CSNS Bulletin - Dec 14

Colorado Springs North Stake (CSNS)

Ward Council and Ward Youth Council Bulletin

Dec 14 - 20, 2020

Announcements

Announcements for Events This Week and Next Week

1. Stake Music Christmas Devotional, Sunday, December 20th, 6pm-7pm [Online]

Dear Members of the Colorado Springs North Stake,

Please join us for a special stake musical fireside this coming Sunday, December 20, 2020, at 6:00pm. The attached flyer will be updated and distributed again later this week with a link and information on how to participate, as this event will be held virtually. We look forward to sharing the talents of many as we celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Sincerely,

Colorado Springs North Stake Presidency

Sterling Rogers, Jeff Johnson, Chris Lovejoy

2. 2020 Christmas Créche Held Online This Year

We encourage you to share pictures and stories about your favorite Créche and to invite friends and family to participate as well. We know that it would be fun in person and that the holiday season may be less festive for many, however we know that the Lord compensates in miraculous ways and pray that many will find peace and comfort as you share meaningful stories and celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. Below is a flyer and pass along card for your to print out and give to your friends and neighbors so they can be apart of the celebration. We love you and join with you to Light The World as we testify of Christ.
You might consider posting as part of Light the World 25 Days of Christmas
Include #cslighttheworld with your social media post and check the settings for those that you would like to be able to see it.
You can view other's creche photos on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Flyer

Pass Along Card (Front)

Pass Along Card (Back)

3. Light the World Decals, Stickers, Beanies, and Masks

See #LightTheWorld postings on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

4. Please share the following with your college students currently at home or returning home from Thanksgiving Day through New Years Day:

Are you staying home from BYU Provo or BYU-Idaho after Thanksgiving? Institute is holding a three-week class at the Jamboree building for students home early from school Thursday’s from 6-7 pm Dec. 3rd-17th, with a grab-n-go dinner served afterward. We are following all Colorado safety guidelines, including masks and social distancing. Visit our website for more information: cospringsinstitute.org or text Reed Romney 719-377-8056.

5. With the COVID level change to Red in El Paso County as of November 27th, Sunday meetings can continue as scheduled as of Sunday, November 15th with the following guidance and requirements:

The discussions the stake presidency have had with our Area Authorities, and the impressions of the spirit, the stake presidency has decided the following and ask that we adhere to ALL of these recommendations:
- All members and visitors should wear masks and ensure that they are social distancing while in the church building. Hand sanitizer and extra masks will be available in the foyer of all buildings. These supplies will be checked frequently to ensure they are replenished as needed.
- Our Sunday services will continue to be held every Sunday while adhering to the same schedule that has been in place for the last couple of months. Two sacrament meetings will now be held for each ward on every Sunday. They will happen back-to-back and last 35 minutes each. This should allow adequate time for cleaning between the two sacrament meetings as well at the end of the second sacrament meeting. The entire block of meetings (two sacrament meetings), along with clean up, should not exceed 1 hour and 45 minutes to allow adequate time for the next ward to come into the building.
- Each sacrament meeting will only be allowed to accommodate “50 people excluding staff”. Staff is defined as those responsible for ensuring the meeting is held and all support people. This includes those involved in the sacrament meeting program as well as those needed to administer the sacrament, usher, provide music, etc. All members will receive an opportunity to attend in persons at least every other week. The bishopric will determine how to allocate the spots available for their sacrament meetings.
- We have asked each ward to continue to arrange for at least one sacrament meeting to be broadcast via Zoom to the members who are unable to attend in person.
- The Area Presidency has instructed that members should be invited to listen to the hymns but not sing.
- Additionally, the following procedures will be followed in our buildings to ensure that we do not exceed the stated number and that we maintain adequate social distancing throughout our meetings:
- Ushers will be provided to ensure that there are alternating empty rows in the chapel and cultural hall. If keeping row separation is a problem, it is suggested to tape off individual rows to ensure compliance.
- The ushers will encourage families to areas of the chapel and cultural hall where their family will fit and still maintain adequate distancing from other families or individuals. It is our hope that no one is offended when ushers’ direct members to a seat that may not be their favorite location.
- At the end of the meeting, we ask that all members remain seated while the ushers come forward and dismiss the members row by row. We also ask that after you are dismissed by the ushers that you not congregate in the foyer. Please make your way out of the building so that the appropriate cleaning can be performed in preparation for the next meeting.
- All weekday activities (relief society, Aaronic priesthood, young women, primary) should comply with the same state health order which restricts the total number of individuals in the building (less administrative staff) to 50.

