Many are Called

Posted by Jennie | June 4, 2009 | 61 Comments

A few months ago a chunk of each of the two wards in my town were combined to make a sparkling new baby of a ward. It’s an interesting thing being in a ward that’s starting from scratch; it’s not unlike the experience of being picked for kickball teams at recess in elementary school. At first the cool kids are picked for all the popular callings. Yeah, sure, we all know how stressful it is to be the Relief Society President. But still, not just any old body gets called to be an auxiliary President. To borrow a phrase from the cheesy commercials of the 60’s: being in a presidency says you’ve arrived.

Some of us, though, are not presidency-type people. I’m sure there are those who are a bit disappointed to be passed over for a big-shot calling (Spare me the lecture about all church callings being equal. They may all be necessary but “Stake President” definitely has a lot more cachet than “Visiting Teaching Supervisor”). I’ve always been more of an in-the-trenches kind of person.

Six weeks into our new ward I was still one of the few people who had no calling. It’s hard not to feel a little sorry for yourself (“doesn’t anybody want me?”), but if you truly believe that callings are inspired, what can you do?

When the Bishop finally called me in and told me what he had in mind I nearly whooped with joy: Enrichment Committee! Yessss! Some people look at Enrichment as a big drag; yet another church commitment. I don’t see it that way.

Food + people = party

And I love a party. Even if it’s a mellow, Spirit-filled get-together, it’s still a party to me. Nothing is more rewarding than bringing the sisters together to bond and get to know each other, especially those who don’t come too often.

One of our committee’s first jobs was to have a get-acquainted shin-dig. We played a version of Family Feud as one of our activities. I had polled nearly a hundred Relief Society Women from around the country and one of the questions was this: “name the best church calling”.

The answers were interesting:

1. Relief Society Teacher

2. Librarian

3. Nursery Worker

4. Primary Chorister

5. Activity Day Leader

Nursery worker? Seriously? That’s even lower than Bishop on my list of calling I’d hate.

Do you have your dream calling right now? What would it be? How about the calling you dread?

Comments

61 Responses to “Many are Called”

eljee
June 4th, 2009 @ 7:51 am

I would love to be a nursery worker. Oh, it would definitely be hard to not be in RS… but I have a lot of ideas for working with that age of children, and I think it would be fun.

I have one of my dream callings right now. I teach RS. I’d been longing to do it for years and years, and I finally got to! I also love my other calling, which is stake primary music leader, but my real dream would be primary chorister at the ward level, so I could work with the kids.

My other dream calling is ward organist. I’ve held that calling for most of my adult life. It’s my dream because I have a master’s degree in organ performance, and I can really create in that calling.

I’ve been very lucky to be able to have these great callings, but I’ve also had the opportunity to serve in two of my most dreaded callings: ward missionary and Cub Scout den leader. I was a den leader for 3.5 years, and it was definitely a test for me. I think my other most dreaded callings are activities committee and any kind of sports specialist. I thought I would be safe from sports, until a woman in my ward recently told of being called as YW basketball coach when she didn’t even play basketball, and how she accepted it anyway. I think I would pass out in the bishop’s office if they asked to do any calling involving sports, because I HATE sports! I’m not sure I would have the faith to accept such a calling.
Faith.Not.Fear
June 4th, 2009 @ 8:04 am

Two really key factors you’ve mentioned –
Belief that callings are from the Lord
Faith to accept the calling.

Those are two things I would need to draw upon big time if I were ever called to be Primary chorister!

Relief Society President is second on my list of callings I don’t aspire to — although as I write this, I’m not as afraid of it as I was a year or two ago — that’s good since it is a calling full of love.

The calling in which I had the most spiritual experience was Nursery — it’s hard to remember sometimes, amid the runny noses and crying, that those little ones are only a step or two away from having been in Heavenly Father’s presence! He can remind you of that, powerfully, as you strive to serve them.
Tay
June 4th, 2009 @ 8:29 am

I’m pretty burned out on music callings, so I would like to not have one of those for a while. Other than that, I’m pretty open to callings. I love the naughty kids, the naughty teenagers, and the adults who are unwilling to speak up in Sunday School. Mostly because I’m not afraid to pick on individuals and I think kids are funny. I think a sense of humor is vital with the kidlings. If you want to retain your sanity, that is.
Heidi T.
June 4th, 2009 @ 8:35 am

Nursery was my favorite calling. My husband and I did it for a year and we ran a tight ship, but man did we love those kids. I have two little kids of my own, but neither one was in our class. A few weeks ago on Mother’s Day when the Primary got up to sing, I got teary not because my kids were up there, but because I saw all of my sweet little nursery kids that I still love and miss. It really is a great calling if you do it right.

