British Isles/Africa Area: `Busking' for charity
PAISLEY, SCOTLAND - Roger Cameron of the Largs Branch, Paisley Scotland Stake, is a professional musician who plays a computerized keyboard at shopping malls. Playing music for donations of passersby is known in Scotland as busking.
During the holidays, Cameron and his non-member partner, Billy McKenna, raised nearly 2,000 British pounds (more than $3,500) for the two charities benefitting local children. Cameron and McKenna set aside several of the highest-earning days to raise money to help the children, said Margaret Cumming, public communications director of the Paisley stake.
Europe Area: Computer receives 900 requests
WEST BERLIN, GERMANY - A telephone-connected computer information service about the Church was made available on a national basis in 1987 by the Berlin Stake. The computer received 900 requests during the year, recently reported Michael Obst, press officer in the Church's European public communications office.
Seventy-nine of the calls were to request missionaries. Other calls were for information about the Church, including such things as location and meeting time for wards and branches in Germany, special upcoming events, and radio and television shows of interest. About 200,000 people subscribe to an information network that links them to the computer.
Asia Area: Missionaries increasing
HONG KONG - The local missionary force has more than doubled in the past 18 months, reported Mission Pres. Charles W.H. Goo. The Hong Kong Mission now has 85 local full-time missionaries, nearly half of its total number of 183 elders and sisters. "The credit for an increased number of local missionaries belongs with the local leaders and their tremendous support," said Pres. Goo.
Philippines/Micronesia Area: Typhoon misses LDS
BARRIGADA, GUAM - Typhoon Roy swept through this Pacific area Jan. 12, destroying the homes of more than 60 families, and additional property on the nearby island of Rota. Electricity and water were unavailable for about two days, said Herbert J. Leddy, public communications director. While no LDS families lost homes, they were motivated by the storm to renew interest in storage of food and water.
Pacific Area: Kiribati LDS visit temple
TARAWA, KIRIBATI - Members from this Pacific island country in the Fiji Suva Mission made their first temple trip recently, traveling some 1,500 miles by air to the Apia Samoa Temple. "These people had to use their savings, sell land and struggle to earn the money for the flight to Samoa," said Pres. George S. Goble of the Fiji Suva Mission.
When time came to reserve a flight, the members learned that the airline serving Kiribati no longer had a flight to Apia. The members fasted and prayed, and finally one airplane was diverted from its regular route for the tour. About 28 members made the trip.
South America North Area: Andean facility dedicated
CUENCA, ECUADOR - A new meetinghouse was dedicated Jan. 17 in the Andes Mountain city of Cuenca, the third largest city (population, 75,000) in Ecuador. Church growth had been slower here than in other areas of Ecuador, but the city now has two thriving branches and about 800 members. "The members put a lot of donated labor into this new chapel," said Pres. J. Lynn Shawcroft of the Ecuador Guayaquil Mission. "This new building will help the work progress even more there."
Brazil Area: `Give to others'
CAMPINAS, BRAZIl - "Ask only what you could give to others during the holiday season," Elder Francis M. Gibbons of the First Quorum of the Seventy and president of the Brazil Area, told missionaries of the Brazil Campinas Mission during a recent tour. As a result of his suggestions, said Mission Pres. Sheldon R. Murphy, "Many missionaries visited orphanages, hospitals, old age centers and had the most satisfying holidays they had ever had."
South America South Area: Scouts of Helaman growing
MAR DEL PLATA, ARGENTINA - A single "Scouts of Helaman" Scout patrol with five boys organized in the Mar del Plata Argentina stake about a year ago has grown to 10 patrols in each ward in the stake, reported high councilor Candido Ozon, who supervises the program. Frequent activities keep the boys excited in Scouting, and the leaders are pleased as they see spiritual growth and leadership developed in the patrols, said Ozon.
North America Northeast Area: LDS in Virginia preserve past
RICHMOND, VA. - A history of the Church's first 100 years in Central Virginia will be published in February. Compiled by Eloise U. Whiting, the 600-page book covers the century between 1873 and 1973. Photos and anecdotes of early missionaries, General Authorities and others are included in the book.
North America Northwest Area: Clergy befriended
BELLEVUE, WASH. - Elder and Sister Darl Andersen of Mesa, Ariz., serving in the Washington Seattle Mission, are leading an effort to create closer relations with the clergy in the area. The Andersens are encouraging bishops and stake presidents to invite members of the clergy in their areas to dinner and to attend their famiy home evenings.
"They feel about their religions much as we feel about ours," said Elder Andersen. "Most recognize the power of the LDS Church, and just want us to give them some respect. We must have charity and learn to love all our neighbors."
North America Central Area: LDS usher at interfaith service
CALGARY, ALBERTA - Missionaries and returned missionaries will be ushers in a special interfaith service here preceeding the Winter Olympic Games. The Jan. 31 service, to be held in a large arena, will include both Christian and non-Christian participants.
As the Winter Games approach, some 300 LDS members are volunteering their services in activities ranging from transportation to carrying the Olympic flame across Canada, said Gary Ursenbach, Calgary Region public communications director.
North America Southeast Area: Lights lead the way
TALLAHASSEE, FLA. - Several referrals and a great deal of less-tangible benefits came from an ambitious project of placing some 130,000 lights in trees surrounding the Tallahassee Florida Stake center during December. About 50,000 people viewed the display and most received brochures.
"When a missionary knocks on doors in this city, and they tie the missionary in with the Church that had the lights, it might help the response," said Elder Ronald H. Haslam of the Florida Tallahassee Mission.
North America Southwest Area: Cards' move helped by member
PHOENIX, ARIZ. - Brent Brown, Arizona State University vice president and director of communications, was a key figure in the decision to relocate to here the St. Louis Cardinals football team of the National Football League beginning next season. Brown of the Gilbert-Neeley, Ariz., Ward helped put together an attractive package including the use of the Sun Devil Stadium that was acceptable to Bill Bidwell, Cardinals owner, and a number of Arizona political and business leaders.
Utah North Area: A toothpick a page
CLEARFIELD, UTAH - Every Primary child in the Clearfield, Utah, 18th Ward was challenged last year to read the Book of Mormon every day, as President Ezra Taft Benson has asked, said Mary H. Earl, Primary president. The children and adults in the ward were given toothpicks to keep track of how many pages they read.
For each page that was read, a toothpick was placed in a five-gallon jar for all to see. Younger children were to have older children read to them. At the year's end, the jar was filled with toothpicks. "The Primary children outdid the adults by far," said Sister Earl.