Events
For a consultation about writing/editing, or to book a workshop or presentation, click “Contact” above.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Watch this space for news!
PAST EVENTS:
LDS Home Educators West Conference May 29-31, 2024, “So Great A Cause” at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center (UCCC) in West Valley City, UT, which attracted over 150 adults and 350 youth from 23 states and Canadian provinces in 2022. Here’s Marci’s presentations:
Youth: “Turning Hobbies & Interests into a Career.” Sure, go ahead and focus on that dream career – but be open to plot twists when you find your side hustle or hobby opening new opportunities for you. Marci McPhee will share her journey from full-time mom, to university administrator, to editor for such notables as Steve Young, Richard Ostler, and Fatimah Salleh, among others.
Youth and Adults: “Your Views Matter: Hands-On Writing Workshop.” Your views matter! Change the world with your words! You may be an aspiring writer or a sporadic journal scribbler. You may teach budding authors or reluctant essayists (doing the bare minimum to pass). Wherever you or your students land, this workshop is for you. Marci McPhee has taught and coached hundreds of folks – clients, college undergraduates, and high school students – to improve their writing and own their voice.
Monday, Oct. 2, 2023: Emmaus Family Home Evening. Emmaus is LGBTQ-affirming and Church-affirming and is supported by local Church leaders. We believe that there is a place for all LGBTQ people in God’s family.
Thursday, Feb. 23, 2023: Loveland, Colorado book club (closed event), discussing Steve Young’s book, The Law of Love.
Thursday, March 5, 2020 in San Antonio: “Coaching Youth: Writing Their Story for College Admissions or Journals” – a preview event of the LDS Home Educator East conference (postponed due to COVID). This preview event was open to all parents of youth 12+, whether or not they homeschool.
“Lively, engaging writing is an asset to any future career. But writing about yourself can help you land a spot in the school of your choice, as well as scholarship and internship opportunities. In fact, a good college essay often begins as a journal entry. Frequent journal writing has value in itself as a marvelous tool of self-discovery. Using actual prompts from BYU Admissions essays, learn how to help your youth tell their story in a fun and powerful way. You may be surprised what you learn in the process.”
photo by James McQuivey
“Fifty-Five Days of Faith” was the book of the month at the combined “Wicked Book Group” and “Weston 2 Book Group” in Needham, Massachusetts on Tuesday, March 12, 2019. Author Marsha Lavin and editor Marci McPhee were there in person (from North Carolina and Texas, respectively) to talk about the memoir writing process and share insights from the journey. Also in attendance were many folks mentioned in the book: (left to right) Laura Locke Pyper (making a surprise appearance from Tennessee), Hannah Goldberg, Marsha’s daughter Joline Lavin Fish (also from North Carolina), book club hostess Megan McQuivey, editor Marci McPhee, author Marsha Lavin, and Fred Bowman.
“Memoir Writing Workshop: Writing Your Life Journey”
Thursday, February 7, 2019 in San Antonio. Building on her work with Marsha Lavin on Marsha’s memoir Fifty-Five Days of Faith, Marci taught how to take a moment from your own life and shape it into a powerful story to share with descendants and friends, or to keep in your heart. You may uncover surprising insights for yourself as you reflect on your journey.
Marci McPhee (left) and Michelle Henderson (right)
“Creating a Culture of Service” at the BYU-Hawaii Women’s Organization Luncheon
Thursday, January 10, 2019 on the BYU-Hawaii campus, with copresenter and book contributor Michelle Henderson
“[Our] collective wisdom . . . can create a true service culture that should exist [throughout] the Savior’s Church,” said Elder Per G. Malm of the Seventy. But how do we create that service culture in our own lives and in our families, when our lives are so full already? How can we involve our children in service? The presentation was featured in the BYU-Hawaii magazine Kealaka’i. The article is titled “Awareness towards one’s emotions leads to a culture of service” The presentation featured excerpts from all three of our books. Co-presenter Michelle Henderson is a contributor to both Sunday Lessons and Activities for Kids and Girls’ Camp: Ideas for Today’s Leaders. Many thanks to student writer Esther Insigne and student photographer Chad Hsieh for their terrific coverage. (Photos by Chad Hsieh)
Photo by Evelyn Wood
“Sunday Lessons & Activities for Kids”: A Workshop & Book Launch for the Whole Family!
Saturday, July 30, 2016 in San Antonio, Texas. Boston author Marci McPhee demonstrated ideas about nurturing children in a tough world. Check out more photos here!
“Girls’ Camp: Ideas for Today’s Leaders” book launch party!
Contributing authors – photo by Ken MacLean
Sat May 14, 2016 at Julia Blake’s home in Wellesley, Massachusetts, with some contributing authors wearing their favorite Girls’ Camp shirts and reading selections from the book. Prizes of Klondike candy bars (who knew there was such a thing?) were awarded for “Name That Tune,” Girls’ Camp version! More photos here.
Cinnamon rolls, hold the garlic! Read the book — it all makes sense
“Why You Need Primary and Primary Needs You”
October 10, 2015, Keynote speaker for the Hingham Massachusetts Stake Primary Conference, along with contributing author Michelle Henderson.
M
arci and Michelle also offered breakout sessions “Primary Workers’ Survival Kit” and “Power Presidencies.”
“Busting Out of the Bubble: Teaching Kids to Feel Empathy for All God’s Children Through Service”
Saturday May 30, 2015 in Lowell, Mass (part of “Let Your Light Shine 2015,” a regional 13-stake Women’s Conference for all women of faith). Contributing author Michelle Henderson and editor Marci McPhee presented a lively session including a strategy to involve your kids in a service component of the things you already do. See “Creating a Culture of Service” for our handouts and ideas!
Author Marci and grandson Gavin – photo by Sarah Farmer
“Sunday Lessons & Activities for Kids” – A Workshop & Book Launch for the Whole Family!
Saturday May 2, 2015 from 4-5:30 pm in greater Washington DC (George Mason Regional Library
7001 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, VA 22003).
Author Marci and granddaughter Regan – photo by Sarah Farmer
Utah book launch for “Sunday Lessons & Activities for Kids” – A Workshop & Book Launch for the Whole Family! Saturday April 11, 2015 from 3-4:30 pm in downtown Salt Lake City, 123 Second Avenue (Canyon Road Towers)
Photo by Kelley Keenan
Boston book launch for “Sunday Lessons & Activities for Kids” – A Workshop & Book Launch for the Whole Family! Saturday March 14, 2015 Waltham Public Library, Massachusetts. Marci McPhee and many of the contributing authors demonstrated ideas about nurturing children in a tough world. (Many thanks to photographers Kelley Keenan and Corinne Richardson.) Read the Waltham News Tribune article!
“Encircling Friends of Other Faiths,” a presentation by Marci McPhee at the BYU/Relief Society Women’s Conference. A selection from the talk is published in The Arms of His Love: Talks from the 1999 Women’s Conference Sponsored by Brigham Young University and The Relief Society (Deseret Book, 2000)
Marci McPhee is an incredibly gifted and engaging writer and teacher. She is down-to-earth and practical, but there is a wonderful energy that she and her writing exude. I look forward to more books from this gifted author.