Colorado Springs North Stake (CSNS)

Ward Council and Ward Youth Council Bulletin

Nov 23 - 29, 2020

Announcements for Events This Week and Next Week

1. Bishopric, please share the following with your college students currently at home or returning home in the next week:

• Are you staying home from BYU Provo or BYU-Idaho after Thanksgiving? Institute is holding a three-week class at the Jamboree building for students home early from school Thursday’s from 6-7 pm Dec. 3rd-17th, with a grab-n-go dinner served afterward. We are following all Colorado safety guidelines, including masks and social distancing. Visit our website for more information: cospringsinstitute.org or text Reed Romney 719-377-8056.

2. Virtual Stake Christmas Program - Your Participation is Needed!

• Hello Dear Members of the Colorado Springs North Stake!

• As I’m sure you have guessed, we are unable to do a traditional Christmas program this year. While this breaks my heart (I have really missed seeing you all and making music together) I’m excited about what we are doing in its place. I am putting together a virtual Christmas program. This will all be pre-recorded. There will be narrations and musical numbers just like in our normal program. I can’t put together an orchestra as we have in years past (it is just too much with too little time left) but we are going to do 2 virtual choir numbers. This is where you all come in!

• We will be singing He is Born arranged by Dan Forrest as well as There is Faint Music, also arranged by Dan Forrest. Here are links to recordings:

  • He is Born

  • There is Faint Music

• What I will need each of you to do is record yourself singing your part. The great thing is (looking for silver linings here!) is that you can practice on your own time – no Saturday morning practice if you’d rather do it on Tuesday evening! : ) I imagine that many of you feel uncertain or nervous about having your voice be all alone in a recording. Please don’t worry about this! I have an amazing sound engineer friend who is going to mix and blend us all together. I promise you, your voice will not stick out! And he and I are the ONLY people who will hear your recording before it is mixed in with the choir. That being said, the more voices, the better! Just like in real life, we can produce a better blend with more people singing.

• I think with a little of time and work on your part, we can make something really beautiful and meaningful. This is a way we can join together in worship across the distance that Covid has imposed upon us. For me, Christmas doesn’t feel like Christmas without good Christmas music.

• I really believe that this project will be a blessing to our community. I think it will be a needed balm this Christmas. And I think it will be a valuable missionary tool. But more than that, I think that you’ll feel the spirit as you listen to and learn this music, and that you will be blessed for sharing your talents.

• If you are willing to participate, please email me at baltbemma@gmail.com and I'll get you the music asap. The goal is to have everything in by December 8th so that we have plenty of time to mix it. Thank you so much and Happy Thanksgiving!

• Sister Emma Patterson, Stake Music Chair

3. With the COVID level change to Red in El Paso County as of November 27th, Sunday meetings can continue as scheduled as of Sunday, November 15th with the following guidance and requirements:

• The discussions the stake presidency have had with our Area Authorities, and the impressions of the spirit, the stake presidency has decided the following and ask that we adhere to ALL of these recommendations:

  • All members and visitors should wear masks and ensure that they are social distancing while in the church building. Hand sanitizer and extra masks will be available in the foyer of all buildings. These supplies will be checked frequently to ensure they are replenished as needed.

  • Our Sunday services will continue to be held every Sunday while adhering to the same schedule that has been in place for the last couple of months. Two sacrament meetings will now be held for each ward on every Sunday. They will happen back-to-back and last 35 minutes each. This should allow adequate time for cleaning between the two sacrament meetings as well at the end of the second sacrament meeting. The entire block of meetings (two sacrament meetings), along with clean up, should not exceed 1 hour and 45 minutes to allow adequate time for the next ward to come into the building.

  • Each sacrament meeting will only be allowed to accommodate “50 people excluding staff”. Staff is defined as those responsible for ensuring the meeting is held and all support people. This includes those involved in the sacrament meeting program as well as those needed to administer the sacrament, usher, provide music, etc. All members will receive an opportunity to attend in persons at least every other week. The bishopric will determine how to allocate the spots available for their sacrament meetings.

  • We have asked each ward to continue to arrange for at least one sacrament meeting to be broadcast via Zoom to the members who are unable to attend in person.

  • The Area Presidency has instructed that members should be invited to listen to the hymns but not sing.

