The Early Brazilian Missions Reunion 2012

From the Brasulista, March 30, 2012

 (Find your mission president on the list below)

The big reunion is today, Friday, and I hope you are planning to be there.  Come early or come late; come when you can, but come. Don’t stay away. Especially you folks who live within 50 miles of Bountiful! Come and meet new folks who share the Brazil mission experience. We also invite and hope to see many Brazilians. (Find your mission president on the list below)

We are honored to have Elder Claudio R. M. Costa of the Seventy and currently President of the Brazil Area, and Elder Stanley G. Ellis of the Seventy, speak at our evening chapel session. THAT EVENING SESSION STARTS AT 6 PM. Come as soon as you can and visit some before the chapel session.

Location:  Bountiful Central Stake Center at 640 South 750 East, Bountiful, UT 84010.

We will begin gathering at noon and some wonderful Brazilian sisters are preparing big pots of feijoada completa to be served beginning at 1 pm.  If you are able to come at that time and enjoy the festivities, and you live in the area, please bring a potluck dish if you are able.

Last name beginning A-H salads; I-Q desserts;  R-Z casserole dishes.  Or whatever. (These do not have to be Brazilian dishes.) Thank you. 

For out-of-towners flying to the reunion, in lieu of a potluck dish, throw some money into the jar.

For the hours between the lunch and the 6 pm chapel session the main activities will be mingling and visiting, but classical guitarist Tom Williams (BSM 68-70) will also be playing Bossa Nova and other Brazilian music for your pleasure, and in another location DVD presentations with photos of Brazil will be showing.   

I have been asked about what to wear.  For the chapel session, chapel worthy clothes.  For the food and festivities in the cultural hall, just dress like it was a wedding reception.  We do not have a room designated for changing wardrobes.

Find your mission president below.  (This is your last chance to find errors in my list and suggest corrections . . . please!)

Brazilian Mission Presidents, 1935 to 1987 period

Brazilian Mission 1935-1969

President Rulon Stanley Howells and Sister Mary Pierce Howells 35-38 and 49-53

President John Alden Bowers and Sister Amelia Pettit Wright Bowers 38-42 

President William W. Seegmiller and Sister Ada Pratt Seegmeiller 42-45

President Harold Morgan Rex and Sister Diania Rex 45-49

President Asael T. Sorensen and Ida Lorene Mason Sorensen BM 53-58 and BSM 59-61

President Wm. Grant Bangerter and Sister Geraldine “Geri” Bangerter 58-63

President Wayne M. Beck and Sister Evelyn Beck  63-66

President Lloyd R. Hicken and Sister Alice Hicken 66-69

Brazil North Mission

President Hal R. Johnson and Sister Virginia Johnson 68-71

President George Oakes and Sister Jeannette Oakes 71-74

President Gustav Salik and Sister Ida Salik 74-75

Brazil Central Mission/South Central Mission/Brazil Sao Paulo South 72-87

President Sherman Hibbert and Sister JoAnn Hibbert 69-72

President David A. and Sister Pat Christensen July-October 1972

President Nelson Baker and Sister Lucille Baker 72-75

President Roger Beitler and Sister Catherine Beitler 75-78

President Wilford Cardon and Sister Phyllis Cardon 78-81

President John H. Hawkins and Sister Rebecca Hawkins 81-84

President Roger Call and the late Sister Janet Call 84-87

Brazil North Central Mission/Brazil São Paulo North 1979-1987

President Leroy Drechsel and Sister Ruth Drechsel 72-75

  (and President of the Brazil Recife Mission, 1986-1987)

