Below is the link to sign up for a 10 minute photo session using Sign Up Genius:
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/805054AADAB29A46-family
You will need to cut and paste the link into your browser. If you do not already have a Sign Up Genius account, you will need to create one. In the "My Comments" section, please add your family name and which ward you are in.
Saturday, August 31, 2013
September Newsletter from the Stake Primary Presidency
Sharing Time for Primary Presidencies
Oakland Stake Primary Newsletter Vol. 6, September 2013
THE PROPHETIC BLESSINGS AND PROTECTIONS OF FHE, FAMILY PRAYER AND FAMILY SCRIPTURE READING
We have been thrilled by the Primary children’s response to the Summer Challenge and their enthusiasm for holding family home evening, family prayer, and family scripture reading. These sweet children probably have little comprehension at this time regarding the blessings and protections promised to them and their families by our prophets for these small and simple things. Here are a few of our favorites –
"The prophetic counsel to have daily personal and family prayer, daily personal and family scripture study, and weekly family home evening are the essential, weight-bearing beams in the construction of a Christ-centered home. Without these regular practices it will be difficult to find the desired and much-needed peace and refuge from the world.” (Richard G. Scott)
“If the Saints obey this counsel (to hold family home evening), we promise that great blessings will result. Love at home and obedience to parents will increase, faith will be developed in the hearts of the youth of Israel, and they will gain power to combat the evil influences and temptations which beset them.” (Joseph F. Smith)
“I know of no single activity that has more potential for unifying our families and bringing more love and divine direction into our homes than consistent, fervent family prayer…. Don’t let anything stand in the way of consistent, fervent family prayer! Think of what you teach by having family prayer. Then think of what you teach by not having family prayer.” (John Groberg)
Friday, August 30, 2013
Summer Family Challenge Coming to a Close!
If you haven't already heard....
Stake Conference and the end of the Oakland Stake Primary Summer Challenge are almost here! We are anxious for all the families to come to Stake Conference on September 15th with their jars full - and ready to have their family portraits taken.
Now that families are finally back in town and settling into school schedules, we'd love to infuse the challenge with renewed enthusiasm in this homestretch!
To that end, each of the ward Primaries should have a supply of "incentive" puff balls - the small red balls to be given out to the children as they relate how they felt the Holy Ghost in family prayer or scripture reading or FHE (the children can earn these as many times as they want). The silver (or medium) shiny balls are to be distributed as each child relates a family history story (orally for small children, in written form for older children) - only one ball can be earned per child for this endeavor.
And to top it off - HUGE gold balls are now available at the Oakland Visitors Center on Temple Hill for each family who visits together (and watches the movie on families). The Clements, Visitor Center Directors, have expressed that it is their goal to get each young LDS family to the visitors center this year!
We would love to hear your family's story about the challenge (and/or to see pictures of them with their jars) - feel free to email your stories and pictures to Kim Florence at kimberly.spears@gmail.com.
"The prophetic counsel to have daily personal and family prayer, daily personal and family scripture study, and weekly family home evening are the essential, weight-bearing beams in the construction of a Christ-centered home." ~ Richard G. Scott
Stake Conference and the end of the Oakland Stake Primary Summer Challenge are almost here! We are anxious for all the families to come to Stake Conference on September 15th with their jars full - and ready to have their family portraits taken.
Now that families are finally back in town and settling into school schedules, we'd love to infuse the challenge with renewed enthusiasm in this homestretch!
To that end, each of the ward Primaries should have a supply of "incentive" puff balls - the small red balls to be given out to the children as they relate how they felt the Holy Ghost in family prayer or scripture reading or FHE (the children can earn these as many times as they want). The silver (or medium) shiny balls are to be distributed as each child relates a family history story (orally for small children, in written form for older children) - only one ball can be earned per child for this endeavor.
And to top it off - HUGE gold balls are now available at the Oakland Visitors Center on Temple Hill for each family who visits together (and watches the movie on families). The Clements, Visitor Center Directors, have expressed that it is their goal to get each young LDS family to the visitors center this year!
