Stake Focus

North America Central Area Plan

Most announcements should be printed or electronically distributed 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."

Announcements for Events This Week and Next Week

1. Multistake meetings this week with General Organization Presidencies (meeting information has been provided to meeting attendees):

• • North America Central Area Multistake Primary Leadership Instruction Meeting, Tuesday, September 1st, 6pm-8pm

  • North America Central Area Multistake Relief Society Leadership Instruction Meeting, Wednesday, September 2nd, 6pm-8pm

  • North America Central Area Multistake Young Women Leadership Instruction Meeting, Thursday, September 3rd, 6pm-8pm

2. Information for youth and and their parents:

• BYU and CES will be sponsoring the following online events for high school students who are planning to apply to Church-sponsored schools this year or in the future.

• CES Livestream -September 8th or 9th – various times available –

• “Watch & chat with representatives from: BYU, BYU-Hawaii, BYU-Idaho, BYU-Pathway, Ensign College, Seminaries & Institutes”

• BYU Livestream Colorado – September 29, 2020 – 7:00 PM MDT -

  • “Watch & chat with representatives from BYU at stream.byu.edu! Learn about your options for the future!”

• You can register for the Kick-off and the Livestream events right now at virtualevent.byu.edu.

3. LDS Distribution Services

• We have received information about utilizing Distribution Services in this time of Covid.

• They have requested that we make appointments if we go in person to inquire about distribution needs, e.g., temple garments

• LDS Distribution services and the contact information to make an appointment:

  • 303-797-3772

  • Denver Deseret Book, 2010 E County Line Rd, Suite H, Littleton, CO 80126

    • Monday 10 a.m.–6 p.m.

    • Tuesday–Thursday 10 a.m.–7 p.m.

    • Friday–Saturday 10 a.m.–7 p.m.

    • Sunday Closed

4. Stake Cadet Sponsorship Information

• Each year the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) welcomes over a thousand new cadets, including many members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to the local area

• The Cadet Sponsor program is a way for local families to support these new cadets by providing them a home-away-from-home during their time at USAFA

• According to the Cadet Sponsor Program website, sponsor families “provide cadets with positive adult role models.... that serve as mentors, friends and advisors in an environment that allows some time to relax away from the rigors of the Academy.”

• Cadets who are members of the Church often take great comfort in knowing they may request to be sponsored by families who are also members of the Church

• Over the years, these families have provided enormous blessings in the lives of the cadets

• Sponsor families need NOT be affiliated with the military

• Opening your home for time and relaxation away from life at the Academy is the only requirement.

• If your family is interested in sponsoring a cadet, we invite you to contact Elder Mark Melville (mmelville6@gmail.com) for more information.

• More information is also available at the USAFA Cadet Sponsor Program website

• Stake technology specialists can help members and leaders with network use, if needed.

5. Elder and Sister Rasband will speak at the next Worldwide Face-to-Face Broadcast, Sunday, September 13th, at 6pm:

6. Review the church's website periodically as the church provides continuing and timely updates and consolidates their announcements on this website:

7. See the Updates to the Stake Calendar of Events section below for adjusted (e.g. now being held online), cancelled, or postponed meetings and activities

Continuing Announcements

1. There is a change in contact information to schedule interview with a member of the stake presidency for temple recommends or BYU ecclesiastical endorsements:

   • Send an email to renewtemple@csnorth.org or text/call 719-985-1130 (or as a backup 719-244-3199 or 719-649-8974)

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

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

   • Draw closer to the Lord during the quarantine through Institute. 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.

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

• • Colorado Springs YSAs Facebook and Instagram groups

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

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

5. 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

6. 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.

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

• • If interested, contact your bishop

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

• Notice, 1 September 2020: Membership Records for Children of Divorced Parents

  • Children with divorced parents may have one ward or branch keep and update a child’s official membership record, and an out-of-unit member record may be created in the secondary ward or branch he or she attends.

