Embedded Files
Leadership Business Corner:
Updated list of stake welfare and self-reliance committee members:
Pr. Ted Griffis, Stake Presidency
Br. Steven Sarver, High Councilor, new addition to the committee
Sr. Chiemi Bentley, Stake Relief Society Presidency
Sr. Cynthia Prevatke, Stake Welfare and Self-Reliance Specialist
Sr. Debra Goodwin, Co-chair, Stake Welfare and Self-Reliance Specialist
Br. Michael Goodwin, Co-chair, Stake Welfare and Self-Reliance Specialist
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
Home Storage Center
2892 W. Diehl Rd. Naperville
Managers: Elder Rodger Kearley & Sister Kerry Kearley
HSC Phone: 1 (630)-369-1508
Hours
Tuesday: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Saturday: 8:00am - 10:00am By appointment only
call 1 (630)742-6285 (Kerry Kearley)
Click on the link below for a 7-page guide with links and resources
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1gdynOWkr_q-JHWhGJMApunHbmfgtr5fv/view?usp=drive_link
Rockford Stake Self-Reliance Resources
Temporal and Spiritual Self-Reliance Support
Access Church Resources: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/self-reliance/course-materials/my-path-to-self-reliance?lang=eng
For more information, contact: Cynthia Prevatke, clprevatke@gmail.com
Addiction Recovery Program
Church support to help individuals apply the Atonement of Jesus Christ in their lives.
Locate support meetings to overcome compulsive behaviors and their spouses and family.
Access Church Resources: https://addictionrecovery.churchofjesuschrist.org
For more information, contact: Michael Goodwin, miklgoodwin@gmail.com
Stake Employment Resources
Access Church Resources:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/life/employment-services
For more information, contact: Debra Goodwin, debragoodwin6@gmail.com.
October 2026 Self-Reliance Newsletter – Preparing for Winter
Hello to Everyone,
Tidbits to think about:
Prepare for Earth Day 2027, April 22
Earthday.org
Peak Phosphorus?
Remember hearing about Peak Oil?
Well, now we have something else to worry about. A finite amount of phosphorus exists in the world, a valuable component of plant fertility. This is the P of the NPK fertilizer value. It would be imperative to conserve and recycle all the available phosphorus that we can, instead of flushing it down the drain to be lost forever. https://phosphorusfutures.net/the-phosphorus-challenge/peak-phosphorus-the-sequel-to-peak-oil/
I’ve been researching wastewater treatment lately, mainly because our daughter, Martha, lives in Henderson, NV. She relies on Lake Mead for all municipal water. The water allotment to the area will be cut 17% in 2027 and 2028 because of the drought and the Colorado River situation. I’m looking for ways recycle waste water and to cut fresh water use to free up more water for domestic needs.
In my research, I came across a fact that remined me about The Lord’s Prayer:
Remember the words: give us this day our daily bread.
Well, the amount of plant fertilizer contained in the daily discharge of urine per person will fertilize 1 pound of wheat, enough for a loaf of bread, daily. Who would have thunk it?
A new use for excess molasses, honey and simple sugar, make vinegar. It is an excellent cleaner, flavor enhancer, etc. around the house.
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Self-Reliance Training: from the Handbook
22. Providing for Temporal Needs and Building Self-Reliance
22.1 Build Self-Reliance
With help from the Lord, members build self-reliance in the following ways:
• Develop spiritual, physical, and emotional strength.
• Gain education and employment.
• Improve temporal preparedness.
22.1.1 Spiritual Strength
The Savior taught that “all things unto me are spiritual, and not at any time have I given unto you a law which was temporal” (Doctrine and Covenants 29:34). Members develop spiritual strength as they exercise faith in Christ and obey God’s commandments.
As they do so, they receive guidance from the Holy Spirit on how to solve their problems and minister to others.
22.1.2 Physical and Emotional Health
Heavenly Father wants His children to develop physical and emotional strength. This includes doing the following:
• Obey the Word of Wisdom (see Doctrine and Covenants 89).
• Strive to eat nutritious food, exercise regularly, and get enough sleep.
• Avoid substances and behaviors that are harmful or addictive.
• Practice good hygiene and receive proper medical care.
• Develop healthy relationships.
• Seek professional help for mental or emotional health challenges as needed.
22.1.3 Education and Employment
The Savior taught, “Seek learning, even by study and also by faith” (Doctrine and Covenants 88:118). Education or vocational training can lead to better employment so members can provide for personal and family needs.
22.1.4 Temporal Preparedness
Members are counseled to become prepared so they can care for themselves, their families, and others in times of need.
Key Elements of Temporal Preparedness Finances
• Pay tithes and offerings
• Minimize debt
• Live within a budget
• Save for the future
• Obtain an appropriate education
Home Storage
• Food
• Water
• Other necessities
Members increase their financial preparedness by:
• Paying tithes and offerings (see Malachi 3:8–12).
• Minimizing debt.
• Living within a budget.
• Saving for the future.
• Obtaining an appropriate education (see 22.3.3).
Preparedness also includes planning for emergencies. Members are encouraged to build both a short-term and longer-term supply of food, water, and other necessities.
