THE latest community news from Porthmadog

Mormons

IN conformity with congregations around the world, Porthmadog’s Mormons have adopted a new Sunday meeting schedule.

Whereas congregations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints used to meet previously for three hours, with three separate meetings following each other, their new schedule takes only two hours – but with an important new twist.

Porthmadog president Hugh Jones of Criccieth said: “The whole emphasis of our learning the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been shifted from coming to meetings in church and being taught there, to studying and learning at home and then being supported by meetings in church. This obviously takes less time in meetings, hence the reduction to two hours. Each family has had a study booklet given to them to guide and help home learning. It’s interesting that the first lesson in the study guide explains how we are each of us totally responsible for our own learning – the church is just there to help. So now there is a new pattern of meetings. Every Sunday there will first be an hour-long preaching service with bilingual communion. Then on the first and third Sundays monthly, for the second hour members of the congregation will attend Sunday School, which will confirm or explain issues raised by home study; and on the second and fourth Sundays, meetings will address matters relating specifically to the men, women, youth and children.”

“There are other advantages to the new meeting schedule,” continued president Jones.

“The former three-hour meetings were somewhat of a strain for the more elderly members, who got tired; and it was sometimes difficult to keep little children interested and behaving well for such a long time.”

“Why don’t you come along and see how it all works?” he added.

“Visitors are welcome. Our meetinghouse is opposite Travelodge in Porthmadog and we start our new two-hour schedule at 10am.”

If you’re a member of a club, society or group, send your news to [email protected]