Jul 6 - 12, 2020

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. Due to COVID-19 and the disruption in Church meeting schedules, wards and branches do not need to submit a Quarterly Report for this quarter.

• Church headquarters will automatically complete the reports using the attendance percentages from the same quarter in 2019.

• This pattern will continue until normal Church meeting schedules are reinstated.

2. Bishoprics, Executive Secretaries, and Ward Communication Specialists: 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

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

   • 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.

4. Music & the Spoken Word 90th Anniversary Celebration [Online; pre-recorded], Saturday, July 18th, 7pm-8pm:

5. Multistake Young Single Adult (YSA) Conference, Virtual, Saturday, August 15th:

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:

   • 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

[None]

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.

Quorum of the Twelve letter, 12 June 2020: Stake and Leadership Conferences through November 1, 2020

Out of an abundance of caution, all stake conferences through November 1, 2020, are now canceled and will not be rescheduled.

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.

Quorum of the Twelve letter, 26 May 2020: Strengthening Missionary and Temple and Family History Work in Stakes and Wards

Instruction is provided to strengthen the work of gathering Israel on both sides of the veil and to allow the bishopric to remain focused on youth.

First Presidency letter, 7 May 2020: Phased Reopening of Temples

We rejoice in announcing a carefully coordinated, cautious, and phased reopening of temples.

First Presidency letter, 16 April 2020: Administrative Principles in Challenging Times

Included with this letter are documents that explain administrative principles for the Church during challenging times. Directions are enclosed for essential ordinances, blessings, and other Church functions.

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 6th - Sunday, July 12th

Mon, Jul 6, 2020

• • Come, Follow Me - July 6–12. Alma 30–31: “The Virtue of the Word of God”

  • 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 7, 2020

• • Come, Follow Me - July 6–12. Alma 30–31: “The Virtue of the Word of God”

Wed, Jul 8, 2020

• • Come, Follow Me - July 6–12. Alma 30–31: “The Virtue of the Word of God”

Thu, Jul 9, 2020

• • Come, Follow Me - July 6–12. Alma 30–31: “The Virtue of the Word of God”

  • 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 10, 2020

• • Come, Follow Me - July 6–12. Alma 30–31: “The Virtue of the Word of God”

Sat, Jul 11, 2020

• • Come, Follow Me - July 6–12. Alma 30–31: “The Virtue of the Word of God”

Sun, Jul 12, 2020

• • Come, Follow Me - July 6–12. Alma 30–31: “The Virtue of the Word of God”

  • Stake Council Meeting [Online] 7 - 8:30am

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

  • Stake Self-Reliance Committee Meeting [Online] 3:30 - 4:30pm

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

Next Week: Monday, July 13th - Sunday, July 19th

Mon, Jul 13, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - July 13–19. Alma 32–35: “Plant This Word in Your Hearts”

• Family Home Evening

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

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

Tue, Jul 14, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - July 13–19. Alma 32–35: “Plant This Word in Your Hearts”

Wed, Jul 15, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - July 13–19. Alma 32–35: “Plant This Word in Your Hearts”

Thu, Jul 16, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - July 13–19. Alma 32–35: “Plant This Word in Your Hearts”

• 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 17, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - July 13–19. Alma 32–35: “Plant This Word in Your Hearts”

• Multistake Single Adult Activity [Online] 7 - 10:30pm

Sat, Jul 18, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - July 13–19. Alma 32–35: “Plant This Word in Your Hearts”

• Music & the Spoken Word 90th Anniversary Celebration [Online] 7 - 8pm

Sun, Jul 19, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - July 13–19. Alma 32–35: “Plant This Word in Your Hearts”

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

• Stake Bishops' Welfare Council Meeting [Online] 6:30 - 7am

• Meeting with Bishoprics [Online] 7 - 8:15am

• Stake Missionary Coordination Meeting [Online] 2 - 3pm

• Ward Mission Leader Council [Online] 3:30 - 4:30pm

• Colorado Springs Coordinating Council Public Affairs Meeting with Stake Directors of Public Affairs [Online] 4:30 - 5:30pm

• Multistake Single Adult Leadership Meeting [Online] 5:45 - 6:45pm

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

• Multistake Single Adult Fireside [Online] 7 - 8:30pm

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

• • Monday, Jul 6, 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]

  • 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)

