Forced Turning Point

[Red Ryder]

Any updates Graey?

How was your first Sunday?

[Advocate]

Any updates Graey?

How was your first Sunday?

It should be obvious! When Graey was set apart as a Bishop the Spirit(TM) moved Graey to immediately see the error in his ways and he has sworn to never visit the vile pit of despair that is Newordermormon.net.

Or it could be that he's just been busy getting up to speed with his new calling.

[moksha]

Or it could be that he's just been busy getting up to speed with his new calling.

There are those two volumes of the Bishop's Handbook, plus that huge Unwritten Rules.

[græy]

It should be obvious! When Graey was set apart as a Bishop the Spirit(TM) moved Graey to immediately see the error in his ways and he has sworn to never visit the vile pit of despair that is Newordermormon.net.

On the contrary, the Spirit(TM) confirmed to me that this is the only place I have to go that isn't completely bonkers! I mean, its a little bit bonkers, but just the right amount. Ya know?

If this is the pit of despair, the go ahead and hook me up to the machine (pincessbride) because I don't plan on leaving any time soon.

[Red Ryder]

On the contrary, the Spirit(TM) confirmed to me that this is the only place I have to go that isn't completely bonkers! I mean, its a little bit bonkers, but just the right amount. Ya know?

So how’s the new bishop’s office? Do you at least get a new chair? Stock up on fabreeze because if it’s like any I’ve been in, the priest quorum funky smell never leaves.

Not as bad as the mother’s lounge or kitchen, but clearly a bishops office is on the “top 5 most smelly rooms in a Mormon chapel” list.

Mothers lounge
Bathrooms
kitchen
nursery
Bishops office

[græy]

Any updates Graey?

How was your first Sunday?

First Sunday was... surreal. When I was asked to share my "testimony" I spoke about our ward family, about service, and quoted the two great commandments in Matthew 22 and serve neighbor serve God in Matthew 25. I did not mentioned RMN, I did not mention prophets, I did not mention priesthood. I felt good with that. My parents insisted on driving for two days to be here for 1 day, followed immediately by the two-day drive home. Previous bishop thoughtfully gave up his previous Saturday to handle a bunch of current items, leaving my Sunday mostly free once church was over. That meant I got to see my parents for a couple of hours between their 24-hour road trips.

Since then, things have been ramping up pretty quickly.

Second Sunday was definitely more hectic. I was finally released as EQP. For one week I held ALL the made-up priesthood keys in the ward. I also had two large keychains from both those callings. Definitely felt the weight of the physical keys much more literally. They called the ward clerk to be the new EQP.

I'm still trying to find my footing in terms of scheduling, and wrapping my head around the sheer amount of drama that goes on behind the scenes, hidden from the view of most of the rest of the ward.

I've pushed off all responsibility for sacrament talks to my counselors. All talks will be focused on core values - honesty, integrity, empathy, optimism, dependability, etc. Obviously, speakers will bring in their own doctrinal talks or quotes to support the core value, but that is okay.

Our YM advisors are good guys, though it feels like there is a definite lack of direction in planning activities for the YM. Parents' anxiety around COVID (understandable) makes is way more complicated.

People like to say how inspired RMN was to do the whole Come Follow Me, Home Centered/Church Supported (TM) thing just before COVID hit (Nevermind that it was in the works for a LONG time before him). But I think the youth PISS program's timing could not have been worse. Activities are supposed to be based on individual goals, we just bring the whole group along for the experience for a night. The kids themselves are supposed to be planning that activity, but you can guess how well that goes. The result is that most kids don't really care about any of the activities, even the ones that do get planned. A lot of the time no one really knows what is going on. Best case scenario it was supposed to be an in-person activity everyone just winds up playing basketball or 4-square. Worst case, it was a zoom activity and most everyone leaves after 20 minutes.

We have a lot of work to do to get some fun activities happening.

The YW are marginally better organized, but communication between YM and YW has been broken for some time it seems.

Anyway, things are going well enough so far. A lot of good people have offered help. I have my NOM family to keep me sane. And I have a few things in the works I hope can make a difference for some few in our ward, but I might start some new threads about those things.

[græy]

So how’s the new bishop’s office? Do you at least get a new chair? Stock up on fabreeze because if it’s like any I’ve been in, the priest quorum funky smell never leaves.

Not as bad as the mother’s lounge or kitchen, but clearly a bishops office is on the “top 5 most smelly rooms in a Mormon chapel” list.

Ha! Febreze is a great idea. Will definitely have to stock up!

To be honest, I haven't spent much time there just yet. Previous bishop was doing all interviews via zoom, so I've just left that going for now.

There are three large paintings on the wall in the bishop's office. Two are generic atonement pictures. The third, a picture of angels helping to push handcarts through the snow, was apparently purchased by the previous bishop and it will one day be taken out to move into his newly built house.

History Lesson! Our first bishop was poor (temporary situation, he had just finished his PhD) and several families (us included) pitched in to buy him a painting for his office. He took that painting with him when he was released. All bishops since then have been somewhat wealthy and purchased their own pictures, which again, they took with them.

It sounds like I will be expected to shell out personal money for a large painting for that third wall so that I can take it with me when I'm done. I've toyed with the idea of finding some NOM friendly painting, possibly something that isn't even strictly religious in nature. But in the end I just don't want to spend money on art that I don't need for an office I don't want. The wall will likely just stay blank if the current painting leaves.

[Red Ryder]

Thanks for the updates!

May I suggest you skip the painting and go with a quilt or something like minded from the relief society?

Or go with a cheap cork board and pin up drawings from the primary kids?

Or a white board with YM/YW planned activity notes and timelines?

