Sunday, February 12, 2012

February Ward Conferences

February started off wonderfully with Lund's Ward Conference.

2-12-2012  Lund Ward
Thank you to all of the Primary leaders in the Lund Ward.  It is very evident that the Lund Primary is functioning as a support to wonderful families that teach their children the gospel and help them understand the Spirit.  Three of the great and unique things that Lund did were:  (1) First their ward program for sacrament meeting had a special box for Primary.  It listed the theme, scripture and then broke Jr. and Sr. Primary into talks, scriptures, and prayers with children's assignments for the entire month.  What a great way to remind parents and children of their opportunities.  (2)  The Primary room was colorfully decorated and upon entry there was NO DOUBT it was a welcoming room for children of all ages.  They not only had a bulletin board that was decorated, but had CTR themed ideas on all bulletin boards, above the bulletin board, above the windows, and in the hall on the doors to all primary classes.  These beautifully colored decorations invited the spirit and taught the children principles they had been learning through the months.  (3)  A special "Reverence" area was made in the room.  Above it it said "A Tail of Reverence"  and housed the book "Monday I Was a Monkey."  A beautiful book about reverence on Sunday's and making good choices through the week.  They had read the book as a primary and children could earn reverence monkeys to place on the wall after Jr. and Sr. Sharing Time as they practiced reverence.  THANKS Lund for all you do in the Lord's kingdom for His children.

2-19-2012  McGill Ward

Thanks to all the wards who work so diligently.  McGill was NO exception.  It was hard to just choose three ideas to share they had so many great ones, but here goes.  (1)  They really had been using their choice and consequence stick and it showed.  Even the Sunbeams understood what a consequence was and that it is "attached" to our choices.  Their CUTE twist to this was first, they had it placed above the white board in the front.  It is now a permanent fixture in their room.  It is right up front for everyone to see weekly and easy to reach when needed.  Second, they created a "mini" stick with a pencil and words.  This was passed around like a hot potato while they were learning a new song.  When stopped a person had to offer a good choice with its good consequence.  Even the youngest could do this task.  (2) They used roll play (one suggestion in the Sharing Time Outline).  They had created "costumes" they could reuse on a regular basis to act out ANY scripture story.  They took pieces of red, yellow, and blue fabric (primary colors), cut them in 1 1/2 x 2 1/2 feet rectangles with holes for heads in the center and belted them with pieces of fabric.  Children were given paper name tags the could change as the scripture story changes.  Jr. Primary the Sharing time leader narrated as needed while Sr. Primary was given scripts and allowed to act the story out.  REALLY FUN!  (3) Jr. and Sr. Primary helped one another learn songs even when they weren't in the same room.  Jr. Primary made up the motions for a new song while Sr. Primary was given pieces of paper with the words on the bottom of a line of the song.  They children then drew the visuals to be used in Jr. Primary to help them learn.  Children REALLY learned the songs after creating, teaching, and then practicing the song repeatedly.  Thanks, McGill for such great ideas and for bringing our young Primary children to Christ through your love, efforts, and examples.

2-26-2012 Garrison Branch

No matter how small the unit our leaders are showing love and kindness to the young primary children of our stake and Garrison is no exception.  Garrison had some WONDERFUL ideas to share.  (1)  They have a CUTE picture of a birthday cake they display each Sunday.  It has candles below the cake with names of all the primary children.  On the child's birthday month, their candle is put on the cake and remains throughout the month.  What a GREAT way to make the children feel special all month long.  (2)  Children are really given ownership of their primary room.  First, they set up and take down the chairs themselves.  Second, one child is given the duty of writing on the chalk board the names of all children participating that day with their duty such as:  prayer, song, scripture, or reverence child.  This really helps them begin the day in a reverent mood and feel a part of their proceedings.  (3)  They had a fun time learning a new song with a little twist to visual aid cards.  They had card but placed ALL on a cork board in order.  Each card contained a visual reminder for the younger children and the song words at the bottom for the older children.  By keeping it there the entire time it helped the children review and reflect.  As they learned they then removed cards along the way for practice.  Thank you, Garrison for all you do!  It was a WONDERFUL day!

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Singing in the Rain!

When the storms of life hit, you are either all wet OR singing in the rain...it's your choice.

Start getting ready for this years Stake Primary Musical Recital and Arts Performance Day coming:

Friday, March 16, 2012 at 6:00 in the Ely Stake Center cultural Hall.

Participants can sing, play a musical instrument, dance, or perform a reading that complies with our standards:

All performances should "teach children the gospel of Jesus Christ and help them learn to live it...make learning more enjoyable, help children learn and remember gospel truths, and invite the Spirit...(and) help express feelings that may be hard to express in words."  (2012 Outline for Sharing Time, page 26)

WATCH FOR iinstructional materials to be given to Ward Primary Presidencies soon!

February Calendar

2 Feb - Scout Roundtable
            3rd Ward Blue & Gold
4 Feb - Stake Baptism (1st Ward)
9 Feb - Scout District Meeting 7 pm
10 Feb - ScoutRecognition Dinner 6 pm
11 Feb - World Wide Leadership Training 2-4pm
12 Feb - Lunch Ward Conference
14 Feb - Valentine's Day
               Stake Council
19 Feb - McGill Ward Conference
22 Feb - McGill Ward Blue & Gold 5:30
25 Feb - University of Scouting in Elko (all day)
26 Feb - Garrison Branch Conference
28 Feb - 1st Ward Blue & gold 6:00

Mark you Calendars!

Presidency's Message

     As we ponder our 2012 stake scripture and goals, we testify that our Heavenly Father's loving kindness is real. He is mindful of each member of our stake. His Son, Jesus Christ, is the Redeemer. The Holy Ghost testifies of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and of the truth restored.
     As members of the Primary organization, we will strive with unwearied diligence and holiness of heart to develop a mind that learns, find a spirit that burns, cultivate a heart that turns to the Savior, and prepare our soul to earn our Father's blessings.
     We pray for you and the children you serve. We pray that you will receive revelation for your sacred stewardship and act upon it. We stand ready to ease your burdens and lighten your load. Please let us know how we can serve you.
     Every act of love, kindness, and service you render is recorded in heaven. In the words of President George Albert Smith, "Let us evidence our appreciation for what the Lord has given us by serving Him, and we are serving Him when we do good to His children. Freely we have received, now freely give (see Matthew 10:8).
With love,
Rolayne, Shauna, Cammie, and Kaylene