• Thursday, Jul 9, 2020

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

• Changed: Institute [JB] 6:30 - 10pm to [Online] 6pm - 8:30pm

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

• Saturday, Jul 11, 2020

  • Cancelled: Multistake Youth Dance (Church Dress) [FCSC] 7 - 10pm

• • Sunday, Jul 12, 2020

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

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

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

• Changed: Stake Self-Reliance Committee Meeting [LX] 3:30 - 4:30pm to [Online]

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

• Mon, Jul 13, 2020

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

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

• Thu, Jul 16, 2020

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

  • Changed: Institute [JB] 6:30 - 10pm to [Online] 6 - 8:30pm

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

• Fri, Jul 17, 2020

  • Changed:Multistake Single Adult Activity [FCSC] 7 - 10:30pm

• Sun, Jul 19, 2020

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

  • Changed: High Council Meeting [LX]6:30 - 8am to Sunday, July 26th [Online]

  • Changed: Stake Bishops' Welfare Council Meeting [LX] to [Online] 5:45 - 6:30am from Sunday, August 2nd

  • Changed: Meeting with Bishoprics [LX] 6:30 - 8am to [Online] from Sunday, August 2nd

  • Changed: Stake Missionary Coordination Meeting [Online] 2 - 3pm to [Online]

  • Changed: Ward Mission Leader Council [LX] 3:30 - 4:30pm to [Online]

  • Changed: Colorado Springs Coordinating Council Public Affairs Meeting with Stake Directors of Public Affairs [LX] 4:30 - 5:30pm to [Online]

  • Changed: Multistake Single Adult Leadership Meeting [CSESC] 5:45 - 6:45pm to [Online]

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

  • Changed: Multistake Single Adult Fireside [CSESC] 7 - 8:30pm to [Online]

• • Tuesday, July 21

    • Cancelled: Denver Temple Reopens [DCT] (the Denver Temple summer maintenance will not take place this year, thus the Reopening is not longer applicable)

  • 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

--------------------------------

All ward in-person Sunday meetings and weekday activities are cancelled and buildings are closed for all activities until further notice except for sacrament meetings only starting July 5th; your bishopric should be notifying which Sunday during July your ward will be meeting.

--------------------------------

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

    • Cordera Ward, 8:30am - 10:30am, Tuesday weeknight activities

    • Gleneagle Ward, 10:00am - 12:00pm, Wednesday weeknight activities

    • Northgate Ward, 11:30am - 1:30pm, Tuesday weeknight activities

    • Pine Creek Ward, 1:00pm - 3:00pm, Wednesday weeknight activities at the Jamboree building

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

    • Monument Ward, 8:30am - 10:30am, Wednesday weeknight activities

    • High Forest Ward, 10:00am - 12:00pm, Tuesday weeknight activities

    • King's Deer Ward, 11:30am - 1:30pm, Wednesday weeknight activities

    • Jackson Creek Ward, 1:00pm - 3:00pm, Tuesday weeknight activities

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

    • [Black Forest Ward (Colorado Springs High Plains Stake), 9:00am - 11:00am, Wednesday (Jan-Jul) and Tuesday (Aug-Dec) weeknight activities]

    • Meadow Run Ward, 12:00pm - 2:00pm, Tuesday (Jan-Jul) and Wednesday (Aug-Dec) 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, 11:30am - 1:30pm (sacrament meeting 11:30am, in the cultural hall), Thursday weeknight activities

    • Mount Herman YSA Ward, 11:30am - 1:30pm (sacrament meeting 11:30am, in the chapel), Thursday weeknight activities

    • Pikes Peak YSA Ward, 11:30am - 1:30pm (sacrament meeting 12:35pm, in the chapel), Thursday weeknight activities

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 4.8

Date Released: January 1, 2020

New or Enhanced Functionality

Finance Related

• Added the “Budget” menu. Leaders can now view the summary of their assigned budget.

• Bishops’ orders now appear along with fast-offering transactions on the “Participant” menu, if applicable.

Membership Related

• Sacrament meeting attendance can be recorded weekly using Leader and Clerk Resources by selecting Sacrament Meeting Attendance in the “Reporting” menu.

• System changes that support changes announced in youth and Primary organizations:

  • Aaronic Priesthood organization changes at the ward level are now reflected.

  • Scouting organization and callings have been retired.

  • Primary activities leaders can now be recorded.

• The ability to view organization budgets is now available to organization presidencies through the “Finance” menu option.

Issues Resolved

• 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, 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.