The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints featured Chattanooga Women’s Day of Service on its worldwide newsroom site.
As previously announced, women of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the greater Chattanooga area joined together to serve their community. On March 7 they held a day of service to assist the Chattanooga Community Kitchen, Chattanooga Room in the Inn, Chattanooga Zoo, McKamey Animal Center, The Salvation Army, Erlanger and Billion Graves. The day of Service was entitled “Pray, Serve and Rescue” and more than 140 women participated.
According to Mrs.
Celeste Ward who serves as Relief Society president for the Chattanooga area of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, “Volunteers packaged more than 600 gift bags at the Salvation Army and wrote letters of encouragement. Volunteers made baby gowns, donated dresses for burial services, took pictures of headstones ‘to preserve cemetery records,’ painted bedrooms and bathrooms at a women’s shelter, cleaned and organized warehouses – and even stuffed Easter eggs for the Chattanooga Zoo.”
“We are blessed to be a part of the work of Relief Society,” Mrs. Ward continued. “Relief Society exists ‘for the exercise of all benevolent purposes.’” The Relief Society is the philanthropic and educational women’s organization of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is the largest women’s organization in the world. It has about 7.5 million members worldwide and operates in over 188 countries and territories. There are 12 Relief Society units in Chattanooga.
The Church teaches that Relief Society’s main functions are to “increase faith in God and Jesus Christ; strengthen individuals, homes and families; encourage women to keep God’s commandments; and work together to help those in need” (ComeUntoChrist.org).
“We encourage all women to serve where they live, every day, every year – beyond annual days of service, and we welcome women of all denominations,” Mrs. Ward said. “Every woman can learn more about Relief Society at https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/callings/relief-society-organization.
“In response to COVID-19, we will also continue to do all we can help in ways that follow local and national guidelines. We are thankful to be a part of an organization that encourages, highlights and celebrates service around the world and in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Our desire is to be part of Relief Society in Action – to do as Jesus Christ would have us do.”