  • Additionally, the following procedures will be followed in our buildings to ensure that we do not exceed the stated number and that we maintain adequate social distancing throughout our meetings:

  • Ushers will be provided to ensure that there are alternating empty rows in the chapel and cultural hall. If keeping row separation is a problem, it is suggested to tape off individual rows to ensure compliance.

  • The ushers will encourage families to areas of the chapel and cultural hall where their family will fit and still maintain adequate distancing from other families or individuals. It is our hope that no one is offended when ushers’ direct members to a seat that may not be their favorite location.

  • At the end of the meeting, we ask that all members remain seated while the ushers come forward and dismiss the members row by row. We also ask that after you are dismissed by the ushers that you not congregate in the foyer. Please make your way out of the building so that the appropriate cleaning can be performed in preparation for the next meeting.

  • All weekday activities (RS, YW, YM, Primary) should comply with the same state health order which restricts the total number of individuals in the building (less administrative staff) to 50.

4. Remote Sunday Second Hour Classes and Quorum Meetings

• We have been encouraged by our prophet to discuss his special message from today in our second hour classes over the next few weeks if possible.

• We continue to closely monitor the El Paso County at home safely level and anticipate continuing to have to hold at least part of our Sunday meetings remotely. We have approval to hold all of our second hour classes remotely, so please begin to organize simplified remote second hour classes in your wards. Consider how best to meet this need for the families in your ward, recognizing that not all families (or all members of a family) will be able to participate in all classes. When doing so please follow these guidelines:

  1. Hold all classes at the same time each Sunday in a one hour block of time or less. (We do not desire to take away more family time.)

  2. Identify a good time for the majority of your ward members. For example, if you have sacrament meetings at 8:30 AM and 9:30 AM, consider having your second hour classes at 1 PM.

  3. Stay on the normal pre-pandemic Sunday second hour meeting schedule as listed on the stake calendar:

     • First and Third Sundays: Sunday School

     • Second and Fourth Sundays: Priesthood quorums, Relief Society, and Young Women

     • Fifth Sundays: Youth and adult meetings under the direction of the bishop

5. 2020 Christmas Creche Will Be Held Online This Year

• We encourage you to share pictures and stories about your favorite Créche and to invite friends and family to participate as well. We know that it would be fun in person and that the holiday season may be less festive for many, however we know that the Lord compensates in miraculous ways and pray that many will find peace and comfort as you share meaningful stories and celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. Below is a flyer and pass along card for your to print out and give to your friends and neighbors so they can be apart of the celebration. We love you and join with you to Light The World as we testify of Christ.

Sterling L. Rogers
Jeffery A. Johnson
Christian K. Lovejoy

6. Light the World Decals, Stickers, Beanies, and Masks

7. Stake Service Project, Saturday, December 12th, 9am-12pm:

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:

   • UPDATED: Send an email to renewtemple@csnorth.org or text/call 719-985-1130 (or as a backup 719-244-3199 or 719-649-8974)

   • 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

2. Colorado Springs Institute, for Young Adults (ages 18-30, married and single):

   • Draw closer to the Lord during the quarantine through Institute. 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.

• Fall 2020 Institute Meeting Information and Links

  • • Note: two of the institute classes are in-person every week at 7 pm at the Jamboree building. Dinner is provided as early as 6:45.

• Workshop Topics and Dates

• In addition to regular course classes, the institute will provide relevance-based workshops once a month. The purpose of these workshops is to address relevant issues facing the young adults of this generation. These workshops will be facilitated by the full-time institute faculty. We hope these create a sense of community and belonging as the young adults realize that we all face similar challenges. The 5 workshop topics will repeat each month allowing young adults to attend multiple topics over the three workshop dates.

  • 5 Lessons I learned when I didn’t seem to have enough money

  • Learning to be happy while I’m single

  • Dealing with Breakups and/or heartaches

  • 4 Lessons of Light for Dark Times

  • Mental Health: Help for me or a friend

• Dates: October 1st, October 29th, December 3rd 7 pm at the Jamboree building

• Class Zoom Links and Other Info

  • The Gospel of Jesus Christ in Today’s World: Thursday 12:00 pm

  • Jesus Christ: The Author of Salvation: Thursday 7:00 pm

  • Saints Volume 2 (Adapted Needs): Thursday 7:00 pm

  • The Gospel of Jesus Christ in Today’s World: Thursday 7:00 pm

  • Come, Follow Me on Instagram: asynchronous. Register for the class on the app and follow it @comefollowmeinstitute

• COVID Safety Precautions

  • On the once-a-month in-person workshop classes, students meet in the Jamboree building. We will follow the same safety protocols as on Sunday worship. We will enter and exit at specified doors, require masks, social distancing, proper building cleaning, etc. It has not been determined if we are able to serve, but we hope we can. That information and decision will be made as September unfolds and we will keep you posted.

