On Sunday 20th November members of the Maidstone Stake met for their semi-annual conference. Invited to the event were the Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr Derek Butler and his wife Mary who seem to have a permanent place on the Maidstone Chapel stand. Being sworn into office at the same time as President Stephen Baldock was called as the Maidstone Stake President earlier this year, the Mayor and his wife have been to several past conferences but this was their first as Mayor and Mayoress. Both now look forward to attending these conferences on a regular basis despite their very busy schedule. Chris Woodward, a counsellor on the Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and his wife Jenny escorted them.
Two of the speakers on the Sunday session were the newly called London Temple President Michael Otterson and his wife Catherine. President Otterson recently retired from his position as managing director of the Public Affairs Department of the Church.
Over 500 people were in attendance to hear uplifting messages from their recently called Stake Presidency, President Stephen Baldock, and counsellors President Leighton Bascom and President Adam Hawkins.