by: Brenda Sacher

Another idea I have is a one to show the sisters that RS is an important part of all of our lives. It was called “Angels among us” For advertisements we created candy kiss angels to invite them to attend enrichment.

That night instead of a lesson we asked 7 different sisters of varying ages to take 3-5 minutes and tell about how a sister has touched there lives or has been an angel for them. Than for the activity we had double mats created with 7 holes to insert 7 generations of pictures. Starting with your self and doing only the women go back that far if you can. If not than some inserted scriptures or your favorite saying.

For refreshments Angle food cake or other Heavenly treats. The picture where a hit and gave us a wonderful heirloom to hang on the wall.

We set up the Cozy Corner and there were about five sisters, I think, who spent the evening in there. It was set up in the same room as the Give and Take tables and the display of wedding pictures.

One sister was a sister who never comes out and so I was really glad to see her. I think the sisters who hung out in the Cozy Corner really had a good time and built some friendships - and that is what it was all about!

-Cami Shields

We had a Gardening Enrichment activity this month which was surprising well attended for once!! Our ward boundaries have not long ago been changed and our ward has gone form a very affluent ward to a very needy ward with over a quarter of the members on welfare. This has been a challenge to us to make sure we have HFPE evenings that cost no money.

We had a wonderful evening with one of the young sisters explaining how there is no such thing as a “black thumb” just a plant that doesn’t like us!! For those “Black thumbs” out there she suggested growing Mother-in-law Tongues as they are impossible to kill, even if you for get to water them for months.

We were shown how to plant a terrarium, a square foot garden (very easy to do!) and Patio Planters. We were each given 6 Lavender seeds to grow in a pot as well. The wonderful sister who did our class was so we prepared and totally pumped us up for growing plants. She also explained how important it is to talk to your plants because they breath in Carbon Dioxide and breath our Oxygen. In return we breath in the Oxygen and breath out Carbon Dioxide.

This has been the first HFPE night since I have been called as Enrichment night leader that we have exceeded 5 sisters to the evening (which included the presidency and me!). This month our numbers were 15. It has made me more excited about my calling and I am now looking forward to preparing our next evening which is going to be on Good Books.

-Michelle KS

We just did this same activity for our April Enrichment. I was worried about it, but the ladies seem to have a great time. We had a speaker talk about “Getting Firmly Planted”. She spoke about feeling balanced in all aspects of our lives, spiritual, family, mentally, etc. She did a great job, and then we had a horticulturist come, (for anyone who lives in Utah she is the designer for Thanksgiving Point) she was fabulous. She brought all different kinds of ways to pot plants and talked about what types of plants are good for your area. Then everyone had brought pots and we potted plants. For dessert we had that “Dirt Dessert”.

-Amy Twitty

by: Leann

Here is the Gospel Study Program that the sister Missionaries and I devised using their gospel study program as a guide.

We had this class last night and it was a HUGE hit. People seem want that direction in scripture study. We cut each individual topic and pasted it on a 4X6 index card and punched two holes in the top. Then we inserted two book rings and attached it to a stand made of poster board so that it sits on your counter like those “LDS Scripture a day” thingies. This was a wonderful class. This has been highly condensed down from the full time missionaries study guide.

by: Carol

This is what we came up with for the first 10 months for the year 2002.
January 2, Spiritual Development

A New year – A New Spirit
Class ideas:
Do you have my name? Follow-up with temple day during the week (This may be a shortened version to accommodate other classes)
Feast on the Scriptures - 30 days program for reading the Book of Mormon (comparing food/scriptures)
Paper molded temples.
Quick Sunday meals
Computer class (using the net and email) Midweek class

February, Service
Give Your Heart in Service
Class ideas:
Making Fleece kits (hats, gloves, booties)
Tropical Bandages
Block Watch by Phoenix Police Dept.
Decorate cookies - 1 to eat one to give to Nursing home

MARCH - Stake Event

April 3, Marriage and Family Relations
New Life in the Family
Class ideas:
FHE games to make and play
Now there are 2 (Cooking for 2)
Dear Abby: a chat with Mom on ideas that work
for prayers, Bedtime, reverence, housework, Rebellion, scriptures, tantrums, Lies, Sabbath, peace at home
Easter craft (as yet undecided)

May 1, Self-reliance
I Can Do It
Class ideas:
Herbal Remedies
72 hour kits
Antarctica – a test of Self-Reliance
Powder Puff mechanics

June5, (Tri-ward) Literacy
Learning is to Love
Class ideas:
American Heritage (Learn to Love it!)
Film: A More Perfect Union
Signers of Declaration of Independence
$1.00 bill
Other Eminent Men of Wilford Woodruff
tea dyeing
cross stitch,
pies and ice-cream