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

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."

This Week: Monday, November 23th - Sunday, November 29th

Mon, Nov 23, 2020

• School District 20 (D-20) Thanksgiving Break (Return Monday, November 30th)

• School District 38 (D-38) Thanksgiving Break (Return Monday, November 30th)

• Come, Follow Me - November 23–29. Ether 12–15: “By Faith All Things Are Fulfilled”

• Stake Family History Center Closed [LX] (Reopens Monday, November 30th)

• Family Home Evening

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

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

• Institute [USAFA] 6:20 - 7:50pm

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

Tue, Nov 24, 2020

• School District 20 (D-20) Thanksgiving Break (Return Monday, November 30th)

• School District 38 (D-38) Thanksgiving Break (Return Monday, November 30th)

• Come, Follow Me - November 23–29. Ether 12–15: “By Faith All Things Are Fulfilled”

• Stake Family History Center Closed [LX] (Reopens Monday, November 30th)

Wed, Nov 25, 2020

• School District 20 (D-20) Thanksgiving Break (Return Monday, November 30th)

• School District 38 (D-38) Thanksgiving Break (Return Monday, November 30th)

• Come, Follow Me - November 23–29. Ether 12–15: “By Faith All Things Are Fulfilled”

• Stake Family History Center Closed [LX] (Reopens Monday, November 30th)

• Denver Temple Limited Hours (Reopens Friday, November 27th) [DCT]

Thu, Nov 26, 2020

• School District 20 (D-20) Thanksgiving Break (Return Monday, November 30th)

• School District 38 (D-38) Thanksgiving Break (Return Monday, November 30th)

• Come, Follow Me - November 23–29. Ether 12–15: “By Faith All Things Are Fulfilled”

• Stake Family History Center Closed [LX] (Reopens Monday, November 30th)

• Denver Temple Closed (Reopens Friday, November 27th) [DCT]

• Thanksgiving Day

• USAFA Thanksgiving Break (Return Friday, November 27th)

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

Fri, Nov 27, 2020

• School District 20 (D-20) Thanksgiving Break (Return Monday, November 30th)

• School District 38 (D-38) Thanksgiving Break (Return Monday, November 30th)

• Come, Follow Me - November 23–29. Ether 12–15: “By Faith All Things Are Fulfilled”

• Stake Family History Center Closed [LX] (Reopens Monday, November 30th)

Sat, Nov 28, 2020

• School District 20 (D-20) Thanksgiving Break (Return Monday, November 30th)

• School District 38 (D-38) Thanksgiving Break (Return Monday, November 30th)

• Come, Follow Me - November 23–29. Ether 12–15: “By Faith All Things Are Fulfilled”

• Stake Family History Center Closed [LX] (Reopens Monday, November 30th)

Sun, Nov 29, 2020

• School District 20 (D-20) Thanksgiving Break (Return Monday, November 30th)

• School District 38 (D-38) Thanksgiving Break (Return Monday, November 30th)

• Come, Follow Me - November 23–29. Ether 12–15: “By Faith All Things Are Fulfilled”

• Fifth Sunday: Youth and adult meetings under the direction of the bishop (Primary held every Sunday) - Sacrament meetings held at meetinghouse; Second hour classes to be held online (See Announcements)

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

Next Week: Monday, November 30th - Sunday, December 6th

Mon, Nov 30, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - November 30–December 6. Moroni 1–6: “To Keep Them in the Right Way”

• Family Home Evening

• 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

• Institute [USAFA] 6:20 - 7:50pm

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

Tue, Dec 1, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - November 30–December 6. Moroni 1–6: “To Keep Them in the Right Way”

Wed, Dec 2, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - November 30–December 6. Moroni 1–6: “To Keep Them in the Right Way”

Thu, Dec 3, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - November 30–December 6. Moroni 1–6: “To Keep Them in the Right Way”

• Institute [JB] 6:45 - 8:30pm

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

Fri, Dec 4, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - November 30–December 6. Moroni 1–6: “To Keep Them in the Right Way”