P.S. I don’t normally just love other kids arbitrarily. It really is different when you teach them the Gospel week after week.
Kay
June 4th, 2009 @ 8:43 am

I have just literally been released from my favourite calling ever as Education Counsellor. I loved it, worked hard, learned so much about myself, grew spiritually, and had so much fun. We all became best friends working toegther even though it was over a relatively short time of 19 months.

I also enjoyed serving as a R.S. teacher and a primary teacher. The good thing about being in primary and nursery is that you are a step away from all the politics and problems. I have spent years serving in the primary presidency in a couple or wards and it is so rewarding but such hard work.

Callings I have not enjoyed are compassionate service leader (what does that say about me?), and stake public affairs. I did them both at the same too. I was once a branch chorister for a while, and am still not sure why as I can’t read music, direct it, or even sing a nursery ryhme in tune. I think I would seriously cry if ever called to the activites committee.
Fairchild
June 4th, 2009 @ 8:57 am

I am currently number one on that list, RS teacher, and enjoy it. I’ve had this calling many times and it is my comfort zone. I also enjoyed being Education Counselor, super easy calling for me; way easier than Enrichment Counselor or the Pres.

I really struggled being in a YW presidency for a year; I just never felt comfortable even though I tried. The president I served under went from being nursery worker to YW Pres. with NO previous YW experience and she was inactive as a teen! She did awesome though. I was called to be Primary President for a year once when my only previous experience was a few months as a sunbeams teacher. That was an eye-opening, time-consuming calling!

My mom went from nursery worker to RS Pres. once. I’ve never been in nursery but think it would be fine. I’ve served a lot as a den leader but would rather be Cubmaster. You get to throw a party every month as Cubmaster! That calling seems really fun to me but most people I’ve seen stink at it.

I would not like to have any callings related to sports, music, or enrichment (except maybe on the committee). I would stink at all of those! Keep me teaching! Being secretary to anything is always a great calling too!
courtney
June 4th, 2009 @ 8:59 am

If I were called to the nursery, I would probably die. Maybe it’s because I have a 13-month old? I would feel like a perpetual babysitter. Plus, I don’t really like little kids. (yikes!) I think that makes me a horrible person. (though, to be clear, I do like my child.)
I would love to work in YW. And I would love to be an RS teacher. In fact, I think that’s the only one on that list that I would be excited about. Anything where I could really interact with people. I am a visiting teaching supervisor right now, and I hope I never have to be one again. I really hate talking on the phone– particularly initiating phone calls to people I don’t know well. So having to call several women every month is kind of like torture for me. But it’s better than nursery (or scouts!).
Red
June 4th, 2009 @ 9:01 am

I long to serve with the young single adults. My husband and I team-taught a Sunday School class for YSA’s several years ago. I wish “they” would pluck us out of our family ward and call us to a student ward. I even think a married student ward would be cool.

But I like the party callings too. I strongly believe that getting to know one another and having fun together is an important component of the gospel. And I get fulfillment and satisfaction out of throwing a truly fun, creative party (activities committee, enrichment night, etc).
Terrie
June 4th, 2009 @ 9:11 am

I have served as enrichment leader twice and I loved every minute of it! It is for sure my “dream calling”. I have also experienced my most dreaded calling; cub scout den leader. And just as I had imagined it was hard and thankless in many ways, but I also learned a lot. Mostly I learned that serving isn’t always fun and it isn’t always how we would choose to serve, nonetheless it is a job that needs to be done. And hopefully we are able to accomplish what the Lord had in mind when we were called to that calling. Now I am the Primary secretary and enjoy it quite a bit, so far though nothing has come close to Enrichment leader.
FoxyJ
June 4th, 2009 @ 9:16 am

Callings I dread are anything to do with nursery and anything to do with scouting. I don’t do well with other people’s children, which is funny because I’ve recently spent several years in primary presidencies, including as the president. I think the Lord is trying to help me learn to like other kids, but what I’ve mostly found is that I’m good at the organizational stuff and I call counselors who are more good at doling out the hugs and other lovey stuff. My dream calling is anything playing the piano, because I’ve played for so long that I know all the church music and can just show up and play. I would also love to be a RS or Sunday School teacher, but leadership positions scare me and I don’t know why I keep getting called to them.
KLC
June 4th, 2009 @ 9:43 am

Anything that doesn’t require presidency meetings, agendas, goal setting, or being included in special leadership meetings at stake conference.
Sandi
June 4th, 2009 @ 9:44 am

“At first the cool kids are picked for all the popular callings.” What? How do you rate who the cool kids are and what the heck is a popular calling? I was nursery leader and loved it because no one even knew I was around and I didn’t have to put any effort into adult interaction, then they made me RS President, no–you have it all wrong. The Lord doesn’t pick the “cool kids” for the “most popular callings.”
Jennie
June 4th, 2009 @ 9:53 am

