Change in weekly activities for youth?

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

My Son-in-Law, currently serves as the Young Men’s President, in our Ward. He along with the Young Women Presidency, were informed that Wednesday Night (well any weeknight) meetings for youth, will be no more. In that meeting held by the Bishopric and others, took the news very badly, a member of the Young Women’s Presidency, became so upset, she had to excuse herself, and chose not to come back into the meeting. From what I am told this is not just our Ward or Stake, but a another Church wide change. Everyone I spoke to, are worried that the underpinnings of a wonderful youth social environment, lasting for 100+ years is now gone. Of what I have been told, they are looking to have smaller groups of youth meeting elsewhere. This of course will have them meeting in members homes, but I fear that some will be excluded, who are less popular. When meetings were held at Church, no one could be singled out. My granddaughters are very upset, as they look forward to these weeknight meetings. Of course this will save money for the Church on utilities for such meetings, but some youth who are not in Church often on Sunday,  do attend a more causal setting on weeknights, will no longer have this, “Faith building social outlet”, which is often a conduit to lead them back to Sacrament and other Sunday Meetings. 

I have been and are worried that making many such changes, between or just before General Conferences, is allowing those who make these decisions, an opportunity to avoid the initial shock, leaving local leaders to field questions, that many cannot yet answer. Only to tell members that we will hopefully get answers at the upcoming General Conference, knowing that those effected what answers to their questions then. 

Has anyone else heard this, had meetings about it, have answers, or know anything? I spent a bit of time Sunday, trying to console and answer the questions of one of my more tender hearted granddaughters. She often finds it easier to talk to Nanny and Papa, than to her parents, you all know how it is was when you are a 14 year old, or maybe you don’t? 

[bluebell]

It seems weird to give this information to one stake a few days a head of the world-wide meeting where Elder Ballard is going to introduce the new youth program to the church.  I've looked at the information that has been provided so far and I didn't see anything in there to suggest there would be no more weekly meetings, but maybe I missed something.

That would be a very radical change.

[Calm]

30 minutes ago, Bill “Papa” Lee said:

She often finds it easier to talk to Nanny and Papa, than to her parents, you all know how it is was when you are a 14 year old, or maybe you don’t?

Not my grandparents....take my parents anytime.  My grandparents were good, generous, charitable people, but not the understanding or consoling type and their response would most likely be 'don't make a big fuss over nothing'.

Edited September 17, 2019 by Calm

[bsjkki]

No. And since  the whole program has not been outlined, I'm not sure what is happening. Here it states weekday activities will continue. 

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/youth/childrenandyouth?lang=eng

What other types of activities will be part of the new experience?

Activities will be based on needs rather than requirements. Weekday activities, outdoor adventures, and youth conferences will continue as a vital part of helping children and youth learn, develop friendships, serve, and strengthen faith in Jesus Christ.

For additional answers about the new children and youth development experience coming in January 2020, visit the Frequently Asked Questions page.

Edited September 17, 2019 by bsjkki

[bsjkki]

I was told it seems not to be as regimented and that local leaders will provide a program that makes the most sense for the needs in their area. I don't think, even on the 29th, we are going to get a strict list of what to do but an overview and introduction. I think local leaders, wards and families are going to be working on what they will do in their area.

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

26 minutes ago, Calm said:

Not my grandparents....take my parents anytime.  My grandparents were good, generous, charitable people, but not the understanding or consoling type and their response would most likely be 'don't make a big fuss over nothing'.

I understand, I was very close to my parents. But, I learned either by teaching, or chose to be “the understanding or consoling type”, from the example of my Nanny and Papa, gave to me. In short, I am a Papa, it’s my job, one which I take seriously, and love doing. Each weekend, the outcries come for most every grandchildren completes, or asks to stay. There are time when we have all eight here, some weekends, probably because Papa is a big pushover. 

[bluebell]

33 minutes ago, bsjkki said:

No. And since  the whole program has not been outlined, I'm not sure what is happening. Here it states weekday activities will continue. 

https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/youth/childrenandyouth?lang=eng

What other types of activities will be part of the new experience?

Activities will be based on needs rather than requirements. Weekday activities, outdoor adventures, and youth conferences will continue as a vital part of helping children and youth learn, develop friendships, serve, and strengthen faith in Jesus Christ.

For additional answers about the new children and youth development experience coming in January 2020, visit the Frequently Asked Questions page.

Yes, this is what I was just looking over this weekend, but I couldn't find it again to share.  

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

39 minutes ago, bluebell said:

It seems weird to give this information to one stake a few days a head of the world-wide meeting where Elder Ballard is going to introduce the new youth program to the church.  I've looked at the information that has been provided so far and I didn't see anything in there to suggest there would be no more weekly meetings, but maybe I missed something.

That would be a very radical change.

This is why I asked, it seemed strange to me. But it is not a first, other announcements in the past year, have been sent out to news outlets. It seems to be a model, that I have seldom seen before. 

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

44 minutes ago, bluebell said:

It seems weird to give this information to one stake a few days a head of the world-wide meeting where Elder Ballard is going to introduce the new youth program to the church.  I've looked at the information that has been provided so far and I didn't see anything in there to suggest there would be no more weekly meetings, but maybe I missed something.

