The communities of
North Concord, Martinez, Pleasant Hill, Pacheco, Vine Hill, Clyde, Port Costa,
Crockett, Hercules, Rodeo, Pinole, San Pablo, El Sobrante, El Cerrito, and Richmond
through service, community-building, and faith-promoting activities comprise the Concord California Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Public Affairs
Public Affairs exists to build relationships with the community and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
What is a "stake", "ward" or "branch?
In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, local congregations are called wards (or branches for smaller congregations). They are organized geographically and members attend a ward or branch near their home. The spiritual leader of each ward is called the bishop (or the branch president for branches). He is a member of the congregation who has been asked to serve as a volunteer in this position. A group of wards forms a stake, and the leader of a stake is a stake president. “Stake” is not a term found in the New Testament, but is taken from Old Testament tent imagery in which the “tent,” or church, is held up by supporting stakes (see Isaiah 54:2).
Lifting one another's burdens
A stake, ward or a branch is a community in which members develop friendships and help each other. Members try to follow the teachings of an ancient prophet who taught that when we are baptized, we are “willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light” and “willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort” (Book of Mormon, Mosiah 18:8-9). Through service, members lift one another’s burdens and express their love.
Serving in the community
JustServe.org, the women's Relief Society Organization and the Young Women/Young Men youth programs all provide organized opportunities for Church members to give their time and talents to bless those in need. It also gives members the opportunity to beautify city streets, parks, schools, and recreational areas and to serve in other ways.