We would love to hear your family's story about the challenge (and/or to see pictures of them with their jars) - feel free to email your stories and pictures to Kim Florence at kimberly.spears@gmail.com.
"The prophetic counsel to have daily personal and family prayer, daily personal and family scripture study, and weekly family home evening are the essential, weight-bearing beams in the construction of a Christ-centered home." ~ Richard G. Scott
Monday, July 1, 2013
June Newsletter from the Stake Primary Presidency
Sharing Time for Primary Presidencies
Oakland Stake Primary Newsletter Vol. 5, June 2013
THE OAKLAND STAKE PRIMARY SUMMER CHALLENGE – WE ARE CHEERING YOU ON!
As Primary leaders, I often think of us as loving assistant coaches - relevant and involved during practice, but with a more limited cheerleading role as the game is actually played. We worry about the young players’ confidence in the face of opposition. We worry about the unsavory tactics of the opposing team and possible game-ending injuries. We worry about future games and whether they will be ready.
We give them our best, prayerfully consulting with the Head Coach, but as game day comes, we step aside, raise our pom poms, and cheer loudly when excellent choices are made (and admittedly when the opposition is flattened). We have faith in the Lord’s game plan.
A wise coach once repeatedly told me “it is all about the fundamentals and practice, practice, practice”. A motivating verse from the D&C confirms that “out of small things, proceedeth that which is great.” By focusing on the fundamentals this summer – daily family prayer, daily family scripture reading, and weekly family home evening - our little teams will individually and collectively be strengthened, prepared, and ready for game day.
We are thrilled that there is so much to cheer about as we see the Primary children and their families take on the Oakland Stake Primary Summer Challenge.
Right now, it is all about the pom poms. And we have ours raised high.
See the detailed Oakland Stake Primary Summer Challenge description below. If you have any questions or comments regarding the challenge, please reply to this post.
Oakland Stake Primary Newsletter Vol. 5, June 2013
THE OAKLAND STAKE PRIMARY SUMMER CHALLENGE – WE ARE CHEERING YOU ON!
As Primary leaders, I often think of us as loving assistant coaches - relevant and involved during practice, but with a more limited cheerleading role as the game is actually played. We worry about the young players’ confidence in the face of opposition. We worry about the unsavory tactics of the opposing team and possible game-ending injuries. We worry about future games and whether they will be ready.
We give them our best, prayerfully consulting with the Head Coach, but as game day comes, we step aside, raise our pom poms, and cheer loudly when excellent choices are made (and admittedly when the opposition is flattened). We have faith in the Lord’s game plan.
A wise coach once repeatedly told me “it is all about the fundamentals and practice, practice, practice”. A motivating verse from the D&C confirms that “out of small things, proceedeth that which is great.” By focusing on the fundamentals this summer – daily family prayer, daily family scripture reading, and weekly family home evening - our little teams will individually and collectively be strengthened, prepared, and ready for game day.
We are thrilled that there is so much to cheer about as we see the Primary children and their families take on the Oakland Stake Primary Summer Challenge.
Right now, it is all about the pom poms. And we have ours raised high.
See the detailed Oakland Stake Primary Summer Challenge description below. If you have any questions or comments regarding the challenge, please reply to this post.
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Announcing... The Summer Challenge for Primary Children and Their Families
The Challenge: To hold daily family prayer and scripture reading, as well as weekly family home evening, all summer long
How Progress Can Be Measured: Each family will be provided a one-quart jar for the children to fill as follows -
For each family prayer – Add one blue pom-pom
For each family scripture reading – Add one yellow pom-pom
For each family home evening – Add one red pom-pom
The Goal: To fill the jar by summer’s end and bring the filled jar to Stake Conference in September
To Sweeten the Challenge: A generous, talented, and in-demand professional photographer, with her trusty assistants, has graciously volunteered to photograph each family on temple grounds in the afternoon following Stake Conference. Families will be encouraged to bring a picnic lunch and participate in various Sunday activities on temple grounds while awaiting their family portrait. Note: Jars must be presented at the time the photograph is taken.