Maybe I should say “high profile callings”, not exactly popular. In our last ward the same ten women were always being rearranged into the various R.S., Primary and YW presidencies. I think that’s where I got the idea that there were definitely “cool kids” who got picked first for the “important” jobs. It’s not true, of course, but it has given me pause for thought.
La Yen
June 4th, 2009 @ 9:55 am

I have three callings right now–Primary song lady (going on 3 years), Activities chair/entire committe (3 years, too), and VT coordinator. Our ward is so small…

My dream? Newsletter. Or program. Or bake the bread for Sac meeting. (None of these callings exist in our ward, though. Drat.)
Dovie
June 4th, 2009 @ 10:07 am

I’m in my dream calling. Nursery. In the last 7 years or so I have served in a primary presidency, as a primary assistant for a sweet autistic boy, then a Relief Society teacher. All of those were good places but I think I was made to be in nursery. 10 years ago I would have dreaded this calling but now I realize how sweet and wonderful the 18 month-4 year old age is. I’ll just keep my head low and perhaps they will let me stay for a while…
Amira
June 4th, 2009 @ 10:09 am

We move a lot, so I’ve had lots of different callings for a short time. My favorites were teaching temple preparation and being the nursery music leader. I also liked teaching Relief Society (this was when we had the Brigham Young lessons and the manuals weren’t quite as good as they are today) and Gospel Essentials very much.

Actually, my favorite year was the one I didn’t have a calling at all. I was sort of the official Relief Society substitute, but more importantly, I always sat next to a woman in Relief Society who needed a friend. For a variety of reasons, I was the right one to do that. Unfortunately, she stopped going to church after we moved.

But I’m usually in Primary. I’m happy to be there, but it frustrates me that in so many wards, Primary is the place where they put temporary people. Children need a teacher who can stay there for the entire calendar year. I’ve just been called again and can only commit to be there for 3 months. Seems a little short to me.
jendoop
June 4th, 2009 @ 10:13 am

The “cool” kids being picked for callings – it happens. You have to admit that most people trust and admire those who have had a high profile calling. Example – You move into a new ward and someone you’ve never seen before calls on the phone and invites you to dinner. You might be a little reluctant to take your family to a stranger’s home, until she casually mentions she was just released from being RS president. There is an unspoken knowledge about those who are called to high profile callings. At the very least we know they are worthy to hold the calling.

If you’re achin’ to be a primary chorister you’re needed in Pennsylvania! Right now I’m in a limping branch, serving as a primary counselor. The president and I trade off weeks with sharing time and music, as we have no chorister. On the weeks she’s gone (which is becoming frequent) I get to do the whole thing. Thankfully about 10 years ago I was called to be the primary chorister when I had absolutely no music experience. I still don’t want anyone to hear me sing but I know enough to do it.

I would love to be a RS teacher- being a stay at home mom I could use some adult time, it would be great to only teach once a month, none of those yucky meetings KLC mentioned, and you don’t have to deal with all the hidden nastiness (bishop’s storehouse orders, infedility, spouse abuse, gossip and people being offended, excommunication, etc.).
Lucy
June 4th, 2009 @ 10:19 am

I always thought Relief Society Teacher would be the best calling (once a month, thoughtful adult discussion) but then I was called into the Relief Society presidency and had to teach and felt sick…sick to my stomach about having it go the way I longed for it to go. Because, we women make comments and take the discussion off track sometimes. Just look at this blog. How many times does the author have to jump into the comments and say, “That’s not what I meant.” I know I do it…pick one sentence and comment on that. Anyways, RS teacher is no longer at the top.

I used to think I’d have nothing but a music calling, but now that it’s been years since I’ve had one, I miss it. I think ward music chair, with the responsibilities of picking the hymns and arranging musical numbers is the best calling. I also love being the choir director.

As far as being in an auxillary, I love primary. I admit nursery is hard and emotionally exhausting, but I’d love to be the teacher of the 8 year olds.
HeidiAnn
June 4th, 2009 @ 10:25 am

I’m the YW president, trust me, they clearly will pick “anybody”-evidence being yours truly.

