New Primary Leader Orientation
Thank you!
Thank you for your service in Primary! "The calling to teach children is a sacred trust, and it is normal to feel overwhelmed at times. But remember that your Heavenly Father called you, and He will never forsake you. This is the Lord's work, and as you serve "with all your heart, might, mind and strength" (Doctrine & Covenants 4:2), He will enlarge your capacities, gifts, and talents, and your service will bless the lives of the children you teach." (Come Follow Me, "You Are a Teacher of Children")
Your efforts are valuable. We love and support you. Please reach out if you need ANYTHING!
Below you will find a sequence of resources that will help you to align your vision with the vision of our stake, with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and with the Lord. Prayerfully study these things in preparation for our in-person orientation. During your preparation, write down anything that comes to mind, including questions that you might have for us or ideas that you might have for your primary. We will discuss some of these things during your orientation. We look forward to meeting with you soon!
Love,
Sis. Cureton, Sis. Becker, Sis. Martin & Sis. Hickman
P.S. Once you have gone through the items below, please email me (polychic@yahoo.com) to let me know you have done so. Thank you!
Getting Started
Below are customized pages for your calling. Pay close attention to the lovely messages and counsel from the General Primary Presidency.
"Heaven stands ready to help us in whatever righteous role we find ourselves. This is the message Primary General President Camille Neddo Johnson shares in this podcast episode. Sister Johnson gives insights into how she raised three sons and served in various church callings while also managing a successful career as a lawyer. She shares how she prioritized her family amid the chaos that can be everyday life and was blessed when she sought and expected heaven's help. She encourages listeners to find the little opportunities to fill our days with things that are inspiring and uplifting, even if we just have little slivers of time here and there. Sister Johnson shares her love of children all over the world, and her hope that they can learn to recognize how they feel the Spirit in their individual ways."
Resources:
Sister Susan D. Porter Episode >>>
Sister Amy A. Wright Episode >>>
2021 BYU Women's Conference with the Young Women General Presidency >>>
This is a link to the official church website and is customized just for you and your calling. You will have to sign in with your church account. You will find a list of icons that you should read through. Pay close attention to:
Protecting Children and Youth Training: This is a mandatory training and should be completed by all primary presidency members and teachers as soon as possible. How you implement training amongst your teachers and presidency is up to you.
Step 2: General Handbook
Read "Primary," Section 12 in General Handbook: Serving in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (ChurchofJesusChrist.org) especially the purposes of Primary (see 12.1.1). These purposes are to help children:
Feel Heavenly Father's love for them.
Learn and understand the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Feel and recognize the influence of the Holy Ghost.
Prepare to make and keep sacred covenants.
Review Sections 1-4 in the General Handbook, which summarize the doctrinal foundation of God's plan and give more guidance.
Seek to understand your responsibilities (section 12.3) as a Primary President, Primary Counselor or Primary Secretary.
The Gospel Library App also has useful information. Go to Handbooks and Callings >> Ward or Branch Callings >> Primary >> Then choose Primary President, Primary Counselor or Primary Secretary
Become familiar with ChildrenandYouth.ChurchofJesusChrist.org and "Church-Supported Resources for Leaders."
The Primary Presidency should focus on Ministering and the Secretary should focus on Administering. Always be in harmony with the Bishopric and Priesthood leaders over you. If there is a conflict, meet with them to resolve the concern but always end on the same page. Be in harmony as a Primary Presidency as well.
Step 3: Be 100% Responsible
President Lewis has requested that every leader in the stake watch this training by Elder Lynn G. Robbins immediately. Elder Robbins said, "Agency and responsibility are inseparably connected. You cannot avoid responsibility without also diminishing agency. Mercy and justice are also inseparable. You cannot deny the Lord's justice without also impeding His mercy."
You can watch the training here: YouTube Video
You can watch, listen or read the training here: BYU Devotional Video with transcript
Primary Presidency Duties in Detail
These are suggestions for what you can do in your unit. They will vary depending on your primary.
Bold italics are required. Bold is strongly suggested. Normal text is just an idea.
DAILY:
Pray for your primary children and their families
Pray for your presidency
WEEKLY:
Confirm teachers will be there or that they have subs
Confirm with parents of children giving prayer/scripture/talk
Set up chairs in Primary Room
Know who is conducting and announcements that need to be made
Hand out Bishop Bucks to Birthday children (varies on unit, birthday song should be done in class)
Take roll (assign someone else if Secretary is gone)
Secretary to assign and give reminder cards to next week's prayer/scripture/talk
Email Primary announcements for weekly Ward newsletter (varies with unit)
MONTHLY:
Email/Newsletter to Primary families (optional)
Attend Ward Council Meetings (President or Counselor/Secretary to sub)
Activity Boys/Girls Activities (bi-monthly)
Birthdays (optional recognition, activity, etc)
Hold a Presidency Meeting
ANNUALLY:
Baptism Preview/Children and Youth Program Intro for children turning 8 and parents (Jan)
Baptisms - Contact families at least one month prior to the child's 8th birthday.
General Conference Packets (optional April & October)
Easter, End of School/Summer, Christmas Activity (optional)
Order materials: manuals, Children & Youth Guidebooks (each child gets a new one every year in January), rings (CTR for CTR4 & Temple for children turning 8) for next year (August/September)
Service Project (As desired: heart-attacking doors, cards, or singing for Seniors, etc)
Attend Stake Leadership Training (Oct/Nov)
Temple and Priesthood Preparation Meeting (Nov/Dec)
Submit Annual Primary Ward History (Dec/early Jan)
Redo bulletin boards/ Primary Room Decor (every other year if you share a board with another ward)
Organize class/teachers for the next calendar year (Nov/Dec)
Teacher Training
(when called and also quarterly teacher council meetings [should be coordinated by unit Sunday School president])
