Self Reliance

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

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.

March 2026 Self-Reliance Newsletter – Preparation for Easter!

Easter is on the 5th of April this year, the second day of General Conference.

A great time to remember and celebrate the Atonement and Resurrection of the Savior Jesus Christ.

To reflect on His suffering, His sacrifice and exact obedience for all mankind.

A special musical presentation will be held at the Stake Center at 6 PM on March 29th, Palm Sunday.

Hack from February:

I mentioned this in the February Newsletter and have found an opportunity to serve.:

“Home income producing hacks. If you need a little extra income, you might want to try these enterprises:

Soap making

Candle making

Both use similar equipment, scents, colors, …"

The Members of R3 have shown an interest and I will present a hands-on demonstration soon on how to make laundry soap, to start. They can do it in their own homes, with family help, increase their own self-reliance to start, and possibly to sell later on.

Herb of the Month

Plantain and Comfrey: Both contain Allantoin for beautiful skin, quick healing, etc.

Important Garden tip:

I’ve had the revelation that I might be creating ‘Gullible Gulls’ with regards to starting gardens, by providing plants around the Stake. See this October 1982 talk by Pr. Marion G. Romney: https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1982/10/the-celestial-nature-of-self-reliance?lang=eng

To be truly self-reliant, one should be relying on their own resources and efforts as much as possible and am encouraging gardeners to do so.

I have truly enjoyed visiting the various units with plants in hand to share God’s bounty with others.

I encourage everyone who gardens, to start their tomato and pepper seeds now.

If anyone needs help starting their own plants, please let me know, also, if someone wishes to provide plants on a wider scale to their ministered siblings, etc., and need information or support, contact me.

The Talcott Free Library in Rockton and the Julia Hull Library in Stillman Valley have seed libraries for free seed. There is also one starting up in the Winnebago Library. I have seeds available from the Roland Hallet (RH) Shumway Memorial Seed Bank to share. Varieties include: Antique Roman, Amish Paste, Delicious, Bystrom Cherry, Black Cherry, Roma VF and Rutgers Tomatoes and ground cherries, an annual fruit.

Hack of the Month

Outdated peanut butter, ie, rancid, and old cooking oil can always be employed as fire starters.

I use them in my wood stove when the house is cold and needs some cheery warmth quickly.

Another Hack:

During one of our BSH truck deliveries, the high was -5F. Hand warmers were a great asset for all workers. Several types were used:

Electronic battery powered ones, re-chargeable.

Air powered “Shake and Bake” varieties, non-reusable (same technology as the oxygen absorption packets used in dry pack canning. Actually, these are cheaper to use for 5 gal containers and larger, than the regular 3qt size packets available at the home canning center.) One year, I worked outside

every day through the winter. I duct taped bubble wrap on the toes of my tennis shoes and slipped a hand warmer inside. Kept my toes toasty.

A third type not used, sodium acetate hand warmers. These are re-chargeable, produce 130F for about an hour and can be made at home from baking soda and vinegar. Great search topic.

Still another hack:

If you bake baking soda at 300F for 1 hour, it changes from sodium bicarbonate, pH 8, to sodium carbonate, washing soda, pH 11. A stronger all-purpose cleaner, that can actually turn spaghetti into ramen noodles.

HERSHEY Corner:

How can you improve in each of these areas?

Health:

Education:

Resource Mgt

Social Emotional Spiritual

Home Production and Storage

Employment

Year’s Supply

Respectfully submitted,

Michael J Goodwin