My favorite calling, besides this one which I am loving, has been primary pianist. I’ve never had your calling but it sounds great, too.
Coffinberry
June 4th, 2009 @ 10:27 am

My current (and favorite) isn’t up on the list: Primary Teacher (for 8year olds and up); nor is another favorite of mine Cub Scout Leader or scout/cub scout committee member. Also enjoy Primary Song Leader, but I’ve done that for too many years in too many wards for a calling there to be likely. What I wouldn’t enjoy, I think, are any party callings (no enrichment, activities) or any sports callings. I hold the record for the shortest stint in a Relief Society Presidency: 4 weeks. The world’s easiest callings for me would be primary or relief society pianist, but we have an abundance of pianists, and not so many older-kid primary teachers. So, happily, that is where I and my co-teacher husband stay.
Sue
June 4th, 2009 @ 10:34 am

Right now I’m on the activities committee and I’m also a primary teacher, and it is kicking my lazy, slacker butt. {{commence unfaithful whining: I have to be there EVERY WEEK, GROAN, GROAN. I appreciate the opportunity to frequently ditch, and primary is severely limiting my ability to do it. Crafty bishop.}}

My favorite calling ever is no calling, or alternatively, ward Relief Society Newsletter Page Specialist, the calling I had for a good year (our ward is large and everyone is active) which consisted of creating one page for the ward newsletter, once a month. Now THAT was living, my friends.

But I really enjoyed teaching Relief Society once a month. We always had such great discussions. I think everyone knew that I was about the worst at almost every single gospel topic that came up, so they felt comfortable being sort of real. It was a great calling and I miss it. I also like being the primary chorister – love to sing, love to be silly in front of the kids and help them learn to love primary music – what’s not to love?

Now if someone called me to be in the Relief Society presidency I would definitely take that as a sign that I should start pretending to drink during sacrament meeting.
Melissa Mc
June 4th, 2009 @ 10:43 am

I have my dream callings:

Newsletter editor
Ward Website administrator
TFOT RS teacher

But, I’m afraid if I say it out loud, it will change!!!
Strollerblader
June 4th, 2009 @ 10:49 am

This is one of my favorite questions of all time to ask people. I’ve often wondered what a ward would be like if most of the callings were filled this way…

My top choices:
1. Leadership callings. I like being in charge, and get frustrated at having to be told everything to do and how to do it, especially through several layers of people above me. I like knowing what’s going on in the ward. I am organized and like to be busy. RS or YW presidencies.
2. Enrichment leader — was my fave calling ever, but then had it again and because of all of the red tape the second time around, it really sucked all of the joy out of the calling.
3. Anything Girls’ Camp
4. ward organist (If it’s not my only calling, and if we rotate among several organists in the ward. Right now I’m one of 4 organists and we each play a month at a time.)

Callings I wouldn’t mind:
1. RS callings other than VT callings
2. Other YW callings
3. activities chair
4. nursery
5. most any other not listed below

Callings I’d prefer not to have, but not dreaded:
1. primary chorister or pianist
2. compassionate service
3. I prefer ward callings to stake callings

When these callings start sounding better than my current calling, I know I’m getting ready to ask to be released (In other words, my dreaded callings):
1. Primary presidency or teacher
2. VT super or coordinator
3. choir accompanist (not a good enough player)
Melissa M.
June 4th, 2009 @ 10:56 am

Wow, I’m surprised at the number of women who have said that nursery leader is their dream calling. Just, wow. I take my hat off to all of you, since nursery leader is one of my all-time most unfavorite callings. Other callings I would not like to have are anything to do with cub scouts (been there, done that), librarian, and girls’ camp director. Oh, and activities committee. I’d better stop there.
My favorite calling? RS teacher. Seems like a lot of us like that one. Activity days would be fun. But I’m currently enjoying being in the YW presidency–my favorite part is getting to teach the Beehives every other week. I guess I like teaching the best.
But, bottom line is that whatever calling I’ve had, I’ve learned to like, even love, things about my calling and I’ve grown in new ways. It’s good for me to remember that (especially if I ever get called to be camp director).
Uprooted
June 4th, 2009 @ 11:06 am

This morning I said goodbye to my favorite calling ever…early morning seminary teacher. I have done it for 6-1/2 years and it has been an awesome experience! Here’s why:

I got to spend every morning with some really cool teenagers. I *had* to study my scriptures every day…which brought many blessings. The monthly inservice meetings were so uplifting. I developed a great camaraderie with the other seminary teachers in my stake. But most of all it strengthened me and prepared me for my current challenge of dealing with a divorce after nearly 25 years of marriage.

So this morning I said a bittersweet goodbye to those awesome kids and sent them on their way…hopefully they are a little bit better for their time with me. I know my time with them has made me a better person.
Emily U
June 4th, 2009 @ 11:07 am

Calling I’d love to have: Ward Choir Director

Calling I would say no to: Anything to do with Girl’s Camp

Right now I’m on the Activities Committee, and I like that just fine.
mormonhermitmom
June 4th, 2009 @ 11:16 am

I am begging everyone who wants to be in nursery to move into my ward so I can be released. Two years and counting and I’m burned out. It takes a special person to be there for those kids, and I am not one of them. I would love to do Girls Camp, or be an adult sunday school or RS teacher. I’m tired of only knowing the parents of the nursery kids.

