3 November 2021
Dear Sisters and Brothers,
The first week of October brought an outpouring of the Spirit through a wonderful General Conference of the church. The Stake Focus for 2021 is “Making and Keeping Sacred Covenants.” Temples and covenants were a common theme in the conference and served as great reminders and invitations.
President Russell M. Nelson invited us to do a number of things that will bless our lives as we strive to honor our covenants. “Should distance, health challenges, or other constraints prohibit your temple attendance for a season, I invite you to set a regular time to rehearse in your mind the covenants you have made.” ("The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation", Russell M. Nelson, General Conference, October 2021)
One of the invitations that has blessed my life, even when I have been able to attend the temple regularly and even more so during COVID and the restrictions placed on temple attendance, has been to ponder and rehearse the covenants I have made. The General Handbook helps remind us of the covenants we make in the temple.
“In the endowment, members are invited to make sacred covenants to:
Live the law of obedience and strive to keep Heavenly Father’s commandments.
Obey the law of sacrifice, which means sacrificing to support the Lord’s work and repenting with a broken heart and contrite spirit.
Obey the law of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is the higher law that He taught while He was on the earth.
Keep the law of chastity, which means having sexual relations only with those to whom they are legally and lawfully wedded according to God’s law.
Keep the law of consecration, which means dedicating their time, talents, and everything with which the Lord has blessed them to building up Jesus Christ’s Church on the earth.
In return, Heavenly Father promises that those who remain faithful to their temple covenants will be endowed “with power from on high”.
The General Handbook shares some of the gifts we receive as we enter the temple and receive our endowment from our loving Heavenly Father.
“Some of the gifts that members receive through the temple endowment include:
Greater knowledge of the Lord’s purposes and teachings.
Power to do all that Heavenly Father wants His children to do.
Divine direction when serving the Lord, their families, and others.
Increased hope, comfort, and peace.” (General Handbook, 27: “Temple Ordinances for the Living”)
These are comforting and remarkable promises associated with making and keeping our temple covenants.
President Nelson’s other invitation that stands out involves an act of obedience and faith. The words of a prophet and the associated blessing to learn how to love the temple is a powerful promise from our loving Heavenly Father. It seems contradictory, and yet like Naaman of old, we will be blessed as we heed the words of the Lord's anointed and return to His house and seek His blessings.
“If you don’t yet love to attend the temple, go more often—not less. Let the Lord, through His Spirit, teach and inspire you there. I promise you that over time, the temple will become a place of safety, solace, and revelation.” ("The Temple and Your Spiritual Foundation", Russell M. Nelson, General Conference, October 2021)
President Nelson concludes his remarks with a promise that we echo: "Please believe me when I say that when your spiritual foundation is built solidly upon Jesus Christ, you have no need to fear.”
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."
1. Stake Young Single Adult Devotional with Mission President Spencer Eccles and Sister Kristine Eccles [JB], Sunday, November 7th, 12:30pm-1:30pm, Jamboree building chapel.
2. Stake Youth Devotional with Mission President Spencer Eccles and Sister Kristine Eccles [LX], Sunday, November 7th, 4:30pm-5:30pm, stake center chapel.
3. Multistake Young Single Adult (YSA) Leadership Training, Tuesday, November 16th, 7pm-8:30 pm in the Colorado Springs East Stake Center chapel, 4955 Meadowland Blvd, Colorado Springs.
Who needs to attend:
All Ward and Stake Young Single Adult SA Advisers (married couple or single adults - usually 30 or older)
Young Single Adult Representatives (YSA 18-31 who have been called by their bishop or stake president)
Stake High Councilor assigned to young single adults from each stake
Bishopric Members, Relief Society Counselors and Elders Quorum Counselors assigned to young single adults are also invited.
Training:
All those who have stewardship over the young single adults will learn what resources, programs, and events are available as well as best YSA ministering practices.
All wards in the 5 Colorado Springs stakes should be in attendance.
Success will be achieved if each ward and stake is able to have someone called as YSA Advisers who can reach out and build relationships with the YSA in their ward and stake.
Please do all you can to have members called and prepared for this training.
4. Stake Primary Leadership Meeting [LX], Sunday, November 21st, 4:30pm-5:30pm, stake center Primary room.
5. 2021 Colorado Springs Christmas Creche Exhibit and Live Nativity, Thursday December 2nd through Saturday, December 4th.
