Val Vista Ward

Community Preparedness Fair Help Needed

Dear Ward Members, 

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

Planning is underway for our next Community Preparedness Fair, hosted by the Gilbert Stake, with participation from the Gilbert Greenfield, Gilbert Stapley, and Gilbert Val Vista Stakes. The proposed date for this event is February 28, 2026.

Each booth will require a host and multiple helpers to ensure its success. Are there any members with expertise or interest in preparedness or any of the topics listed below, that are willing and available to participate as hosts or helpers in this event?

Please contact Bob and Shelby Jarman (Gilbert Stake Preparedness Specialists) if you are available to participate as hosts or helpers at bobshelb@cox.net

Below is a list of booths we have featured in previous fairs:

• 72-Hour Kits (host secured)

• Beekeeping

• Chickens

• Communications

• Employment/Finances

• Food Storage (host secured)

• Gardening

• Water

• Headquarters/Info (filling out assessments, help needed)

• Kids Booth

• Medical

• Off-Grid Cooking

• Sound System/MC

• Sanitation

• Solar

• Storing Your Storage

• Unexpected Death

• Using Your Food Storage

We look forward to working with you to make this event a valuable resource for our community, equipping us to be better prepared for times of need.

Thank you!

Bob and Shelby Jarman

Parent Council Survey

As a ward council we have been discussing what we can do to support the families within the ward and specifically the parents.

We plan to hold a parent council on a regular basis. Our hope is that this council will provide a space where we can share openly and learn from each other totally free of judgement. The purpose of this survey is to gauge the interest in the parent council overall and to gauge the interest in the subjects we have developed. It should only take a few minutes to fill out. Will you please click on the link below and fill out the survey? 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScz8W6OcdlH4aUbbzQ4ICNLnRE2-q6N11-K7TqOn0Ltr0NuDw/viewform?usp=header

Thank you for all the good things you do!

Sincerely,

The Val Vista Ward Council

Mission Prep Class starts Oct. 12th -every Sunday, 3pm @ Stake Center

for all High School Juniors and Seniors

Contact Beka or Danny Pickett with any questions!

AGM Social Media Involvement

Looking for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints that would be willing to be involved with the Arizona Gilbert Mission social media efforts!

Goal is to make content based around the following:

• Conversion Stories

• Powerful Testimonies

• Unique Talents

• Local Member-Owned Businesses*

Would love for everyone and anyone to share their experiences and talents over written word, video clip, audio recording, and/or photographs. This content will be used throughout our mission for training purposes, given in public access on our mission Facebook page, and shared to friends and family to aid the missionary work in this area. 

Please fill out your willingness below! 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScHg0-iDemwrtME-Dyw70-Pi5BlsaXqy7P_G0U7ykcae8uiKg/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=106520021767137323988

*This is not a resource for advertising or endorsement for businesses. Looking for ways to spread the awareness of our mission's media page, and to create content that is more familiar with the community! 

It's the most WONDERFUL time of the year!!

The Giving Machine is back!! Nov 17th - Dec 31st

Such a sweet and meaningful way for everyone and anyone to experience the gift of giving.

Mesa Arizona Temple Lights - Nov 28th - Dec 30th

ANNOUNCEMENT:

The beautiful grounds of the Mesa Arizona Temple will light up with Christmas spirit this year from Friday, Nov. 28, through Tuesday, Dec. 30. The lights will be on each evening from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. The event is free and Christ-centered.

In addition, there are 10 favorite biblical vignettes placed among the olive trees that help tell the Christmas story, including figures of Mary and Joseph on their way to Bethlehem, a near life-size Italian Fontanini nativity scene with a star above shining with tens of thousands of twinkling lights, three lighted wisemen with camels, and more!

During the Christmas season, the Mesa Temple Visitors’ Center hosts the annual International Nativity Exhibit. This event is also free to attend. Visitors can view hundreds of unique nativity scenes from around the world and enjoy the Christmas story through inspiring works of art — many which are handmade — depicting the Savior’s birth. The nativity display runs the same dates as the Christmas lights event and is open 5-10 p.m. each evening with daytime viewing 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Tuesdays/Thursdays at the Visitors' Center, 455 E. Main St., which is located just west of the temple grounds on the corner of LeSueur and Main Street. Free parking is available nearby.

See the Christmas lights and feel the spirit of Christmas throughout the holiday season on the beautifully landscaped grounds of the historic Mesa Arizona Temple in downtown Mesa!

More information, including FAQ, can be found at MesaTemple.org.

Please note: The Christmas Lights will NOT be turned on this year on New Year’s Eve. The last night of the event will be Saturday, Dec. 30.

International Nativity Exhibit - Nov 28th - Dec 30th

Red Cross Blood Drive - Dec 20th @ 8am (see details below)

Around the holidays, we typically see a decline in blood donations. We're asking donors to help us prevent a shortage by coming out to give blood, platelets or AB Elite plasma. When they do, they'll get a gift in return! All who come to give Dec. 19th - Jan. 4th will receive an exclusive long-sleeved Red Cross T-Shirt, while supplies last.

Youth New Year's Eve Dance - Dec 31st @ 9pm (see details below)

YSA Desert Days - Jan 23rd - 25th

Key Registration Details for YSAs

• How to Register: Go to the Instagram page @YSADesertDays and click the link in the bio.

• Why Register Early?

• Lower Cost: The registration fee is cheaper now than it will be later. (refundable thru December 3rd)

• Devotional Speaker Selection: The YSA Registration numbers will be a factor in which church authority will be assigned for the Sunday devotional speaker.  It would be amazing to show that 4,000 YSA are committed and ready to attend the event! 

YM/YW Summer Trip - May 25th - 29th

Victory Tabernacle Food Pantry Donations

Victory Tabernacle Food Pantry Donations NEEDED

• Toothpaste

• Toothbrushes

• Toiletries

• Diapers

• Frozen Turkeys or Meats (must be in date)

• Non-perishable Foods

Drop-offs 2nd and 4th Saturday from 9am-Noon, or you can drop off any donations to Mindy Pickett

JUST SERVE

Many Thanks to ALL.

We want to thank everyone that contributed to families and organizations in need this year. We have a very generous ward with wonderful giving people. The "Just Serve" website always has opportunities available if you still want to serve in some way. Thank you again.

Looking to serve with your family or friends? Visit JustServe.org to find meaningful opportunities near you.

If you have questions or need help, feel free to contact Mindy. Serving others is a beautiful way to celebrate the season—your efforts will make a real difference. 

"Life, Prep and Mission" is a new class designed specifically for Young Adults who are:

• Recently returned missionaries

• Preparing to serve within the next year (or currently holding a mission call)

The class is currently held Wednesday nights at 7:00 p.m. at the Chandler- Gilbert Institute 

The Gilbert Stake Monthly Newsletter:

https://gilbertarizonastake.org/blog

Ward Temple Night- The 1st Friday of each month at 7pm session at Gilbert Temple (make an appointment to join)

2025:

December 5th

Val Vista Ward Missionaries Contact Info: