Between holiday preparations, family gatherings, and everything else on the calendar, it's easy to think about the people we minister to then completely forgetting to actually reach out to them. So here's your friendly November reminder: Send the text. Make the invitation. Ask the question.

If you're stuck wondering what to say or do, our free November Ministering Bingo boards have 24 ideas to help you get started. No extra assignments. No expectations to fill every square. Just a little inspiration to help us build friendships, strengthen relationships, and care for the people the Lord has asked us to minister to.

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We all know the classic ministering text: "Hey! How are you doing?"

There's nothing wrong with it. In fact, go ahead and send it if you haven't reached out in a while. But we also want to build the kind of friendships where we know more than someone's standard answer of "We're good!" What do they enjoy doing? What are they looking forward to? What's difficult for their family right now? What makes them laugh? What are they learning?

November's Bingo board includes several ideas that help us get beyond the usual conversations.

Ask about a favorite family tradition.
Find out what they wanted to be when they grew up.
Invite them to recommend a movie or podcast.
Introduce them to a favorite book.
Ask about a goal they're working on.

These aren't complicated activities. They're opportunities to learn something about someone we care about. And the more we know about each other, the easier it becomes to recognize when we can help, encourage, celebrate, or simply be a friend.

Share a Little of Your November

One thing we especially love about this month's board is how many ideas involve doing something together: Play a game. Trade holiday recipes. Take a class. Paint something. Work on family history. Share a skill you have.

Ministering doesn't have to mean scheduling a separate visit when you already have a calendar full of activities. Invite someone to join you in something you're already planning to do. Especially during the holidays when others really many be struggling to get through. Your invitation can really make a difference.

Maybe you're trying a new holiday recipe and could use another taste tester. Maybe you saw a class at the library that made you think of your ministering sister. Or maybe you just need to unwind with some simple games. An invitation can open the door to a friendship that continues long after November.

Of course, not everyone wants another activity on the calendar, especially this time of year. That's why the board also includes smaller ways to connect. Send a scripture you read that morning. Share a short clip from General Conference. Send a voice message about something that stood out in Come, Follow Me. Or simply thank them for something they've done. A thoughtful five-minute connection can mean just as much as a two-hour activity.

Bring November's Bingo to Ministering Interviews

Relief Society presidencies, this is a great little resource to hand out during your November ministering interviews. Rather than another reminder to reach out, give sisters something they can take home and use. Look over the board together and ask:

Which of these activities would help you build a stronger friendship with someone you minister to?
Is there someone who might appreciate extra support as the holidays approach?
What's one simple thing you could do to reach out this week?

You could even hand out the blank version and encourage companionships to choose ideas that fit their specific sisters. It also works as a take-home resource for a Relief Society lesson or a quick ministering reminder at the end of an activity.

Not everyone needs more motivation. Many of us just need a fresh idea and a little reminder to act on it.

Print November's Bingo

Download Your Free November Ministering Bingo

We've made two versions again this month so you can choose what works for you.

Ready-to-Use November Ministering Bingo

This version has 24 ideas already filled in, plus a free space for those that really want to get a Bingo. The activities include opportunities to serve, strengthen faith, have fun, and get to know one another better.

Look through the squares and choose an idea that fits someone you minister to. You can try for five in a row if you enjoy the challenge, but please don't turn this into 24 additional things you feel obligated to do before December.

Blank November Ministering Bingo

Our second version has the same cozy November design but leaves the squares empty. Use it to create your own Bingo board based on the people you minister to, their interests, and what they might need this month. You can also fill it out with your ministering companion. Brainstorm together, divide up a few ideas, or plan something you can do as a companionship.

And if a prompting leads you to do something that isn't on either board? Follow it! The printable is here to help, not to limit how you minister.

Both versions are free to download and print. Our standard terms allow you to print up to 30 copies. If you're using these boards for your ward or Church class and your group is larger than 30, you have our permission to print enough for everyone in that group.

Print one for yourself, share one with your ministering companion, or hand them out at November ministering interviews.

As Thanksgiving approaches, we spend a lot of time thinking about what we're grateful for. Let's remember to tell the people around us that we're grateful for them, too.

You don't have to finish the Bingo board. You don't even have to get a Bingo. Just choose one way to reach out and help someone feel remembered, included, and loved.

That's a pretty good way to spend November.