I think my favorite calling was RS secretary. I got to know everyone and help out wherever but I didn’t have to make decisions.
annegb
June 4th, 2009 @ 11:16 am

I liked doing the ward newsletter. I loved being compassionate service leader.

My easiest calling is the one I have now: “formerly active sister who’s now inactive, be nice to her” LOL. Piece of cake
Justine
June 4th, 2009 @ 11:47 am

I really love my calling right now. It’s fun and diverse and interesting. I would love to be on the Enrichment committee, too, because planning events is just plain fun to me. I think I would dread being the RS President for several reasons, none of which I will enumerate. I’m also mortified of being in Primary. I’ve only been in Primary once, for three months, as the President. It was harrowing.

And a wonderful woman in our ward loves the nursery. She loved it so much that she decided to have another baby, and her children are almost all grown! But she’s got a darling three year old now, and she’s still plugging away in nursery.
Becky
June 4th, 2009 @ 11:52 am

I’m with Uprooted – my all-time favorite calling was early morning seminary teacher. It was difficult; it was time consuming; I missed helping my younger kids get ready for school; I felt frustrated when I didn’t seem to be reaching the sleeping teenagers; but I cried when I was released, and I’d jump at the chance to do it again (at least for the next three years while I still have teenagers at home)!

The calling I dreaded the most was a ward missionary. I only did that for a short time and I wish I had learned more from it. We had two little boys when I had that calling with my husband. We’re sending son #4 off to the MTC next week and I’ve realized that practical application of sharing the gospel is one of the best preparations for them.

Finally, no one mentioned my husband’s all-time-favorite calling (maybe because you have to be male to have it) – and that’s 11-year-old Scout leader. He LOVED being in Primary with them. He LOVED getting them through First Class so they’d be ready for Mutual. He LOVED going on campouts with them. And he didn’t have to go to ANY extra Sunday morning meetings!
Emily J
June 4th, 2009 @ 12:04 pm

Right now I am serving with activities committee. Considering that our ward activities committee only sponsors two activities a year (Christmas party and a summer party), I feel a little like I have no calling. It is nice that there are only two big things to do, and it is a good opportunity for the young women to put together the trunk-or-treat and the young men to put together a ward dinner, but I sometimes fight back the feelings that I’m a little forgotten in our ward.

My husband, on the other hand, is on activities committee as well, is a Sunday School teacher (Temple Prep), and a Priesthood teacher. He was called a month ago to serve as the Ward Executive Secretary, but hasn’t been released from everything else yet. Thankfully, everyone is pretty understanding when he says “I can’t teach this week, you’ll need to find a substitute.” I guess that maybe with so much on his plate, it’s a good thing for our family that I’m just busy with ward things twice a year.
JM
June 4th, 2009 @ 12:06 pm

My favorite calling ever was Achievement Days Leader (prior to the name change). It was only twice a month, Sundays were free and easy, and the girls were at an age where just about everything you did they welcomed with enthusiasm. Beautiful!
I have found good & bad in every other calling I have had.
As far as the “popular” people getting the big callings… I disagree. It has been my experience that the same people rotate through the big callings because they tend to be the people who are willing to do it. I know that isn’t what many people will want to hear, but the truth is there are a lot of people who are not nearly the ‘active members’ they think they are.
Jennie
June 4th, 2009 @ 12:35 pm

Mormon Hermit Mom-I love secretarial callings too. I don’t know what I love having the rolls and lists all nice and tidy, but I do.

JM-I also do Activity Day. Two hours twice a month? No problem! The girls talk a lot but they think everything we do is fun, fun, fun.
Angie f
June 4th, 2009 @ 1:00 pm

Isn’t it funny and wonderful how everyone has such divergent ideas of what a “dream calling” is? I have a wonderful one right now: I’m a Gospel Doctrine teacher. I love it for the reasons others have mentioned a love for being a seminary teacher: I must study the scriptures regularly, but the actual teaching time commitment is less, since it’s Sunday only and even less in our ward because there are 2 other teachers. But even though I love it, every week there is someone new telling me how they couldn’t do my calling–it’s too awful. And I have a good friend who has the same calling in her ward and cowers over it (and thinks that DH/Bishop is a “mean man” to “make” me do this job). So many people have mentioned loving nursery, but that’s a regularly difficult calling to fill in the wards we’ve been in. People mentioned loving primary music and yet we just had a woman need to be released after 2 weeks in that calling because she was having a nervous breakdown over it! To me this is all a testimony of the wondrous diversity with which the Lord peoples the Earth and His church. I’m so thankful for it, because I would do badly in the Activities Committee and YW scares me (my kids are still small and I am way too uncool).
Christy
June 4th, 2009 @ 2:02 pm

If you move into my ward I can almost guarantee you a presidency calling.
Annette
June 4th, 2009 @ 2:44 pm

I don’t buy the Nursery Worker one–it’s such a hard calling to fill that no one wants it!