We are excited to announce that the creche exhibit and live nativity will be back for 2021! We have added additional exhibit time on Thursday evening for those wishing to avoid the crowds. Please note that masks will be required indoors. Attached are some 4-per-page invites that you can print to hand out to friends. Also attached is a flyer for emailing or texting to friends. We need people willing to display their creches. If you are interested, please contact Karen Wells at csnorthcreche@gmail.com.
Please note that masks will be required indoors.
Poster:
Invites: print and share with your friends
6. Docent Volunteers Needed for Colorado Springs Christmas Crèche at Stake Center
We're so excited to be able to host the Colorado Springs Christmas Crèche exhibit and live nativity again this year! The event will be held on:
Thursday, December 2nd, 5:00-8:00 p.m.
Friday, December 3rd, 1:00-8:00 p.m.
Saturday, December 4th, 1:00-8:00 p.m.
We could really use your help! We need several docents to usher visitors through the exhibits and safeguard the displays, as well as a few friendly greeters to welcome people at the entrance. If you would like to be part of this meaningful Christmas service opportunity, please click on the link below and sign up for a short shift that works with your schedule. The East Stake is unable to help us with the event this year, so we are in need of more volunteers from our stake to make sure this important community event runs smoothly and represents the Church in the same positive light that it always has. Thank you so much for your support!
7. Stake Christmas Creche Live Nativity Casting:
1. Colorado Springs Institute, for Young Adults (ages 18-30, married and single):
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!
3. 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
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. 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. Stake Temple and Family History Center: www.strengthinourfamily.org; call/text: 719-800-1610
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, 10am-1pm and 6pm-9am by appointment only for individuals and groups; or other days/times can be pre-arranged.
7. Temple Ordinance Workers and Temple Volunteers are Needed at the Denver Colorado Temple
If interested, contact your bishop
8. Colorado Springs Home Storage Center and Bishops' Storehouse 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.
Us with Them and Them with Us, by Caitlin Connolly
Remember to record your feelings as you study Doctrine and Covenants 125–28 so that you can reflect on them and share them with others.
Mon, Nov 1, 2021
Multistake Adult Education Gospel Study Class [ML] 12 - 1:30pm
Multistake Middle Single Adult Home Evening Group [LX] 6 - 8pm
Multistake Single Adult Home Evening Group [CSCSC] 6 - 7:30pm
Tue, Nov 2, 2021
Thu, Nov 4, 2021
Sat, Nov 6, 2021
Sun, Nov 7, 2021
Come, Follow Me - November 8–14. Doctrine and Covenants 129–132: “When We Obtain Any Blessing from God, It Is by Obedience”
Sections 129–32 teach many precious principles, only a few of which are highlighted in this outline. What other truths do you find?
Mon, Nov 8, 2021
Multistake Adult Education Gospel Study Class [ML] 12 - 1:30pm
Multistake Middle Single Adult Home Evening Group [LX] 6 - 8pm
Multistake Single Adult Home Evening Group [CSCSC] 6 - 7:30pm
Thu, Nov 11, 2021
Sat, Nov 13, 2021
Sun, Nov 14, 2021
The following meetings and activities on the stake calendar are changed due to stake and church-wide announcements:
Sun, Nov 7, 2021
Added: Stake Young Single Adult Devotional with Mission President Spencer Eccles and Sister Kristine Eccles [JB] 12:30pm-1:30pm
Added: Stake Youth Devotional with Mission President Spencer Eccles and Sister Kristine Eccles [LX] 4:30pm-5:30pm
Sun, Nov 14, 2021
Added: Stake Council Meeting [LX] 6:30am-8:30am
Changed: High Council Meeting [LX] 6:30am-8am to Sunday Nov 21, 2021
Cancelled: Stake Young Women Leadership Meeting [LX] 7am-8am -- Will be held one-on-one with each ward young women presidency
