Colorado Springs North Stake (CSNS)

Ward Council and Ward Youth Council Bulletin

Aug 2 - 8, 2021

What is the Greatest Struggle Facing Us Today?

4 August 2021

Dear Sisters and Brothers,

A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to visit with a close friend who once resided within our stake. As we visited him and his wonderful wife, he looked at me and asked, “What is the greatest struggle facing your stake today”? It was a great question that we spent several minutes discussing and reflecting on. Since returning home from our visit, I have reflected on this question many times. Once again, as the time approached to share a short message with each of you, this same question came to my mind. How would each of you respond to this same question?

If you were asked what the greatest challenge facing your family, our stake, our city, our state and even our country, what would be your answer? The economy, national security, immigration, gun control, poverty, racism, crime, pandemics, climate change? Oh, that I could visit with each of you individually and glean from you your thoughts and impressions, and your reasons and feelings about this very important question.

Certainly, while each of these is a valid concern and deserves our attention, I am reminded of a recent article by Elder Tad Callister where he suggests the greatest challenge is a return to family and moral values. He stated, “To put our prime focus on other challenges is to strike at the leaves, not the root, of the problem. It is, as some have noted, to put an ambulance at the bottom of the cliff rather than a fence at the top”.

Brothers and Sisters, “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” reaffirms how essential the family unit is to the well-being of our ward, our stake, our state, and our country. In part it states, “The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan.” It warns us “that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.” It then concludes: “We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.” This proclamation, from prophets of God, calls all of us to action.

The famed historian, Arthur Schlesinger, wrote, “Although colonial life was woven of many strands — English, Scotch-Irish, Dutch, French, German and so on — all the new groups, whatever their ethnic differences, shared the common belief that the family was, in Benjamin Franklin’s phrase, the ’sacred cement of all societies.”

Our prophet and church leaders have reminded us that no government program or policy can compensate for lack of strong families and moral values. There is no adequate substitute or replacement for them. They are the “sacred cement” that holds our society together as a nation. To believe and act otherwise is to build our hopes and aspirations on a foundation of sand, like the house of the foolish man in the parable of Christ (Matthew 7:27)

We also recognize that families come in many different shapes and sizes. The Lord loves efforts and through our faith in Him and His Atonement He will compensate and no blessing of salvation and exaltation will be denied to the faithful.

May each one of us take the time to ponder the greatest struggles we are facing individually, as a family, and as a society. As we ponder that question, may we resolve to be arch defenders of the family and of God’s moral values. As we do so, we promise an outpouring of the Spirit in our homes and upon our stake, our state, and our nation. Then we will see the fulfillment of God’s promise: “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord” (Psalm 33:12).

President Sterling L. Rogers
President Jeffrey A. Johnson
President Christian K. Lovejoy

Most announcements should be electronically distributed weekly prior to Sunday so they do not take time in sacrament meeting; the bishopric may give essential announcements briefly before the opening hymn (see General Handbook 29.2.2.2).

From Elder Quentin L. Cook's general conference talk Deep and Lasting Conversion to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ (after President Nelson's two-hour meeting block announcement), "To help members prepare for the Sabbath, some wards already send an informative email, text, or social media message midweek. In view of this adjustment, we strongly recommend this type of communication. These invitations will remind the members of the Sunday meeting schedule for that week, including the upcoming class lesson topic, and support continuing gospel conversation at home."

Upcoming Events

1. Face to Face for Young Adults with Elder and Sister Bednar: “Ask, Seek, Knock”, Sunday, September 12th, 4pm

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and Sister Susan Bednar will be the featured guests at a Face to Face for young adults on September 12, 2021, titled “Ask, Seek, Knock.”

View the broadcast on Sunday, September 12, 2021, at 4:00 p.m. mountain daylight time on the Church satellite system, Broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org, YouTube, Latter-day Saints Channel and other digital channels.

All young adults, whether single or married, are invited to participate. Full-time missionaries are also invited to attend and to bring those they are teaching when possible. All ages and demographics are welcome. Local leaders are encouraged to determine a viewing date and time that best serves the young adults in their area.