My favorite calling ever was Primary secretary. Aside from presidency meetings, everything that needed doing was on my time, when I decided to do it–and I had an excuse to wander the halls for two hours at church.
Harlene
June 4th, 2009 @ 3:27 pm

Fav callins- Young women’s
Special Ed Mutual

Least fav callings- Activities Chairman,
Gospel Doctrine Teacher
Merry Michelle
June 4th, 2009 @ 3:44 pm

I like my calling of ward chorister, and I LOVED teaching the sunbeams in Primary. It was so amazing to see them learn the Articles of Faith at the end of the lesson–they really can do it.

Ummm…dream calling? I don’t know that I have one, really–except for maybe visiting teacher because those I teach are such incredible women. I liked teaching the youth in Sunday school. I liked Enrichment. I didn’t mind teaching Sunday school in my singles ward, but with bonafied “grown ups” it might be too ridiculous and intimidating. I also feel that there should be a law irrevocably decreed in heaven that no parent should have to teach their own child (especially in Primary).
Sue
June 4th, 2009 @ 4:06 pm

Favorite calling? The one I currently have, Relief Society teacher.
Also liked being the newsletter editor.
Least desired calling? Hands down, nursery leader.
Calling that made me grow the most? YW president.

Never been a Relief Society president. And hope I never get the opportunity. heehee
Lindsay1138
June 4th, 2009 @ 4:26 pm

I loved being Activities Director. That was great. I was only busy 4 times a year.

Right now I’m in the nursery, and it’s grown on me. The kids don’t notice when you’re not prepared, and you can get away with saying stuff like “If anyone asks, we learned about Jesus today” and you can totally skip the lesson and just play with Play-Doh.
Lorie
June 4th, 2009 @ 4:32 pm

My favorite callings are ones that DO NOT require substitutes when you are away! Anything that doesn’t require me to call people at 7am when my kids are sick (church is at 9am) to take my place or to remember in all my vacation planning that i have to beg someone to take my place for 2 weeks while we are in San Diego.

Right now I am the Primary Chorister. And I LOVE it…except for the need to get a substitute.
Arianne
June 4th, 2009 @ 4:34 pm

I am 100% happy to NOT feel needed, praised, chosen, or glorified through my calling. I am 100% happy to get a calling that rquires as little as possible. Becuase I’m a very active person already. I contribute a lot and attend nearly everything offered. So I don’t need a big, time-sucking calling to make me feel like I’m important. That’s not to say I won’t take one. I’ve never said no to a calling yet. And I do serve with as much enthusiasm as I can muster when I do get a big calling. But I don’t prefer it and don’t need it emotionally. Presidencies are my particular nemesis. In fact, I’d rather not have any calling which requires meetings. Meetings will be the death of me. Spending 2 hours to accomplish what should take 15 minutes and handing out lots of papers that will go straight in the trash. UGH. So my favorite calling so far has been the one I have now: Visiting Teaching Coordinator. All I do is collect the V.T. supervisors’ reports once a month and put them in the computer. Sometimes I have to hand out new lists or new assignments to the sisters/supervisors. And true, once a year I’m in charge of the V.T. conference, and once a year there are V.T. interviews (gag). But otherwise, it’s a very easy calling, just the way I like it.

I’d also enjoy an adult teaching calling that was every other week or less (like relief society or sunday school).
b.
June 4th, 2009 @ 5:01 pm

I LOVED being the Nursery helper. I just got to wear a jumper or skirt that went almost to the floor so I could roll around on the the floor with the rowdy kids. I didn’t so much enjoy getting snot in my hair.
Now, I LOVE being in the library so so much.

I don’t have a clear testimony of callings being inspired (I’m just being honest). I’ve often wondered why a lot of physicians are called as Bishops and Stake Prez.
Julie R.
June 4th, 2009 @ 5:11 pm

My favorite calling is Gospel Doctrine teacher. Love, love, love it. I used to really resent music callings, because I just kept doing it for so many years, but now I really love them, because they are easy.

Least favorite calling is anything in Relief Society. So how am I serving now? 1st counselor in RS presidency. Funny how that works, eh? Already learning from it, though: having to pray for a testimony that I’m in the right calling has been quite the experience.
Jessica
June 4th, 2009 @ 5:19 pm

I my least favorite calling? Anything Relief Society. (This might get me flogged but… I HATE Relief Society).

