The weather in Phoenix, AZ is finally nice so we had our meeting at the Stake Center Pavilion, decorated in fall colors.
When I was thinking of a theme I knew I wanted to have it outside. I thought it would be fun to have S'mores and a "glamping" feel. Our secretary bore her testimony in Sacrament Meeting and talked about a song by Kenneth Cope called "More" and wanting to give more of herself. That struck me and went so well with the thoughts I'd been having about the meeting so, the theme we ended up with was "S'MORE of me to Give."
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| Invitation |
Since the Pavilion is so big and we were only planning for 40, we divided it in half with white (shower) curtains and lights. This gave a "behind the scenes" place for our servers (my husband and my Secretary's son) to setup and take down dinner and dessert.
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| Note the EZ-up tent on the right. More about that later. |
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| Food table in front of divider curtain. |
As they arrived, we gave each sister a nametag with her name, calling and ward so they could get to know each other, especially while Speed-Friendshipping. Plus, I've found that people like to see their name on things.
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| 2"x4" label |
Dinner:
Announcement: "We are on a tight timeline tonight so we can do all the fun stuff we have planned and get you home at a reasonable hour. If you don't want to go home, you will have time to mingle at the end. We will be ending dinner promptly at 6:30."
Dinner was Walking Tacos. We put this sign on the food table.
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| Walking Tacos sign |
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| Table centerpieces |
Speed-Friendshipping:
After dinner, we had Speed-Friendshipping and Presidency to Presidency interviews in the tent.
Announcement: "We want you to get to know each other and have the opportunity to teach and learn from those in your position. See the rules posted on your tables. Please spread out and sit 6 per table with 3 on each side. Those sitting on the inside will rotate clockwise, every 3 minutes. Please move quickly when you hear the bell ring.
At the same time, there will be Presidency Interviews conducted out at the tent – every 6 minutes or 2 rotations. We will start with Bethany Home Ward and continue alphabetically. When you come back from the tent, please tag out the next ward and take their places at the tables.
Try not to "friend" someone from your own ward or the same person twice. Simply trade places with someone else. This is going to be organized chaos! Please ask the questions from the list provided – a different question for each rotation. Take notes and review them at your next Presidency meeting."
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| Rules and schedule on each table |
The flowers in the centerpieces were pens for them to take notes with on their programs.
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Front and back cover with words to song (later).
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| Inside questions and notes area. |
Questions - 1 per round:
- What is something you love about working in Primary?
- What is your first memory from Primary?
- What is your favorite thing about the Primary Sacrament Program?
- What is a major challenge in creating/running the Primary Sacrament Program? How might you overcome that challenge?
- What is the biggest challenge right now with your calling?
- What aspect of your Primary are you most proud of?
- What is your favorite Primary song?
- What Primary song drives you crazy? You’re not saying that it is bad, just that it doesn’t need to be sung quite so often.
- How do you minister to teachers and help them catch an expanded vision of their role as more than a Sunday teacher?
- How do you make connections with the children?
- How do you respond to an unruly child?
- How do you encourage reverence?
- What are your favorite resources (websites, books, etc.) for Primary ideas and inspiration?
- What makes for a ‘good day’ in Primary?
- Name someone who influenced you as a child and why.
- If you could pass on any Primary wisdom, what would you share?
They loved it and had a blast!!
Presidency to Presidency Interviews:
We setup a tent for interviews so we could have a little privacy. The Second Counselor of the Stake Presidency also joined us.
We almost had to move it because it was hanging out over the grass and the sprinklers came on right at 6:00. We put bowls over them and then stepped on them. Luckily they were only on for 2 minutes. LOL!
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| EZ up tent with 3 walls, lights and table |
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| Centerpiece in tent with mints |
Last month we sent out a survey with "housekeeping" questions to remind them of what is in the Handbook. During our interviews we went over their answers and areas that need improvement. Questions are listed below.
- Do you feel your Primary children are learning gospel principles as they sing Primary songs?
- Do you sing Welcome and/or Birthday songs?
- Does the music leader go into Nursery?
- Does Nursery sing only songs that are in the Children's Songbook?
- Does each Primary class have two teachers?
- Do you attend Primary classes periodically?
Children and Youth Program
- Are children participating in the Children and Youth Program?
- Do you feel parents are familiar with their role and responsibilities in the program?
- How often are Primary activities being held?
- Do boys and girls meet together for Primary activities?
- If so, how often do they meet together?
- Do you feel your ward is generally supportive in taking the Protecting Children and Youth training?
- Does your bishop and/or counselors attend Primary regularly?
- If so, how often?
- Do you feel your voice is being heard in Ward Council meetings?
- Do you feel like you have been trained for your calling?
- What would you like to have more training on?
Ending on a Positive Note
- What is one thing you feel your Primary is doing really well?
- What do you love about Primary?
Talk:
After the Speed-Friendshipping and interviews, we listened to the song
"More" by Kenneth Cope while reading the words on the back of the program.
Elder M. Russell Ballard said "Be patient with yourself. Perfection comes not in this life, but in the next life. Don't demand things that are unreasonable, but demand of yourself improvement. As you let the Lord help you through that, He will make the difference."
One of my favorite quotes from the General Primary Presidency from the 2018 Outline for Sharing Time: "We have the sacred blessing and opportunity to help each child in Primary come to know that he or she is a child of God. We hope that the children will learn this important truth as they feel our Heavenly Father’s love for them. You can help the children understand their divine identity, purpose, and potential. You can help them increase their faith in Jesus Christ and their testimony of our Heavenly Father’s plan for them. And you can give them hope for their future and strengthen their desire to stay on the path back to our Heavenly Father."
Our Stake Presidency Second Counselor gave some closing remarks and we ended with S'MORES for dessert.
They hung out for quite awhile and didn't seem to want to leave. We were all having too much fun and enjoying one another's company. I think it turned out really well.
Favors:
As they left we gave each sister S'more S'MORES to take home.
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| Laser engraved candle holders. |
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| Program, candle holder, wood pick & S'mores kit |
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| Bagged up with unused nametags for those that didn't come. |