Prior to the event, young adults may submit questions on the event page on Face2Face.ChurchofJesusChrist.org .

Recurring Events

1. Colorado Springs Institute, for Young Adults (ages 18-30, married and single):

1. • Register using the Seminary and Institute app (for Apple or Android) or at myinstitute.churchofjesuschrist.org. All meeting link and other information will come once students are registered.

• All of our information is on our website: cospringsinstitute.org. Please helps us spread word!

• Reed Romney, Institute Director - Colorado Springs, 719-377-8056

2. Young Single Adults (YSA), ages 18-30

• • Colorado Springs YSAs Facebook and Instagram groups

3. Middle Single Adults (MSA), ages 31-45, Events and Information

• • Colorado Springs LDS Midsingles (ages 31-45) Facebook group and email: CSMidsingles@gmail.com

4. Single Adults (SA), ages 31+, Events and Information

• • Colorado South Single Adults (CSSA) Website

  • Colorado Springs LDS Multi-Stake Single Adults 31+ Facebook group

  • Denver LDS Singles Website

  • Castle Rock LDS Singles crssingleadults@hotmail.com email

5. BYU-Pathway Worldwide

• • A one-year program that helps members of the Church start or return to college

  • Students earn 15 credits toward a degree and upon completion, may continue working toward a skills-based certificate, an Associate's degree, or a Bachelor’s degree online through BYU-Idaho – at a GREATLY reduced cost

  • Learn more and apply online or contact your local Pathway missionaries: Elder & Sister Zenger (ages 18-30) 503-290-9933 or 503-684-6073; or, Elder & Sister Riding (ages 30+) 719-761-2955.

6. Temple Ordinance Workers and Temple Volunteers are Needed at the Denver Colorado Temple

• • If interested, contact your bishop

7. Colorado Springs Home Storage Center and Bishops' Storehouse normal weekly schedule:

• Wednesday: 4pm-7pm

• Thursday: 9am-12pm

• Saturday: 9am-11am

The online stake calendar provides event details: e.g. event start/end times, participants invited, point of contact for questions, address, reserved building room(s), setup/cleanup times, etc.

This Week: Monday, Aug 2nd - Sunday, Aug 8th

Sun, Aug 8, 2021

• Second Sunday: Priesthood quorums, Relief Society, and Young Women (Primary held every Sunday)

• Stake Council Meeting [LX] 6:30 - 8am

• Multistake Young Single Adult Council [JB] 1:45 - 2:30pm

• Multistake Support Meeting for Men [JB] 6 - 7pm

Next Week: Monday, August 9th - Sunday, August 15th

Mon, Aug 9, 2021

• Family Home Evening

• Multistake Adult Education Gospel Study Class [ML] 12 - 1:30pm

• Multistake Middle Single Adult Home Evening Group [LX] 6 - 8pm

• Multistake Single Adult Home Evening Group [CSCSC] 6 - 7:30pm

• Institute [USAFA] 6:20 - 7:50pm

• Stake Young Single Adult Home Evening Group [JB] 7 - 9pm

Thu, Aug 12, 2021

• Stake Temple Recommend Interviews (by appointment only) [LX] 6 - 9pm

• Institute [JB] 6:45 - 8:30pm

• Multistake Support Meeting for Women [DS] 7 - 8pm

Fri, Aug 13, 2021

• Stake Relief Society Service Day [CSMC] 1:30 - 9pm

• Multistake Young Single Adult Conference [HRCSC] 7 - 9pm

Sat, Aug 14, 2021

• Multistake Young Single Adult Conference [HRCSC] 8am - 9pm

Updates to the Stake Calendar of Events

The following meetings and activities on the stake calendar are changed due to state and church-wide announcements:

Tue, Jul 27, 2021 through Sat, Jul 31, 2021

• Rescheduled: Stake Young Men Aaron's Camp [CF] to Tue, Jun 6, 2023 through Sat, Jun 10, 2023