More details to follow in your respective wards.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Upcoming Event: Eleven-Year-Old Scout Camp
Just a reminder to the parents and leaders of 11-year-old scouts attending their first overnight. Camp begins at 5:00 pm Friday, June 7 and ends at 3:30 pm Saturday, June 8 at Camp Herms in the El Cerrito hills. This is a six-stake event and will be a highlight of their scouting experience so far. At 11-year-old Scout Camp the boys prepare for continued success in Scouting, learn basic outdoor skills, build self-confidence, work on rank requirements and build leadership skills, associate with other LDS boys throughout the East Bay area...and have fun!
Please ensure that the boys wear their Scout uniform (both Friday and Saturday) - and have their name on everything they bring. The boys will need to bring the following:
Scout handbook
Scout uniform
Jacket
First aid kit
Compass (optional)
Mess Kit (knife fork, spoon, plate, bowl, cup)
Sleeping bag and tent
Ground cloth/tarp
Flashlight
Toilet kit
Rain poncho (just in case)
A 3-foot length of rope
Foil dinner (for Friday night)
Driving Directions to Camp Herms:
Take 580 and merge onto 80 towards Richmond. Take Central Ave exit. Left on San Pablo, Right on Mossier (go to end, very steep), Left on Arlington (residential winding), Right Arlington Park, Right just after park to get to Camp Herms upper parking. *** Turn Right just before Arlington Park (Villa Nuevo) and park near bottom lower field area.
May Newsletter From Stake Primary Presidency
Sharing Time for Primary Presidencies
Oakland Stake Primary Newsletter Vol. 4, May 2013
I recently viewed the General Sunday School Auxiliary Leadership Training - what a great resource!
Did you know that the Sunday School of each ward is responsible for training all teachers (including Primary teachers)?
Did you know that the most important part of your Primary teaching is in your own daily spiritual preparation?
Have you sensed the change in emphasis - from children/students who sit in a class waiting to receive the prepared lesson to “gospel learners” who also have responsibilities in the classroom?
Did you know that your purpose as a Primary teacher is to help the children become converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ (not just to gain a testimony)?
Did you know that your calling is to teach as the Savior taught? (Now, that is a tall order!)
To that end, the church has introduced “Teaching in the Savior’s Way” to inspire us to look to the Savior and ponder his ways as we prepare and teach. The Savior (1) loved those he taught, (2) knew those he taught and who they could become, (3) used the scriptures, (4) shared simple, relevant stories and parables, (5) asked questions that caused gospel learners to think and feel deeply, (6) invited them to testify, (7) trusted those he taught and gave them opportunities to serve, (8) invited them to act in faith, and (9) was their examplar, patterning the principles he taught.
I encourage all of us to become more familiar with the church’s new teaching resource, Teaching in the Savior’s Way.
The First Presidency has promised that as we pattern our gospel teaching in the Savior’s way, the Holy Ghost will help us know what to do, our own testimonies will grow, our personal conversions will be deepened, and we will be strengthened to meet the challenges of life.
Oakland Stake Primary Newsletter Vol. 4, May 2013
I recently viewed the General Sunday School Auxiliary Leadership Training - what a great resource!
Did you know that the Sunday School of each ward is responsible for training all teachers (including Primary teachers)?
Did you know that the most important part of your Primary teaching is in your own daily spiritual preparation?
Have you sensed the change in emphasis - from children/students who sit in a class waiting to receive the prepared lesson to “gospel learners” who also have responsibilities in the classroom?
Did you know that your purpose as a Primary teacher is to help the children become converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ (not just to gain a testimony)?
Did you know that your calling is to teach as the Savior taught? (Now, that is a tall order!)
To that end, the church has introduced “Teaching in the Savior’s Way” to inspire us to look to the Savior and ponder his ways as we prepare and teach. The Savior (1) loved those he taught, (2) knew those he taught and who they could become, (3) used the scriptures, (4) shared simple, relevant stories and parables, (5) asked questions that caused gospel learners to think and feel deeply, (6) invited them to testify, (7) trusted those he taught and gave them opportunities to serve, (8) invited them to act in faith, and (9) was their examplar, patterning the principles he taught.
