Relief Society Christmas Program

Chelsealacrosse · #1 (**permalink**) 10-28-2008, 06:14 PM

HELP! I am in charge of our ward's Relief Society Christmas program...and I need help! Out theme is: "O Holy Night" and they would like us to do a program with including the narrative from Luke. Any ideas or past program experience that either you did or were guests to would be welcomed and very appreciated!
TIA!

DeborahC · #2 (**permalink**) 10-28-2008, 06:28 PM

I think it would be wonderful and touching to plan a program around Josh Groban's song, "Mary, did you know?"

It's such a beautiful song!

I miss the old Relief Society.

georgia2 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-28-2008, 07:38 PM

A Relief Society Christmas Program? What is that?
Our RS doesn't do anything! WE don't have any of the independent meetings that were introduced several years ago. Our RS pres thinks we have to get the Bishop's permission on everything we do. They won't even let us announce anything any of us would like to have in RS.
I really do want to know what is a RS Christmas Program!

DeborahC · #4 (**permalink**) 10-28-2008, 08:01 PM

edited... because it was a double post

DeborahC · #5 (**permalink**) 10-28-2008, 08:02 PM

Yup, I was really sad and surprised to find out that the old Relief Society Homemaking days were over, when I started my journey back. Honestly, those meetings are what brought in a lot of new members, in my opinion. The fellowship with other sisters was wonderful.

Today I looked at the list of "meetings" the current RS holds, and there really wasn't anything I was interested in enough to attend regularly.

I don't understand whose idea it was to change things... it was always well attended in my experience. Now, nobody knows what's going on.

::sits on the stump, grumpily:::

AND... since I'm complaining... what's with no Visiting Teachers anymore?
I mean, I'm getting a page from the Ensign in my mailbox instead?
::crying::

I so looked forward to those visits...

Starfish · #6 (**permalink**) 10-28-2008, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chelsealacrosse

HELP! I am in charge of our ward's Relief Society Christmas program...and I need help! Out theme is: "O Holy Night" and they would like us to do a program with including the narrative from Luke. Any ideas or past program experience that either you did or were guests to would be welcomed and very appreciated!
TIA!

We usually have an adult Christmas dinner--men invited (you can draw from the High Priest's and Elders Quorum's budgets). Women in the ward volunteer to each decorate a table (seats 6-8). We bring our own linens, dishes, center pieces, etc. Then we take everything home to wash. Every table is different and quite lovely. (The challenge is to keep it from getting competitive--RS women tend to get a little crazed.

)

Then we have some type of program. You could do a reading from Luke with some musical numbers. I remember a presentation one year from the Primary in Sac. Mtg. where the children sang Christmas songs and an adult (pick someone with a good voice) read passages from the Bible that were the words of Christ himself. (BoM, 3 Ne. could be used also.) It was very effective. Instead of the children, you could have the entire RS sing or arrange a smaller group, or whatever.

Another year we invited the local high school choral group to come and sing and we donated $ to the school in exchange.

For those of you who miss this type of thing in your ward, volunteer to organize it.

pam · #7 (**permalink**) 10-28-2008, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeborahC

I think it would be wonderful and touching to plan a program around Josh Groban's song, "Mary, did you know?"

It's such a beautiful song!

I miss the old Relief Society.

I haven't heard Josh sing it...but I think Donny Osmond's version is soooo much the better version of any I have heard.

DeborahC · #8 (**permalink**) 10-28-2008, 10:37 PM

I haven't heard that version, but I'm sure it's great.
I just love the song...

zookeeper · #9 (**permalink**) 10-28-2008, 11:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chelsealacrosse

HELP! I am in charge of our ward's Relief Society Christmas program...and I need help! Out theme is: "O Holy Night" and they would like us to do a program with including the narrative from Luke. Any ideas or past program experience that either you did or were guests to would be welcomed and very appreciated!
TIA!

Starfish's ideas sound awesome! I would recommend delegating. Musical numbers could be arranged by your ward music coordinator. With Starfish's ideas the tables are done. And hopefully your ward has a relief society food coordinator. etc..
My last ward had a Relief Society Christmas program and it was more silly and fun than serious. We ate dinner and played "name that tune" with christmas numbers. It was a blast!

Chelsealacrosse · #10 (**permalink**) 10-29-2008, 08:47 AM

Thank you all for your responses!
I am sorry to hear that some of your Relief Society activities are less and less each year. Our ward only does 3 a year...Christmas is the biggest one. I too agree that activities are a way of inviting those who may be intimidated by the whole Sunday church setting. I know that the First Presidency has asked for things to be a little more focus on home family prepardness and because of that I believe that they have limited the number of activities. WHich, I do agree with. I agree that activities once a month is too much...especially if you are on the events comittee like me!
In response to Georgia2 I call it the "program" since it is the musical part of the evening. We have a nice dinner followed by a 30 minute program and then end with dessert!