That would be a very radical change.

Again, why I ask? I did not even know President Ballard was speaking on this issue. But, between injuries and surgeries, I have became all but a ghost, and doubt many have noticed. 

[Calm]

It may be a mistake, a rumor someone assumed was true and passed on that way.  I would wait for the meeting before making any assumptions about accuracy.

[The Nehor]

Sounds like a local program. It is not a church wide one.

[DispensatorMysteriorum]

I'm serving as a bishop and have previewed all the materials. It is ***not*** true that weekly meetings are to stop. They are to continue. Weekly for youth and twice a month for children. 

[RevTestament]

14 hours ago, Bill “Papa” Lee said:

My Son-in-Law, currently serves as the Young Men’s President, in our Ward. He along with the Young Women Presidency, were informed that Wednesday Night (well any weeknight) meetings for youth, will be no more. In that meeting held by the Bishopric and others, took the news very badly, a member of the Young Women’s Presidency, became so upset, she had to excuse herself, and chose not to come back into the meeting. From what I am told this is not just our Ward or Stake, but a another Church wide change. Everyone I spoke to, are worried that the underpinnings of a wonderful youth social environment, lasting for 100+ years is now gone. Of what I have been told, they are looking to have smaller groups of youth meeting elsewhere. This of course will have them meeting in members homes, but I fear that some will be excluded, who are less popular. When meetings were held at Church, no one could be singled out. My granddaughters are very upset, as they look forward to these weeknight meetings. Of course this will save money for the Church on utilities for such meetings, but some youth who are not in Church often on Sunday,  do attend a more causal setting on weeknights, will no longer have this, “Faith building social outlet”, which is often a conduit to lead them back to Sacrament and other Sunday Meetings. 

I have been and are worried that making many such changes, between or just before General Conferences, is allowing those who make these decisions, an opportunity to avoid the initial shock, leaving local leaders to field questions, that many cannot yet answer. Only to tell members that we will hopefully get answers at the upcoming General Conference, knowing that those effected what answers to their questions then. 

Has anyone else heard this, had meetings about it, have answers, or know anything? I spent a bit of time Sunday, trying to console and answer the questions of one of my more tender hearted granddaughters. She often finds it easier to talk to Nanny and Papa, than to her parents, you all know how it is was when you are a 14 year old, or maybe you don’t? 

I don't think this is the Church-wide plan. Hopefully, it is not. My impression is that the weekly boy scout meetings are being replaced with the Church's own programs. The idea was not to eliminate the weekly programs. Now, it may be that some local stakes are planning on eliminating the weekly programs in favor of less structured programs, but I strongly discourage that, and that would make me upset too. I think one of the very important aspects of the Church is its social network building - especially for youth in areas outside of Utah, where there often are not many LDS to socialize with outside of Church. Trying to do this in homes is a very bad idea. The Church does not need to cut this corner. The Church has plenty of money, and should not be looking to save money at the expense of their youth. Any inclination to do that needs to go right out of our heads. We will already be saving money by eliminating the official sponsorship of scouting. That was necessary though. If anyone is looking to shed responsibility by making the meetings less than weekly though, I personally, would strongly discourage that. Now is not the time to throw our kids to the winds of the world. Instead we need our own programs which keep the good of boy scouts and girl scouts, and allow that to be spread throughout the Church world-wide.

13 hours ago, Bill “Papa” Lee said:

Again, why I ask? I did not even know President Ballard was speaking on this issue. But, between injuries and surgeries, I have became all but a ghost, and doubt many have noticed. 

We, or at least I, have noticed Bill. Glad to see you feeling well enough to post. We recently lost Clark Goble, whom I'm sure you recall. 

[rpn]

There was a preliminary material released last week.    But nothing I've heard says there are no weekly meetings.   Everything I've heard says that with a few all  around the world things that will be done, local congregations will be developing and providing the support and help and encouragement that youth need to work on their goals and master the skills they need to master to become disciples of Christ and adults.    And that means the youth will be figuring how often and where to meet with each other to accomplish all of that.    It's just two weeks until we'll all hear about it at Church on the Fifth Sunday (though I'm not sure headquarters has yet totally figured out everything either except the broad overview and the part that will be internationally the same).  Don't come unglued before then.

[bluebell]

1 hour ago, DispensatorMysteriorum said:

I'm serving as a bishop and have previewed all the materials. It is ***not*** true that weekly meetings are to stop. They are to continue. Weekly for youth and twice a month for children. 

So other than no more personal progress/duty to God/scouts and kids making their own goals, what is actually changing with the youth program?

[Bill “Papa” Lee]

1 hour ago, RevTestament said:

We, or at least I, have noticed Bill. Glad to see you feeling well enough to post. We recently lost Clark Goble, whom I'm sure you recall. 

Yes, I noticed that he was gone. He will be missed. 😥

[Amulek]

16 hours ago, Bill “Papa” Lee said:

My Son-in-Law, currently serves as the Young Men’s President, in our Ward. He along with the Young Women Presidency, were informed that Wednesday Night (well any weeknight) meetings for youth, will be no more.