President Saul Messias de Oliveira and Sister Elvira Oliveira 75-78

President Harry E. Maxwell and Sister Carol Maxwell 78-81

President Darwin Christenson and Sister Sandy Christenson 81-84

President Robert R. Steuer and Sister Margaret Black Steuer 84-87

Brazil Rio de Janeiro Mission 1975-1987

President Helio da Rocha Camargo and Sister Nair Camargo 75-78

President Max Leroy Shirts and Sister Nell Shirts 78-81

President Danilo Talanskas and Sister Marina Talanskas 81-84 

President Cory Bangerter and Sister Gayle Bangerter 84-87

Brazil South and Porto Alegre Missions 1961 to 1970

President Asael T. Sorensen and Sister Ida Sorensen BM 53-58 and BSM 59-61

President Finn B. Paulsen and Sister Sarah Broadbent Paulsen 61-64

President C. Elmo Turner and Sister Lois Turner 64-67

President Thomas F. Jensen and Sister Sherma Jensen 67-70

Brazil South/Porto Alegre Missions 70-85

President Orson Pratt “Bud” Arnold and Sister Colleen Joy Arnold 70-73

President Lynn A. Sorensen and Sister Janet W. Sorensen 73-76

President Jason Garcia Souza and Sister Lindamir Souza 76-79

President Walter Guedes de Queiroz and Sister Neide Satico Queiroz 79-82

President Osiris Cabral and Sister Ivani Riveira Cabral 82-85

Brazil Recife Mission

President Harry Klein and Sister Maria Moreira Klein 79-82

President Paulo Puerta and Sister Rita Cundari Puerta 82-85

Curitiba Mission

President Duke Cowley and Sister Alice Cowley 80-83

President Jerry F. Twitchell and Sister Patty Lynne Twitchell 83-86

*CORRECTION - Early Brazilian Missions Reunion 2012

Brazil Missions Reunion 2012

Friday, March 30, 2012

(General Conference Weekend)

Bountiful Central Stake Center, 640 South 750 East, Bountiful, UT 

Mingling and visiting at noon.

Lunch at 1 p.m.

*Pre-1965 Sister Missionaries at 3 p.m.

*Bangerter Group  at 4 p.m.

(These two gatherings will be in the same room, to be announced.)

Chapel evening meeting at 6 p.m.

Speakers:

Elder Claudio R. M. Costa of the Seventy, President of the Brazil Area

Elder Stanley G. Ellis of the Seventy

"All missionaries who served in whatever mission in Brazil before 1985 are invited, as well as their mission presidents and Brazilian members from that era.  One of these super reunions is held every three years or so, hoping not to interfere with other mission reunions.

"Lunch includes some real Brazilian food, wonderful meals kindly prepared by Brazilian members, augmented by potluck items from you folks who live in the area, please accept the following potluck assignments:  Last name beginning A-H salads; I-Q desserts;  R-Z casserole dishes.  (These do not have to be Brazilian dishes.) Muito obrigado."

General questions or to volunteer call:  Denis Hawkins (BSM 64-66), 801-296-0400 

Questions regarding pre-1965 Sister Missionaries,  3 p.m. gathering, contact: 

Phyllis Merrill Miller, 801-295-8426, pmmiller@q.com  or 

Mary Etta Parkinson, 801-566-7563, mewparkinson@comcast.net

Early Brazilian Missions Reunion 2012

Brazil Missions Reunion 2012

Friday, March 30, 2012

(General Conference Weekend)

Bountiful Central Stake Center, 640 South 750 East, Bountiful, UT 

Mingling and visiting at noon.

Lunch at 1 p.m.

Pre-1965 Sister Missionaries at 3 p.m., Primary room.

Chapel Evening meeting at 6 p.m.

Speakers:

Elder Claudio R. M. Costa of the Seventy, President of the Brazil Area

 Elder Stanley G. Ellis of the Seventy

Break-out sessions with mission presidency groups following the chapel meeting.

"All missionaries who served in whatever mission in Brazil before 1985 are invited, as well as their mission presidents and Brazilian members from that era.  One of these super reunions is held every three years or so, hoping not to interfere with other mission reunions.

