Monday, April 21, 2008

Invitation

09 March 2008

This year we are celebrating 50 years of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints being formally organized in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. On April 27, 1958 around twenty individuals met at the Women’s Federated Clubhouse in Marquette, MI and established the Marquette Branch of the church. Since that time, the church has spread with longstanding congregations in Houghton, Escanaba, Iron Mountain, Menominee (Marinette, WI Branch), Germfask and St Ignace. Recently the Germfask and St Ignace units were closed with members forming the Sault Ste Marie Branch or re-entering the Marquette Ward. We are grateful for the efforts of those who have laid the foundation of this work and look forward to carrying it forward in faith, trusting that the Lord will continue to establish and strengthen this Stake of Zion. We are reminded of a similarly sized group who on April 6, 1830 restored the true church of Jesus Christ in preparation for His coming. My, how this work has moved forward since that day! We are confident that His work will continue to grow and expand, even here in the Upper Peninsula.

We have several events planned throughout this year of celebration. We invite all who have played a role in this great work to save the dates of July 26-27 and plan to celebrate with us. We appreciate the hard work that is being put into this celebration. We are excited to welcome back former unit members making the trip to join us in this celebration. We will have several activities and plenty of food. Please RSVP. As we do not have the addresses of all former members of the Marquette Ward, please forward this note to former members you have contact with or send an e-mail with the contact information to the e-mail address below. Even if you are unable to come, we would love to hear from you. Perhaps you could share part of your own Marquette church heritage in an email. Please contact bishopjohnsonmqt@charter.net with these personal histories and/or RSVP’s. Please come if you are able.

We testify that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that He lives, and that His restored gospel is upon the earth. This is His kingdom. May we find joy in celebrating the Lord’s hand in our lives and do our part to help this work along.
The Marquette Ward Bishopric
Posted by at

5 comments:

KimKerbyHildebrandt said...

As far as Missionaries from Marquette, I know that Dan Bolz served sometime in 1975-1977 from our Branch---he was assigned to Scotland, Edinburgh Mission. ( I may be wrong on the years served though.) But, I remember writing to him while he was serving. Then, we had the Burton's, their sons Randy, Marty and Kerry served missions. I think that they did leave from the branch. Also, when my family moved in the branch, President Holmgren was serving, but was released and President Hangen---I think that is how you spell it---was called just before President Whitney Johnson served. I could be wrong---anyone know for sure? This is such an awesome idea! God bless you all! Love, Kim Kerby Hildebrandt

May 4, 2008 at 12:27 PM
Bishop Johnson said...

I spoke with Kerry on the phone today. The Burton boys left on missions after they left Marquette.

May 6, 2008 at 8:28 PM
KimKerbyHildebrandt said...

You have done an excellent job in gathering all this information and updating it! Hey, Mike Marietti served in Idaho--I think it was the Pocatello Mission--Just FYI! You are awesome!

May 11, 2008 at 12:35 PM
Alan Black said...

Thanks for the update on the Marquette ward. We were members from 1981-85, and have a lot of good memories of the ward. We are in Texas now, and have 3 of our 4 kids either in Wichita Falls or in the Dallas area. Greetings to all of the Johnsons and anyone else who may remember the Blacks from NMU. Have a great celebration.

May 12, 2008 at 3:24 PM
KimKerbyHildebrandt said...

Sister Kelson was the Relief Society President while their family was in the branch, so I have contacted Christie Kelson Bigham and shared this information with her and she was going to share it with her family and with the Bettridges--who were also living in Marquette in 1971--when my family moved in. I have also sent the information to the Sevison's who currently live in Brigham City, Utah, but were living in Marquette in the early
70's as well. Unfortunately,
my daughter is having complications with her pregnancy, and so I will not be able to attend the festivites, I will be with my daughter, Bonnie and her husband Scott---in Minnesota. I am sorry to miss out on all the fun! I pray it will be a wonderful celebration for you all!

June 24, 2008 at 10:01 AM

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)