I encourage all of us to become more familiar with the church’s new teaching resource, Teaching in the Savior’s Way.
The First Presidency has promised that as we pattern our gospel teaching in the Savior’s way, the Holy Ghost will help us know what to do, our own testimonies will grow, our personal conversions will be deepened, and we will be strengthened to meet the challenges of life.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
April Newsletter for Stake Primary Presidency
Sharing Time for Primary Presidencies
Oakland Stake Primary Newsletter Vol. 3, April 2013
The General Primary Presidency recently held the annual Primary Leadership Training, which is available via webcast on the church website (highly recommend for each of you!). I’ve watched it a few times thus far (I’m a little slow) and am still taking copious notes. Here is one bite-size idea that I wish to share –
Primary Children and Family History Work
One Primary mother listened to Elder Bednar’s talk encouraging the youth of the church to get involved in Family History (October 2011). Thereafter, this inspired mother invited the ward’s Family History Consultant into her home to introduce family history to the family. Initially interested because of his love of computers, her 10 year-old son became excited about family history. Thus far, he has submitted over 200 family names needing temple work and has learned the joy that comes from family history. We were reminded of Elder Bednar’s promise to the youth and children who perform family history –
“As you respond in faith to this invitation, your hearts shall turn to the fathers. The promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will be implanted in your hearts. Your patriarchal blessing, with its declaration of lineage, will link you to these fathers and be more meaningful to you. Your love and gratitude for your ancestors will increase. Your testimony of and conversion to the Savior will become deep and abiding. And I promise you will be protected against the intensifying influence of the adversary. As you participate in and love this holy work, you will be safeguarded in your youth and throughout your lives.”
With those kinds of promises to the youth who participate in family history, I would invite all of you to think of ways we can introduce family history to the Primary children (Elder Bednar also cautioned leaders and parents not to overly program this endeavor or provide detailed training, but merely to allow the children to explore, experiment, and learn for themselves.)
This mother shared that too often we underestimate what our children are capable of accomplishing and deprive them of potential blessings and protection.
Oakland Stake Primary Newsletter Vol. 3, April 2013
The General Primary Presidency recently held the annual Primary Leadership Training, which is available via webcast on the church website (highly recommend for each of you!). I’ve watched it a few times thus far (I’m a little slow) and am still taking copious notes. Here is one bite-size idea that I wish to share –
Primary Children and Family History Work
One Primary mother listened to Elder Bednar’s talk encouraging the youth of the church to get involved in Family History (October 2011). Thereafter, this inspired mother invited the ward’s Family History Consultant into her home to introduce family history to the family. Initially interested because of his love of computers, her 10 year-old son became excited about family history. Thus far, he has submitted over 200 family names needing temple work and has learned the joy that comes from family history. We were reminded of Elder Bednar’s promise to the youth and children who perform family history –
“As you respond in faith to this invitation, your hearts shall turn to the fathers. The promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will be implanted in your hearts. Your patriarchal blessing, with its declaration of lineage, will link you to these fathers and be more meaningful to you. Your love and gratitude for your ancestors will increase. Your testimony of and conversion to the Savior will become deep and abiding. And I promise you will be protected against the intensifying influence of the adversary. As you participate in and love this holy work, you will be safeguarded in your youth and throughout your lives.”
With those kinds of promises to the youth who participate in family history, I would invite all of you to think of ways we can introduce family history to the Primary children (Elder Bednar also cautioned leaders and parents not to overly program this endeavor or provide detailed training, but merely to allow the children to explore, experiment, and learn for themselves.)
This mother shared that too often we underestimate what our children are capable of accomplishing and deprive them of potential blessings and protection.
Monday, April 29, 2013
2013 Oakland Stake Leadership Training
This year's Primary Leadership training for primary presidencies and teachers is on May 2nd. Please join us for a general session to discuss this summer's family challenge and the revamped Oakland Stake Primary blog. Breakout sessions will follow for teachers, Cub Scout leaders, Activity Day leaders, Nursery leaders, and Choristers.
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