Rain Posted April 8, 2018 Posted April 8, 2018 (edited) How are the council Sundays going for your ward? Do you sit in the circle? Do you have some good discussion going? Our RSP is concerned that some people don't like the front row so she plans to have 2 circles, one inside the other, and end up with part of a third circle on the back everytime we have tried it so far. There is room for 1 circle if it was wanted. I'm seeing the lesson as a guided conversation/lesson rather than a council - a passage of scripture or talk will be read and then questions are asked. We have a lot more conversation than was going on before, but we still are stopped with conversation to get to the next question at times. Not saying that is a bad thing. Just different than I was imagining I've wondered if there would be any difference in how things went if we were all in one circle. Or what has changed within the RS or ward if your ward has gone farther to the council concept than the guided conversation? Edited April 11, 2018 by Rain 1
Popular Post juliann Posted April 8, 2018 Popular Post Posted April 8, 2018 (edited) To my understanding, council shouldn't be a Q&A. In ours the leader doesn't stand out from everyone else, I even forgot who it was once. The topic is introduced and then it is a free form discussion, sometimes women raise their hands, often they just speak. Usually the leader doesn't intrude more than a few times to redirect or add quotes, etc. Then it is easy to settle in on what is important to the group. We take minutes to record ideas and such that are brought up. We have one circle but put a row of about 6 chairs behind one end of it for the hardcore. I don't think it would work near as well if rows develop, unfortunately, some RSs are too large for one circle. I was supposed to do it today but talked the bishop into meeting with everyone to discuss and answer questions about the changes. My topic would have been spiritual learning as in introduction into how to deal with doubt and friends/family members who are leaving. Edited April 8, 2018 by juliann 5
Rain Posted April 8, 2018 Author Posted April 8, 2018 (edited) That leads me to another question. When do you set the chairs in a circle? We do ours directly after Sunday School. That has been such a mess that after last time I asked if it would be ok to develop a system. My family and I came back and arranged the chairs like Sunday School. Then figued things out. We found it best to stack the side chairs, pull the front row forward and turn it around, the back leave where they are and then the middle rows go to the sides. It's also best to move the massive table one direction and the pulpit the other. Then I told the RSP our results. It went much better today, even with the 2.5 circles rather than the 1 we practiced with my family. Edited April 9, 2018 by Rain 2
sheilauk Posted April 8, 2018 Posted April 8, 2018 We sit in a circle with the chairs against the walls around the room, no other rows, but there are about 20 of us. We are not in the chapel but in a classroom. We have had good discussions, which have been facilitated or led and haven't been like lessons. Everyone seems to have adapted quickly and well. The RS presidency are setting the chairs out at the end of Sunday School. 2
Jane_Doe Posted April 8, 2018 Posted April 8, 2018 (edited) 2 hours ago, Rain said: How are the council Sundays going fir your ward? Do you sit in the circle? Do you have some good discussion going? Our RSP is concerned that some people don't like the front row so she plans to have 2 circles, one inside the other, and end up with part of a third circle on the back everytime we have tried it so far. There is room for 1 circle if it was wanted. I'm seeing the lesson as a guided conversation/lesson rather than a council - a passage of scripture or talk will be read and then questions are asked. We have a lot more conversation than was going on before, but we still are stopped with conversation to get to the next question at times. Not saying that is a bad thing. Just different than I was imagining I've wondered if there would be any difference in how things went if we were all in one circle. Or what has changed within the RS or ward if your ward has gone farther to the council concept than the guided conversation? Our are fantastic! I've really gotten to get to know the other ladies. The discussion is lively and lots of people participate. The guider mostly just call on people and doesn't interfere too much (unless things need a push). Our circle is 2-3 rows deep, so people don't have to sit on the front row. I think it's best that way, just to get people over the front-row phobia (which usually no one sits in anyways), and the ladies in the other rows get equal opportunity to talk. The idea has worked out so well, that we now do SS the same way. This also helps out in that we set up the chairs once at the beginning of the day and can just leave them (SS and RS are in the same room). Edited April 9, 2018 by Jane_Doe 4