July and August tri-ward meetings put on by other 2 wards

September 4, Homemaking Skills
A Night at the Movies
Class ideas:
The Big Easy Crockpot Cooking class
A Day in the Life of Organization and filing Pictures and Scrapbooking
The Natural Using natural products to clean
Field of Dreams Pot gardening (grow your own soup mix – veggies and herbs)
Second Time Around recycled crafts for kids

October 2, Cultural Arts
A Piece of the World
Class ideas:
Foods from around the world (dinner/tasters table)
Learning to do 3D reverse painting
Day of the Dead
Tamales
Book Review
October All Day Craft Day Ideas
Ruffle Trees
Family Calendars
Walking Duck Toy
Strengthening Relationships
Class ideas: This class has not been definitely planned as it may be used by another ward
Church leadership roles
Management skills
Communicating – people types
Fellowship with the Saints thru music

Personal Development and Education
Class ideas: This class has not been definitely planned as it may be used by another ward
Recycled crafts (creativity)
College classes (Celestial Degree)
Emma awards
Patriarchal blessings
Sign language
Time management
Family Photo Quilt
Book Review

1. As the sisters come in they are given a disability. They will be blind, deaf (only partially), in a wheel chair. You get the idea. . We have a sister with a quick little wrap up about dealing with that. She will talk about physical disabilities and how we can be patient with those who have them or with ourselves. But on another level, being patient with our own short-comings and others short-comings as we deal with people in our lives.

2. A mini-class on preparing for a mission. This is was taught by a mom and dad who just recently sent their second son on a mission. They can compare what they did the first time with what they did with the second son. Also, the class focuses on what couples can do to prepare to include those sisters without kids at home.

3. We will then have a short mini-class on food substitutions. We’re going to talk about substituting apple sauce or prunes for your oils in baking cookies, brownies, and cakes. Then a little about what you can substitute for alcohol in some recipes.

For Refreshments: Have some cake, brownies, cookies and cheese fondue.

Contributed by: Tami in Lithonia, GA

We’ll have a superb guest speaker talk about “Trial, Adversity, and Affliction” and share some of her insights.

Contributed by: Lisa Henry

The sisters bring women’s gift items regularly throughout the year, such as soaps, lotions, bath things and so on. We have made items such as rubber stamped note pads, bookmarks and bath salts which we use along with the items collected and once a year we fill gift baskets using excelsior, cellophane, and ribbon. We have also included scrolls with the Proclamation to the Family and tied with ribbon.
There are many ideas of things to include such as pamphlets about the city or area where you live. We make about 25 baskets and store them in the R.S. cupboard. At a baptism of a new sister, the Pres. welcomes the new sister and presents a basket. We also made cards out of used cards cutting out the pretty pictures and have a welcome written on the back also stating that this is a gift from the women of our ward. We have also made these cards up on the computer with appropriate pictures etc. We use a hole punch and attach to the ribbon on the gift basket.

The gift baskets are also given to new sisters that move in and to Young Women entering R.S. We have been doing this for a couple of years and it has been a huge success and really makes any of our newcomers feel so welcomed and loved!

-: Linda Pearce

I’m also a military wife (Army) and wondered if you had ever used some of these HFPE class ideas with your military groups. I am active in our Family Readiness Groups. I am currently planning a meeting based on general etiquette as well as military etiquette and traditions. I’m doing this as a back to school theme where everyone will come dressed as they did in high school, foods served will be typical of cafeteria meals and there will be classes and a quiz on etiquette (can be used for any subject, though, such as budgeting, consumer math, literary, etc.).
I also have plans for one centering around tea time traditions– the art of taking time for reflecting on God and sharing beautiful works of music, art, poetry (literary works) and traditions with your fellow sisters and your children. Another idea that I want to do is a spring planting theme with a lesson on blooming where you are planted as well as basics of gardening.

~Mrs. Danielle Hamilton

We recently became a new ward and had pretty much zero budget and did not know everyone. What we did for enrichment night is have a “baby Shower” theme because our ward was the new kid in the stake. The sisters brought labeled gifts for the auxiliary closets. For instance the primary received scissors, glue, markers, crayons etc. The Relief Society received paper products for enrichment night, dishtowels, etc. Then all the sisters played get-to-know you games and had baby shower cake, punch and nuts. It was helpful to our poor ward and a great way to get to know the sisters, not to mention a lot of fun!

-Anonymous

Distressing furniture is popular, fun and easy to do–just pick up an old dresser, night stand, or whatever you have lying around. You could also try finding something at a second hand store. Simply paint it the color you want, and grab some sand paper and just start sanding the edges. You can change the whole look of your furniture and it feels like you’ve bought something brand new for only a fraction of the cost!

