Help from the Friend - July 2010

The following are examples of how this month’s Friend can be used in Primary:

Activity Days for Girls, Scouting

                “Funstuf”, p 17

                “A Quilt that Tells a Story”, p 24-25

                “Friends in the News: Westchester First Ward”, p 47

                “Possible Ideas for Family Home Evening”, p 48

Faith in God, My Gospel Standards

                “Courage”, p 16

                “He Told Me, No Way”, p 28-29

Example of Application of July Sharing Time Theme

                “Trying to Be Like Jesus”, p 30-31

Primary 1: I Am a Child of God, lesson 5 and 6

                “For Little Friends: Who is Jesus?”, p 32-33

Behold Your Little Ones, lesson 8

                “Brigham’s Right-Way Feet”, p 35

Primary 6: Old Testament, lesson 28

                “Coloring Page: David and Goliath”, p 46

Love - Not Judge

While counseling with my priesthood leader, he pointed out a message from President Dieter F. Uchtdorf in the Sunday session of the April 2010 General Conference that he hoped all of the stake’s Primary leaders and teachers would take to heart.  It discusses the need for us to not judge, but love every child.  It is easy to be put off by the behavior, dress, language, or cleanliness of a child, but we need to look past those and love that child as the Savior does.  We may be the only source of love and connection with gospel teachings that child may have during the week.  Here is part of the message from President Uchtdorf:

“I hope that we welcome and love all of God’s children, including those who might dress, look, speak, or just do things differently. It is not good to make others feel as though they are deficient. Let us lift those around us. Let us extend a welcoming hand. Let us bestow upon our brothers and sisters in the Church a special measure of humanity, compassion, and charity so that they feel, at long last, they have finally found home.

When we are tempted to judge, let us think of the Savior, who “loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. . . . “[And] he saith: Come unto me all ye ends of the earth, . . . [for] all men are privileged the one like unto the other, and none are forbidden.” 2 Ne 26:24-25, 28, emphasis added. . . Christ knows how to minister to others perfectly. When the Savior stretches out His hands, those He touches are uplifted and become greater, stronger, and better people as a result.

If we are His hands, should we not do the same?”

President Uchtdorf continues with this promise:

“As we extend our hands and hearts toward others in Christlike love, something wonderful happens to us. Our own spirits become healed, more refined, and stronger. We become happier, more peaceful, and more receptive to the whisperings of the Holy Spirit.” Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “‘You Are My Hands’,” Ensign, May 2010, 68–70, 75

Change to BSA Youth Protection Training Policy

The following is a portion of a letter dated June 1, 2010 from James Terry, Assistant Chief Scout Executive.  Be aware that this policy is now in effect.  All adults serving in positions in the Cub Scout Pack and the patrol of Eleven Year-old Boy Scouts, including the members of the Primary presidency serving on the Pack and Troop Committee need to complete or update this training.  A link to Youth Protection training is on the sidebar of this blog under the heading of Online Training. 

"Youth Safety is the No. 1 concern of the BSA.

To increase awareness of this societal problem and to create even greater barriers to abuse than already exist today in Scouting, the Boy Scouts of America is implementing several important changes to further enhance it Youth Protection Policies.

Effective June 1, 2010:

• Youth Protection training is required for all registered volunteers.
• New leaders are required to take Youth Protection training before they submit an application for registration.  The certificate of completion for this training must be submitted at the time application is made and before volunteer service with youth begins.
• Youth Protection training must be taken every two years.  If a volunteer's Youth Protection training record is not current at the time of recharter, the volunteer will not be re-registered." 

If additional information is needed on how to take this training or attaching the certificate to the registration form of newly called leaders, read the entire letter "Important Changes to the Boy Scouts of America's Youth Protection Training Policies"