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August Council Meeting: Unity

There are currently approximately 180 women in the Relief Society of the Durham 4th Ward. However, typical attendance in Relief Society meetings during church is considerably smaller than that. There are many reasons that sisters do not attend: callings in Primary, Nursery, or Young Women in the ward or stake; illness; travel; work obligations; social anxiety; feelings of not fitting in; perspective that the discussion is not applicable to you or your current situation in life; etc. How can we better reach out to and include each sister and help everyone feel welcome and a part of our Relief Society? Here are the ideas that were shared during our council meeting this month:

  • Invite Young Women and their leaders to attend opening exercises or a lesson during Relief Society periodically
  • Arrange for substitutes so Primary and Nursery teachers can attend Relief Society periodically
  • Continue weekly emails to share announcements and lesson information
  • Continue the monthly newsletter; sisters can take printed copies of the newsletter to share with sisters they minister to who aren't at church
  • Use other forms of social media: blog, Relief Society-specific Facebook page, social group email list
    • Make sure people are aware of the communication options we have, perhaps by creating a "move-in" information sheet to share with new members of our ward
  • Ask for good news and missionary moments from sisters serving in Primary and Young Women to share during Relief Society
  • Include announcements from Primary and Young Women during Relief Society and in weekly emails so parents of the children and youth have information
  • Look for other ways to communicate with sisters who don't use social media or email
    • Ministering sisters can learn about the needs and communication preferences of those they are asked to serve
    • Deliver/mail printed copies of the monthly newsletter and fliers about activities
  • Ask sisters directly how they would like to be ministered to and how to best meet their needs
  • Acknowledge that Relief Society may not be easy for everyone; be sensitive to the challenges that others face
  • Have meaningful personal contact with more people
    • Talk to people you see at church after sacrament meeting or between classes and get to know them
    • Invite someone to attend Relief Society with you
    • Talk to sisters in the foyer or another location if needed
    • Consider how Christ would reach out to serve and talk to individuals
  • Remember that Relief Society is an organization of sisters, not a meeting at church; even if you can't attend a lesson during 3rd hour on Sunday, you are still part of Relief Society!
  • Have a clear purpose for meetings so people feel that it's important and worthwhile to attend
    • Focus on action items during council meetings and other discussions
  • Consider what each individual has to offer; invite sisters to use their strengths to contribute to a meeting or activity
What other ideas do you have? How can we reach out and include you? What will you do in the coming month (and beyond!) to include others? Use the comment section below or contact a member of the Relief Society presidency to share your ideas.

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