Third Call for Help with Missionary Database

To all returned missionaries of the Montgomery Chinese Branch,

I have collected about 30% of the missionaries' info for our branch missionary database.  You are receiving this message because I have not received registration info from you.

Please submit your registration to the new missionary database by clicking on the "Click here to submit your information" link under the "Former Missionaries" title located in the MISSIONARIES menu on our branch blog site.  Or you can go directly to the MCB Missionary Database form.

 

Happy new year!

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Christmas Party

This year's Christmas party was all you could hope for in a Christmas party and more! Thomas and Amber Jeng worked hard to put together a great series of performances, including a harmonious rendition of "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing" sung by none other than the Elder's Quorum (we heard that the recording industry is actually trying to contact them now), a remarkably well choreographed nativity performance by the Primary (the real showstopper), powerful testimonies of Christ by our missionaries, and outstanding musical performances by Celeste, Brennan, and Clayton. The Elders Quorum's concluding rendition of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" was apparently a powerful performance because Santa himself appeared half-way through the second verse!

Other events during the evening included an arts and crafts table managed by Shan Shan Ward and the young women. They are happy to report that no scissors injuries were sustained in the making of some very unique Christmas cards. The food was, of course, another highlight of the evening with turkey and ham served by the Branch Presidency. The best part of the evening, however, was the great company! We are grateful to be reminded of the most important things during this Christmas time: our friends and family and the great gift of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Click her for all the photos

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Youth Temple Activity

With three youth attending and five adults assisting, the whole baptistry was totally dedicated to our little branch the whole evening after 7:30pm.  With a small group, there was more time to focus on each youth and each name.  A couple of people even brought their own ancestors' name to the temple.  Afterwards, the branch president treated everyone to Baskin Robbins.  Although it was very rainy, our hearts were brightened by the service rendered tonight.

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Announcement for December Sacrament Programs

Join the Montgomery Branch and special musical guests for a celebration of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.

Each Sunday throughout the month of December, the Montgomery Branch choir and members from our area’s premiere Chinese Community choruses along with other accomplished musicians will join voices to bring to all the spirit of this Christmas Season. We also are blessed to have many guests speakers who had served the Lord as volunteer missionaries in Chinese speaking areas across the world!

Church service begins at 1:00 PM

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

16 Kent Gardens Circle

Gaithersburg, MD 20878

This is a GREAT opportunity to share with our friends our belief in the Lord Jesus Christ, and the joy we feel every Christmas season. Please come and bring your friends. The language of music is universal. They don't even have to understand Chinese!

For more information, please call (240) 498-5984

蒙哥馬利分會和音樂來賓邀請您一同慶祝救主耶穌基督的誕生。

十二月的每一個星期日，蒙哥馬利分會合唱團和本地中文社團最著名的合唱團和音乐家將一同獻唱，為我們帶來聖誕季節的精神. 我们也很荣幸能够邀请到曾经用中文传教的弟兄姐妹来与我们分享圣诞信息。

我們的教會時間開始於下午 1:00PM。

耶穌基督後期聖徒教會

16 Kent Gardens Circle

Gaithersburg, MD 20878

这是一个非常好的机会来与我们的朋友们分享季节的快乐，以及我们对耶稣基督的信心。音乐是国际的语言。您带来的朋友甚至不需听懂中文！！

若您需要更多訊息請電洽 (240) 498-5984

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Announcement for Christmas Party

Dear Brothers and Sisters and Friends of the Montgomery Branch:

Please join us as we celebrate the birth of our Savior on Saturday, December 14 at 6PM. The location will be the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Kentlands Chapel. 16 Kent Gardens Circle, Gaithersburg, MD 20878.

The Montgomery Branch will prepare the main dishes, and ask the attendees to please bring a dish to share.

Please see attached flyer for more information about the evening's many fun activities activities.

We look forward to seeing you all.

 

弟兄姐妹以及朋友们.

 

我们邀请您一起与我们庆祝耶稣基督的诞生. 日期是12月14日, 下午6:00. 地点是16 Kent Gardens Circle, Gaithersburg, MD 20878.

 

希望您能够参加. 我们将会预备主食, 也请参加的人带一向拿手的菜肴于大家分享.

 

详情请恰付上的传单.