-Melinda Walker

by Angie in Cleveland, OH

January - Spiritual Development
*Temple symbolism
*Enhancing your temple experience
*Special experiences (at temples around the world)
*How to answer non-members questions about the temple
Refreshments: temple mints/punch

February - Marriage & Family Relations
Mini Classes:
*Putting the romance back in your marriage
*Homemade valentines
*Pamper yourself (bath salts and massage)
Refreshments: Sugar cookies

March - OTHER
*Women of Kirtland Program
*Slide Show Presentation of Present “Women of Kirtland” (sisters in the ward)
*Formal Invitations
Formal Dinner: Lasagna, Caesar salad, breadsticks, favorite birthday
cakes

April - Literacy
Guest Speakers:
*Enhancing Personal Scripture Study
*Symbolism in the Scriptures
*Motivating Family Scripture Study
*Personal Application of the Scriptures
Refreshments: Root beer Floats

May - Homemaking Skills
Guest Speakers:
*Home Organization
*Family Work Charts/Making Work Fun for Kids
*Cleaning/Stain Removal,
*Uncluttering your home
Activity:
Spring Cleaning Swap (bring donations and swap items, donate anything leftover to charity)
Refreshments: Strawberry shortcake

June - Service
*Community Service Project
*Rainey Institute Urban Arts Center
*Wall and mural painting project
Refreshments: Cookies and brownies

July - Self-Reliance
Pioneer theme
* Shared Pioneer stories
Mini Classes:
Pioneer skills: quilting and Dutch oven cooking
Craft: pioneer hankie dolls
Refreshments: Dutch oven cobbler, chicken, and potatoes

August - Physical & Emotional Health
*Lesson on stress management

Activity:
*RS Shaker Heights Olympics: teams compete in 3 legged race, bean bag toss, water pass/fill the bucket, dribbling ball through cones, lifesaver pass
*Medal ribbons awarded for each team
Refreshments: potluck of nutritious dishes

September - Strengthening Relationships
*Visiting teaching conference/skit
*New sister introductions/spotlights
Formal Dinner: sweet-n-sour chicken, rice, green salad, rolls, hot
fudge brownie sundae

October - Personal Development & Education
*Developing talents and creativity
*Super Saturday Craft Day (9 craft projects)
*Demonstrations (homemade cards and Christmas candies)
*Quilt to tie for charity
Refreshments: Soup, rolls, & desserts

November - Cultural Arts
Guest Speakers:
*Family & Cultural Traditions
*How Traditions Tie Families Together
*Fun Traditions to do in Cleveland with your Family
*Amish Family Traditions (or traditions in your area)
Handout:
*Family Traditions from the Shaker Heights Ward (booklet of ideas to take home)
Refreshments: Tasty Traditional Family Recipes

December - OTHER
Annual Christmas Program & Wreath-making Party
*Musical/Spiritual Christmas Program (30-45 minutes)
*Assembling Fresh Pine Bough Wreaths/ Wreath-making Party (1 hour)
*Focus on missionary work and inviting non members
*Formal invitations (extras to invite non member friends)
Refreshments: wassail and cinnamon rolls

Here is an idea about making the 1st Sunday presidency messages and monthly enrichment nights all tie together into a theme.

This year we have been doing the theme “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord”, and we have covered a different “room” in each house- as suggested by some sisters last year. We have found it to be very successful because anything can fit with that “theme”.

We have a bulletin board with a silhouette of a house and each month we have unveiled a new “room” that will help make our house a home.

The First Sunday messages have tied in beautifully with each room- and it has really been a great way to bridge over to enrichment night. The theme has also been wonderful because we have REGULARLY had the opportunity to bring food storage into this whole theme.

For example, we are in the “bathroom” for the month of July, we remind the sisters to pick up additional bathroom supplies during the month while they are shopping.

The presidency message this month was “Finding His Image in your Countenance” and the enrichment night is “Washing Away Anxiety-How To Deal With Stress” It all ties in so well even with it being so different.

Anyway, we have had such great success with this theme and I really appreciate those that shared this with us last year.

I guess I am wanting to see what other ideas have worked for other wards out there. We are a small ward with many converts. I appreciate any input on what has worked well for you…

-Brandon

by: Cathy Summersell, of England

In August, weather permitting, we are having a competition between 2 sisters. They are both given 5 pounds to go and get ingredients for a menu they will cook in front of the class. They will have 30 minutes to cook and display a beautiful main dish. They rest of the sisters will be the audience and will have cards which contain a red apple on one side and a green pepper on the other. The 2 sisters will have an apron with either an red apple or a green pepper. The audience has to choose which sister’s meal is the best. Then it becomes a taster session for all of us.

There will be getting to know you games as well. For dessert we will have strawberries and ice-cream. Strawberries for those on a low sugar/fat diet. The winner of the show will receive a set of wooden spoons. (Sorry the budget doesn’t stretch very far.)