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. Worldwide Youth Music Festival Broadcast, Wednesday, July 29th, 6pm-7pm:

2. 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

3. Blood drive, Friday, August 7th, 10am - 2pm, at the Monument Building.

• Everyone who donates blood will also be tested for antibodies against COVID-19.

• Please click this link or the image below to signup for a slot; currently 34 slots are available.

4. Multistake Young Single Adult (YSA) Virtual Conference, Virtual, Saturday, August 15th, 6pm via Zoom meeting invitation

• We will be privileged to hear from President Rogers, Colorado Springs North Stake President, and Elder Jones, Area Seventy, with an opportunity for a question and answer period at the conclusion. In addition, there will be three separate pre-recorded talks sent out during that week on Monday (August 10th), Wednesday (August 12th), and Friday (August 14th) by:

  • Brother and Sister Osorio, Sunset Mesa Ward: Fitting Your Life into the Gospel vs Fitting the Gospel into Your Life

  • Brother and Sister Kofford, Pine Creek Ward: Temple Preparation, Worship, etc.

  • Brother Kelly Stohl, Denver LDS Family Services Mental Health: Coping strategies and dealing with depression, COVID-19, and general stresses in life

• Those who attend the conference will receive a 10$ gift card to Chick-fil-a for a meal

• YSAs must register in order to receive the zoom link and password to participate in the conference

• Register for the conference

• Ask a Question (must be submitted by July 26th)

• We look forward to a spiritually filled week and are grateful for the many contributions to reach out to those who may need some extra encouragement

• Please email csysacouncil@gmail.com for any questions or concerns

5. Elder and Sister Rasband will speak at the next Worldwide Face-to-Face Broadcast, Sunday, September 13th, at 4pm:

6. The church has a new wireless network to replace the “LDSAccess” network in meetinghouses and other Church facilities.

1. • The switch from “LDSAccess” to the new network, “Liahona,” reflects the Church’s effort to follow President Russell M. Nelson’s direction to use the correct name of the Church.

   • The password for accessing the new network is “alma3738” — a reference to the Book of Mormon verse that names the compass used by Lehi and his family as the “Liahona.” Users will be required to accept the terms of use each day they access the network, but they only need to enter the password on their device once.

   • This agreement helps manage available bandwidth by reminding users of the network’s intended purpose and by preventing unintentional use by devices performing automatic functions (such as updates) when connected to wi-fi upon entry to a Church building,” according to the announcement.

   • The purpose of providing internet in meetinghouses is to enhance gospel learning and instruction, support Church administrative functions, and further the purposes of the Church.

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

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

8. 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:

   • Text/call 719-244-3199 (or as a backup 719-649-8974) or send an email to renewtemple@csnorth.org

   • 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. New classes begin May 14th and will be taught remotely via zoom. 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, 17 July 2020: Youth Music Festival, July 29, 2020

On July 29, 2020, youth worldwide are invited to participate in the Youth Music Festival, a virtual global concert.

Selection of Previously Released

Notice, 24 June 2020: Young Adult Face to Face Event with Elder and Sister Rasband

On September 13, 2020, Elder Ronald A. Rasband and Sister Melanie Rasband will participate in a Face to Face event for young adults around the world, broadcasting from the Sacred Grove, in Palmyra, New York.

Notice, 23 June 2020: 2021 Curriculum Materials

The attached document Instructions for Curriculum 2021 lists Church curriculum materials to be used during the coming year.

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.

Notice, 26 May 2020: Children and Youth Protection Training

As part of the Church’s ongoing effort to ensure the safety of children and youth, a new online training course for protecting children and youth has been implemented.

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, July 20th - Sunday, July 26th

Mon, Jul 20, 2020

• • Come, Follow Me - July 20–26. Alma 36–38: “Look to God and Live”

  • Family Home Evening

  • 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, Jul 21, 2020

• • Come, Follow Me - July 20–26. Alma 36–38: “Look to God and Live”

Wed, Jul 22, 2020

• • Come, Follow Me - July 20–26. Alma 36–38: “Look to God and Live”

Thu, Jul 23, 2020

• • Come, Follow Me - July 20–26. Alma 36–38: “Look to God and Live”

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

  • Institute [Online] 6 - 8:30pm

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

Fri, Jul 24, 2020

• • Come, Follow Me - July 20–26. Alma 36–38: “Look to God and Live”

  • Pioneer Day

Sat, Jul 25, 2020

• • Come, Follow Me - July 20–26. Alma 36–38: “Look to God and Live”

Sun, Jul 26, 2020

• • Come, Follow Me - July 20–26. Alma 36–38: “Look to God and Live”

