On 8 March, women (and men) around the world will celebrate International Women’s Day. Leading up to that day, and as a contribution to the many conversations going on in honour of women, Pacific Mormon Newsroom is profiling a number of Mormon women who call New Zealand home.
Helen Thomson
At 84 years of age, Helen Thomson is an active member of her faith community in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Each Sunday she selects the hymns and conducts the music for the Cashmere Ward (congregation) of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
A convert to the Church in 1965, Helen has served in many different lay positions, at one time functioning in six at the same time.
Being a widow and great-grandmother has not lessened Helen’s desire to serve and help others. Service to others, she says, is an expression of her faith.
“I pray every night and thank God for the fact that I’m a member of the Church,” she says. “It’s just amazing. I don’t know what my life would have been like without it.”