 

话语分会敬上

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Branch Family History Fireside

With much planning and work, the full-time missionaries of our branch planned, advertised, conducted, and executed a brilliant fireside aimed at motivating us to become interested in and to engage in family history work. On the evening of November 9th, 2013, the Branch along with some special guests received an opportunity to explore modern methods of doing family history. Not only is it a favorite hobby among society today, it is also an important work of redemption for Latter-Day Saints. After a delicious potluck dinner, participants in the missionary hosted activity got a taste some of the work that Sister Meili Shen has started to do in her own family tree. We also heard from Matt Ward, who told us how his family's influence has exploded over the past few generations. Ben Tsai shared how the church has influenced him and his wife's family over the years. President Patrick Shen related how he obtained his book of family names. Helen He showed us a picture of her father's family and pictures of previous missionaries. At the same time, the children were treated to a puppet show on avoiding destructive substances by Elder and Sister Oaks and the Kentlands sister missionaries.  After the general presentations in the cultural, everyone split into two groups. Brother Kurt Christensen, co-director of the Washington DC Family History Center, advised a group in the cultural on how to get started on family history. Elder Gerber-Kai demonstrated to a smaller group in the chapel the process of submitting names for temple work. Brother Christensen came and participated in the latter half of Elder Gerber-Kai's group. Everyone felt a greater appreciation for their own story and a strong motivation to learn more about their ancestors!

 

 

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Mission Call for Melinda Tsai

Melinda received her mission call today to the Australia Sydney South Mission.  She will leave for the MTC on March 26, 2014.  She will be the 12th missionary to represent our branch.

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Announcement for Family History Night

各位弟兄姐妹,蒙哥马利华禹分会的朋友们:

我们非常高兴的邀请你来参加我们 在11月9日晚上六点至八点举行的记录家谱活动。

教友们都知道, 完成家谱对于我们信仰非常重要。透过在圣殿中的仪式, 我们能为那些从来没有机会接受福音的祖先得到机会接受福音。

所有熟悉中国文化的朋友们也都知道,中国传统文化中,有崇尚先辈的习俗,记录家谱的传统已经传承了上千年。所以, 家族历史和完成家谱对每一个中国人都有很大的意义.

欢迎大家来参加我们这次介绍家谱的活动,在这次活动中,我们能够看到现代科技在记录家谱中的应用,使得记录千年的家谱变得十分简单。大家也可以在学习记录家谱的过程中,体会记录家谱的乐趣。

请各位带一份简单的菜肴与大家分享。

Brothers and Sister, Friends of the Montgomery Branch:

We would like to invite you to a very special Branch activity on the evening of November 9, 2013, from 6 to 8 PM. The theme of the activity will be family history.

For those of you who are members of our Church, you know the importance of doing genealogical research and temple ordinances for our ancestors who never had the opportunity to learn of the Gospel of Jesus Christ during their lifetimes.

For those of you who are familiar with Chinese culture and tradition, you also know that our people have a history of keeping records of our ancestors dating back hundreds, even thousands, of years.

Please come and see how the Church has integrated cutting-edge technology with a Chinese tradition that is thousands of years old. Most importantly, come and experience how family history research can be meaningful and fun for everyone in your family, young and young at heart.

Please bring a simple dish to share potluck style.

地点 (Location): 16 Kent Gardens Circle, Gaithersburg, MD 20878

日期与时间 (Date and Time): Saturday, November 9, 6 to 8 PM

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Primary Activity

Today we just finished our Fall Festival activity in Primary today. Fifteen children were there this beautiful Saturday morning. We thank the parents, aunties, and teachers for their support. Without them, this activity would not be a fun and learning experience for the children. We also thank Sister Jeng for making all the phone calls to remind parents about the activity.

Our activity started around 10am with an opening prayer and song. We thank Sister Bates for preparing fun hands-on experiences. The children surely were having fun making gooey slime and decorating their own treat bags.

At 10:30am we divided the children into groups to attend four workshops. We thank Brother Tsai, Sister Megan Tsai, Brother and Sister Bates, and Sister Ly for their time in teaching those workshops. We can see that our children did enjoy the lessons and treats.

We ended our activity with a closing song ("A Child's Prayer"), a closing prayer, and light refreshments consisting of colorful popcorn (again thanks to Sister Bates) and some other healthy snacks (according to our definition of "healthy" :-) to balance out the candies.

This was a good activity which kept our children happy and learning at the same time. One of our star pupils, Amelia, said that it was her best day ever :-).