Postponed: Face to Face for Youth [Online] 4pm-5pm until January 2022
Rescheduled: Stake Primary Leadership Meeting [LX] 4:30pm-5:30pm to Sun, Nov 21, 2021
Tue, Nov 16, 2021
Added: Multistake Young Single Adult (YSA) Leader Training [CSESC] 7pm-8:30pm
Sun, Nov 21, 2021
Added: Stake Primary Leadership Meeting [LX] 4:30pm-5:30pm from Sun, Nov 14, 2021
Sun, Nov 28, 2021
Added: High Council Meeting [LX] 6:30am-8am
Sat, May 21, 2022
Stake Conference Saturday Evening Session [LX] 6pm-8pm
Sun, May 22, 2022
Stake Priesthood Leadership Meeting [LX] 7am-8:30am
Stake Conference General Session [LX,JB,MN] 10am-12pm
Mon, Jun 13, 2022 - Sat, Jun 18, 2022
For the Strength of Youth (FSY) [CSU] (Youth will choose one)
For the Strength of Youth (FSY) [UCCS] (Youth will choose one)
Mon, Jun 20, 2022 - Sat, Jun 25, 2022
For the Strength of Youth (FSY) [UCCS] (Youth will choose one)
Mon, Jun 27, 2022 - Sat, Jul 2, 2022
For the Strength of Youth (FSY) [UCCS] (Youth will choose one)
Mon, Jul 4, 2022 - Sat, Jul 9, 2022
For the Strength of Youth (FSY) [UCCS] (Youth will choose one)
Mon, Jul 18, 2022 - Sat, Jul 23, 2022
For the Strength of Youth (FSY) [CSU] (Youth will choose one)
Sat, Oct 22, 2022
Stake Conference Saturday Evening Session [LX] 6pm-8pm
Sun, Oct 23, 2022
Stake Priesthood Leadership Meeting [LX] 7am-8:30am
Stake Conference General Session [LX,JB,MN] 10am-12pm
Thu, Jun 1, 2021 through Sat, Jun 3, 2023
Stake Young Men Deacons Camp [CF]
Tue, Jul 6, 2023 through Sat, Jun10, 2023
Stake Young Men Aaron's Camp [CF]
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, Tuesday weeknight activities
Northgate Ward: Sacrament meeting 1:00pm - 2:00pm, quorums and classes 2:10pm - 3:00pm, Wednesday weeknight activities
Monument building, 950 West Colorado Highway 105, Monument CO 80132
Woodmoor Ward: Sacrament meeting 8:30am - 9:30am, quorums and classes 9:40am - 10:30am, Wednesday weeknight activities
Monument Ward: Sacrament meeting 11:00am - 12:00pm, quorums and classes 12:10pm - 1:00pm, Tuesday weeknight activities
King's Deer Ward: Sacrament meeting 1:30pm - 2:30pm, quorums and classes 2:40pm - 3:30pm, Tuesday weeknight activities
Black Forest building, 6950 Shoup Rd, Colorado Springs CO 80908
Meadow Run Ward: Sacrament meeting 8:30am - 9:30am, quorums and classes 9:40am - 10:30am, Tuesday weeknight activities
[Black Forest Ward (Colorado Springs High Plains Stake): Sacrament meeting 11:00am - 12:00pm, quorums and classes 12:10pm - 1:00pm, Wednesday weeknight activities]
High Forest Ward: Sacrament meeting 1:30pm - 2:30pm, quorums and classes 2:40pm - 3:30pm, Thursday weeknight activities
Jamboree building, 8295 Jamboree Cir, Colorado Springs CO 80920
Jackson Creek Ward: Sacrament meeting 9:00am - 10:00am, quorums and classes 10:10am - 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.
2022 Churchwide Broadcast Events Schedule
Notices | November 2, 2021: The schedule of Churchwide broadcast events for 2022
Young Single Adult Counselors for FSY Conferences in 2022 (US and Canada)
Notices | October 14, 2021: Young single adult counselors are needed for FSY 2022 in the U.S. and Canada.
Notices | October 6, 2021: We encourage units to start using Zoom Webinars for meetings that are currently using the Church’s webcast system.
Notices | October 4, 2021: The Church will begin holding For the Strength of Youth (FSY) conferences in the United States and Canada in 2022.
Dates for Tithing Settlement and Donor Statements
Notices | September 23, 2021: This notice contains guidelines, instructions, and dates for holding tithing settlement and reporting.
Temporary Modifications to Temple Operations
First Presidency | September 22, 2021: Effective immediately, all temple patrons and workers are asked to wear face masks at all times while in the temple.
Revised General Handbook Chapters
Notices | August 4, 2021: 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 - July 2021 (links to updated sections)
Church Newsroom: See the July 2021 Update to the General Handbook
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.
