A highlight of our mission service is the opportunity to be a part of the Flushing First Branch located in Queens, New York. Every Sunday we travel about an hour and a half on the train to attend our meetings there. We are so grateful to feel welcomed by our "church family." About 75% of the congregation speaks Spanish and the other 25% speaks English. The talks in sacrament meeting must be translated Spanish to English or English to Spanish. Sacrament meeting hymns are sung in both Spanish and English at the same time--a little confusing.
Our main contribution to the branch involves music. The branch has several pianos and an organ, but NO ONE in the branch can play them. It makes a huge difference in the spirit of our meetings to have a prelude and postlude, and to have our congregational singing accompanied by the organ. The old chapel organ is unique. When the speakers' podium is raised or lowered, all the electric organ stops are randomly reset as well. The results are unpredictable! Elder Hawkins has surprised us with some unexpected sounds from the organ!
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These precious Relief Society sisters sang "As Sisters in Zion" (in Spanish) for a recent sacrament meeting. They prepared diligently and even arranged to have matching blue skirts, and blue and gold neck scarves. Though their Church experience is typically limited, they are faithful and devoted to the Gospel.
We are honored to call them "sisters." |
We have the great blessing of serving in the Primary, providing music. Here are some of our children. They are bright and quick; all are totally fluent in English and Spanish. All speak Spanish at home. Their roots go back to places like Peru, Ecuador, Chile, or Mexico. What a privilege it is to share the beautiful Primary songs with them!
The branch sisters were honored with treats after sacrament meeting on Mother's Day.
Flushing First Branch CTR Class
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