Christmas Break Eve
Weekly Tucson YSA 1st ward 14 Dec – 20 Dec 2025 Email
“If you can’t say something nice, say it in French” (Ratatouille)
Hey y'all! Hope you are ready for another week! Congrats to all of you who have successfully finished this semester. For those (Like me) who still have tests to complete, GOOD LUCK!! No matter the outcome of the tests or your final results in your classes, always remember you are a Child of God and this test has no weight on your eventual “salvation grade”. I’ve been contemplating how these tests are similar to the grand test we call life. The great thing is, this test is open book, and the teacher has already put the answers on the board. We’ve technically already passed because someone has done everything, we couldn’t do for ourselves. We get this wondrous Christmas season to remember that our debt has been paid in full. Our Savior took the test and aced it and gave us a path to do it as well. So, make sure not to beat yourselves up if you get a lower score than you wanted. You’re worth more than a grade.
Make sure to put Christ in Christmas this year as well. Share the gift that he wants you to give to others.
Anyways, for the remaining days, here is the itinerary:
· Tithing Declaration
Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday
Please message Ben Grant for tithing declaration at +1 (385) 355-2124
DO IT QUICK!
Home Evening every Monday at 7:00pm
This week: Combined w/ 2nd Ward, Winterhaven
Where: Meet at Institute for Carpool at 7:00
Pershing’s at 7:20 for Hot Chocolate
Game Night every Wednesday at 7:00pm
Evening institute class ("Brother Bauer Power Hour") CANCELED until 21st of January
Food at 7:00pm (in the gym), games afterwards combined with both wards
This week: Baked Potato Bar & Dessert, Christmas Bingo w/ prizes, Christmas Craft Table
Board games and friends are always an option whether an activity is planned or not
Institute - 1333 E 2nd St
Club Spotlight: Dungeons and Dragons, Tuesday at 7PM
Come to have a great time doing Dungeons and Dragons. No prior experience needed.
New Dungeon Masters Requested as well
Other Clubs and Activities
Tuesday
Dungeons & Dragons,- 7PM
Open Volleyball - 7PM
Thursday
Adaptive Institute class 6-6:50 Rm 102 – Gentle and slower paced (CANCELED until Jan 21st)
Pickleball - 7 PM
Art Workshop (Christmas Themed or bring your own project)– 7 PM
Friday
Basketball – 7PM
Wildcat Gospel Band – 7 PM
Saturday
Nerf Club – 5:30
Magic the Gathering Club – 7 PM
Social Dance – 7- 9:30 (CANCELED until Jan 10th)
Church meetings every Sunday at 1:00pm
Sacrament Meeting
Food afterwards
If you can't find parking at the institute, nearby uncovered lots on campus are free on Sundays
They're also usually free to park most evenings, but double-check the signs to be sure
Institute - 1333 E 2nd St
Ward Choir every Sunday at 3:30pm
All abilities are welcome!
Contact Macy Halverson with any questions: 801-671-1591
Institute (back classroom) - 1333 E 2nd St
Queer Christian Initiative 5PM
Institute classes run daytime Mon-Thurs
Evening classes Wednesday and Thursday at 6:00pm
Institute - 1333 E 2nd St
· The beautiful grounds of the Mesa Arizona Temple will light up with Christmas spirit this year from Friday, Nov. 28, through Tuesday, Dec. 30. The lights will be on each evening from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. The event is free and Christ-centered.
· In addition, there are 10 favorite biblical vignettes placed among the olive trees that help tell the Christmas story, including figures of Mary and Joseph on their way to Bethlehem, a near life-size Italian Fontanini nativity scene with a star above shining with tens of thousands of twinkling lights, three lighted wisemen with camels, and more!
· During the Christmas season, the Mesa Temple Visitors’ Center hosts the annual International Nativity Exhibit. This event is also free to attend. Visitors can view hundreds of unique nativity scenes from around the world and enjoy the Christmas story through inspiring works of art — many which are handmade — depicting the Savior’s birth. The nativity display runs the same dates as the Christmas lights event and is open 5-10 p.m. each evening with daytime viewing 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on Tuesdays/Thursdays at the Visitors' Center, 455 E. Main St., which is located just west of the temple grounds on the corner of LeSueur and Main Street. Free parking is available nearby.
· See the Christmas lights and feel the spirit of Christmas throughout the holiday season on the beautifully landscaped grounds of the historic Mesa Arizona Temple in downtown Mesa!
· More information, including FAQ, can be found at MesaTemple.org.
Lots of other Gathering Place activities at the institute every evening of the week
Calendar of events/activities for both wards: https://www.tucsonysa.org/
Special thanks to Orlando Rodriguez for keeping this up to date!
Give something new a try, even if you're skeptical - you might find something you like! I discovered a love for dancing at social dance nights every Saturday night and recommend that to everyone. We need lots more men to show up - no one expects you to be an exceptional dancer, just being willing to try is enough.
Upcoming Events:
· 01/23-01/25 YSA Desert Days 2026 Arizona YSA Conference: ysadesertdays.com for more info & to register
Quote of the Week:
“Your mind is like this water, when it is agitated, it becomes hard to see. But if you allow it to settle, the answer becomes clear” (Kung Fu Panda)
“It’s for you to look inward, and start asking yourself the big questions. Who Are You? And What Do You Want?” (Avatar the last Airbender)
Verse of the Week:
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
(Luke 2:11-14)
God be with you all
I’ll see you all again next year!