Favorite calling? Birthday Committee Chairperson. We were in charge of making sure that people were wished a happy birthday on their birthday. No, I am not making this up. I was in a BYU ward at the time where there were more people than callings. I think the Bishop was simply making up callings at this point…

I would adore Nursery (I love little kids) or working with the scouts. Really, anything that isn’t Relief Society oriented. Oh, and I agree with Lori, any calling that requires a sub is no fun. (Not that callings are supposed to be fun but you know what I mean.)
Seanette
June 4th, 2009 @ 6:03 pm

I’ve been a nursery assistant and a Primary teacher and secretary (at different times) and enjoyed both. Ward librarian was a little dull, and teaching 4th Sunday RS a bit nerve-wracking (especially the day I had a rather hostile class member picking at everything I said!).

Not sure what my dream calling would be, but I would really hesitate to teach adults again (especially Gospel Doctrine).

I’m not a morning person and do not relate well at all to teenagers (didn’t when I was one), so I figure with Heavenly Father having the sense of humor He does, I’ll probably wind up teaching early-morning Seminary one of these days.
Tiffany
June 4th, 2009 @ 8:59 pm

What’s up with all these unambitious women? Is it all that priesthood domination? Heck, call me to be GENERAL RELIEF SOCIETY PRESIDENT! (Honestly, are there this many Mormon wimps?)
Mommom
June 4th, 2009 @ 9:01 pm

Dream callings – anything in the nursery. LOVE Primary Chorister. I would say 95% of my calling have been in Primary with about half that time in Chorister and I loved it every time.

Callings that scare me (I’m not sure dread is the right word): Ward missionary. It probably shouldn’t… but it does.

I loved being Primary President but that was no where near being RS president and RS president scares me.

I’ve only served briefly in YW as well (except for being at Girl’s camp – I love Girl’s Camp) and I’m not sure I’d do well there now.

Callings that had me feeling like a duck out of water? Meetinghouse librarian and Ward Activities Chairman (which is the calling I’m in now). The first because I didn’t try to do anything with the calling and this calling now? I think I’m supposed to feel like this.
Mommom
June 4th, 2009 @ 9:05 pm

If RS President Scares me – General RS president would give me a heart attack!
Faith.Not.Fear
June 4th, 2009 @ 9:39 pm

Maybe our first job in any new calling is to gain a testimony of our calling — to seek to learn why the Lord has placed us in such a calling as this at such a time as this (to paraphrase the story of Esther !)

Then, we can pray for help in magnifying (not complicating!) our callings, and follow through. If we pray to know how to help a little one in nursery, or a lonely sister… we can be guided by Heavenly Father as to how to best serve.

Lastly, it sounds like we need to pray for those who are called to other positions — bishops, stake presidents, RS presidents, nursery leaders, etc. Perhaps our prayers will lighten burdens for them and their families. As we strive to fill our callings as the Lord would have us, we will be able to help lighten our leaders’ burdens, too!

All these thoughts remind me of a quote from this month’s VTing message — imagine it!
“Think of our combined strength if every sister had sincere prayer every morning and night or, better yet, prayed unceasingly as the Lord has commanded. If every family had family prayer daily … , we would be stronger”
– Julie B. Beck

Time for prayers!
Diane
June 4th, 2009 @ 11:03 pm

I’ve had lots of callings I have loved, my favorite 2 being activity days with the 8 and 9 year olds and RS TFOT teacher. Loved them both.

Current calling – RS President in a ward I was “split” into about a year ago. I have loved getting to know all the sisters, but still feel as if I am not doing everything I should be doing. I have great counselours who I was truly inspired to call.

Least favorite calling EVER: ward choir director..I was physically ill before each performance and practice for the 2 years I had that calling. I knew so much less than so many of the members of the choir. I have never said no to a calling, but if I am called to that one again, I will.
Zina
June 4th, 2009 @ 11:47 pm

Reading the lists of all the different possible callings about had me hyperventilating — thank goodness we only get one calling at a time. (Or a couple, but anyway only two or three, maximum.)

I had a huge identity crisis when I was called to my current calling of Enrichment counselor. I truly never pictured myself in that calling, which is kind of bizarre because I love the domestic arts (and love personal, home, and family improvement,) but I never pictured myself in any Relief Society presidency — even if that was unrealistic since I certainly planned to be active and willing to serve. Anyway, I’ve got a fabulous Enrichment Leader to work with and we have a very similar vision of how Enrichment needs to be in our ward (which is fairly different to how it’s been in the past — less entertainment, more substance, less overscheduling, more socializing, less spending, more life-skills training, etc.) and now I love the calling, can’t even remember what I worried about, and think it’s pretty easy (the Enrichment Leader does all the work. And she doesn’t have a houseful of little kids and is very willing to.)

