May 18 - 24, 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. Review the church's website periodically as the church provides continuing and timely updates and consolidates their announcements on this website:

2. 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. To schedule a temple recommend renewal or BYU ecclesiastical endorsement interview, send an email to renewtemple@csnorth.org or call/text 719-491-7003
   • Temple Recommend and BYU Endorsement 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 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.

Updates to the Stake Calendar of Events

1. On April 6th, Colorado Governor issued an updated executive order to guard against the spread of the coronavirus extended through Sunday, April 26th at which time the next phase entitled "Safer at Home" will start on Monday, April 27th, but still prohibits gatherings

2. The Lexington, Jamboree, and Monument buildings are closed until further notice

• All wards are to complete their building security assignments each evening
• All ward and stake leaders are encouraged to conduct meetings online.

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

• Send an email to renewtemple@csnorth.org or call/text 719-491-7003 to make specific arrangements

4. 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:

a. 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, May 18
  • Changed: Multistake Adult Education Gospel Study Class [ML]12 - 1:30pm to [Online]
  • 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]
• Thursday, May 21
  • Changed: Stake Temple Recommend Interviews (by appointment only) [LX]6 - 9pm to [Online]
  • Changed: Institute [JB]6pm - 8:30pm to [Online]
  • Changed: Multistake Support Meeting for Women [DS]7 - 8pm to [Online]
• Saturday, May 23
  • Cancelled: Stake Youth Fireside [FCSC], 7pm-8:30pm, at the Fountain Colorado Stake Center (FCSC)
• Sunday, May 24
  • Cancelled: Fourth Sunday: Priesthood quorums, Relief Society, and Young Women (Primary held every Sunday)
  • Changed: Stake Elders Quorum Presidencies and Relief Society Presidencies Meeting [Online]9 - 10:30am
  • Cancelled: LDS Baccalaureate [USAFA], 1:30pm-2:30pm at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) Arnold Hall
  • Cancelled: Stake Institute Graduation [JB]5pm-6pm
  • Changed: Multistake Support Meeting for Men [JB]6 - 7pm to [Online]
• Monday, May 25
  • 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]
• Thursday, May 28
  • Stake Temple Recommend Interviews (by appointment only) [LX]6 - 9pm to [Online]
  • Institute [JB]6:30 - 10pm to [Online]6pm-8:30pm
  • Multistake Support Meeting for Women [DS]7 - 8pm to [Online]
• Saturday, May 30
  • Cancelled: Stake Conference Adult Session [LX]6 - 8pm
• Sunday, May 31
  • Cancelled: Stake Priesthood Leadership Meeting [LX]7 - 8:30am
  • Cancelled: Stake Conference General Session [LX,JB,MN]10am - 12pm
  • Added: Fifth Sunday: Youth and adult meetings under the direction of the bishop (Primary held every Sunday) (TBD)
  • Changed: Stake Aaronic Priesthood–Young Women Committee Meeting [LX]3:30 - 4:30pm to [Online]
  • Changed: Multistake Support Meeting for Men [JB]6 - 7pm to [Online]
• Tuesday, June 2 through Thursday, June 4
  • Postponed: Stake Primary Activity [BF] to Tuesday, June 1, 2020 through Thursday, June 3, 2021
• Thursday, June 4 through Saturday, June 6
  • Postponed: Stake Deacon's Camp to Thursday, June 3, 2021 through Saturday June 5, 2021
• Tuesday, June 9 through Saturday, June 13
  • Postponed: Stake Young Men Aaron's Camp to Tuesday, June 8, 2021 through Saturday, June 12, 2021
• Saturday, July 4
  • Cancelled: Monument Parade [Monument Downtown]9am

This Week: Monday, May 18th - Sunday, May 24th

Mon, May 18, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - May 18–24. Mosiah 25–28: “They Were Called the People of God”
• 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
• Stake Young Single Adult Home Evening Group [Online]7 - 9pm

