Colorado Springs North Stake (CSNS)

Ward Council and Ward Youth Council Bulletin

Jul 26 - Aug 1, 2021

The Blessings of Sharing Our Testimony

28 July 2021

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

Several weeks ago I had the privilege of attending our ward young women’s camp. What a blessing it was to be with those daughters of God, to see them serving one another and enjoying being together at camp!

As a stake presidency it was heart wrenching being forced not to have Aaron’s camp and Daughters of Virtue camp because of Covid restrictions. We recognize the wonderful opportunities these camps provide to strengthen faith and grow testimonies in the lives of our youth. We are so grateful that Covid restrictions were lifted to a point that allowed our amazing ward leaders to organize smaller sized, modified camps this summer. We recognize the tremendous amount of time, effort and flexibility it took to plan and execute these camps. From all the reports we have received, each of them have been wonderful!

I have been blessed to attend for over 20 years now some type of youth camp. I never grow tired of attending them! It is thrilling to see the youth minister to each other and spiritually grow in that environment. The most important and exciting part of camp for me is the testimony meeting. Testimony meetings are usually held at the end of camp when participants can reflect upon their faith promoting experiences throughout the week.

My soul stirs with amazement and gratitude when I listen to a youth who shares his or her testimony for the first time. I can see with my spiritual eyes the spark of their newborn faith ignite the embers of their testimony as they share their simple feelings of God, the Savior and of the restored gospel. It can be the beginning of a bright fire of spiritual fortitude, preparing them for life away from home (which is what I then spiritually see in the older youth who share a more seasoned and experienced testimony.)

As a stake presidency, we recognize that not all come away from camp feeling that their faith and testimony have been strengthened. Sometimes it takes several years of camps or other spiritual experiences to ignite the fire of faith. For us as parents and leaders, it is an exercise of our faith, hope, and patience with those we love so dearly. But I am so grateful that many do come away strengthened and committed to walk along the covenant path with more exactness.

We also recognize that as wonderful as these camps are, the most important and influential place where faith and testimonies can begin, grow and be maintained is in the home. Second only to the temple, our homes can be havens of protection and light, where faith is exercised and testimonies are shared every day in some way. Like the temple, Satan can have no influence in our homes unless we allow it. A testimony is a shield of faith “wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked” (Doctrine and Covenants 27:17).

Youth, we invite you to share your testimony with your family members and others often. Parents, we also invite you to share your testimony with your children often and invite your children to share what they learned at camp this year and their testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. Of all the things that are done at youth camps, nothing is more important and productive than providing opportunities for the camp participants to grow and share their testimonies. Likewise, of all the things that can be done in our homes, nothing is as important as the development of faith and sharing of testimonies.

We recognize it takes effort and planning to provide faith building opportunities at home (through Come Follow Me lessons, scripture study, family prayers, family councils, family conversations & interviews and many other means), but we affirm that the blessings of heaven will pour down upon our families for our efforts now and forever.

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, June 26th - Sunday, August 1st

Mon, Jul 26, 2021

• Family Home Evening

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

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

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

Thu, Jul 29, 2021

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

• Institute [JB] 6:45 - 8:30pm

• Multistake Youth Heritage Youth Chorus [FCSC] 7 - 10pm

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

Sat, Jul 31, 2021

• Stake Primary Child-of-Record Baptisms [LX, JB, MN] 9am - 12pm

• Multistake Youth Outdoor Dance [LB] 7:30 - 10:30pm

Sun, Aug 1, 2021

• Fast Sunday

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

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

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

Next 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

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, June 6th

• 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, Wednesday weeknight activities

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

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

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

  • King's Deer Ward: Sacrament meeting 1:00pm - 2:00pm, quorums and classes 2:10pm - 3:00pm, Wednesday weeknight activities

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

  • Meadow Run Ward: Sacrament meeting 9:00am - 10:00am, quorums and classes 10:10am - 11:00am, Wednesday weeknight activities

  • [Black Forest Ward (Colorado Springs High Plains Stake): 12:00pm - 2:00pm, Tuesday weeknight activities]

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

  • [Chapel Hills Ward (Colorado Springs East Stake): 9:00am - 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

• General Conference

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

Selection of Previously Released

• 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.

• Addiction Recovery and Spouse and Family Support

  • Notices | May 20, 2021: The Church’s addiction recovery program has resources to help individuals, spouses, and family members.

• Safety in Church Activities

  • First Presidency | May 10, 2021: Activities should be well planned and follow the safety guidelines included with this letter and at safety.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

• Notices | March 31, 2021: Revised General Handbook Chapters

  • 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 - March 2021 (links to updated sections)

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

      • 75% of the English handbook has now been revised

• 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.