I’ve been a den leader and loved the boys, but wearied of the bureaucracy and struggled with planning anything since I had a co-den leader who was extremely unreliable. My health was also poor at the time, and I ended up having to ask to be released.

Like others, I love teaching callings, and callings that don’t require me to attend meetings, and callings where I don’t have to get a sub. And the most recent time when I was called to Nursery, I cried (I have a houseful of young kids and really can benefit from adult interaction,) but then I ended up really loving it (and, as I said, was shocked to be called into Relief Society.) I’d be shaking in my boots if called to be the R.S. president, and would hate the time commitment of a YW calling — but I think I’d enjoy it in a few years when my daughters are young women. And I’d really dread being in any kind of music calling except for a chorister — I know too many people who’d do a much better job than I could.
Allison
June 5th, 2009 @ 7:27 am

#47 (Tiffany) – Have you ever been a ward RS President? If it is the Lord’s will, may you get your wish. Heh heh heh…
Tiffany W.
June 5th, 2009 @ 8:30 am

I’ve always wanted to be a teacher of anything: primary, sunday school, whatever. But, I’ve mostly had music callings or serving in the primary presidency and once in the R.S. presidency. I have to say that serving as a counselor for the R.S. was cake compared to serving in the Primary presidency. Not that I think being R.S. president would be cake, but the R.S. counselor’s job was much less stressful and difficult than being a primary counselor.

At one point, in Sweden, just before we moved, things were so uncertain with when we were moving, that the bishopric graciously allowed me to play the piano in primary as my calling. I was really burnt out and very overwhelmed with the task of moving back to the U.S. and waiting impatiently as my husband searched for jobs. I was terribly grateful for that calling. I was trying to finish reading the Book of Mormon in Swedish, so during the times I didn’t play, I just read the scriptures which was very soothing to me.
chick "n"
June 5th, 2009 @ 10:08 am

I’m evil. I don’t have a calling right now. And THAT is my favorite calling so far.

I’m suddenly available to “float” around my ward.

Need someone to teach primary last minute?

Pick me.

Need a meal for a new mom?

Pick me.

Need last minute help with enrichment?

Pick me.

Lead the music? Say a prayer? Visit the sick?

Me. All me.

All the blessings. None of the responsibility.

I’m evil. And I think it’s delicious.
annegb
June 5th, 2009 @ 11:39 am

chick n, you could end up being busier without a calling than those with callings.
anon mom
June 5th, 2009 @ 11:48 am

Yes,(annegb),
but I agree with chick “n”.
What makes it so delicious is that it’s not HER responsibility. She can choose to do it–and that makes it feel great.
bekah
June 5th, 2009 @ 3:38 pm

After having spent the last 10 years either in a RS presidency or as a Primary chorister, I have to admit that I am a little curious about working with the YW–it’s not my dream calling, but it could be fun. It could also be very time consuming (a pretty educated guess, since dh has been in YM for the last 5 years.)My dream calling is actually choir director. Or RS teacher. Or primary pianist. I can’t really think of any I’d dislike (except maybe scouts, but I’m hoping that a having 4 small kids and being in a big ward will protect me from that one until I at least have a boy old enough to be in the program.)
Carolyn
June 7th, 2009 @ 12:04 pm

I am presently inactive, but the callings I would love to get when I do go back (I’ll spare you the “whys”) are:

*Activity Days (again – once held this calling)
*YW Camp – Can’t wait to have my own girls to bring!
*Newsletters

Not so much:

*Primary
*Teaching anything, really – I’m too much of a Nervous Nelly!
~j.
June 10th, 2009 @ 9:37 am

I have two callings right now. The one I love (my current dream calling) is Nursery Worker. The one that I loathe (do you want it?) is Enrichment Maker-Upper (Enrichment Leader?).
Liz
June 19th, 2009 @ 9:53 am

Our ward was created from parts of two previous wards, and that’s when I was called as music leader for sacrament meeting. It is a great calling for me. My mission on earth is definitely not to be a movie star or a model, so I don’t have to worry about looking amazing every week. I just smile and enjoy it. The hardest part of my calling is when I’m hormonal or overwrought with motherhood or life in general and trying to hold back the tears for whatever reason: that is not when I love standing up in front of everyone. (“Are you OK today, Liz? You were crying while you were leading the music…”) Otherwise, I love being able to pick hymns because I love the hymns. That’s a part of who I am and how I was raised. Most of all, I love being able to watch my husband and 7 children sitting in the congregation while I take the sacrament quietly and peacefully, all by myself.