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Employment Information:
The Rockford Stake Employment Specialist will assist anyone who needs help to secure employment. If anyone in your unit becomes unemployed, underemployed or wants to update their resume or practice their interview skills, please see the contact information below:
Debra Goodwin, Stake Employment Specialist
debragoodwin6@gmail.com
815-986-4466
Also see the Employment page of the Stake web site at:
https://www.rockfordstake.org/more/employment-opportunities
Also, see Br. Steve Sarver for technician job opening near Sycamore
Education Information:
Reminder: The Federal Government now allows Pell Grants to be used for trade school applications.
New Resource Discovery:
I’ve used the UIC College of Medicine Library in Rockford to download research information requiring “access through your institution” requirements. This is available to anyone, free of charge.
I recently noticed, while reviewing a PDF file, that the computer system also has software allowing one to edit and combine PDF files. For me, this is Huge!
Other local libraries may be able to provide these services as well.
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Significant conference talks of the past about preparedness:
April 2022
Teaching Self-Reliance to Children and Youth, Martinez
Self-Reliance Services:
Life Skills is a self-reliance course designed to help older youth and young single adults build practical, spiritual, and temporal abilities that prepare them for work, education, missionary service, and adulthood. The course combines key principles from three self-reliance manuals—Personal Finances, Find a Better Job, and Education for Better Work—to help participants strengthen faith, develop essential life habits, and learn skills that support long-term success.
The Life Skills course invites you to seek the Lord’s help, act in faith, and learn practical tools that will bless your current and future opportunities. The course also integrates teachings from My Foundation for Self-Reliance to help you establish spiritual habits that support progress.
Course Overview
Throughout the 12-chapter course, you’ll receive guidance and hands-on practice in three core areas:
1. Education Skills
Covers topics such as:
• Building your confidence as a learner.
• Preparing yourself spiritually and temporally for learning.
• Creating an environment that supports growth.
• Understanding expectations in school or training opportunities.
• Strengthening study and time-management skills.
2. Job-Search and Career Skills
Teaches practical steps for finding work and preparing for employment, including:
• Networking and building professional connections.
• Creating “power statements” that communicate your strengths.
• Improving interview skills through mock interviews and faith-based preparation.
3. Personal Finance Basics
Focuses on foundational financial skills, namely:
• Becoming a wise and faithful steward.
• Creating and following a budget.
• Managing money with discipline.
• Avoiding unnecessary debt.
Contact Sr. Prevatke for more information.
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US Central Area presidency preparedness guide (formerly North America Central)
August – Guide Overview
September – Emergency Planning
October – Home Storage and Production – this month
November – Financial Preparedness
December – Emotional Preparedness
Church leaders have counseled us to store a basic supply of food and water at home to prepare for times of need. In the Old Testament, Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dream. Joseph said there would be seven years of plenty, followed by seven years of famine. Pharaoh asked Joseph to direct a food storage program to save Egypt from hunger. We, too, can plan ahead. When we strive to prepare ”every needful thing,” we'll be blessed with peace of mind (Doctrine and Covenants 109:8). It can be easy to feel stressed about food storage. We all live in different circumstances, and some of us have limited finances or space in our homes. Bishop W. Christopher Waddell said, “The Lord does not expect us to do more than we can do, but He does expect us to do what we can do, when we can do it” (“There Was Bread,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2020, 43). We can start small and work “in wisdom and order” (Mosiah 4:27).
Storing food and necessities:
Short-term food storage
Water
Longer-term food storage
Non-food essentials
Food production and preservation
Gardening
Small animal production
Preserving food at home
Planning your home storage activity
The complete manual is available at:
Be sure to plan for winter necessities like emergency heat, lighting, snow removal, winter car bags, etc. as you prepare for winter survival.
Herb/Plant of the Month
Egyptian onions, also called walking onions. A perennial onion producing mostly green stems but also small bulbs great for soups and stews. If you would like some, let me know.
You can plant garlic and walking onions in pots to keep indoors for fresh flavor all winter long.
Gardening Segment:
In case you missed it, see attachment 4 from last months newsletter, featuring a program given to a Freeport EQ/RS combined meeting in September.
When it comes to gardening, don’t be afraid to experiment.
I learn new things all the time, inspired by Heavenly Father. If you are not doing it, He can’t help you see a different way.
Microclimate makes a big difference in how plants react and grow. Such things as water, sunlight duration and quality, winter wind direction and buffers like wind breaks, insulation of plants, etc.
Our first frosts can be from early October to Late October. That’s a whole month of extra growing, that is if you’re not sick of the garden yet. Coverings, like frost blankets, sheets, burlap, can spread that out even further.
Hoop houses, grow tunnels, composting heating schemes allow you to go out even further.
Sprouting and microgreens are another way to garden indoors through the winter.
Freeze extra tomatoes and peppers, grapes for later processing, usage
Amish composting system 3:1 carbon:nitrogen for 7-14 day compost
Buy and store garden seeds now for next year(s). it’s just as crucial as food and water!
Regarding root cellaring for fruit and vegetable storage:
https://homesteadingfamily.com/preservation-101-root-cellaring/
https://extension.missouri.edu/publications/mp562
https://homestead-honey.com/70-best-storage-varieties-for-root-cellaring/
https://northerngardener.org/modern-root-cellar/
We’ve harvested all the green tomatoes at the Rockford Interfaith Community Garden and are closing down the garden, putting it to bed, as it were.
Pretty soon, it will be Spring again.
I hope you have a great Autumn.
Respectfully submitted,
Michael J Goodwin
Stake Welfare and Self-Reliance Specialist
Stake Addiction Recovery Specialist
779-203-0451
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