Sat, Dec 5, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - November 30–December 6. Moroni 1–6: “To Keep Them in the Right Way”

• Stake Primary Child-of-Record Baptisms [LX, JB, MN] 9am - 2pm

• Stake Music Rehearsal [LX] 9 - 11am

Sun, Dec 6, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - November 30–December 6. Moroni 1–6: “To Keep Them in the Right Way”

• Fast Sunday

• First Sunday: Sunday School (Primary held every Sunday) - Sacrament meetings held at meetinghouse; Second hour classes to be held online (See Announcements)

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

• First Presidency Christmas Devotional [Online] 6 - 7pm

• 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:

• Thu, Dec 3, 2020

  • Cancelled: Stake Temple Night [DCT] 5 - 11pm

• Fri, Dec 4, 2020

  • Changed: Christmas Creche Exhibit and Live Nativity Presentation [LX] to [Online] via social media throughout November and December

  • Multistake Single Adult Temple Night [DCT] 7:30 - 9:30pm

• Sat, Dec 5, 2020

  • Changed: Christmas Creche Exhibit and Live Nativity Presentation [LX] to [Online] via social media throughout November and December

• Tue, Dec 15, 2020

  • Ministering Tools: Welfare and Self-Reliance Training [Online] 7 - 7:45pm

• Thu, Dec 31, 2020

  • Cancelled: Multistake Single Adult New Year's Eve Dance [Denver] 8pm

  • Cancelled: Multistake Young Single Adult New Year's Eve Dance [JB] 8pm

  • Cancelled: Multistake Youth Dance (Church Dress) [FCSC] 9pm

• Tue, Jan 19, 2021

  • Ministering Tools: Welfare and Self-Reliance Training [Online] 7 - 7:45pm

• Tue, Feb 16, 2021

  • Ministering Tools: Welfare and Self-Reliance Training [Online] 7 - 7:45pm

• Tue, Feb 16, 2021

  • Ministering Tools: Welfare and Self-Reliance Training [Online] 7 - 7:45pm

• Sat, May 22, 2021

  • Added: Stake Conference Saturday Evening Session [LX] 6pm-8pm

• Sun, May 23, 2021

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

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

• Sat, Oct 16, 2021

  • Added: Stake Conference Saturday Evening Session [LX] 6pm-8pm

• Sun, Oct 17, 2021

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

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

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.

New This Past Week

• Notice, 23 November 2020: 2020 Tax Reporting—Forms 1099-MISC and 1099-NEC

  • Where applicable, stakes and districts must file Federal Tax Forms 1099-MISC and 1099-NEC before January 31, 2021.

Selection of Previously Released

• First Presidency letter, 5 November 2020: 2020 First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional

  • The First Presidency’s annual Christmas devotional will be held on Sunday, December 6, 2020.

• Notice, 25 October 2020: Face to Face Event with Young Women General Presidency

  • Includes the worldwide broadcast schedule for ChurchofJesusChrist.org, the Church satellite system, YouTube, and other media. Speakers: Sister Bonnie H. Cordon, Sister Michelle D. Craig, and Sister Becky Craven of the Young Women General Presidency.

• Notice, 16 October 2020: Publication of Portions of the General Handbook in Languages

  • Chapters are being revised and published in the new General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

• Notice, 7 October 2020: Dates for Tithing Settlement and Annual Tithing Reports

  • Bishops should observe the following dates as they hold tithing settlement and submit annual tithing reports.

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.

Member Tools App Release Notes

Release 4.0

Date Released: July 16, 2020

Membership Related

• Automatic updates can be enabled so any changes will be received without having to manually sync.

  • Setting can be adjusted in the “Update” menu.

• Weekly sacrament meeting attendance can be recorded.

• Dark mode has been enabled.

• Implemented security policy. Member Tools requires a password/pin/biometric. The device security can be used to access Member Tools.

Issues Resolved

• Resolved issues with Ministering

• Resolved issues with Missionary information being duplicated or not showing up

• Resolved Temples schedule issues

• Additional bug fixes and performance improvements

Member Tools App previous release notes

Leader and Clerk Resources (LCR) Release Notes

Release 4.9

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

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.

Latest official General Conference addresses, and BYU-Provo, BYU-Idaho, BYU-Hawaii, BYU Pathway Worldwide, and Ensign College speeches.

Official Newsroom announcements and articles of interest to our stake.

New videos, images, music, and articles from the church from the Church Media.