A special Sacrament and Boundary change meeting for all members of the New Mark and Smithville Lake Wards of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was held February 16, 2020. Leadership changes were made in both congregations. Also, announced were new boundaries for attendance purposes.
Ryan Daniel Grady, Kansas City, has been named Bishop of the New Mark Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Bishop Grady will be assisted by two counselors: Norman Frederick Buescher, Kansas City and Michael Aaron Richeson, Kansas City.
Stephen Wayne Holmstead, Kansas City, has been named Bishop of the Smithville Lake Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Bishop Holmstead will be assisted by two counselors: Richard Scott Brown, Kansas City and Kirk Martin Stock II, Smithville.
Presiding at the meeting was, Michael T. Beach, Kansas City, President of the Liberty Missouri Stake, accompanying President Beach, were his two counselors, Rodolfo M. Garcia, Kansas City and Jeffrey A. Barnes, Kansas City.
A bishop is the leader of a local congregation (known as a ward) with duties similar to those of a pastor, priest or rabbi. In the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints this position is unpaid.
Each bishop is assisted by two counselors. Together, this bishopric oversees the spiritual and social needs of their ward members. The bishop helps each member of his congregation in their efforts to follow Jesus Christ. In addition to spiritual matters, a bishop helps members who are struggling financially or in other ways to become self-reliant through welfare assistance. A bishop also oversees practical matters such as records, reports, finances and the meetinghouse where members meet.
Bishops typically serve for about five years. Bishops report to stake presidents, and these local leaders have a significant amount of local autonomy to make decisions regarding the members in their wards and stakes.
