Still Not Christmas (Part 2)

Written By Heather Nielsen

“Still Not Christmas Pt 2” – Weekly Tucson YSA 1st ward 16 Nov – 22 Nov 2025 Email

 

“I don’t look back darling, it distracts from the now” (The Incredibles, 2004)

 

Hey y'all! Hope you are ready for another week! We got some exciting events this week to announce. Also Important to RESTATE because some people aren’t getting the message. Christmas doesn’t actually start till after Thanksgiving!!! Please keep this in mind before turning on your “all I want for Christmas is you” for the 50th time. Anyways, the following events are set for this week:

 

·       Tithing Declaration

Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday

Please schedule with Dan at +1 (520) 977-0442

 

  • Home Evening every Monday at 7:00pm

    • This week: Bingo Night

    • Where: Institute

 

  • Game Night every Wednesday at 7:00pm

    • Evening institute class ("Brother Bauer Power Hour") starts at 6:00pm in the chapel

    • Food at 7:00pm (in the gym), games afterwards combined with both wards

    • This week: Thanksgiving themed dinner, Uno Table Tournament

      • Board games and friends are always an option whether an activity is planned or not

    • Institute - 1333 E 2nd St

 

 

 

  • Relief Society Activity:

    • December 2nd 7:00 PM: cookie exchange in card making

      • Come to eat cookies and make Christmas Cards for the Senior Center.

    • December 11th at 7:30 PM:

      • relief society baptism trip to the temple

 

  • Other Clubs and Activities

    • Tuesday

      • Dungeons & Dragons,-  7PM

      • Open Volleyball - 7PM

    • Thursday

      • Adaptive Institute class 6-6:50 Rm 102 – Gentle and slower paced

      • Pickleball - 7 PM

      • NaNoWriMo night - 7PM

    • Friday

      • Basketball – 7PM

    • Saturday

      • Nerf Club – 4:30

      • Magic the Gathering Club – 7 PM

      • Social Dance – 7- 9:30

 

  • 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

    • 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

 

  • Institute classes run daytime Mon-Thurs

    • Evening classes Wednesday and Thursday at 6:00pm

    • Institute - 1333 E 2nd St



  • Light The World Giving Machine Entertainment

    • Volunteers Needed

      • Please sign up to help promote the Light the World Giving machine this Christmas season at the La Encantada mall. Our stake has been assigned two days, (Sunday Nov. 30th and Thursday Dec. 4th) to provide entertainment next to the machine. Any entertainment such as piano, singing, instrumental music, ward young women, primary children singing, or even dramatic short acts or readings are needed to perform next to the machines to encourage people to light the world.

    • You can sign up on the following sign up genius: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0844A5AC2AA75-59609857-entertainment#/

·        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.

 

 

Quote of the Week:

 “Even lessons learned the hard way, are lessons learned” (Sensei Wu, Ninjago)

 “The best way to defeat your enemy, is to make them your friend” (Sensei Wu, Ninjago)

Verse of the Week:

6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9-6
 

I wish you all love peace and respect

 

God be with you all

Heather Nielsen
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