Continuing Announcements

There is a change in contact information to schedule interview with a member of the stake presidency for temple recommends or BYU ecclesiastical endorsements:
- UPDATED: 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 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
Colorado Springs Institute, for Young Adults (ages 18-30, married and single):
- 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

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."

Stake Calendar of Events, Lesson Schedules, and Ward Assignments

This Week: Monday, December 14th - Sunday, December 20th

That Ye May Know, by Gary L. Kapp

Come, Follow Me - December 14–20. Moroni 10: “Come unto Christ, and Be Perfected in Him”

As you finish reading the Book of Mormon, consider seeking a renewed witness from the Holy Ghost that it is true. As you do, record the impressions you receive.

Mon, Dec 14, 2020

Tue, Dec 15, 2020

Wed, Dec 16, 2020

Thu, Dec 17, 2020

Fri, Dec 18, 2020

Sat, Dec 19, 2020

Sun, Dec 20, 2020

Next Week: Monday, December 21st - Sunday, December 27th

Behold the Lamb of God, by Walter Rane

Come, Follow Me - December 21–27. Christmas: “He Shall Come into the World to Redeem His People”

The Christmas season is a time to reflect on and express gratitude for the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. As you read and ponder this week about His birth and life, consider how your study of the Book of Mormon this year has strengthened your testimony that He is the Savior of the world. Record impressions that come to you.

Mon, Dec 21, 2020

Tue, Dec 22, 2020

Wed, Dec 23, 2020

Thu, Dec 24, 2020

Fri, Dec 25, 2020

Sat, Dec 26, 2020

Sun, Dec 27, 2020

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, Dec 15, 2020
- Added: Ministering Tools: Welfare and Self-Reliance Training [Online] 7 - 7:45pm
Sun , Dec 20, 2020
- Changed: Stake Missionary Coordination Meeting [Online] 2pm-3pm to 3 - 4pm
- Added: Stake Music Christmas Devotional [Online] 6pm-7pm
Thu, Dec 31, 2020
- Cancelled: Multistake Single Adult New Year's Eve Dance [Denver] 8pm
- Cancelled: Multistake Young Single Adult New Year's Eve Dance [JB] 8pm
- Cancelled: Multistake Youth Dance (Church Dress) [FCSC] 9pm

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.

Church Letters, Notices, and Policy Updates

New This Past Week

Notice, 11 December 2020: Availability of Zoom Licenses for Local Unit Virtual Meetings
- Zoom licenses are available for virtual meetings when other technology solutions do not meet the needs of local units.
Notice, 8 December 2020: Housing Contributions for Senior Sister Missionaries
- The designated amount for the monthly housing contribution will change effective January 1, 2021, for all senior sister missionaries.

Selection of Previously Released

Notice, 3 December 2020: Update: Missionary Standards for Disciples of Jesus Christ
- Missionary Standards for Disciples of Jesus Christ has been updated.
Notice, 3 December 2020: RootsTech Connect 2021 Leadership Instruction and Family Discovery Session
- Those with callings listed above are invited to participate in the upcoming Temple and Family History Leadership Instruction.
Notice, 30 November 2020: 2021 Churchwide Events Schedule
- The schedule of Churchwide events for 2021 is enclosed.
Notice, 23 November 2020: 2020 Tax Reporting—Forms 1099-MISC and 1099-NEC
- Where applicable, stakes and districts must file Federal Tax Forms 1099-MISC and 1099-NEC before January 31, 2021.

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.

Administrative Updates

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.

Featured Addresses

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

The Culture of Christ

By Elder William K. Jackson

Of the Seventy

We can cherish the best of our individual earthly cultures and be full participants in the eternal culture that comes from the gospel of Jesus Christ.

October 2020 General Conference, Saturday Afternoon Session

Deepening Discipleship

Elder Scott D. Whiting

of the Seventy

A disciple of Jesus Christ must be actively engaged, patient in the process, sufficiently humble, dedicated to the Savior, and filled with faith that the Master Teacher is leading us in the right direction.

BYU Devotional, 8 December 2020