Don't have much to add, but I just wanted to chime in with others who have reported that nothing which has been released has in any way indicated that weeknight activities will be going away. They will still be happening. Wards will continue to have some flexibility about when and where to have their activities, but that's no different than what has always been the case. 

 

[rockpond]

15 hours ago, Bill “Papa” Lee said:

Again, why I ask? I did not even know President Ballard was speaking on this issue. But, between injuries and surgeries, I have became all but a ghost, and doubt many have noticed. 

Wards have been asked to bring together all youth 7+ and their parents for the second hour of church on September 29th.  In that meeting, we have been told to show a 48 minute video which features President Ballard and is supposed to be an introduction to the new youth/children program.  There is also a "face to face" broadcast for youth/children on November 17th with Elder Gong and the general presidencies of the primary, YM, and YW.  I imagine that will also be focused on the new program.  Additionally, our bishopric has been asked to attend a special training (on the new program) from the stake presidency this week.  So, I think that most of the big questions should get answered within the next couple weeks.

Regarding what your son has been told, my impression has been that the new program is supposed to provide the flexibility for local leaders to customize it to local needs.  So perhaps you local leaders feel that weeknight meetings are impractical for your area?

I would be saddened if we eliminated all weeknight youth and primary activities - my kids benefit greatly from those activities.  And you'd also have a tough time building relationships between youth and leaders if their only regular interaction is one hour, every other Sunday.

[The Nehor]

2 hours ago, DispensatorMysteriorum said:

I'm serving as a bishop and have previewed all the materials. It is ***not*** true that weekly meetings are to stop. They are to continue. Weekly for youth and twice a month for children. 

Mostly true, the schedule for when the youth meet is flexible so in areas where once a week is not practical that can be changed. In most of the US I imagine weekly will be the norm for youth.

1 hour ago, bluebell said:

So other than no more personal progress/duty to God/scouts and kids making their own goals, what is actually changing with the youth program?

The activities are supposed to focus more on the goals of the youth. There are no awards or checkmarks to be met. Activity Days which is now all Primary age youth of baptism age (or almost baptism age) will meet, probably on the same night as the youth for activities following the same principles.

I also suspect it will have a more explicitly religious character as opposed to scouting and cub scouts. There are also supposed to be more Stake level service projects and activities if I understand it correctly.

We are also trying to get the adults to make their own goals in the same vein. The Bishopric in my ward will be presenting their goals as part of the meeting.

[rockpond]

1 minute ago, The Nehor said:

Activity Days which is now all Primary age youth of baptism age (or almost baptism age) will meet, probably on the same night as the youth for activities following the same principles.

I suspect this is the case but we'll have a logistical problem:  not enough space for all youth 8+ from two wards to meet at the same time in our building.  We'll probably end up with something akin to our current pattern with the primary kids using the building between 4:30-7:00 and the youth then taking the building from 7:00-8:30.

[The Nehor]

1 minute ago, rockpond said:

I suspect this is the case but we'll have a logistical problem:  not enough space for all youth 8+ from two wards to meet at the same time in our building.  We'll probably end up with something akin to our current pattern with the primary kids using the building between 4:30-7:00 and the youth then taking the building from 7:00-8:30.

Why two wards? Generally each ward gets their own evening right?

[rockpond]

2 minutes ago, The Nehor said:

Why two wards? Generally each ward gets their own evening right?

Our building is shared by four wards.

[The Nehor]

15 minutes ago, rockpond said:

Our building is shared by four wards.

Ah, yes, and that is likely to become more the norm with the two hour block.

Having the kids meet at 4:30 seems early though. Are they out of school?

[rockpond]

1 minute ago, The Nehor said:

Ah, yes, and that is likely to become more the norm with the two hour block.

Yep. Our building was built as a 3-ward meetinghouse (it is NOT a stake center, it's the HER 98 model for those familiar with such things).  With the change to a 2-hour meeting schedule (and the simultaneous creation of a new ward), our building became home to four wards.

Since I was in the new ward, we did not have bishop and clerk offices.  Within a few weeks, they showed us plans to take a large classroom next to the chapel and convert it to a bishop's office and a clerk's office.  We were told that this was the plan for many similar buildings that were moving from 3 to 4 wards.

1 minute ago, The Nehor said:

Having the kids meet at 4:30 seems early though. Are they out of school?

Most are home by then.  But I think we could probably fit all the 8+ primary kids into our half of the building from 6:00-7:00 (for example) and then youth at 7:00-8:00.  I'm speculating that, for our ward, that's the direction we'll go.

[bluebell]

31 minutes ago, rockpond said:

Most are home by then.  But I think we could probably fit all the 8+ primary kids into our half of the building from 6:00-7:00 (for example) and then youth at 7:00-8:00.  I'm speculating that, for our ward, that's the direction we'll go.

It'll be a problem for the leaders more than the kids probably.  4:30 in the afternoon is a really hard time to take mothers out of the home, and working parents who are leaders likely won't be home from work yet.  Early times are going to limit who can be called.  But I'm sure wards will figure it all out and make it work somehow.  It's like our superpower.