• First Presidency letter, 28 August 2020: General Conference, October 2020

  • Announces the 190th Semiannual General Conference, to be held Saturday and Sunday, October 3 and 4, 2020. Includes the worldwide broadcast schedule for the Church satellite system, ChurchofJesusChrist.org, and selected other media.

• Notice, 27 August 2020: Youth Theme for 2021

  • The youth theme for 2021 is Doctrine and Covenants 64:33–34.

• Notice, 25 August 2020: Online System for Temple Prayer Rolls

  • The First Presidency has announced that an online system has been created to allow members to send the names of family or friends who are in need to the temple, where those names will be placed on the prayer roll.

Selection of Previously Released

• Notice, 23 August 2020: Young Adult Face to Face Event with Elder and Sister Rasband

  • Includes the worldwide broadcast schedule for ChurchofJesusChrist.org, the Church satellite system, YouTube, and other media. Speakers: Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and Sister Melanie Rasband.

• Notice, 31 July 2020: Revised General Handbook Chapters

  • As directed by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the following four chapters have been revised in General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

• Notice, 11 June 2020: Children and Youth Protection Training

  • This training is required every three years for those who have callings related to children and youth.

• First Presidency letter, 8 June 2020: Safety in Church Activities

  • Stake, ward, and youth council meetings provide opportunities to prayerfully plan activities and to discuss safety guidelines and practices to ensure the safety of participants and protect the Church and its volunteers.

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

This Week: Monday, August 31st - Sunday, September 6th

Mon, Aug 31, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - August 31–September 6: “Glad Tidings of Great Joy”

• Family Home Evening

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

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

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

• Institute [USAFA] 6:20 - 7:50pm

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

Tue, Sep 1, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - August 31–September 6: “Glad Tidings of Great Joy”

• Multistake Primary Leadership Instruction Meeting [Online] 6 - 8pm (see Announcement section above)

Wed, Sep 2, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - August 31–September 6: “Glad Tidings of Great Joy”

• Multistake Relief Society Leadership Instruction Meeting [Online] 6 - 8pm (see Announcement section above)

Thu, Sep 3, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - August 31–September 6: “Glad Tidings of Great Joy”

• Multistake Young Women Leadership Instruction Meeting [Online] 6 - 8pm (see Announcement section above)

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

Fri, Sep 4, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - August 31–September 6: “Glad Tidings of Great Joy”

• School District 38 (D-38) No School (Return Tuesday, September 8th)

Sat, Sep 5, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - August 31–September 6: “Glad Tidings of Great Joy”

• School District 38 (D-38) No School (Return Tuesday, September 8th)

• Stake Primary Child-of-Record Baptisms [LX, JB, MN] 9am - 12pm - contact stake high councilor assigned to primary (stake.hc.primary@csnorth.org) for individual schedule

Sun, Sep 6, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - August 31–September 6: “Glad Tidings of Great Joy”

• School District 38 (D-38) No School (Return Tuesday, September 8th)

• Fast Sunday

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

Next Week: Monday, September 7th - Sunday, September 13th

Mon, Sep 7, 2020

• School District 38 (D-38) No School (Return Tuesday, September 8th)

• Come, Follow Me - September 7–13. 3 Nephi 1–7: “Lift Up Your Head and Be of Good Cheer”

• Family Home Evening

• Labor Day

• School District 20 (D-20) No School (Return Tuesday, September 8th)

• USAFA No Classes (Return Tuesday, September 8th)

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

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

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

Tue, Sep 8, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - September 7–13. 3 Nephi 1–7: “Lift Up Your Head and Be of Good Cheer”

• Multistake Aaronic Priesthood–Young Women Committee Meeting [Online] 6 - 7pm

Wed, Sep 9, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - September 7–13. 3 Nephi 1–7: “Lift Up Your Head and Be of Good Cheer”

Thu, Sep 10, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - September 7–13. 3 Nephi 1–7: “Lift Up Your Head and Be of Good Cheer”

• Institute Fall Semester Begins [Online]

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

• Institute [Online] 6 - 8:30pm

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

Fri, Sep 11, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - September 7–13. 3 Nephi 1–7: “Lift Up Your Head and Be of Good Cheer”

