An idea for the YSA branch and how to raise the stature of Sunday School

17 March 2018

President Westover,

I was thinking about your branch the other day and this thought came to me.

My observation over the years is that many, if not most, YSA units gave announcements AFTER sacrament meeting (like you do) because so many YSA arrive late and we understandably want as many as possible to hear the announcements about the branch activities that week.

I wondered: what if you turned that time into an abbreviated Sunday School opening exercise? In other words, instead of the branch presidency member getting up and making the announcements, have a member of the SS presidency go to the stand during the closing hymn and and after the prayer have him stand at the pulpit and do the following:

1. Welcome everyone to Sunday School;

2. Make the announcements of what’s coming up in the branch that week (as the branch presidency would have done);

3. Explain which classes will be taught that day in SS and where the classrooms are located for each;

4. Excuse everyone to go to their classes.

The benefits:

1. It gives stature to your SS presidency and that YSA provide key leadership in the branch;

2. It gives the congregation an expectation that everyone is expected to attend a SS class (and not leave);

3. It can encourage members to please go to class, don’t loiter too long in the chapel;

4. It adds importance to Sunday School classes so hopefully teachers will recognize the importance of their class and invest time in preparation.

Just a thought. Hope it helps,

PrL