LDS Church in Camas Continues to Grow; Local Members Sustain Creation of New “Ward” at Special Sunday Meeting

Local members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) addressed their growing numbers on Sunday by gathering in a special session to create a new “ward” in the Camas area.

A “ward” within the LDS Church is a geographical area, and is similar to a parish or precinct. Each ward has a congregation of roughly 500-600 followers.

A week ago, local leaders said that growing numbers in the Prune Hill area necessitated the creation of a third ward out of two that currently meet at the Prune Hill building on 18^th Street in Camas. Until Sunday, only two wards, Grass Valley, and Prune Hill, met at the building.

The new ward, called Forest Home, was created by carving out new boundaries from both wards, and contains the eastern portion of Prune Hill and extends to downtown Camas.

Local leader, President Brad Gillespie, who helps preside over the local stake (which now oversees 11 wards) announced the new boundary lines at a special session of both wards at the faith’s Stake Center, which is located in Vancouver, near Harmony Sports Complex.

Members were presented with the new boundaries and asked to vote, or sustain, the changes. The local members voted unanimously in support of the change.

This is a photo inside one of the temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint.

Gillespie said the Prune Hill Ward saw amazing growth over the last several years and that realignment was necessary.

In 2008, three local wards were realigned into five to accommodate growth. Yesterday’s changes surprised local members.

Greg Gillespie was sustained as the new Bishop of the Forest Home Ward. His counselors are Bret Clayton and Jeff Clark. All reside within the new boundaries and are not paid for their efforts, which usually require 20-30 hours of service per week.

Church members are expected to attend the ward that aligns to their residence.

The ward is not only a geographical boundary, but it is also the heart of spiritual and social activity for the LDS Church, which was restored in 1830 in New York.

The creation of the new Forest Home Ward signifies continued and sustained growth for the LDS faith within Camas. Growth comes through new move-ins and baptisms. Camas wards now include Prune Hill, Grass Valley, Fern Prairie, Parker’s Landing , Washougal River (includes some of Camas), and now Forest Home.

To learn more about the LDS faith, visit www.lds.org