We recently had a Service Auction scheduled but I didn't feel comfortable with the "Auction" part so I made a few changes and called it a Service Swap. I also thought that we might end up with hurt feelings if no one bid on the service that a sister had thoughtfully offered.

PREPARATION

Preprint some cards (four to an A4 or Letter pages) with a picture of an angel and the second verse of "As Sisters In Zion" at the top...."The errand of angels is given to women; And this is a gift that, as sisters, we claim: To do whatsoever is gentle and human, To cheer and to bless in humanity's name."

ACTIVITY

Hand out the cards and have the sisters fill out some details about themselves on the back e.g. Name, situation details (married, single etc) likes, dislikes and then hand them back in.

Shuffle them and have them pick one out of the deck (they put it back and pick a new one if they get themselves). Then give them 10 - 15 minutes to think about what type of service they could offer the sister whose details are on the back of the card. Then they write the service they will perform like a "voucher" on the front under the verse of the Hymn and then they copy it word for word, below on the second half of the card below the perforation.

Have them all tear off the bottom half and give it to the sister they will perform the service for, this way they keep the top with the Hymn (the motivation to do it) and their service commitment and the other sister knows what they will be receiving (each sister ended up giving a voucher and receiving a voucher for service that night).

We gave them 3 months to do the service in and we'll have them report at our Christmas Enrichment so that we share the good experiences they had serving the other sisters and making new friends in the process. The sisters have commented that this was one of the most enjoyable activities of the night and can't wait to do the service for the other sisters. It was one of the most simple to prepare but has created quite a buzz amongst the sisters.