Today marked another historical event in the history of the Branch. Due to the pandemic, today's baptismal service for Sister Ella Chong is the first virtual baptismal service in the Branch. Only 6 people were allowed to attend the service today in the Potomac Chapel (from left to right in first photo): Ella Chong, Luke Chong, President Charles Huang (not shown; taking the photo), Elder Lambert, Elder Welton, and Elder Barton. At 2pm, Elder Barton conducted the baptismal service and it was streamed by Zoom to about 30 other computers. After singing the hymn "Come, Follow Me," Sister Sara Huang offered the invocation. The talks on baptism and on the gift of the Holy Ghost were presented by Sister Abbey Zhao and President Charles Huang, respectively. Brother Luke Russell, the nephew of Sister Ella Chong, performed the baptismal ordinance for Ella. Luke recently returned from serving a full-time mission in the California Los Angeles Mission. After an interlude, President Huang confirmed Ella as a new member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Then Ella shared her brief testimony to all of us. She was welcomed to the Relief Society by Sister Betty Azucena and to the Branch by President Huang. After we sang "The Spirit of God," Sister Changping Feng offered the benediction. Attending were former full-time missionaries in the Branch, Oakley Statham and Jared McGhie. Congratulations, Ella, and welcome to our Branch!