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

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

Next Week: Monday, July 27th - Sunday, August 2nd

Mon, Jul 27, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - July 27–August 2. Alma 39–42: “The Great Plan of Happiness”

• Family Home Evening

• 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, Jul 28, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - July 27–August 2. Alma 39–42: “The Great Plan of Happiness”

Wed, Jul 29, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - July 27–August 2. Alma 39–42: “The Great Plan of Happiness”

• Churchwide Youth Music Festival [Online] 6 - 7pm

Thu, Jul 30, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - July 27–August 2. Alma 39–42: “The Great Plan of Happiness”

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

• Institute [Online] 6 - 8:30pm

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

Fri, Jul 31, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - July 27–August 2. Alma 39–42: “The Great Plan of Happiness”

Sat, Aug 1, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - July 27–August 2. Alma 39–42: “The Great Plan of Happiness”

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

Sun, Aug 2, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - July 27–August 2. Alma 39–42: “The Great Plan of Happiness”

• Fast Sunday

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

Updates to the Stake Calendar of Events

1. The Lexington, Jamboree, and Monument buildings are closed except for sacrament meetings only starting July 5th until further notice

• • All wards are to complete their building security assignments each evening

  • All ward and stake leaders are encouraged to conduct leadership meetings and interviews online

2. Stake Temple Recommend and BYU Endorsement Interviews will be held via online technology

• • Text/call 719-244-3199 (or as a backup 719-649-8974) or send an email to renewtemple@csnorth.org to make specific arrangements

3. 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

• • Tuesday, Jul 7, 2020 through Monday, Jul 20, 2020

    • Cancelled: Denver Temple Closed (Reopens Tuesday, July 21st) [DCT] (the Denver Colorado Temple summer maintenance will not take place this year)

• Mon, Jul 20, 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] 7 - 9pm to [Online]

• Thu, Jul 23, 2020

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

  • Changed: Institute [JB] 6 - 8:30pm

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

• Sun, Jul 26, 2020

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

  • Changed: High Council Meeting [Online] 6:30 - 8am from Sunday, July 19

  • Cancelled: Stake Aaronic Priesthood–Young Women Committee Meeting [LX] 3:30 - 4:30pm

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

• Mon, Jul 27, 2020

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

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

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

• Wed, Jul 29, 2020

  • Added: Churchwide Youth Music Festival [Online] 6 - 7pm

• Thu, Jul 30, 2020

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

  • Changed: Institute [JB] 6:30 - 10pm

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

• Sun, Aug 2, 2020

  • Cancelled: First Sunday: Sunday School (Primary held every Sunday)

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

• • Sunday, September 27

    • Moved: Fast Sunday to Sunday, October 11

  • Saturday, October 3

    • 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]

  • Sunday, October 4

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

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

  • Saturday, October 10

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

  • Sunday, October 11

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

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

    • Moved: Fast Sunday from Sunday, September 27

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

2020 Ward Meeting Schedule

Your bishopric should be notifying which Sunday during your ward will be meeting for in-person sacrament meeting.

• All other in-person ward Sunday meetings and weekday activities are cancelled and buildings are closed for all activities until further notice

• Leadership meetings are to continue to be held online

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.

Member Tools App Release Notes

Release 3.6

Date Released: June 11, 2019

Membership Related

• Provided access to local unit statistics for members of the stake council.

• Removed the need to use hyphens when searching by phone number.

• Added the ability to search by email address.

• Added numerous latitude and longitude enhancements, including:

  • Ability to get directions to a member’s household location from current location.

  • Ability for members to map their household location.

  • Ability to copy latitude and longitude.

Issues Resolved

• Resolved issues with spaces in password.

• Resolved problems encountered when entering long phone numbers.

• 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

Personal Calendar: Synchronize your personal calendar with ward and stake calendar events

You can automatically synchronize the events from your ward and stake calendar with your personal Google, Microsoft Outlook, or Apple calendar. Updates made to events in your Church calendar will be reflected in the sync'd calendar.

To setup your phone, tablet, or computer, go to churchofjesuschrist.org, Church Calendar, Sync, select the type of calendar you use (Google Calendar, Microsoft Outlook, or Apple Calendar), and follow the instructions.

This has the advantage as items are added, deleted, and modified on the ward and stake calendar, they are instantly updated on your personal calendar.

• The Member Tools app has the drawback that:

  1. it is only synchronized every 30 days, unless the user manually synchronizes it

  2. it is not integrated with your personal calendar for viewing on one screen

  3. the web links listed in some of the calendar events can be directly clicked on to open the web page from the event in your personal calendar, but not in the Member Tools app.

Official General Conference addresses, and BYU-Provo, BYU-Idaho, BYU-Hawaii, BYU Pathway Worldwide, and LDS Business College (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.