Thu, Aug 5, 2021 through Sat, Aug 7, 2021

• Rescheduled: Stake Young Men Deacons Camp [CF] to Thu, Jun 1, 2023 through Sat, Jun 3 ,2023

Ward Meeting Times for 2021 starting Sunday, August 15th

• Unless an exception is noted below, all wards hold sacrament meeting first and ward weeknight activities are at the same building as Sunday meetings

• Lexington building, 8710 Lexington Dr, Colorado Spring CO 80920

  • Pine Creek Ward: Sacrament meeting 8:30am - 9:30am, quorums and classes 9:40am - 10:30am, Wednesday weeknight activities at the Jamboree building

  • Cordera Ward: Sacrament meeting 10:00am - 11:00am, quorums and classes 11:10am - 12:00pm, Tuesday weeknight activities

  • Gleneagle Ward: Sacrament meeting 11:30am - 12:30pm, quorums and classes 12:40pm - 1:30pm, Tuesday weeknight activities

  • Northgate Ward: Sacrament meeting 1:00pm - 2:00pm, quorums and classes 2:10pm - 3:00pm, Wednesday weeknight activities

• Monument building, 950 West Colorado Highway 105, Monument CO 80132

  • Jackson Creek Ward: Sacrament meeting 8:30am - 9:30am, quorums and classes 9:40am - 10:30am, Wednesday weeknight activities

  • Monument Ward: Sacrament meeting 11:00am - 12:00pm, quorums and classes 12:10pm - 1:00pm, Tuesday weeknight activities

  • King's Deer Ward: Sacrament meeting 1:30pm - 2:30pm, quorums and classes 2:40pm - 3:30pm, Tuesday weeknight activities

• Black Forest building, 6950 Shoup Rd, Colorado Springs CO 80908

  • Meadow Run Ward: Sacrament meeting 8:30am - 9:30am, quorums and classes 9:40am - 10:30am, Tuesday weeknight activities

  • [Black Forest Ward (Colorado Springs High Plains Stake): Sacrament meeting 11:00am - 12:00pm, quorums and classes 12:10pm - 1:00pm, Wednesday weeknight activities]

  • High Forest Ward: Sacrament meeting 1:30pm - 2:30pm, quorums and classes 2:40pm - 3:30pm, Thursday weeknight activities

• Jamboree building, 8295 Jamboree Cir, Colorado Springs CO 80920

  • [Chapel Hills Ward (Colorado Springs East Stake): Sacrament meeting 9:00am - 10:00am, quorums and classes 10:10am - 11:00am, Tuesday weeknight activities]

  • Cheyenne Mountain YSA Ward: Sacrament meeting 12:35pm - 1:30pm (chapel), quorums and classes 11:30am - 12:25pm, Monday and Thursday weeknight activities

  • Mount Herman YSA Ward: Sacrament meeting 11:30am - 12:25pm (cultural hall), quorums and classes 12:35pm - 1:30pm, Monday and Thursday weeknight activities

  • Pikes Peak YSA Ward: Sacrament meeting 11:30am - 12:25pm (chapel), quorums and classes12:35pm - 1:30pm, Monday and Thursday weeknight activities

The church’s Official Communication Library messages may contain confidential or privileged information and are only accessible by and for the use of the individual(s) addressed in the letter/policy.

New This Past Week

• Revised General Handbook Chapters

  • Notices | August 4, 2021: Four chapters and other content have been revised in General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

    • General Handbook: Summary of Recent Updates - July 2021 (links to updated sections)

    • Church Newsroom: See the July 2021 Update to the General Handbook

Selection of Previously Released

• General Conference

  • First Presidency | July 27, 2021: The Saturday evening session of general conference will be continued in a different format.

• Young Adult Face to Face with Elder and Sister Bednar

  • Notices | July 23, 2021: A Face to Face event will be held on September 12, 2021, with Elder David A. Bednar and Sister Susan Bednar.