Sat, Sep 12, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - September 7–13. 3 Nephi 1–7: “Lift Up Your Head and Be of Good Cheer”

Sun, Sep 13, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - September 7–13. 3 Nephi 1–7: “Lift Up Your Head and Be of Good Cheer”

• High Council Meeting [Online] 6:30 - 8am

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

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

• Worldwide Devotional: Face to Face with Elder and Sister Rasband for Young Adults [Online] 6 - 7pm

Updates to the Stake Calendar of Events

• The following meetings and activities are cancelled or changed to Online-only due to state and church-wide announcements and removed from the stake calendar:

Note: A reminder to sync your Member Tools app to align with these stake calendar changes as the app is only a snapshot of calendar/member information each time you sync; if you followed the Personal Calendar instructions below, your personal calendar will be updated automatically

• Mon, Aug 31, 2020

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

  • ChangledMultistake Middle Single Adult Home Evening Group [LX] 6 - 8pm to [Online]

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

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

• Tue, Sep 1, 2020

  • Added: Multistake Primary Leadership Instruction Meeting [Online] 6 - 8pm

• Wed, Sep 2, 2020

  • Added: Multistake Relief Society Leadership Instruction Meeting [Online] 6 - 8pm

• Thu, Sep 3, 2020

  • Cancelled: Stake Temple Night [DCT] 5 - 11pm

  • Added: Multistake Young Women Leadership Instruction Meeting [Online] 6 - 8pm

  • Canceled: Institute [JB] 6:30 - 10pm until Thursday, September 10

  • Changed: Multistake Support Meeting for Women [DS] 7 - 8pm to [Online]

• Fri, Sep 4, 2020

  • Cancelled: Multistake Single Adult Temple Night [DCT] 7:30 - 9:30pm

• Sun, Sep 6, 2020

  • Cancelled: First Sunday: Sunday School (Primary held every Sunday) - tailored to each ward's scheduled Sunday classes at meetinghouse (see bishopric)

  • Changed: Multistake Support Meeting for Men [JB] 6 - 7pm to [Online]

• Mon, Sep 7, 2020

  • Changed: Multistake Middle Single Adult Home Evening Group [LX] 6 - 8pm to [Online]

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

  • Changed: Stake Young Single Adult Home Evening Group [JB] to 7 - 9pm to [Online]

• Thu, Sep 10, 2020

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

  • Changed: Multistake Support Meeting for Women [DS] 7 - 8pm to [Online]

• Sat, Sep 12, 2020

  • Cancelled: Stake Family History Workshop [LX] 9 - 10am

  • Cancelled: Stake Relief Society Service Project [LX] 10am - 12pm

  • Cancelled: Multistake Late Saturday Temple Sessions [DCT] 7 - 9pm

  • Cancelled: Multistake Young Single Adult Temple Night [DCT] 7 - 9pm

  • Cancelled: Multistake Youth Dance (Casual Dress; Outdoor) [LB] 7 - 10pm

• Sun, Sep 13, 2020

  • Cancelled: Second Sunday: Priesthood quorums, Relief Society, and Young Women (Primary held every Sunday) - tailored to each ward's scheduled Sunday classes at meetinghouse (see bishopric)

  • Changed: High Council Meeting [LX] 6:30 - 8am to [Online]

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

  • Changed: Worldwide Young Adult Face-to-Face Broadcast [Online] 4 - 5pm to 6 - 7pm

  • Changed: Multistake Support Meeting for Men [JB] 6 - 7pm to [Online]

• Sat, Sep 26, 2020

• • • Moved: Stake Primary Child of Record Baptisms [LX,JB,MN] 9am-12pm to Saturday, October 10

  • Sun, Sep 27, 2020

    • Changed: Fast Sunday to Sunday, October 11

  • Sat, Oct 3, 2020

    • Changed: General Conference Saturday Morning Session [LX]10am - 12pm to [Online]

    • Changed: General Conference Saturday Afternoon Session [LX]2 - 4pm to [Online]

