Thursday, September 17, 2009

Invitation Sunday Pass-Along Cards

Our Ward Mission Leader and the full-time missionaries asked me to help prepare 200 invitations to pass out this Sunday, in preparation for our "Invitation Sunday" next week.

Their idea is to print information on a larger sized (1" x 2 5/8") address label, then stick it to the blank area on the back of pass-along cards. The missionaries brought over 200 pass-along cards last night and I picked up a pack of 300 white stick-on address labels for about $4.50 at Walmart.

I printed this text on each label:
Please join us for Church services this
Sunday, featuring a special presentation
about the importance of families
Sunday, September 27th, 1:00pm
(I also included the address of our chapel here)

They turned out really nice. We're going to be handing them out after Sacrament meeting and in auxillaries this Sunday.

I think its helpful to have something to give when you're inviting someone...it really makes it seem less awkward...

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

If you fail to plan...

"If you fail to plan, you plan to fail"

That was a motto that the AP's and Zone leaders used a lot during my mission. It got a little redundant after a while, but the concept is very true and I still think of it often.

This is the first in a series of posts that will be adapted from an article called, "Planning to Belong" by Tana Johnson, Ensign, October 1994. This article is geared toward members who have moved to a new ward, but I think a lot of the same principles can apply to member missionary work.

This first idea relates to getting out there and meeting new people in the neighborhood, community, workplace, school/classes, etc.

Idea #1- Planning in advance to meet people and setting goals
Do "some advance preparation. Before (introducing yourself to)...neighbors, co-workers, (etc), think of two or three questions to ask or several topics of general interest to discuss. Have a short, interesting self-introduction in mind so that...you can give more than just your name. Advance preparation helps us overcome stage fright by making us feel more confident and at ease—and this helps others feel the same way.

Set some specific goals, such as introducing yourself to two or three new people a week or sitting in the (front row) rather than on the back row. (Family) home evening could be devoted to learning ways to get acquainted. Role playing specific situations helps both children and parents overcome their fears of meeting new people"


Friday, September 4, 2009

Garage sale - meet your neighbors!

If you're like me, you don't really know your neighbors. I haven't ever been lucky enough to live in a neighborhood where there is a lot of spirit of community....people seem to keep to themselves and like it that way.

We usually have one or two garage sales in the summer (thanks to 2 kids who outgrow their clothes & shoes like crazy, so we always seem to have things around that we don't need/want anymore).

Last time we had a sale, the neighbor across the street came over and mentioned that he has some things to sell, also, so please let him know ahead of time, the next time we're going to have a sale, and he'll have one, too. I was kind of embarrassed that we hadn't thought to mention it to him on our own.

Anyhow, just a thought...if you're looking for an excuse to go over and talk to a neighbor, you might consider letting them know when you're planning on having a garage sale. You could even make little fliers and pass them out in your neighborhood!