Ministering Assignments in two different Wards for Snowbirds

[heidimnsn]

Hello, I know you can have church records in two different Wards for those people that spend half the year in each place, but is there a way to assign them ministering in both places? For now, it says they already have a ministering assignment in one Ward and won’t let an assignment be made in the other Ward. Is there a way to “snooze” the Ward they’re not in so an assignment can be made in the current Ward? Thank you?

[jdlessley]

Records can only be kept in one ward at a time. There is a provision for out-of-unit members to have a record created in another ward for some circumstances. The out-of-unit record is not really a membership record but a link to their real member record. That may be what some snowbirds do so they don't have to move their records to the ward at their summer home. See General Handbook, 33.6.4 & 33.6.5.

The situation you describe is not specifically mentioned in the General Handbook. However, in section 33.6.4 it does mention an intention to return when away for longer than 3 months as an exception to moving the record out. This is, in my opinion, a scenario for two home showbirds. The members gone for half a year would have to chose which home is their primary home and that would determine their home ward and that is where their record would be kept. Members with an out-of-unit record may receive a calling in that ward. They are also included on ward directories and rolls.

It is only in the home ward that a member can be assigned to a ministering companionship or be assigned ministering brothers/sisters in Leader and Clerk Resources (LCR). This does not mean an assignment to a ministering companionship and to be assigned ministers cannot be made in the away/second ward. It just can't be recorded in LCR for the away/second ward. The home ward bishop needs to be contacted by the away/second ward bishop since the home ward bishop oversees updating the membership record, performing ordinances, and conducting interviews for the member.

[BrianEdwards]

As a follow-up to that info, I'd also reinforce the idea that since only the home-ward Bishop can conduct interviews (worthiness or for counseling on any personal issues), a member in your situation (six months in place "A", six months in place "B"), would be physically removed from that Bishop for half the year. Virtual interviews and inter-ward coordination can address many needs, but in an unexpected situation it can be challenging to not have the home-ward Bishop (and those with delegated stewardships) local to the member in need.

It can be a hassle to move records in-and-out every few months, and perhaps the out-of-unit approach is desired by the Bishops in question. But it's good to make sure that aspect is also being considered.