• 2022 Curriculum Materials

  • Notices | June 25, 2021: The 2022 curriculum items are listed in the attachment to this notice.

• Materials for Area, Coordinating, Mission, Stake, Ward, and Branch Councils

  • Notices | June 15, 2021: Materials used in the April 2021 general conference leadership meeting are now available for area and local leaders.

• For the Strength of Youth (FSY) Conferences Schedule for Stakes in the United States and Canada

  • Notices | June 11, 2021: Beginning in 2022 and 2023, all stakes in the US and Canada will attend FSY conferences every other year.

• Notice, 10 February 2021: 2021 Guidelines for Recording Attendance of Stake Conferences, Sacrament Meetings, and Sunday Quorum and Class Meetings

  • Effective January 1, 2021, local unit leaders and clerks should record stake conference, sacrament meeting, and Sunday quorum and class meeting attendance (excluding Primary) in Leader and Clerk Resources or Member Tools.

Reminder - Recording Attendance

• As a reminder, effective January 1, 2021, local unit leaders and clerks have been asked to record stake conference, sacrament meeting, and Sunday quorum and class meeting attendance (excluding Primary) in Leader and Clerk Resources (LCR) or Member Tools, including both number of members who attend in person and the number of those who attend remotely. (See Official Communication dated February 10, 2021 – 2021 Guidelines for Recording Attendance in Stake Conferences, Sacrament Meetings, and Sunday Quorum and Class Meetings)

• Attendance recorded will be reflected, as follows, on your Quarterly Report in LCR:

  • Sacrament meeting attendance – Average of the first three months of recorded attendance.

  • Sunday quorum and class meeting attendance (excluding Primary) – Average recorded attendance in March.

  • Primary attendance will be calculated using historical unit reported attendance.

• Please note this information cannot be changed on the Quarterly Report page in LCR. Any changes would need to be made on the “Class and Quorum Attendance” or “Sacrament Meeting Attendance” reports in LCR for the first quarter of 2021.

Instructions for Discarding Obsolete Materials

• Many bishops’ offices, clerks’ offices, and meetinghouse resource centers contain excess and outdated materials. In considering what to discard, please refer to the list of meetinghouse resource center materials and guidelines on what to discard. Please also consider the following:

  • With the introduction of Come, Follow Me, many manuals have been replaced, including Primary 1–7, Gospel Doctrine, and youth Sunday School manuals.

  • The new Children and Youth program has replaced materials associated with Scouting, Duty to God, Personal Progress, and Faith in God.

  • Online processes in Leader and Clerk Resources (LCR) have replaced most administrative forms.

• Clerks and resource center specialists should identify materials that are not being used regularly or that will not be used again and discard them or offer them to members for use at home. Clerks can also shred outdated stationery, forms, or sensitive materials.

Stake Interviews

1. • To schedule an interview with a member of the stake presidency for temple recommends or BYU ecclesiastical endorsements send an email to stake.interview@csnorth.org or text/call 719-644-6401

     • Interviews are held on Thursday evenings at the stake offices or online (by appointment only) to not interfere with leader/parents commitments to weekly child and youth activity nights on Tuesday and Wednesday; church dress requested

     • Stake presidency interviews are not to be scheduled until after the bishopric interview is completed

     • Stake interviews are usually scheduled within a week of their request and should be completed within 30 days of the bishopric interview

     • Members are encouraged to keep their recommends current and avoid last-minute efforts to schedule an appointment under very difficult-to-fulfill time constraints; please plan ahead when scheduling your appointment

     • The stake offices are located as the southwest corner of the stake center with an access door to the right of the main foyer doors (8710 Lexington Dr; northwest corner of Lexington Dr and Research Blvd)

Latest official General Conference addresses, and BYU-Provo, BYU-Idaho, BYU-Hawaii, BYU Pathway Worldwide, and Ensign College speeches.

Official Newsroom and Church News announcements and articles of interest to our stake.

New videos, images, music, and articles from the church from the Church Media and Come Unto Christ.