Baptism of Zhao Huayun

Amidst the backdrop of COVID in its second year and on the eve of an imminent snowstorm, the Branch held its third virtual baptism with the minimum of attendees in-person at the Kentlands Chapel. Originally, the baptism was announced for 3pm on January 31. But due to the potential hazardous weather, the baptismal service was quickly changed to 8pm tonight (January 30). Only the Fugal family, Sister Zhao, 3 missionaries, and President Huang were physically present. But the rest of us enjoyed the baptismal service from within the comfort of our own homes.

Brother John Huang, our branch mission leader, conducted the baptismal service of Zhao Huayun, with President Charles Huang presiding. After listening to the opening hymn "Come Follow Me," Sister Zhao's granddaughter, Alison Fugal, offered the invocation in Chinese, followed by her daughter, Sophy Fugal, who shared a talk on the significance of baptism. Sophy shared her surprise that she would be actually attending her mother's baptism, a thought which never entered her mind before. This was a testament to the change wrought in Sister Zhao. Adam Fugal baptized Sister Zhao. After several musical numbers, including a special recorded piano solo by Aaron Fugal, her grandson, Benjamin Tsai shared a talk on the gift of the Holy Ghost and other gifts from the Spirit. President Charles Huang confirmed Sister Zhao. Abbey Zhao, our Relief Society President, welcomed Sister Zhao to the Relief Society. Then Sister Zhao was given an opportunity to share her feelings. She was overcome with emotions and the Spirit. Her testimony was touched everyone in attendance. President Charles Huang then welcomed her to our Branch. After the closing hymn, "Abide with Me, Tis Eventide," Sister Zhao's granddaughter, Joanna Fugal, offered the benediction in Chinese.

As President Huang mentioned in his remarks tonight, every baptismal service is special. But tonight's baptismal service was exceptionally special because of the warm feeling felt tonight. As members, we wholeheartedly welcome Sister Zhao Huayun to our Branch and the church. Thank you for sharing your conversion story and testimony.

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Christmas Party

Tonight Wesley Wei conducted the first ever virtual Branch Christmas party. He organized a full hour of activities and messages. Here is a report from Wesley:

2020年12月19日晚上7点，耶稣基督后期圣徒教会蒙哥马利分会举行了线上圣诞晚会。有许多朋友都来参加了晚会。我们一开始先玩了一个游戏，根据图片猜圣诞歌曲，玩完之后我们一起听了几首圣诞歌曲。游戏结束后，我们听了我们分会初级会的小朋友们为圣诞节准备的歌曲。接下来我们听了长老们分享的关于圣诞的讯息，接着听了长老们演奏的大提琴萨克斯风合奏和尤克里里独唱。我们还收到了从我们分会出去传教的蔡姐妹的问候视频。最后我们观看了为感谢在我们教会服务的传教士们而制作的视频。

At 7pm on December 19, 2020, the Montgomery Branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held an online Christmas party. Many friends came to the party. We played a game at the beginning (created by Sister Mindy Ly originally for a Primary activity) and guessed the Christmas songs based on the pictures. After the game, we listened to a few Christmas songs from the game together. Then the Fugal children sang "Samuel Tells of the Baby Jesus." The Ly children performed "Picture a Christmas." Narrations were provided by Joanna Fugal and Cayleigh Zhao. Next, the full-time missionaries shared Christmas messages. Elders Thorpe and Munk played "Angels We Have Heard on High" on the saxophone and cello, while Elder Welton sang "Ring Out, Wild Bells" while playing on the ukelele. Sister Megan Tsai, currently serving in Layton, Utah, sent a Christmas video greeting from her and her companion. Finally, we watched a video made to thank the six missionaries who are serving in our Branch now and the three missionaries from our Branch serving out in the field.

Links to YouTube videos:
Primary song
Violin & Saxophone Duet
Ring out, Wild Bells
To Missionaries

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Primary Christmas Activity

On December 12, 2020, the Primary held a Christmas activity.  They created nativity scene on a glass and made reindeer from candy cane and pipe cleaners.  In response to the prophet President Nelson's message of gratitude, each child was provided a mini journal to write/draw things that they are thankful for each day. 

 

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New Meeting Schedule

Beginning today, the Montgomery Chinese Branch, under the guidance of the stake presidency, will begin Phase 2 of the Church re-opening for Sacrament Meetings.  Accordingly, every Sunday at 9am from now on, an in-person Sacrament Meeting will be held in the Kentlands Chapel from 9:00am to 9:35am, with a maximum of 50 people.  The online Zoom channel will still be broadcast at the same time.

At 9:35am, the brothers and sisters who are at the chapel will log off the Zoom meeting to receive the Sacrament. If you plan to come to church to partake the Sacrament, please prepare ahead and arrive on time. If you are in the high risk group, or have health concerns, or are not feeling well, we encourage you not to come to the church building, and instead continue attending our on-line Zoom meetings.

After Sacrament, we are to travel home and start Sunday School (Elders Quorum, Relief Society, etc) meetings at 10:30am.  All second hour meetings are held virtually.

Today Sacrament Meeting proceeds as planned.  Elders Thorpe recently arrived from Springville, Utah, and our very own Elder Richard Huang delivered their excellent gospel sermons today.  In addition to being the first in-person meeting to be held on a weekly basis, the Sacrament program was made available today for the first time since the pandemic begin.

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Young Women/Primary Halloween Activity

The morning of Halloween, the Primary and Young Women had a combined Zoom activity. The morning started by opening special pumpkin packages filled with candy, toys, glowsticks, and other treats. Together, the Primary children and Young Women made scratch-off masks, decorated Halloween ornaments, folded origami owl bookmarks, and created Oreo bats, Oreo spiders, and marshmallow and Rice Krispies monsters. The children had fun putting everything together and enjoyed all the party favors and candy on this special Halloween day.

Melinda Tsai, Young Women President
Mindy Ly, Primary President

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