2 September 2021
Ward Council members and Stake Council members,
Greetings from Brother and Sister Dave Powell and Connie Powell who are serving as the Colorado Springs North Stake History Specialists. It is the time of year to begin compiling the 2021 ward and stake histories. We ask that you capture your January 2021 through October 2021 history narrative while it is fresh on your minds. We are happy to be able to support you in this vital responsibility. Your questions are welcome. Please see the following instructions and submission dates:
Please submit this google doc DRAFT history no later than October 31st. (The final draft should be updated and submitted by 15 January 2022)
Highlight what you feel was important in 2021 and are inspired to include. There may have been a number of changes in ward/stake leadership this year. If this is the case, please reach out to former leaders to obtain accurate information and photos.
Purpose
Preparing and submitting an annual history helps fulfill the Lord’s charge: “Continue in writing and making a history of all the important things…concerning my church…And also, my servants who are abroad in the earth should send forth the accounts of their stewardships” (Doctrine and Covenants 69:3, 5)
Process
Use the checklist below to guide your efforts.
Pictures are encouraged to help tell the annual history. A permissions form is included at the bottom of the History Template Document.
Review this email in your council meetings to make sure all understand what is expected.
Checklist: What to Include in an Annual History
Complete each area of the Google Doc Template provided via email as it relates to your calling/assignment.
A brief narrative for your specific organization describing the year’s important events and developments. Include faith-building stories and how lives were blessed.
Please provide a bulleted calendar of events for your organization.
Reports from priesthood and organization leaders summarizing their efforts to help individuals and families qualify for exaltation.
Significant records created by or about the ward/stake such as:
Photographs that are clearly identified and dated
Newsletters
Special programs and publications
Photocopies of newspaper clippings (include information that will identify the newspaper and the date it was published).
Address the impact of COVID-19 on ward/stake members. What blessings and challenges have ward/stake members faced in this regard. What adaptations have been made?
NOTE: CONFIDENTIAL OR PRIVATE INFORMATION IS NOT TO BE INCLUDED IN THE ANNUAL HISTORY
Don’t worry too much about the Annual History document format you send to us in the template. Please do enter the info/stories and the pictures/forms in the best grammar and descriptive writing possible. We will then combine your Ward History into a nice clean report for you to review before it is submitted to church headquarters.
Thank You,
Dave and Connie Powell
Stake History Specialists
30 July 2021
Organization presidencies may now submit payment requests in Member Tools. They will see a new finance menu with a Payment Requests option. This new feature allows users to take a photo of receipts with their phone’s camera and submit payment requests for their organization.
This feature is also available in Leader and Clerk Resources. Organization presidencies have access to a finance menu. After clicking Finance, users should click the Payment Request tab to enter the payment request. They can then upload receipts or drag and drop them from an email.
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.
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.
The Church is increasingly making its websites, tools, apps, content, and communications more relevant and personalized for members and friends of the Church.
Leaders and clerks play a critical role in helping make this possible by doing the following:
Recording callings accurately and promptly
Making members aware of personalized Church resources
Helping members with their Church Account
Keeping the unit calendar up-to-date with relevant events
Calling-Based Communications and Resources
When members receive a calling, they can receive email communications from the Church related to that calling to help and inform them along the way.
If they sign in to ChurchofJesusChrist.org or the Gospel Library app, they can also see content, resources, and tools personalized for their calling.
How Can I Help?
Leaders and clerks are encouraged to record callings on the same day a member is sustained, or as soon as possible thereafter, to ensure that newly called members have timely access to the tools, resources, and communications they need to begin in their calling.
Because communications and tools are only for standard callings, it's important to use standard callings instead of custom callings as much as possible.
Personalized Experiences for Members
A new logged-in dashboard has been launched on ChurchofJesusChrist.org to help provide relevant content and resources for members and leaders in order to assist them in their calling, personal study, and interests.
How Can I Help?
Leaders and clerks can encourage members to create a Church Account and raise awareness of this new experience. They can also ensure that unit calendars are up-to-date so that what displays for the members is accurate.
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.
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)
Latest official General Conference addresses, and BYU-Provo, BYU-Idaho, BYU-Hawaii, BYU Pathway Worldwide, and Ensign College speeches.
By Elder D. Todd Christofferson
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
Our Father and our Redeemer have blessed us with commandments, and in obeying Their commandments, we feel Their perfect love more fully and more profoundly.
October 2021 General Conference, Saturday Morning Session
Becoming More in Christ: The Parable of the Slope
By Elder Clark G. Gilbert
Of the Seventy
In the Lord’s timing, it is not where we start but where we are headed that matters most.
October 2021 General Conference, Saturday Morning Session
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.
