After 10 years and 2 days, Brent was released as president of the New York New York Stake. Some highlights (family and church) over the decade of service:
3 more children; purchase of new apartment; Madison Square Garden conference with President Hinckley; 9/11 and its aftermath; growth from 5 wards and 4 branches to 12 wards and 2 branches; addition of Chinese branch; special meetings with President Hinckley, President Faust, and others; dedication of the Manhattan New York Temple; construction and dedication of 5 new meetinghouses and extensive renovation of Lincoln Square building; Gladys Knight singing "Happy Birthday" to Caroline; calling of many bishop and high councilors; almost doubling of Church membership on Manhattan; invitation to appear on "Today Show"; Philmont; serving with and getting to know so many wonderful people.
The decade included many other wonderful events, including a special stake concert at Carnegie Hall, several "Mormon Nights" with the Yankees and Mets, marching in the annual Columbus Day Parade (several times), stake family history and emergency preparedness fairs, stake arts festivals, celebrating Chinese New Year with the Canal Street Branch members, hosting UN ambassadors, dedicating a plaque (twice!) honoring the Ship Brooklyn saints, commemorating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Joseph Smith, meeting for Church services at Sylvia's Restaurant, singles cruises on the Hudson, starting Mini Philmont and Mini MTC events, restarting the Handel's "Messiah" sing-in, hosting Winter's Eve events, regular Harlem Bridgebuilders Committee activities, publication of a stake history ("City Saints"), acquisition of authentic handcarts for youth conferences, organizing special firesides, etc.
And all that was in addition to the regularly scheduled stake presidency, stake high council, stake council, stake welfare committee, stake priesthood, and ward conference meetings; monthly bishops', quarterly MP leadership, semi-annual patriarch, and regular auxiliary leader interviews; semi-annual stake conferences; weekly temple recommend interviews; preparing regular "fresh" talks; ward and priesthood quorum visits; weddings/sealings; "business" trips to Salt Lake City; Temple Committee planning meetings; regional assignments over Welfare, Singles, Public Affairs, Boy Scouts of America; building construction meetings; private counseling with members; etc., etc., etc.
Plus, Brent learned basic Spanish, dusted off his Mandarin, and learned a few key signs in American Sign Language--all so as to communicate with the stake members.
Sounds pretty exhausting, doesn't it!
Top: Brent after Sunday's general session speaking with some friends, the Five Browns.
Middle and Bottom: Stephen Hodson, Josh Yamada, and Brent speaking with well-wishers.
LDS Church News: New stake presidents
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