"Lunch includes some real Brazilian food, wonderful meals kindly prepared by Brazilian members, augmented by potluck items from you folks who live in the area, please accept the following potluck assignments:  Last name beginning A-H salads; I-Q desserts;  R-Z casserole dishes.  (These do not have to be Brazilian dishes.) Muito obrigado."

General questions or to volunteer call:  Denis Hawkins (BSM 64-66), 801-296-0400 

Questions regarding pre-1965 Sister Missionaries,  3 p.m. gathering, contact: 

Phyllis Merrill Miller, 801-295-8426, pmmiller@q.com  or 

Mary Etta Parkinson, 801-566-7563, mewparkinson@comcast.net

ANNOUNCEMENT

BRAZILIAN MISSIONÁRIA
ANNOUNCEMENT

     After consulting with Sister Geri Bangerter it has been decided to simplify our reunions by combining our efforts with the April, Brazil Mission Reunion.  As you may know the Brazil Reunion is held typically on the Thursday prior to general conference in the early evening.  It will continue to be held in the Alpine Stake Center near the Bangerter farm.  Kim Russell has all the sister contact information and will notify us of the details.  It will also be published in the Brasulista.
     In April there were more sisters that attended the reunion than has been typical.  We hope that you will all make an effort to continue to gather in Alpine to greet Sister Bangerter, renew friendships, catch up on news of Brazil and meet Brazilian guests that join with us each year. 

We thank you for your interest and support these many years and
look forward to continuing our friendships in April.

If you have questions please call or write to:
Maureen Daines Hodgen, 801-292-6182, plumbob@utahweb.com
Phyllis Merrell Miller, 801-295-8426, pmmiller@q.com
Mary Etta Watson Parkinson, 801-566-7563, mewparkinson@comcast.net

Spring 2011 Reunion

A delightful time among 60+ "re-emerging" friends.  How's that to describe our friendships that began 50ish years ago.  The big surprise for me was to figure out why a young woman (younger than me) looked so familiar.  She was  Eliana the infant daughter of our Santos branch president Saul Messias de Oliveira.  Now she and her husband Roberto Oliveira are about to embark on their mission to lead the Cabo Verde Mission.  Its enough to boggle one's already troubled mind.

So nice to reconnect with many and to hear from the recently returned.  Kim Russell conducted the meeting.  Cory Bangerter outlined the program and shared news.  Paulo was briefly in and out.   A few of the highlights:

• The new biography of William Grant Bangerter should be published in a year.  
• Robert Newman reported on their area medical advisor mission.  Their efforts successfully reduced from 15% to 3% the missionaries that return home for physical/mental health issues.  
• Nolan Steadman reported on their service with PEF.  60% of the church leadership in Brazil have benefited from PEF.  12,000 participants in Brazil.  30% of all PEF participants live in Brazil.   They will be returning for another go around.
• Daryl Hobson reported on their presidency in Cabo Verde.  Creole version of Portuguese is the language outside of school and I suppose, formal business.   Lots of progress there.
• Roberto Oliveira, new president of Cabo Verde Mission in July and his wife, Eliana, spoke of their anticipation of service and some of their personal lives leading to this calling.
• Sister Julie B. Beck spoke of her recent visits to The Congo and Mozambique which is now as Brazil was when she was baptized as a child in Sao Paulo.  That is a message few general officers are able to share. 
• Sister Geri Bangerter spoke on the pioneering they witnessed in Brazil.  This is just a sample--
• Sixteen U.S. sisters arriving over a short period of time prompting the calling of Brazilian sisters. 
• Building missionaries, the first Brazilian young men serving.
• Brazil MTC, first in their home to help one young man get ready to serve as well as have an LDS family setting experience, then their garage at Rua Itapeva 378.  
• $20,000 donors for PEF solicitied.  
• “Enjoy It”, Sister Bangerter's adjustment to life in Brazil and an inspiring assist to the rest of us.
• The beginning of the end of hepatitis.

