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This is something I do for or in my ward.  I have problems trying to get out because of distance and health.  At the moment, I have 17 I contact each month.  I use a single sheet of paper and after the message is done, fold it over, tape it and send it that way.  usually fold it in three parts, so if the message goes over the one side I can put it on the back and still have it covered.

As far as contents, I use a quote or short comment from one of the Prophets, a scripture, a quote from the VT lesson, though not the whole thing.  Have also put in a story or poem appropriate to the month (this month I put in a Halloween one), and include the names and phone numbers of the RS presidency.  I also put in any upcoming events, like Super Saturday, homemaking, ward parties, conference, anything like that.

So far, have had only one person contact the president and tell her she didn't want to receive it, didn't want any contact with the church and take her off the list.  I make certain that a return address is on the outside, so if it is wrong, it will come back to us and we can check it out.  Also with the return address we can be contacted like that one lady did who wanted us "out of her life".

We are pleased with the way this is working and it is definitely a good way to contact totally inactive sisters.

Mel in South Texas (where we are dripping wet, flooded and it is still raining - do we look for an ark?!)

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Vickie Carter

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There is a holiday in almost every month.  Hallmark and American Greeting s both have "packages" of cards for birthdays and holidays that you can get

for $5 to $8 for 10 or 12 cards.

January - New Year
February - Valentine
March - St Patrick
April - Easter
May - Mothers Day
June - Any all-occasion, thinking of you card
July - ditto
August - ditto
September - ditto
October - Halloween
November - Thanksgiving
December - Christmas.

With any luck, the sisters' birthdays will fall in one of the non-holiday months.  Then there are just the thinking of you type notecards, invitations to RS or other ward functions, copies of the handouts given during the Sunday lessons, copies of handouts from the monthly homemaking lesson, etc.

In my mother's ward in Mesa, AZ, they print a card each month with the Recipe of the Month on one side, and a synopsis of the VT message on the other.  The recipe comes from the homemaking night the month before.  The y did one on family home evening (ideas for) and the cooking class was FHE treats, so the recipe was Microwave Carmel Popcorn, with the date and tim e of the next homemaking meeting at the bottom.  On the reverse (they used   5 1/2" x 4 1/4" grey cardstock....must have a printer in the ward <grin>), they wrote October Visiting Teacher Message "Celestial Marriage" with a short synopsis of the message.

That looked a little pricey to me, I know our budget would not withstand the cost of the printing, but depending on how many sisters there are to contact by mail cards (purchased, or even created on the computer if you have a sister with the proper equipment and talent) go a long way!

Especially keeping in touch by sending all of the handouts and invitation s to each months' homemaking and anything else the ward has going on.  If they have kids, keep them informed of the Primary activities, too.

Hope this helps!!

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I included this in a notebook I made up for the presidents on VT at our last leadership meeting

WRITING ROUTES - Or when you need to drop a note to one of your Visiting Teaching Sisters

  Your note or letter may be the only contact with the church that this particular sister might have.  Introduce yourself, make your letter attractive so the sister will want to read it.  Offer help and/or information.  Pray about each sister on your route, including those that only accept letters. Show care, concern, love and acceptance for that particular sister for what she is and what she may become.  Love her whether she becomes active or not

1. Write a personal note in your own handwriting or nicely typed with added interest (different colored paragraphs, graphics, etc.)
2. Summarize the month's message adapted to fit that particular sister or xerox the Ensign VT message (color would be nice) and add your comments
3. Add the RS newsletter, ward newsletter or make up your own with the ward and RS activities, lessons for the month, announcements
4. If it is a permanent writing sister - Vary your monthly letters (card one time, letter, packet, etc.)
5. Be sure to include your name, phone # and address
6. Inform ....food storage lists, dry-pack canning list, family canning info, family history information (classes, library hours, etc.), meeting schedules & homemaking meeting, special occasions - stake, general or regional conferences, pursuit of excellence leaflet & information, ward list, stake list or RS list of sisters, Deseret Industries Drive - address & info, service opportunities, SORT Center, community, ward or stake (not everything at once)
7. Consider sending one Ensign (they are available at Deseret Book)
8. Check out the LDS bookstore for small pictures, bookmarks or pamphlets, that perhaps would be helpful and accepted
9. Keep a good attitude - fulfill your stewardship - You never know what will touch or interest a particular sister.

Let your love shine through!

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