VALLEY TEMPLE SCHEDULES Gilbert Arizona, Mesa Arizona and Phoenix Arizona Temples are Currently in Phase 3 Covid Protocol.
Temples open for all living ordinances and limited proxy ordinances • All ordinances are available by website-made appointment only. • Proxy ordinances may be limited to members residing in their designated temple district. • Patrons are encouraged to bring their own temple clothing. • Family name cards may be printed at the temple, but cards will not be returned after your visit. You will receive a FamilySearch notification to confirm that the ordinance was recorded. FamilySearch is suspending all temple ordinance expiration dates until temples resume full operations. • All government guidelines will be observed, including regulations related to travel, gatherings, sanitization, and safety. Masks are worn by all workers and patrons. • Please contact the temple for more information or if you have special circumstances or needs
Please check https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/temples regularly for updates.
Gilbert Arizona Temple 3301 S. Greenfield Rd, Gilbert, AZ, 85297 (480) 822-5000 2022 Temple Closures Monday, 28 Mar 2022 - Monday, 11 Apr 2022 Saturday, 1 Oct 2022 Monday, 3 Oct 2022 - Monday, 17 Oct 2022 Wednesday, 23 Nov 2022 - Thursday, 24 Nov 2022 Saturday, 24 Dec 2022 Saturday, 31 Dec 2022
Mesa Arizona Temple 101 S. LeSueur, Mesa, AZ, 852014 (480) 833-1211 2022 Temple Closures Saturday, 2 Apr 2022 Tuesday, 5 Apr 2022 - Sat, 16 Apr 2022 (Limited) Monday, 18 Jul 2022 - Monday, 1 Aug 2022 Saturday, 1 Oct 2022 Wednesday, 23 Nov 2022 (Limited) Thursday, 24 Nov 2022 Saturday, 24 Dec 2022
By Hillary Jade Fevrier
The Might of Women
Gathering Humanity Changes Lives of Refugees
W
e celebrate Women’s History during the month of March. The charitable organization Gathering Humanity is a testament to the miraculous mercy and might of women. In 2016, a group of mothers became interested in learning more about refugees and how they could help these too-often marginalized individuals. What started as a feeling of goodwill has blossomed into a thriving operation that serves thousands of refugees in the Phoenix Valley every year. Gathering Humanity (and its offshoots) is a non-profit organization that cares for refugees in countless ways, from furnishing apartments, to providing culturally-appropriate meals and groceries, to assigning mentors to act as friends and guides in their new reality. When refugees are granted asylum in Arizona, the state of gives them a list of required supplies, some of which can be extremely hard to pay for, let alone locate, with the small stipend allotted to them. Gathering Humanity helps relieve that burden. While the organization started in a garage, through the generosity of the community, it now operates out of a warehouse full of furniture, and home
Phoenix Arizona Temple
5220 W. Pinnacle Peak Road, Phoenix, AZ 85310 (623) 474-9500 2022 Temple Closures Saturday, 2 Apr2022 Monday, 16 May 2022 - Monday, 30 May 2022 Saturday, 1 Oct 2022 Monday, 31 Oct 2022 - Monday, 14 Nov 2022 Wednesday, 23 Nov 2022 (Limited) Thursday, 24 Nov 2022 Saturday, 24 Dec 2022 Saturday, 31 Dec 2022 (Limited)
28 • ArizonaBeehive.com •
Images courtesy of instagram @gatheringhumanity
Volunteers prepare to set up a new apartment.
Images courtesy of instagram @gatheringhumanity
Refugees are welcomed home by Gathering Humanity volunteers..
and living necessities. Volunteers spend weekends setting up apartments with the donated supplies. When asked to share a personal experience, volunteer Tricia Johnson relayed this: The team was setting up a tiny apartment for a family of eight people. The apartment was so small, not all the chairs fit inside. Johnson took a moment outside alone. As she considered the situation, two children approached her and were enthusiastic about how great it was to live there. When she mentioned that the family arriving spoke Swahili, one of the children replied that there was another family in the complex who spoke Swahili as well. The other child offered that his father had a hobby of collecting old computers, and that the new family was welcome to use them any time. Johnson stated, “God knew that they were coming to this place.” God placed them there near another African family and with access to the internet so that they could communicate with their loved ones. “We are all one,” Johnson said.
This story, and hundreds of others, highlights the scope of the work that goes on through Gathering Humanity. They really do change lives, and sometimes those lives are the lives of the volunteers. Previous Relief Society General President Julie B. Beck said, “Righteous women have changed the course of history and will continue to do so.” I echo this sentiment. When I learned that this movement was the product of three mothers, I knew it had to be shared and I encourage anyone who can to find ways to get involved with Gathering Humanity. It may change everything for someone, even if that someone is you. Those interested in getting involved may visit gatheringhumanity. org. Click on the “Ways to Help” link for details about every opportunity offered, such as helping with apartment set up, meal preparation, mentoring and warehouse work. Family and group volunteer options are readily available.
