volunteer for participating in Sacrament meeting

[mormonS]

Just wondering... are all talks, prayers and musical numbers in Sacrament meeting strictly by invitation or would it be appropriate to volunteer for let's say a musical number? After all, how else would people even think to ask and know of someone's musical skills?

[Palerider]

Just wondering... are all talks, prayers and musical numbers in Sacrament meeting strictly by invitation or would it be appropriate to volunteer for let's say a musical number? After all, how else would people even think to ask and know of someone's musical skills?

If I had musical talent and wanted to share my talent in Sacrament meeting I would mention it to a couple of people, like one of the Bishops councilors.

[Guest LiterateParakeet]

In my wards, about once a year they pass around a sheet and ask if anyone would be willing to share their musical talents.  So yes, for any kind of musical talent, volunteer!  You should talk to the "Ward Music Specialist".  If you don't know who that is, just ask the Bishopric.

 

About talks/prayers, I think it can't hurt to volunteer.  The Bishopric will consider it.  That's a little different, but I don't see anything wrong with letting them know you are willing.  

[Blackmarch]

Just wondering... are all talks, prayers and musical numbers in Sacrament meeting strictly by invitation or would it be appropriate to volunteer for let's say a musical number? After all, how else would people even think to ask and know of someone's musical skills?

I don't see anything wrong in letting a bishop know you would like to do some such or another, or that you are available to do that thing.

[Guest]

In my ward, we have a Ward Music Director (I'm not really sure if that's his official title). He is responsible for organizing the ward choir and also with coordinating ward involvement with the Stake choir.

The choir is a volunteer thing. They announce when choir practice is and people just show up and sing as a choir. No auditions necessary. The entire choir sings in Sacrament meeting once a month (usually 2nd Sunday of the month). There is no choir on Fast and Testimony Meeting. 3rd, 4th, and 5th Sundays is by volunteer. If you want to present a musical number for Sacrament meeting, you just show up for choir practice and talk to the music director and tell him what you're gonna do - if you don't know what you want to do, don't worry, the music director will give you something to work on - and the music director then works on matching that piece to the talks and tell you which Sunday you're going to be singing. If you're an auxiliary leader - like Primary Singing Time Leader or YM/YW/RS Presidency and you want to have your group sing in Sacrament, you just talk to the music director and he puts you on the calendar. If there are no volunteers for 3rd/4th/5th Sundays then the congregation just sings an intermediate hymn.

As far as Sacrament Meeting talks... the 2nd councilor to the bishopric usually assigns the talks to members in our ward. If one wants to give a talk, you just talk to the 2nd councilor and he'll be very very happy that he doesn't have to chase after some member who sees him coming with a purposeful look in his eye and runs the other direction to avoid getting assigned a talk...

Edited June 16, 2015 by anatess

[Traveler]

Just as a note - there is an individual - not completely what some would call active and does not fit into the norm of professionals in my somewhat upscale Utah ward - his profession is truck driver.  He, after much encouragement gave a talk in sacrament meeting.  He said he was not much at talking so most of his talk he sang hymns unaccompanied.  He will never have a recording contract - but it was one of the very few talks that have brought me to tears and touch me even more than most conference talks.  BTW the tears were not because of his poor singing but such a spirit I have seldom encountered.

[Jane_Doe]

Just wondering... are all talks, prayers and musical numbers in Sacrament meeting strictly by invitation or would it be appropriate to volunteer for let's say a musical number? After all, how else would people even think to ask and know of someone's musical skills?

 

Volunteer away!     If you have a musical/speaking gift, let your light so shine!

[mormonS]

Thanks everyone. I wasn't sure how it would be perceived, since I know you're not supposed to lobby for a calling. But now that I know, I feel okay about making the offer.

[rameumptom]

To share with the bishopric that you are interested and available is a good thing.  In some units, bishops struggle to find people willing to do anything.

 

That said, do not be the type who tells the bishop that you will hold your breath until he chooses you.   :)