2023  Relief Society Women's Conference

Classes & Speakers

(Choose 2 classes of 4 offered)

Welcome Address

Michele Butler, QCC Stake RS President

Resources for further study:

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2021/10/47nelson?lang=eng

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/liahona/2019/11/36nelson?lang=eng

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/04/36oaks?lang=eng

Finding Joy No Matter What Life Throws at You

Michelle McClure

Class Description:

Class will be on finding joy no matter what life throws at you.  Included in her experiences are infertility, business and financial set backs and mental and physical health challenges.   In her class there will be a simple watercolor painting tutorial along with a heartfelt chat.  (Participation in painting is not required to come to the class.)  

Teacher Bio:

Born in Lakeside, AZ  but raised in Mesa, AZ till her family moved to Queen Creek when she was 18.  She’s been married to Bryan McClure 20 years and they have 5 children ranging in age from 7 to 16.  Her and her husband own a financial services business and she is fully licensed in that field.  She is very creative and likes to start new hobbies.  Her most recent obsession is watercolor painting.  

Seeking Stillness

Teacher: Laura Dugovic

Class Description: 

David O. McKay said: “Meditation is the language of the soul. It is a private devotion & spiritual exercise...it is a form of prayer and one of the most secret, most sacred doors through which we pass into the presence of the Lord.”

In a world that is increasingly turbulent, stressful, and busy, stillness can seem difficult (if not impossible) to come by. In this class, Laura will share both the science and simplicity of meditation. Learn what meditation IS, what it ISN’T, and take home some great strategies for integrating stillness into an already busy and chaotic life. We will also be doing a short sound meditation and guided visualization. 

Teacher Bio: 

Laura Dugovic is a trained hypnotist, life coach, meditation teacher, and certified sound meditation facilitator. She is the owner of Blackwell Collective, an online education company dedicated to helping others improve their relationships, challenge their automatic negative thoughts, and make room for more stillness, peace, and power in their daily lives.  She enjoys teaching on a variety of topics to audiences both large and small. She lives in Queen Creek, Arizona with her husband, two sons (19 and 13) and a golden retriever named Kevin. 

Finding Balance: Navigating the Demands and Expectations for Latter-Day Saint Women

Teacher: Julia Wheatley

Class Description: 

Aimed at equipping women with the tools and perspectives needed to thrive in a world filled with competing demands and expectations. By embracing our unique roles, nurturing our spiritual well-being, building supportive relationships, and focusing on our Savior, we can find the balance we seek and continue to enrich our own lives, the lives of our families, communities, and the church.

Teacher Bio: 

Julia Wheatley was born and raised in Gilbert and moved to Queen Creek 16 years ago with her husband Benjamin she imported from Canada. She ran for public office as council member when her oldest child was two weeks old and has loved serving the community ever since.  She now serves as the Mayor of Queen Creek and has a love and passion for local service. This is her true “hobby“ outside of running several businesses. She calls herself a gifted napper, and you will often find her dancing to 70’s music, travel deal hunting for adventures for their children Brinlee 13, Asher 11, and twins, Ethan and Aiden 9, or cheering them on at their many sporting events.  She has become much more comfortable in her roles in life as she has realized adulting is like folding a fitted sheet…no one really knows how to do it. 

Finding Jesus

Teacher: Meredith Evans

Class Description:

All of us are striving to “let God prevail” and “Hear Him” in our lives. Yet sometimes the very place(s) where we can hear Him directly—like the scriptures!!---seem the most daunting, or even mundane.  Maybe your life feels too noisy or overwhelming to hear, or maybe you used to have a good rhythm making time for the Lord but have had a change of season in your life, derailing it all? Or maybe you’re in a great groove—and now want to build upon it? Come bring your scriptures and join us as we discuss tools and ideas to get the most from our study and increase our capacity to let God prevail in our day to day lives! There are incredible promises and blessings when we give even our smallest efforts to Him and go to true sources of power. He is in the details of our lives! And when we look with eyes that see, we’ll see (and feel!) His hand. 

Teacher Bio:

Once upon a time, Meredith was a full-time CES seminary teacher in Utah and also spent several years traveling as a guest teacher with EFY. She LOVES being around the youth, and helping them discover heavenly treasures! She has worked at Queen Creek High School for the past twenty years in several capacities, including a return to CES part-time as a teacher at both the QCHS and ALA seminaries. In addition to teaching and mentoring, Meredith feels so blessed to also be able to share her testimony with people of all ages and faiths through music as the Central Production/Stage Manager for Millennial Choirs and Orchestras. She and her husband, Reo, are the parents of three busy but awesome sons—the oldest of which is serving a mission in Provo, UT.

Keynote Speaker

(following class rotations)

Finding Faith

Teacher: Jessica Taylor

Jessica Taylor is a mother of 2 who joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 2011. She is a sociologist with a Professional Certificate in Human Factors Psychology. Sister Taylor enjoys all outdoor activities September-May and loves international travel with family and friends year round. 

Service project

9-10am will be a gathering time to join together on a Christmas Ornament service project benefitting Operation Christmas Ornaments from Far and Near.   

From their Just Serve page: "Each year, many people from across the country experience loss due to wild fires, tornadoes, earthquakes, and flooding, and other natural disasters. These people often lose everything, including their treasured Christmas ornaments.

"We would love to bring Christmas cheer to some of these families by making and donating ornaments. Whether you are able to make 1 or 101, we would love to have you join us in this cause. We know that you will be blessed and filled as you participate in Operation Christmas Ornaments From Near and Far."

Conference Materials