Traela Posted April 9, 2018 Posted April 9, 2018 This week the ladies didn't want to go to the trouble and time for moving chairs into a circle, so they at least had everyone move to the center circle. That put us into four rows. I contemplated the situation, and after class suggested that we turn the first two rows of chairs around to have two sets of two rows facing each other. So I think we'll be trying that for the next council. 3
Jeanne Posted April 10, 2018 Posted April 10, 2018 (edited) On 4/8/2018 at 4:06 PM, juliann said: To my understanding, council shouldn't be a Q&A. In ours the leader doesn't stand out from everyone else, I even forgot who it was once. The topic is introduced and then it is a free form discussion, sometimes women raise their hands, often they just speak. Usually the leader doesn't intrude more than a few times to redirect or add quotes, etc. Then it is easy to settle in on what is important to the group. We take minutes to record ideas and such that are brought up. We have one circle but put a row of about 6 chairs behind one end of it for the hardcore. I don't think it would work near as well if rows develop, unfortunately, some RSs are too large for one circle. I was supposed to do it today but talked the bishop into meeting with everyone to discuss and answer questions about the changes. My topic would have been spiritual learning as in introduction into how to deal with doubt and friends/family members who are leaving. If you should ever get to the topic, invite someone like me... P.S. I am not understanding the circle...can you explain?? Edited April 10, 2018 by Jeanne
Scott Lloyd Posted April 10, 2018 Posted April 10, 2018 (edited) On 4/8/2018 at 3:51 PM, Rain said: How are the council Sundays going fir your ward? Do you sit in the circle? Do you have some good discussion going? Our RSP is concerned that some people don't like the front row so she plans to have 2 circles, one inside the other, and end up with part of a third circle on the back everytime we have tried it so far. There is room for 1 circle if it was wanted. I'm seeing the lesson as a guided conversation/lesson rather than a council - a passage of scripture or talk will be read and then questions are asked. We have a lot more conversation than was going on before, but we still are stopped with conversation to get to the next question at times. Not saying that is a bad thing. Just different than I was imagining I've wondered if there would be any difference in how things went if we were all in one circle. Or what has changed within the RS or ward if your ward has gone farther to the council concept than the guided conversation? I clearly recall the instruction that the circle (actually, it's a semi-circle) arrangement is recommended but only when feasible. In other words, if there are too many to make the semi-circle arrangement work, don't bother with it. As for having two or more rows of semi-circles, it seems to me that defeats the purpose, which is to have all members of the council within constant eyesight of one another. That doesn't happen when there is more than one row. Edited to add: A possible alternative to the semi-circle is a horseshoe-shaped arrangement, which mostly retains the advantages of the semi-circle but allows greater seating capacity. Edited April 10, 2018 by Scott Lloyd 1
juliann Posted April 10, 2018 Posted April 10, 2018 2 hours ago, Jeanne said: If you should ever get to the topic, invite someone like me... P.S. I am not understanding the circle...can you explain?? The idea is to get rid of a person giving information at the front of a room. The chairs are placed in a big circle extending around the room. The discussion leader is in the circle with everyone else. All of our teachers are doing it now. The last lesson, the teacher sat holding her baby, who was quite happy. It instantly changes the dynamics. Before this I started standing in front of the RS table/podium. I noticed how much more a part of the women I felt once that barrier was removed. The circle further equalizes everyone by putting us all in a sitting position. It is more natural to speak up, it is much more casual. I noticed the woman who dominates every lesson every Sunday was less talky. 3
Jeanne Posted April 11, 2018 Posted April 11, 2018 1 hour ago, juliann said: The idea is to get rid of a person giving information at the front of a room. The chairs are placed in a big circle extending around the room. The discussion leader is in the circle with everyone else. All of our teachers are doing it now. The last lesson, the teacher sat holding her baby, who was quite happy. It instantly changes the dynamics. Before this I started standing in front of the RS table/podium. I noticed how much more a part of the women I felt once that barrier was removed. The circle further equalizes everyone by putting us all in a sitting position. It is more natural to speak up, it is much more casual. I noticed the woman who dominates every lesson every Sunday was less talky. Oh wow..I had no idea..and I think it is good thing. Thank you for taking the time to explain.
