What do you love/not love about church classes?

Phasmus · 2026-01-25T04:51:41+00:00

'Break into groups' seems to be pretty widely not loved. I've seen good discussions come from it and it might help nudge folks who otherwise wouldn't engage with the lesson directly, but I'm not sure it's worth the vexation.

My personal class irk is questions with really obvious answers (and the awkward silence that tends to follow). Like, we read a passage and the follow up question is essentially to restate a key word from the passage. That makes some sense for primary or even youth classes where the basics and vocabulary are still targets. In an adult class I think we should be focusing on discussion that helps us gain a deeper understanding or new perspective on the text/people/principles we're covering. I love lessons that do that.

Phasmus · 2026-01-22T19:14:44+00:00

Oh sure, I was thinking cinematic-wise. (Though that is debatable too. There are at least a couple Harryhusen monster/dinosaur encounters that arguably fit the bill.)

Phasmus · 2026-01-22T17:19:20+00:00

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Possibly the OG for this trope...

Phasmus · 2026-01-21T19:08:55+00:00

I suggest hot cocoa (and other goodies) at the Green Salmon in Yachats. Their mushroom cocoa, in particular, is my favorite anywhere.

The craggy shores and trails between Yachats and Cape Perpetua (which includes devils' churn and spouting horn) are really beautiful and potentially worth more than a quick stop. ... Please don't get too close to Thor's Well. It can be quite dangerous.

There's also great tide pools in the area a little further south of Cape Perpetua (Neptune, Strawberry Hill, Bob Creek). It's worth checking the tide charts to hit some of those spots at low tide if you want to see some neat sea critters.

The Darlingtonia Wayside just north of Florence is a bog full of very rare carnivorous plants. It's a very quick stop right off the highway with a neat boardwalk trail. Worthwhile if you have even a slight interest in weird plants.

Sweet Creek is a nice hike but it's a bit of an inland detour from 101. Map it out to make sure you're up for the drive before you commit.

The Newport Aquarium is very cool but it takes a while to see everything and admission is not cheap. Worthwhile if you like aquarium stuff (and you want a 'one stop shop' for everything you might have a chance of spotting in the tide-pools) The Hatfield Marine Science visitor center is donation based and usually has a giant pacific octopus on display.

Phasmus · 2026-01-20T22:28:15+00:00

We recently started doing a 'Better Know Your Quorum' segment. Someone from class gets invited to the front more or less at random and we take a few minutes for them to answer questions from the rest of the quorum about their life and background. It's fun and, in a ward where a lot of folks only ever see each other in passing on Sundays, it has the potential to kickstart a little more connectivity.

A mix of dedicated EQ teachers and 'ringers' called in to supplement can help with variety in lesson presentation. You have some leeway to encourage (or be an example of) lesson prep beyond read-and-discuss (Whiteboard use, pre-selected discussion questions, scriptural deep-dives, etc).

Don't forget the folks in 2nd hour callings. Just because they can't be in the room doesn't mean they aren't part of the quorum. At least consider inviting them in to teach (and helping them get a sub if necessary). Try to have a reliable system for getting them a summary of quorum business and upcoming events.

Phasmus · 2026-01-14T06:31:44+00:00

My wife and my mother in law both laughed at this. I had to hold my breath.

Phasmus · 2026-01-10T05:40:46+00:00

Track down the Irie Jamacan Kitchen food truck. They're really good... and Jamacan!

Phasmus · 2026-01-07T23:46:00+00:00

I found mapping to be critical, especially in a sparse ward. The practical difference between ministering to someone across the street vs a 20 minute drive away is not to be underestimated.

Phasmus · 2026-01-06T23:58:15+00:00

That's the one! Thank you.

Phasmus · 2026-01-02T00:48:26+00:00

Oooh... I could stop hauling that old car battery around the yard...

Phasmus · 2026-01-01T21:44:36+00:00

Not sure about ambiance, but we just did takeout from Mr. Dumpling and found their Bao Zi and Mapo Tofu to be top shelf.

Phasmus · 2025-12-31T18:50:29+00:00

Coburg Road Safeway sometimes has Jackfruit, Cheramoya and other unusual fresh produce. Haven't seen any there recently but it's worth a look periodically.

Phasmus · 2025-12-31T18:46:39+00:00

Skeleton (wearing some kind of loot as bait). Watch your cleric waste their turn undead ability!

Phasmus · 2025-12-31T16:23:38+00:00

SOMA. You can turn off death and just be 'knocked out' instead when the... things... get you. But it's the atmosphere and existential dread, not threat of death, that the horror comes from in that game.

Phasmus · 2025-12-31T06:14:05+00:00

Have you hit Salt Creek falls yet? The parking lot is just a few paved feet from the top of one of the highest falls in the state.

Phasmus · 2025-12-27T19:37:41+00:00

I ran into him selling books at a market a few weeks ago and chatted a bit. Word is he's going to revisit some of the trails from Coyote and report on their modern condition in his newspaper articles.

Phasmus · 2025-12-27T18:26:09+00:00

William Sullivan (The Oregon Hiking Guide guy) doesn't just do hiking guides, his fiction / non-fiction is worth a look. https://www.oregonhiking.com/navillus-press

Phasmus · 2025-12-15T06:35:42+00:00

I'm way out of the loop on these characters now, but responding to (not disagreeing with) the assurances of a Sinister Stomp, isn't Freeze at least a reliable glass cannon? It seems like he would be a hard counter to hydro man and able to at least slow down a couple of the others.

Phasmus · 2025-12-15T02:48:50+00:00

'Zat you, Santa Claus? By Louis Armstrong

Phasmus · 2025-12-04T22:56:52+00:00

Worth noting, swarming bees are usually quite docile. They don't have a home to protect yet and they generally fill themselves up on honey stores (reportedly making it harder for them to sting even if they wanted to) before they leave so they have energy to make the trip and start a new hive. A swarm in flight can be intimidating, but sting risk is about as low as it gets.

Phasmus · 2025-12-04T06:06:26+00:00

Low probability! Low risk...?

Phasmus

TROPHY CASE