Tue, May 19, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - May 18–24. Mosiah 25–28: “They Were Called the People of God”

Wed, May 20, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - May 18–24. Mosiah 25–28: “They Were Called the People of God”

Thu, May 21, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - May 18–24. Mosiah 25–28: “They Were Called the People 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, May 22, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - May 18–24. Mosiah 25–28: “They Were Called the People of God”
• Last Day of Seminary
• School District 38 (D-38) Last Day of School

Sat, May 23, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - May 18–24. Mosiah 25–28: “They Were Called the People of God”
• Stake Family History Center Closed [LX]

Sun, May 24, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - May 18–24. Mosiah 25–28: “They Were Called the People of God”
• Stake Elders Quorum Presidencies and Relief Society Presidencies Meeting [Online]9 - 10:30am
• Multistake Support Meeting for Men [Online]6 - 7pm

Next Week: Monday, May 25th - Sunday, May 31st

Mon, May 25, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - May 25–31. Mosiah 29–Alma 4: “They Were Steadfast and Immovable”
• Family Home Evening
• Memorial Day
• School District 20 (D-20) No School
• 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, May 26, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - May 25–31. Mosiah 29–Alma 4: “They Were Steadfast and Immovable”

Wed, May 27, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - May 25–31. Mosiah 29–Alma 4: “They Were Steadfast and Immovable”

Thu, May 28, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - May 25–31. Mosiah 29–Alma 4: “They Were Steadfast and Immovable”
• Stake Temple Recommend Interviews (by appointment only) [Online]6 - 9pm
• Institute [Online]6 - 8:30pm
• Multistake Support Meeting for Women [Online]7 - 8pm

Fri, May 29, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - May 25–31. Mosiah 29–Alma 4: “They Were Steadfast and Immovable”
• School District 20 (D-20) Last Day of School

Sat, May 30, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - May 25–31. Mosiah 29–Alma 4: “They Were Steadfast and Immovable”

Sun, May 31, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - May 25–31. Mosiah 29–Alma 4: “They Were Steadfast and Immovable”
• Fifth Sunday: Youth and adult meetings under the direction of the bishop (Primary held every Sunday) (TBD)
• Stake Aaronic Priesthood–Young Women Committee Meeting [Online]3:30 - 4:30pm
• Multistake Support Meeting for Men [Online]6 - 7pm

2020 Ward Meeting Schedule

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

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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 and Church News announcements and articles of interest to our stake.

New videos from the church from the Book of Mormon 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.

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, 15 May 2020: Missionaries with Asthma during the COVID-19 Pandemic
  • Until the COVID-19 situation has abated, missionary service will continue to be deferred for individuals who have had moderate to severe asthma symptoms in the last five years or who have required asthma medication other than Albuterol.
• Notice, 15 May 2020: Full-Time Missionaries Providing Community Service
  • Area Presidencies, working with their office staff, mission presidents, and local leaders, will coordinate missionary service opportunities for missions and are invited to organize under the principles established in JustServe.
• First Presidency Letter, 11 May 2020: Reverence for the Savior in our Meetinghouses
  • To testify further of our central belief in Jesus Christ, we desire that our meetinghouses reflect an attitude of reverence for the Savior.

Selection of Previously Released

• Notice, 8 May 2020: Review of Missionary Health Conditions (U.S. and Canada)
  • Options for full-time missionaries with serious preconditions that put them at higher risk of complications from COVID-19 if infected.
• First Presidency letter, 7 May 2020: Phased Reopening of Temples
  • We rejoice in announcing a carefully coordinated, cautious, and phased reopening of temples.
• Notice, 17 April 2020: Missionary Fund Adjustments
  • Due to circumstances resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic there will be missionary fund adjustments.
• 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.
• First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles letter, 12 March 2020: Public Gatherings of Church Members
  • Beginning immediately, all public gatherings of Church members are being temporarily suspended worldwide until further notice.