Jeanne Posted April 14, 2018 Posted April 14, 2018 On 4/11/2018 at 1:36 AM, Marginal Gains said: Who presides at the RS Council? Who ever speaks first in the circle???
The Nehor Posted April 15, 2018 Posted April 15, 2018 (edited) On 4/11/2018 at 2:36 AM, Marginal Gains said: Who presides at the RS Council? The President unless someone walks in with more authority and acts in an official capacity (Bishop, Stake Relief Society President, member of the Stake Presidency, member of the Area Authority Presidency, member of the General Relief Society Presidency, an Apostle, Jesus, the Father, or whoever). Edited April 15, 2018 by The Nehor
Atheist Mormon Posted April 16, 2018 Posted April 16, 2018 On 4/11/2018 at 2:36 AM, Marginal Gains said: Who presides at the RS Council? I really don't believe you!!!!!! (I was gonna ask this Q. myself)
Scott Lloyd Posted April 16, 2018 Posted April 16, 2018 I looked around at our newly reconstituted elders quorum today (including the members of the recently dissolved high priests group). No way we could put a group that size in a semi-circle! 1
Marginal Gains Posted April 16, 2018 Posted April 16, 2018 4 hours ago, Scott Lloyd said: I looked around at our newly reconstituted elders quorum today (including the members of the recently dissolved high priests group). No way we could put a group that size in a semi-circle! What is anticipated will come, in terms of tangible benefit, from deleting the High Priests quorum and sitting around in circles?
Marginal Gains Posted April 16, 2018 Posted April 16, 2018 On 11/04/2018 at 8:36 AM, Marginal Gains said: Who presides at the RS Council? 12 hours ago, The Nehor said: The President unless someone walks in with more authority and acts in an official capacity (Bishop, Stake Relief Society President, member of the Stake Presidency, member of the Area Authority Presidency, member of the General Relief Society Presidency, an Apostle, Jesus, the Father, or whoever). Or a 12 year old Deacon?
The Nehor Posted April 16, 2018 Posted April 16, 2018 10 hours ago, Marginal Gains said: Or a 12 year old Deacon? Nope. Aaronic Priesthood holders do not have automatic jurisdiction over Auxiliary organizations. Nice try at a dig though. 1
Jeanne Posted April 16, 2018 Posted April 16, 2018 You know...I would have been a whole different person in the circle.
ksfisher Posted April 16, 2018 Posted April 16, 2018 On 4/15/2018 at 1:04 PM, The Nehor said: The President unless someone walks in with more authority and acts in an official capacity (Bishop, Stake Relief Society President, member of the Stake Presidency, member of the Area Authority Presidency, member of the General Relief Society Presidency, an Apostle, Jesus, the Father, or whoever). Stake officers, other than the stake presidency, do not preside at ward meetings.
ksfisher Posted April 16, 2018 Posted April 16, 2018 12 hours ago, Marginal Gains said: Or a 12 year old Deacon? Neither deacons, teachers, priests, elders, or high priests preside in a relief society meeting. The relief society president, by virtue of the priesthood authority by which she was called and set apart, presides. If a member of the bishopric, by virtue of the bishop being the presiding high priest in the ward, were present they would preside. If a member of the stake presidency, by virtue of the stake president being the president of the Melchizedek priesthood in the stake, were present they would preside. 1
The Nehor Posted April 17, 2018 Posted April 17, 2018 (edited) On 4/16/2018 at 3:00 PM, ksfisher said: Stake officers, other than the stake presidency, do not preside at ward meetings. No, in a ward meeting that is part of the three hour block technically the Bishop presides (or whoever in that line) but since he is not usually in Relief Society meetings that is delegated to the person in charge of the organization unless the Bishop (or whoever) intervenes. They are responsible for the usual presiding responsibilities such as correcting flagrantly false doctrine, taking care of a disturbance, or changing the planned program as needed. Edited April 17, 2018 by The Nehor
changed Posted April 17, 2018 Posted April 17, 2018 On 4/16/2018 at 2:55 PM, Jeanne said: You know...I would have been a whole different person in the circle. I have not been to RS for a long time...
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