Bishops May and Conklin and President Lindhorst...
We were blessed to have the family of Craig and Wendy Vermeulen baptized in April. They were introduced to the gospel and subsequently fellowshipped so well by the Sam and Claire Lider family in the Walters Hill Ward. Because of that connection they were taught by the WH missionaries.
The Vermeulens are close to the Liders through their involvement in US World Class Tae Kwon Do, a business owned by the Liders.
Craig, Wendy and their two children, Kennedy (18) and Grant (14), live in the Tickle Week Ward (18240 Deloris Ave, Sandy, OR 97055). But currently are members of the WH Ward due to the teaching and fellowshipping in the WH Ward before and during the Covid shutdown.
In time, we need to help them transition into the Tickle Creek Ward and hopefully Kennedy into the YSA Branch.
A tender mercy is that Michael and Melissa Taylor of the TC Ward, who also have son(s) in US World Class TDO, know the Vermeulen family so there’s already a contact in the TC Ward, which will help with a transition. Plus…both Melissa and Wendy are RN’s.
And 18-year-old daughter Kennedy attended the virtual Institute class last night, a first step to involving her with other YSA in the area.
Bishop May plans to visit with the Vermeulen family soon about receiving temple recommends so they can perform temple work for their family (Wendy has already become engaged in FH work). Bishop May plans to visit with them at that time about the Church’s boundary policies.
In the meantime, I recommend that Bishop Conklin and TC Ward leaders (and the Taylors) begin to reach out to the Vermeulens. Since the Vermeulens apparently have not been officially introduced to the Church’s boundary policy, a blessing so that we can more easily watch over and minister to each other, Bishop Conklin, will you please teach your leaders to reach out to the Vermeulens, but not “force” the boundary issue. (Not say things like: “Technically you’re in our ward.”)
Hopefully Bishop May will explain before the end of this month about the boundary policy and help avoid awkward conversations for TC Ward leaders. Boundaries, of course, are not a major issue while we’re not meeting in person. So the move doesn’t have to be immediate. But transition efforts should begin right away so when we do begin to meet again in person the Vermeulens will have so many friends in the Tickle Creek Ward they will naturally want to attend that ward’s meetings.
Bishops May and Conklin, please work together in coordinating the transition of the membership records at the appropriate time.
The Liders, of course, will continue to be marvelous fellowshipping friends for a lifetime. The Vermeulens, for instance, go to the Liders home each Sunday for worship and the sacrament.
Thank you, all, for helping this to be a smooth transition—to be in place before we start meeting in-person again—so this wonderful family can enjoy the blessing of complete obedience.
Gratefully,
President Lewis
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