With that brief summary of the evening here are a few photos to whet your appetite to join us next year in Alpine.  (Thanks to Kim and Marlene.)

Introductions from all in attendance.

Ross Andra speaks and . . .

the rest of us enjoy and . . .

anticipating more to come.

Greetings.                          

  

Sister Geri Bangerter and Rose Neeleman.

Foreground: The Scaddens and Roberto Oliveira. 

Background:  Chuck Carlston and Sam Morrison.

 

Eliana Oliveira and Sister Julie B. Beck

Sister Bangerter, Rose Neeleman and Kay Hamblin.

Refreshments headlined by Guarana which has become increasingly difficult to find.  

Kim is very, very good in rooting out the supply up and down the valley.

Spouses enjoy too.  Ramon Beck and Sister Carter.  Coxinhas e empadinhas.

Marlene Russell, Sister Bangerter and Carl Jensen.

Remember the "dart board"?  That's it on screen.  If you'd like your spiral-bound copy, contact Sister Bangerter.

Ann Hobson and Mac Bills.

More conversations, some more animated than others.

Glen Humphreys and Lola Gygi Timmins.

A Brazil PEF reunion--The Russells and the Cobras.

Thanks to all for a wonderful time.  

Saudades de todos os otros.

 For the sister missionaries, reserve the Saturday, 17th September for our annual gathering.  Program, location and other details will be announced in August.  See you then . . . .

2011 Brazil Misson Reunion

Queridos irmãos:

Once again a reminder of our reunion coming up this coming week before conference:

- Thurdsay, March 31st
- 6pm-8:30pm
- Alpine Stake Center, 98 E Canyon Crest Dr, Alpine, Utah

This will be our first meeting together since the passing of our beloved President Bangerter.  We hope to be able to continue meeting on a periodic basic for a long time.

In Thursday's meeting, we will be able to catch up on many items of interest; some Brazilian members will be speaking to us, as well as some of our own recently returned missionaries.

Also, over some fun Brazilian snacks and guaranã, we will have a good chance to visit once more with each other and with Sister Bangerter.  There will also be fun photos of us in our young missionary years to reminisce over. (See attached photos as examples!)

Since our last E-mail, several people have been working on updating our group's database of addresses and E-mails.  (We currently have over 530 names listed.)  Many have been found through their efforts, but we still have over half of our Elders and Sisters who we have not been able to contact due to discontinued E-mail addresses, invalid home addresses, and phone numbers no longer in service.  We will have these lists at the reunion and solicit your help in locating as many as we can.  Those we have been able to contact have expressed much appreciation that we have located them and made contact after many years.  There have had several uplifting experiences as we have found and conversed with some of our 'lost' friends.

Be sure to keep in touch with our website at ... therussells.net/brazil .  Also, announcements of our reunions are always listed in the Deseret News prior to conference(s). 

See you all there this Thursday.

Kim Russell

Conversation with Julie and her daughters

Conversations: Episode 15 - Programs - Mormon Channel


Episode 15:  Sister Julie B. Beck and her daughters Gerilyn and Heidi
Listen to Episode 15http://radio.lds.org/eng/programs/conversations-episode-15
 
Sister Julie B. Beck has served as the Church’s General Relief Society President since March 31, 2007. The Relief Society is the worldwide organization of the Church specifically for women. Sister Beck is joined in this interview by her two daughters, Gerilyn and Heidi, who add an unusual dimension to the discussion that only close family members could provide. Host Sheri Dew guides the discussion through some excellent advice on raising a family and living a happy life, coupled with some unique insight into the Beck family home life. Learn some of the early influences that shaped Sister Beck’s life, as well as some insight into the worldwide Relief Society organization today.   Join us for this heartwarming and inspiring discussion!  
 

Sister Julie B. Beck in the Mormon Channel Studio with her daughters Gerilyn and Heidi