    • Changed: General Conference Women’s Session [LX]6 - 7:30pm to [Online]

  • Sun, Oct 4, 2020

    • Changed: General Conference Sunday Morning Session [LX]10am - 12pm to [Online]

    • Changed: General Conference Sunday Afternoon Session [LX]2 - 4pm to [Online]

  • Sat, Oct 10, 2020

    • Changed: Stake Primary Child of Record Baptisms [LX,JB,MN] 9am-12pm from Saturday, September 26

    • Cancelled: Stake Conference Adult Session [LX] 6pm-8pm

  • Sun, Oct 11, 2020

    • Cancelled: Stake Priesthood Leadership Meeting [LX] 7am - 8:30am

    • Cancelled: Stake Conference General Session [LX,JB,MN] 10am - 12pm

    • Changed: Fast Sunday from Sunday, September 27

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

Member Tools App Release Notes

Release 4.0

Date Released: July 16, 2020 *** NEW ****

Membership Related

• Automatic updates can be enabled so any changes will be received without having to manually sync.

  • Setting can be adjusted in the “Update” menu.

• Weekly sacrament meeting attendance can be recorded.

• Dark mode has been enabled.

• Implemented security policy. Member Tools requires a password/pin/biometric. The device security can be used to access Member Tools.

Issues Resolved

• Resolved issues with Ministering

• Resolved issues with Missionary information being duplicated or not showing up

• Resolved Temples schedule issues

• Additional bug fixes and performance improvements

Member Tools App previous release notes

Leader and Clerk Resources (LCR) Release Notes

Release 4.9 *** NEW ***

Date Released: May 19, 2020

New or Enhanced Functionality

Membership Related

• Young Women and Aaronic Priesthood specialist system access has been updated to be the same as that of advisers within the organization.

• Ward temple and family history leader system access has been expanded.

• Limitation on the number of clerks a unit can have.

• “Finance” appears in the menu for organization presidencies so they can view their budgets.

• Improvements for callings that required dual authentication.

  • Previously the second approver needed to be at the same computer as the person entering the calling. Now the second approver can approve from a different location, on a different computer.

• Youth certificates are available to print in English. Other languages will be available in upcoming releases.

• Youth protection report is available worldwide.

Issues Resolved

• Corrected numerous translation problems.

• Additional bug fixes and performance improvements.

Leader and Clerk Resources (LCR) previous release notes

Using Virtual Meeting Technologies

The ready availability of audio conferencing and video conferencing solutions allows local ecclesiastical leaders to conduct virtual meetings with councils or members while avoiding an increase in technology costs for the Church. Local leaders are encouraged to use a free, reputable solution that works best in their area. Some possible options may include:

• • Google Hangouts or Google Hangouts Meet

  • Zoom

  • Webex

  • WhatsApp

  • Facebook Messenger

  • Skype

These solutions should be adequate to meet most virtual meeting needs. If these tools are unfamiliar, it is recommended that leaders test their preferred solution before hosting actual meetings.

• • Consider the following when selecting and using virtual meeting technologies:

  • Understand the time and participant limits of your selected platform

  • Use good lighting for a better video conference experience

  • Minimize background noise and other potential distractions

  • Encourage everyone to mute their microphones when not speaking

  • Be sensitive to confidential information, and avoid recording meetings

If a leader has an account with a videoconferencing platform from their employment, they should ensure they have their employer’s approval before using that platform for Church purposes. Be aware that employer administrators may have access to personal meetings. In all cases, leaders should consider confidentiality and safeguard the personal information of members and others. Please share this information with the leaders in your wards and stake.

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

Official Newsroom announcements and articles of interest to our stake.

New videos from the church from the Book of Mormon Videos, Bible Videos, HopeWorks, ComeUntoChrist.org, Latter-day Saints Channel, Video Series: Give Back, His Grace, Gospel Solutions for Families, Inspirational Messages, Inspirational Messages for Youth, The Daily, etc. -- inspirational stories, news, events, quotes from Church leaders, and more for your daily uplift.