Montgomery Branch Primary Presidency

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Youth Pumpkin Activity

Five young men and women, along with two older men, utilized their artistic creativity to carve out the coolest pumpkins.  In the comfortable setting of the Wards' home, the artists were able to carve out intricate designs on their own pumpkins.

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Relief Society Soup Activity

The first ever Relief Society Soup Activity took place tonight at the Kentlands Chapel with about 20 sister bringing their own favorite soup to share.  During the activity, the sisters also had a chance to unwind by exercising to video instructions.  They had plenty of time to socialize and enjoy each other's company.

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New Baby Girl for Fugals

Tonight at 6:45 pm, Alison Youmin Fugal(方佑敏) was born to Adam and Sophy Fugal.  She weighed 8 lbs. 1oz and measured 20 inches long.  Mother and baby are doing fine.  Congratulations to the Fugal family!

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Second Call for Help with Missionary Database

ATTENTION, all returned missionaries from the Montgomery Chinese Branch!!!

So far, we have had 18 of you respond by registering in our new missionary database. A big thank you to each of you who have already registered! This coming week during General Conference, please take time to submit your registration by going to the new missionary database located in the MISSIONARIES menu on our branch blog site. The large database of over 100 honorable missionaries is at the bottom of that page. Please review this information and submit your information for the database by either clicking on the "Click here to submit your information" link under the "Former Missionaries" title or by going directly to the MCB Missionary Database form Thank you for your help in creating this database as part of our branch history.

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Moon Festival Activity

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Pack the Pantries

Due to generous support, the Washington DC Stake was able to contribute 950 emergency food boxes, or an equivalent of an estimated 20,000 pounds of food which was delivered to the Capital Area Food Bank. An additional $10,000 in food donations were picked up by 10 local area food banks at the Bishop's Storehouse. 300 volunteers showed up at 3 locations. The Chinese Branch collected over 90 cans in addition to some cash. 18 members from our branch participated in two packing sites on Saturday morning.

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Help Needed to Create Missionary Database

ATTENTION, all returned missionaries from the Montgomery Chinese Branch!!! We are fervently requesting your help in providing information about your missionary service in our branch during the last 21 years. Check out the new missionary database located in the MISSIONARIES menu on our branch blog site. The large database of over 100 honorable missionaries is at the bottom of that page. Please review this information and submit your information for the database by either clicking on the "Click here to submit your information" link under the "Former Missionaries" title or by going directly to the MCB Missionary Database form Thank you for your help in creating this database as part of our branch history.

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Baby Girl for Su Family

On Thursday, September 5, 2013, a baby daughter, Carina, was born to Charles and May Su in Annapolis, Maryland. She weighed in at a healthy 8.5 lbs and measured 19 3/4 inches long. Both mother and baby are doing great now. May and I are grateful to be part of the big family of Chinese branch. A big congratulations to Charles and May on the addition of their new family member!

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Announcement for Moon Festival Activity

親愛的弟兄姊妹, 朋友們，

這個月全球的華人都在慶祝中秋節。中秋節的核心是家人能團圓在一起，就好像每年的這個時節，也是月亮最圓滿一樣｡我們邀請各位9月21日晚上 6 - 8PM參加分會的中秋晚會. 地址是 16 Kent Gardens Circle, Gaithersburg, MD 20878.

我們同時也相信團圓不僅對一般的家庭有重要意義，而且我們“不再作外人何客旅，是與聖徒同國，是神家裡的人了｡”(以弗所書2：19)

希望各位能够和我們一起慶祝中秋節.

(請各位带一份您最拿手的菜肴和大家分享)

中秋節快樂
蒙哥馬利華語分會會長團敬上



Dear Brothers and Sisters, and friends of the Montgomery Branch:

This month, Chinese communities across the world celebrate the Mid-Autumn Moon festival. The theme of the Moon Festival is family unity as symbolized by the “fullness” of the moon this time of year. Please join the Montgomery Branch for a celebration of Moon Festival and family unity on September 21 from 6-8PM. The address is 16 Kent Gardens Circle, Gaithersburg, MD 20878.

We also believe that the symbolism of unity not only has meaning to our own families, but to the Church family as well, for we “... are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God” (Ephesians 2:19).

We invite everyone to join us in celebrating the Moon Festival.

