Home, Family and Personal Enrichment

by Miriam Caldwell | More from this Blogger

05 Jul 2006 09:33 PM

The new Home, Family and Personal Enrichment program has met with varying responses. The program changed in January with new guidelines from the general Relief Society presidency. The new guidelines change the number of Enrichment meetings to four a year. These meetings are to be planned so that all of the sisters feel welcome and included. All the sisters in the ward are encouraged to attend.

The second part of this change is that in addition to the Enrichment meetings there will now be Enrichment activities. The activities are to be planned as often as needed on topics, which interest different sisters in the ward. Each activity does not necessarily need to appeal to every individual and should be planned to meet the needs of the sisters in the ward.

The new program gives the sisters greater flexibility in deciding which activities to attend. If a sister is busy with family obligations she does not need to feel badly that she does not have the time to attend the different Enrichment activities. The different activities will hopefully address specific needs or interests of several sisters in the ward.

Each Relief Society presidency is to determine the best way to implement the program in their own ward. This allows for greater flexibility in meeting the needs of the sisters. Some wards have set up book clubs and scrap booking nights for their sisters to get together to socialize. Other wards have set up classes on home and family needs. Several wards have set up service groups where sisters come together to complete a service project once a month.

The changes will be different in every single ward or branch, but your Relief Society presidency is working to meet the needs of your ward. Try to support them as they work out the kinks in the new program. Enrichment will continue to be a blessing to all those who are involved in it.

Learn more about Miriam Caldwell

Miriam is a SAHM mom of three children. She has a daughter who is seven, and two sons, four and two. She loves being a parent and spending time with her children.

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newbiemum05 (246) 19 Dec 2006 01:27 PM

I'm the Relief Society Secretary in our ward and am wondering about the new program. When it says Enrichment meetings and activities what does this mean? I thought that meetings suggested something more structured with some sort of lesson but apparently because it doesn't say that we just do activities that are bigger than usual. What do you think and is there anywhere I can get a more specific information on the new guidelines ?

Miriam Caldwell (8030) 19 Dec 2006 08:17 PM

I assume that you have read the official guidelines that the church has issued. I know that there are to be four scheduled Enrichment meetings a year. These meetings are to be more formal, and every sister is encouraged to attend. There is no longer a lesson requirement (if you remember the opening lesson from previous Enrichments) but you may have a guest speaker or classes can be offered.

Enrichment activities are designed to meet the specific needs of the sisters. There is no pressure to attend these activities. These can be classes or interest groups that meet on a regular basis.

It is up to each individual ward to determine what is best for them. The activities can help to build friendship between sisters. If you haven't read the guidelines, this is the link. http://www.lds.org/pa/rs/HFPE_Guidelines.pdf I've heard of many different interpretations. It is up to the president and the Enrichment counselor to determine which route their ward will take. I hope that helps.

newbiemum05 (246) 20 Dec 2006 03:56 AM

thanks Miriam