News Release

Boundaries and Leaders Change for Dunedin Wards

"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Dunedin has restructured its congregational boundaries and appointed new leaders," according to a report in the Otago Daily Times.

The article continues: '"The Church, better known as the Mormons, established two congregations in Dunedin many years ago as numbers grew,' its director of public affairs for the Dunedin district, Suzanne Gillies, said yesterday. 'Both congregations share the same Fenton Cres building, with Sunday meetings scheduled at different times.'"

'Congregation membership was decided by where members lived, and the new boundaries more evenly divided up Dunedin and Mosgiel,' she said. 'The congregations had also been renamed from the St Clair and Mornington branches to Dunedin 1st and Dunedin 2nd.'"

Sam Weepers and Stephen Smith are the new bishops of the congregations, which are called 'wards' by Latter-day Saints.

Read the full Otago Daily Times article here.

The Church's Newsroom website states that "congregations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are organized geographically and members attend worship services near their home. Each member belongs to a ward or branch. The lay leader of a ward is called a bishop. He is a member of the congregation who has been asked to serve as a volunteer in this position."

"Each ward has classes and activities for different ages, including children, youth and adults. The substantial time and effort required to administer a ward and meet the needs of the members is carried out by the members themselves. Most members are asked by local leaders to contribute in specific capacities. Duties include local administrative, teaching or service-oriented positions. These responsibilities are changed from time to time, according to the needs of the congregation."

Read more here.

 

Style Guide Note:When reporting about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, please use the complete name of the Church in the first reference. For more information on the use of the name of the Church, go to our online Style Guide.