(Please bring your favorite dish to share)

Happy Moon Festival!
THE BRANCH PRESIDENCY

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Utah Reunion

Coincident with a visit by the Shen to Utah, the branch reunion took place in the Wilkinson Center on the campus of BYU. Emerald beginning her first semester at BYU was able to see about 30 former members and missionaries from our branch. Everyone enjoyed the catered food, and there was plenty leftover.

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Youth Temple Activity

On a cool Thursday evening in August, we had an opportunity to meet at the temple for a baptismal activity.  We congregated at the front desk.  The youth were able to walk through part of the temple into a waiting room.  We met members of the Spanish ward, with whom we would share this time for service.  Then we descended to the font.  The 4 young women who attended, including 2 for the first time, had a great experience.  Sister Sun also came to do baptisms.  Afterwards, the youth enjoyed ice cream and Swiss chocolate at the Ward's.

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Announcement for Reunion in Utah

On Wednesday, August 28, 2013, from 6pm to 8pm, a reunion will be held for alumni and friends of the Montgomery Chinese Branch in the Utah area, including former missionaries who served in the branch and their families.  The event will be held in Room 3238 of the Wilkinson Center on the BYU Provo campus.  A light meal will be provided by BYU Catering (no outside food allowed).  RSVP by August 10, 2013 (hard deadline for caterers and facility managers) to President Patrick Shen at gocougars1@gmail.com for the formal head count (to prepare for the food).  In addition, we encourage you to register for this event at this link.  Please spread the word.  Come and enjoy an evening with former members of the branch.

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Linger Longer for Jones Family

After 3 years in Maryland and finishing law school, Brother Tommy Jones is taking his family to better and newer heights on the West Coast.  In Sacrament Meeting, Brother Jones, along with Brother Mu,were released as counselors in the branch presidency.  Then Brothers Mu and Chang were called as counselors in the branch presidency.  After church, a linger longer activity was held for the Jones family, in which we had an opportunity to thank their family, while enjoying some refreshments.

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Branch Service Auction Night

The first ever branch service auction was launched at the home of Sharon Xu.  On a beautiful evening on July 6 in her back yard, the event began with a chicken barbecue dinner, grilled by our dedicated chefs, Brothers Azucena and Shen.  About 50 folks enjoyed this outdoor picnic, running on the grass of the spacious back yard and friend shipping one with another.  Sister Alexis Chang announced the auction and gave instructions.  Brother Mu and Sister Jones alternated as the auctioneers for the evening.  Participants were given $500 in play money and a decorated sign on a Popsicle stick to announce intended bids. The coveted prizes were items of service to be performed for the higest bidders.  Admittedly the process was far from perfect this first time through, but everyone had a lot of laughs and fun in bidding, offering service, and watching the bidders and auctioneers in action and Chinese speech.

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New Address for Elder Tsai

The Australia Sydney Mission, where Elder Joshua Tsai has been serving for a year, will be splitting into two missions.  Consequently, the address for Elder Tsai will be changed to the following:

Elder Joshua Jr-Syan Tsai
Australia Sydney North Mission
P.O. Box 2723
Carlingford NSW 2118
Australia

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Elder Lee in Australia

Elder Lee Ming-Chieh is now serving in the Australia Melbourne Mission.  Elder Lee was baptized into the Montgomery Branch in 2011.  He was trained in the New Zealand MTC.  Here are some photos from Elder Lee.

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Primary Activity for Father's Day

At the end of this school year, the Primary led by Sisters Huang and Ly hosted a special activity to prepare for Father's Day. Brother Tsai was invited to share his thoughts about a father in the scriptures. He chose to discuss the many ways in which Lehi was a good and righteous father. The children were split into two groups, one to create paper hands with candy and the other to make paper bowties with M&Ms. By the end of the activity, there were 26 children in total, in addition to one baby and twelve adults. After the hands-on activity and prayer, the children enjoyed some refreshment. Thanks to the Primary leaders for a well-planned meaningful activity. Happy Father's Day to all of the fathers.

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Baptism of Sharon Xu

Sharon Xu was baptized on May 5 by Benjamin Tsai. Her family, including her daughter Sarah and her brother's family, were there to support her, along with the whole branch.

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Baby Boy Lin

Early this morning, a beautiful baby boy, Blake Lin, was born to Jessica and Henry Lin in American Fork, Utah. More details later. Congratulations to the new parents!

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Youth Temple Activity

A few brave youth gathered at the temple for a baptism activity. Six adults joined 3 youth.

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