[Linked]

History Lesson! Our first bishop was poor (temporary situation, he had just finished his PhD) and several families (us included) pitched in to buy him a painting for his office. He took that painting with him when he was released. All bishops since then have been somewhat wealthy and purchased their own pictures, which again, they took with them.

It sounds like I will be expected to shell out personal money for a large painting for that third wall so that I can take it with me when I'm done. I've toyed with the idea of finding some NOM friendly painting, possibly something that isn't even strictly religious in nature. But in the end I just don't want to spend money on art that I don't need for an office I don't want. The wall will likely just stay blank if the current painting leaves.

This sounds fun to me. Maybe you could do rotating posters of things you are into. I would put up a different Kursgesagt poster for the first few months about things like Black Holes and Chemistry and Evolution. Maybe some webcomic posters that you find particularly amusing for other months.

If you do have interest in putting something up but don't want to bear all the cost let me know and I can help out some.

[Stig]

So how’s the new bishop’s office? Do you at least get a new chair? Stock up on fabreeze because if it’s like any I’ve been in, the priest quorum funky smell never leaves.

Not as bad as the mother’s lounge or kitchen, but clearly a bishops office is on the “top 5 most smelly rooms in a Mormon chapel” list.

Ha! Febreze is a great idea. Will definitely have to stock up!

To be honest, I haven't spent much time there just yet. Previous bishop was doing all interviews via zoom, so I've just left that going for now.

There are three large paintings on the wall in the bishop's office. Two are generic atonement pictures. The third, a picture of angels helping to push handcarts through the snow, was apparently purchased by the previous bishop and it will one day be taken out to move into his newly built house.

History Lesson! Our first bishop was poor (temporary situation, he had just finished his PhD) and several families (us included) pitched in to buy him a painting for his office. He took that painting with him when he was released. All bishops since then have been somewhat wealthy and purchased their own pictures, which again, they took with them.

It sounds like I will be expected to shell out personal money for a large painting for that third wall so that I can take it with me when I'm done. I've toyed with the idea of finding some NOM friendly painting, possibly something that isn't even strictly religious in nature. But in the end I just don't want to spend money on art that I don't need for an office I don't want. The wall will likely just stay blank if the current painting leaves.

I say you go with one of these for the third picture:

[moksha]

The people who should celebrate are the members of Græy's ward who will have a good bishop.

[hmb]

I'll make you a quilt. I've made a few wall hangings. The first could be called, "The Godhead."

rsz_godhead.jpeg (68.52 KiB) Viewed 15058 times

The nativity isn't complete. I lost my stitching mojo and moved on. I don't like how Mary's right hand is big like a dudes and baby J's blanket looks like it's draped in bacon.

rsz_nativity.jpeg (37.58 KiB) Viewed 15058 times

[beetbox]

It sounds like I will be expected to shell out personal money for a large painting for that third wall so that I can take it with me when I'm done. I've toyed with the idea of finding some NOM friendly painting, possibly something that isn't even strictly religious in nature. But in the end I just don't want to spend money on art that I don't need for an office I don't want. The wall will likely just stay blank if the current painting leaves.

I recommend one of those magnetic dart boards. When you and your counselors need to assign a new calling, place the eligible ward members' names on the board, and see where the Spirit directs your dart.

Good luck with figuring out how to do bishoping your way. While I might think you're crazy for agreeing to do it, your ward is going to love having a good guy like you calling the shots.

[Corsair]

First Sunday was... surreal. When I was asked to share my "testimony" I spoke about our ward family, about service, and quoted the two great commandments in Matthew 22 and serve neighbor serve God in Matthew 25. I did not mentioned RMN, I did not mention prophets, I did not mention priesthood. I felt good with that.

This whole saga is amazing and I am hoping that you find time to pop in with updates as your schedule permits. You have the inside track on lots of new craziness coming down to the ward level and I am impressed that you are taking this tapir by the horns. While I cannot conceive about how we could possibly help you, you should know that we definitely have your back if there truly is some way we could assist you.

[Wonderment]

I'll make you a quilt. I've made a few wall hangings. The first could be called, "The Godhead."



rsz_godhead.jpeg




The nativity isn't complete. I lost my stitching mojo and moved on. I don't like how Mary's right hand is big like a dudes and baby J's blanket looks like it's draped in bacon.



rsz_nativity.jpeg

I’m a quilter, and your work is fabulous! The applique on your Nativity quilt is perfect. Nothing wrong with the proportions. If you’re in Utah, I think you should submit your work to the Springville Museum of Art for their annual summer show. Everyone would love to see this!
I’m sorry for delving off topic, but you’re very talented. Wndr.

[hmb]

I’m a quilter, and your work is fabulous! The applique on your Nativity quilt is perfect. Nothing wrong with the proportions. If you’re in Utah, I think you should submit your work to the Springville Museum of Art for their annual summer show. Everyone would love to see this!
I’m sorry for delving off topic, but you’re very talented. Wndr.

Thanks, Wonderment. I don't know that "everyone" would love to see these, and a few others I've made. I tend to get negative feedback because it's irreverent, blah blah blah. I remember a time when humor was taken as fun. Oh well, I'm sure it will return someday.

[moksha]

This might help your parishioners express their authentic feelings:

[MalcolmVillager]

Bishop G.

Congrats and condolences. I couldn't do it. I had a friend who served as bishop for about a year and asked for a release. That is an honorable way out too.

You will do a great job. Just take it one day at a time.

On a brighter note, some convicted murderers get less time than a bishop calling.

[græy]

I'll make you a quilt. I've made a few wall hangings. The first could be called, "The Godhead."

I'm late getting back tot his, but those are amazing hmb! I agree with Wonderment, you've got real talent.

[græy]

This might help your parishioners express their authentic feelings:

I love it! I may also occasionally need to put the sound-proofing of the bishop's office to the test.