Brothers and Sisters,
Over the past year we have counseled with neighboring Stake Presidents as we look at the growth of the church here in North Texas and specifically what that means for our stakes in terms of membership and boundaries. We are all aligned that whatever we do should be done with a focus on our children and youth and strengthening families.
After months of counseling with other Stake Presidents, Bishops, our sister leaders in the stake and as a Stake Presidency, we have felt the Lord’s hand and His approval, in what we can only describe as a wonderful revelatory process. It is within that spirit that I’m writing to inform you that this coming Sunday we’ll be announcing changes to our stake boundaries that will impact the boundaries of most wards in the Alliance and Fort Worth North stakes.
As we have fasted, prayed and spent time in the temple, we have been overwhelmed by the love that the Lord has for each and every one of you. He has also made clear to us the significance of this boundary change for many of you.
While change can be difficult, we know that what we proposed to the First Presidency is in the best interests of our children, youth and families across the stake. Late last week the First Presidency reviewed and approved our proposal in their weekly meeting in the temple.
This coming Sunday June 30th at 4pm we will host a meeting in the Fort Worth North Stake Center where we will outline the changes being made to our stakes. This meeting will also be available via broadcast to other buildings in the Alliance and Fort Worth North Stake boundaries. The Saratoga and Trophy Club wards are the only wards unaffected by these changes in the Alliance stake.
We are asking members of the following wards to attend in person at the buildings indicated below:
- Beach St building – Park Glen 1st, Park Glen 2nd, Fossil Ridge, Timber Creek and Heritage Wards
- Trophy Club building – Justin, Roanoke, Haslet and Woodland Springs Wards
- Bonds Ranch building – Bonds Ranch, Avondale, Eagle Mountain and Highland Station Wards
- Saginaw building – Saginaw Ward
- Decatur building – Rhome Ward
For those of you who may be traveling below is a link to join the broadcast:
https://zoom.us/j/99779702644
For some of you this coming Sunday will be the last Sunday in your current ward as it looks today. When I was sustained as the Stake President of the Alliance Stake on February 12, 2023, I stated “Sisters and brothers, the strength in our stake lies with you, the individual members. Just as we were taught by Elder Ringwood yesterday, you are the miracle. We tend to identify ourselves as members of the Trophy Club, Avondale or the Saratoga ward instead of being members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It’s almost as if we put what ward we belong to first. We are members of His restored church who happen to live in the Alliance, Texas stake. There are amazing people throughout our stake if you would only connect the dots and reach out”.
Brothers and sisters there is no ward or stake without you… the amazing members that give so much of yourselves… whatever ward you may find yourself in following Sunday’s announcement, please know that you are there because the Lord needs you there…from the youngest child to the oldest member…you are all known, loved and needed by Him… and there are members of your new ward who also need you…your love, testimony and example…you will always be the miracle regardless of these changes.
I want to leave you with my testimony that I know these changes are inspired and will strengthen our children and youth and their relationships. I invite you to join me in fasting and prayer this Sunday ready to come to the afternoon meeting to sustain these changes. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
With love,
President Hames