service missionaries can be found at Catholic Charities, Habitat for Humanity, Lutheran Family Services, the Bishop’s Storehouse and the Denver temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Overseeing and coordinating the efforts of service missionaries are Elder Ed and Jayne Swapp, Service Mission Leaders for the Colorado Denver, Southwest Slope, Service Mission Area.

Elder and Sister Swapp are primed and ready, having recently served as Mission President and companion in Monterrey, Mexico as well as a proselyting mission in the Dominican Republic just prior. Seeing the work of the Lord move forward through service missionaries has been a blessing. 

 Elder Swapp shares his conviction that, just like proselyting missionaries, service missionaries are truly full time missionaries, and the Lord has expectations for them as well. “They will be stretched, they will be refined, and they will be tested.” 

The blessings of the mission are felt by all involved. Elder Davidson, serving in the Denver area, reported in last week’s email, “I’m excited to go back to my assignments every day and serve in a Christlike way.”

Though today’s service mission program is young, service missionaries follow a pattern set through the ages. “Just as Christ did, just as Ammon did, these missionaries are changing hearts through their service,” Sister Swapp shares. 

Those working with our missionaries recognize the similarities, too.   Trained simply to serve and not to proselyte, service missionaries still wear their missionary tag to each assignment. Those with whom they serve feel the influence of the Holy Ghost through serving together. 

Two examples will illustrate their impact. The first comes from Elder Cochran’s service, who has been serving in the Western Slope. He radiates love. Those he has served have noticed. Recently, Elder and Sister Swapp toured Elder Cochran’s volunteer facilities at Habit for Humanity. As they met various employees throughout the departments, workers recognized their missionary tags, realized they were connected with Elder Cochran, and repeated over and over, “We love Elder Cochran. Send us another like Elder Cochran. We love Elder Cochran.” 

One service missionary in Arizona made such an impact on her co-worker that when her co-worker’s home doorbell rang and two proselyting missionaries were on the front step, she recognized their name tags and invited them in. Within a few weeks, she and her family had taken all of the discussions and were baptized. The open door that led to that baptism began with a service missionary. 

Created with the idea in mind that there is a way for everyone to serve, Elder Swapp reports, “The service mission is breaking stereotypes. As church membership understands it and gets behind it, it will have a magnificent impact.”

In the meantime, those who have been called to serve continue to give their offering serving the Lord –   growing their testimonies and changing their lives in the process.