Beyond those who belong to brick and mortar churches in Windsor, many community-of-faith believers travel several miles to houses of worship located throughout Sonoma County.
For example, some 200 members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS), along with their leader Bishop Byron Webb, live in Windsor. That is almost half of the total congregation of 382 members. These Windsor residents regularly attend Sunday services in what is known as the Foothill Park Ward at 310 Powell Street in Healdsburg.
Webb, who was called to be a bishop just four months ago, is also responsible for an LDS congregation in a larger geographical area, or Stake, that extends from Windsor and Healdsburg to the coast and up to Gualala, California 68 miles away. This denomination is well known for its family focus and humanitarian outreach.
“We’re commanded to serve others, members and non-members alike, and help our neighbors and friends when they are in need using local donations and resources as well as those from the LDS Deseret Industries store and distribution center in the Sacramento area,” Webb said.
In addition, there are Bishop’s Storehouses located in each region of the country where food supplies, packaged and canned goods can be obtained. LDS members can place orders online and receive deliveries by truck in Healdsburg. Food and clothing are also distributed.
The LDS church in Healdsburg is part of an inter-faith Shared Ministries group that includes several city-based churches that work together to provide free meals for anyone in need every day.
“This is a good way for our youth to volunteer by helping to prepare and serve food. Furthermore, our ministering brothers and sisters are encouraged to visit families, provide companionship, get to know them personally and determine their needs,” he said. “We become involved with anyone searching for help. Members actively participate in the community in a variety of ways, by taking part in area blood drives and Leukemia Walks such as Light the Night. During the recent fires, we opened the church as a shelter for those displaced.”
Young members staff a booth each year at the Future Farmers of America (FFA) event held at the Healdsburg Fair Grounds selling Teriyaki chicken to raise money for a summer camp for young women, called Liahona Redwoods, and to enable boy scouts to attend various camps.
Webb said, “Being family-centered is part of God’s plan for us as members of one big family. Our church program is focused on all age groups, from young ‘primary’ children up to age 11, to youth and adults.”
Members and guests come to sacrament meetings on Sunday for one hour, with a second hour devoted to age appropriate Sunday School classes. The second and fourth Sundays of the month include Priesthood programs for men and Relief Society meetings for women.
Easter and Christmas are celebrated and there is a Pioneer History Day that tells the story of the origin of the church. Another program, called Trek, simulates the migration of the church to Utah while depicting the hardships and lives of LDS ancestors and early pioneers.
While local LDS churches are open to everyone, temples are reserved for members who have prepared themselves to participate and receive certain temple ordinances.
