當我們的親人出生於，或與我們親近的人遷居到鄰近我們的處所時， 我們會感覺非常地欣喜。而當我們親近的人要遠離我們時， 我們的心會因傷感而融化。正如現在我們將與親愛的朋友黃新員弟兄和黃李亭妃姐妹夫婦別離，即將失去與他們共處和互助的機會一樣。我們因爲手中一些珍貴的石頭被擲出后，從此無法繼續擁有而傷心落淚。但是，我們也爲他們過去所留下的美好事跡，影響和愛心而深爲感激。這些事物，已經美好地刻畫和編織進入我們的分會歷史，和每一個人的記憶中。
2008年，黃弟兄和姐妹爲了尋求更好的生活，來到美國。他們首先居住在馬里蘭州洛克威爾市，後來又遷往維吉尼亞州費爾法克斯。黃姐妹早先在台灣是已經受洗加入教會，而黃弟兄來到美國后才開始接受耶穌基督福音的教導。2010年，他們又搬回馬里蘭州的謝偉徹斯。然後，我們首次見到他們的身影。他們夫婦倆決定來到我們的分會，是我們感到非常興奮。
2014年10月12日式，他倆加入教會已滿六年。黃弟兄被召喚為本分會 -- 蒙哥馬利話語分會第六任會長。在他的任期内，他促使本分會的男女青年和兒童會分別與使用同一會堂的肯特蘭支會在各項課程和活動中合倂進行。黃會長帶領分會度過了疫情大流行、不確定性、及恐懼和疾病。他也幫助分會應對羅素·納爾遜會長發起的多項變革，包括改變施助方式、將教會日程縮短至兩小時，以及開始「來跟從我」主日學課程。在他擔任會長期間，2017年和2022年舉行了兩次分會團圓聚會。新員也曾先後被召喚為分會書記，長老定額會長及教師，主日學教師和主日學會長。
黃姐妹對分會的成長，也曾作出傑出的貢獻。除了支持黃會長所受到的召喚之外，她還擔任過慈助會會長團的咨理，並兩度被召喚為兒童會會長團的咨理。2024年3月31日，她被召喚為分會慈助會第十任會長。雖然她是分會慈助會歷任會長中，任期最短的一位，她對分會姐妹們發揮了積極的影響，引領大家共同在奔赴錫安的道路上共同努力。
有一點最爲明顯，黃弟兄和姐妹以溫柔話語的領導方式，經常以自動方式接受召喚，以及幕後不爲人知地對人提供協助的行事作爲，足為大家的楷模。他倆都是分會許多聯誼活動的中堅份子。最令人難忘的是，2024年，新冠疫情之後本分會首次在森尼伽支會中心舉辦的春節聯歡晚會上，他們臉上一直保持著仁慈甜美的笑容，鼓動著每一個人在冬季疫情中寒冷的心情。分會唱詩班演唱時，他倆的聲音使歌聲更爲穩固嘹亮。
看到他們離去，我們難免傷感。但我們相信，無論他們走到哪裏，都會成爲一份走向良善的力量。即使在此刻， 我們仍能一同歡唱歌舞。因爲未來有一天，我們還會將這些投擲和失去的石子撿回，不論他們在何方。我們還會像阿爾瑪和摩賽亞的兒子們一般，歡樂地擁抱在一起，因爲我們還是“主内的兄弟姐妹”。祝願他們在別處爲主服務時，主揀選的祝福揮灑在他們身上。我們期盼與他倆再次聚首。黃弟兄和黃姐妹，祝您倆在未來任何努力當中，都能獲得好運。您倆是我們的好友，我們的好弟兄與姐妹。也將永遠是我們蒙哥馬利分會的榮譽會員。上帝保佑您倆，直到我們再相會。
In Ecclesiastes 3, the Preacher penned these immortal words of wisdom, applicable to all aspects of life, but especially apropos to our relationships, our family and friends:
"To every thing there is a season,
and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace."
(Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)
When our dear ones are born or move close to us, we rejoice exceedingly. When those close to us depart or move away from us, our hearts melt with melancholy. As we lose the close presence and fellowship of our dear friends, Charles and Sara Huang, we weep and mourn as some stones are cast away, as the time to refrain from embracing has begun. And yet, we are most grateful for their story and influence and love, which has blended so beautifully into the fabric of our Branch history and memories.
In 2008, Charles and Sara came to the US for a better life, first living in Rockville, Maryland, and then in Fairfax, Virginia. Sara had already joined the Church in Taiwan, but it was here in the US that Charles accepted the gospel of Jesus Christ. In 2010, they moved to Chevy Chase, Maryland, where we first met them, and we were so elated that they decided to join the Montgomery Branch. And, as they say, the rest is history.
On October 12, 2014, after having joined the Church for only six years, Charles was called to serve as the 6th branch president of the Montgomery Chinese Branch. During his service, the meetings and activities of the youth and Primary children of the branch were merged with those of the Kentlands Ward. President Huang led the Branch through the COVID-19 pandemic, through uncertainty and fear and sickness. He also helped the Branch navigate the several changes instituted by President Russell M. Nelson, including the change to ministering, the shortening of church schedule block to 2 hours, and the start of the "Come Follow Me" Sunday School curriculum. Two branch reunions occurred in 2017 and 2022 during his presidency. Charles also served as clerk, Elders Quorum President, Elders Quorum Instructor, Sunday School Instructor, and Sunday School President.
Sara was also a great force in helping the Branch grow. Besides supporting her husband in his callings, she served as a counselor in the Relief Society Presidency and as a counselor in the Primary Presidency twice. On March 31, 2024, Sara was called as the Branch's 10th Relief Society President. Her service, although the shortest in time of all sisters who served as Relief Society President in our Branch, influenced many sisters and helped to gather them to Zion.
Most notably, Charles and Sara were great examples of soft-spoken service, always volunteering when called and always seeking to help people behind the scenes. They were instrumental in coordinating Branch celebration parties, most memorably the first Chinese New Year party after COVID in 2024 at the Seneca Maryland Stake Center. Their kind and sweet smiles buoyed us up when we saw them or met with them. Their voices strengthened the Branch choir.
We are sad to see them move, but we know that they will be a force for good wherever they go. Even as they leave us at this time, we can still rejoice and laugh and dance, because in a future day, we can gather these stones and get what we lost and keep what we cast away. We will embrace each other as did Alma and the sons of Mosiah and rejoice that "we are still brethren in the Lord." We wish the Lord's choicest blessings to be upon them as they go and serve in a different place, and we look forward to meeting them again. Good luck, Charles and Sara, in all of your future endeavors. You are our friends, our brother and sister, and always an honorary member of the Montgomery Branch. May God keep and bless you until we meet again.
With gratitude and admiration,
Ben Tsai
