Stake Speaking and Training Information

In this program, speakers from the high council and the stake council visiting the wards and branches on the second Sunday to speak and provide training. Where you have other local scheduling needs (for example, a primary or Christmas program), you may work with the member of the high council coming to speak to move the date.

Schedule: 

Special Notes:​
  • If special arrangements have been made by ward or branches to move dates or make other changes, those changes will not be reflected above.

Information

General:
  • On the first month of each quarter:
    • The member of the high council assigned to a ward or branch is asked to speak in sacrament meeting and also to conduct Melchizedek Priesthood training that day. We ask that he speak on the stake theme. Bishops and branch presidents may also work with him to address specific Gospel topics that they feel their ward or branch would benefit from. 
    • Members of the stake auxiliary organizations are also assigned to speak on this day. We ask them to speak on Gospel- and Savior-focused topics related to their stewardship. They may also do training at a local level on this day.
    • On this Sunday, the member of the high council is asked to spend time that day specifically training your Melchizedek Priesthood leaders. He will arrange this directly with them.
  • On the second month of each quarter:
    • Members of the high council are assigned to speak and train in other units in the stake. This gives members a chance to get to know the high council, for members of the high council to each get to ward and branch leaders and members, and for specific training to be given throughout the stake over time. Members of the high council are to speak this month on a gospel-centered topic that relates to their specific high council duties; bishops and branch presidents can also work with them individually if there is a special need to address a particular topic. 
    • Members of the stake auxiliary organizations are also assigned to speak on this day. We ask them to speak on Gospel- and Savior-focused topics related to their stewardship. They may also do training at a local level on this day.
    • On this Sunday, the member of the high council may have particular training he will coordinate related to his assigned stake responsibilities.
  • On third month of every quarter there will be no speaking assignments. ​

Notes:
  • The member of the high council assigned to speak in a ward or branch on any particular Sunday is responsible for coordinating with the bishop or branch president and with the other stake speaker. In the event of timing or other conflicts, bishops and branch presidents work with him to arrange for replacement speakers or to switch speaking days. These changes do not need to be approved by the stake presidency.
  • There may be speaking months when a ward or branch does not have a high council speaker or a stake auxiliary speaker. If there is no assigned high council speaker, the auxiliary speaker coordinates directly with the bishop or branch president. 

ADDITIONAL Information for the High Council

  • If your stewardship(s) do not translate easily into speaking topics when you are speaking in units outside of your primary unit assignment, we then ask you to focus in your talks on the stake theme or the Sabbath day, or as inspired and in consultation with the bishop or branch president of that unit.
  • Organization Contacts
    • ​​When you are paired with young men, young women, primary, relief society, or Sunday school, please coordinate with the presidents of those organizations.
    • For self-reliance / employment you will call President and Sister Booth.
    • For single adult (to be determined)
    • For young single adults, Gary and Sarah Ettari
    • For public affairs, contact Brother Keith Thompson
    • For family history, Sister Cynthia Rush
    • For ARP - addiction recovery program:
      • ​Marion & Forest City: Chapmans
      • Weaverville, Asheville Central, Asheville, Hendersonville 1 & 2, and Brevard:  Sheltons
      • Cherokee, Franklin, Murphy, Blairesville, and Waynesville: Widenhouse 
    • For Emergency Preparedness,  Brother Jeff Wetherington.
    • If one of the auxiliary speakers is not able to participate, you can allow the bishop / branch president to choose a speaker, or you can offer to arrange with one of the replacement speakers below.
  • Replacement Speakers:  if you are not available to speak on one of your assigned Sundays, we ask that you still coordinate the speaking for that day, and listed here are possible replacements for you. We have not asked them to be official replacements, and they are not aware of the details of this speaking program, but can be invited to speak. They can also be used to supplement for the stake auxiliary speaker.
    • Patriarch Davies (be sensitive to his Sunday timing with patriarchal blessings)​​
    • Recently returned missionaries
    • Sister Brenda Larson from Waynesville (seminary).