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. Information for youth and and their parents:

• BYU and CES will be sponsoring the following online events for high school students who are planning to apply to Church-sponsored schools this year or in the future.

• BYU Livestream Colorado – September 29, 2020 – 7:00 PM MDT

  • “Watch & chat with representatives from BYU at stream.byu.edu! Learn about your options for the future!”

• You can register for the Kick-off and the Livestream events right now at virtualevent.byu.edu.

2. General Conference (all meetings held online)

• Sat, Oct 3, 2020

• • • Saturday Morning Session, 10am - 12pm

    • Saturday Afternoon Session, 2 - 4pm

    • Women’s Session, 6 - 7:30pm

  • Sun, Oct 4, 2020

    • Sunday Morning Session, 10am - 12pm

    • Sunday Afternoon Session, 2 - 4pm

3. An updated meeting schedule for all wards has been approved by the stake presidency and will be effective Sunday, October 11th:

• Unless an exception is noted below, all wards hold sacrament meeting first and ward weeknight activities are at the same building as Sunday meetings

• Second hour ward meetings will follow the church's prescribed schedule: first and third Sundays for Sunday School; second and fourth Sundays for priesthood quorums, relief society, and young women; and fifth Sundays for youth and adult meetings under the direction of the bishop. Note: Until further notice, no Primary to be held due to COVID-19 with all primary children will attend classes with a parent

• Lexington building, 8710 Lexington Dr, Colorado Spring CO 80920

  • Cordera Ward: Sacrament meeting 8:30am - 9:10am, second hour classes 9:20am - 9:50am, Tuesday weeknight activities

  • Gleneagle Ward: Sacrament meeting 10:30am - 11:10am, second hour classes 11:20am - 11:50am, Wednesday weeknight activities

  • Northgate Ward: Sacrament meeting 12:30pm - 1:10pm, second hour classes 1:20pm - 1:50pm, Tuesday weeknight activities

  • Pine Creek Ward: Sacrament meeting 2:30pm - 3:10pm, second hour classes 3:20pm - 3:50pm, Wednesday weeknight activities at the Jamboree building

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

  • Monument Ward: Sacrament meeting 8:30am - 9:10am, second hour classes 9:20am - 9:50am, Wednesday weeknight activities

  • High Forest Ward: Sacrament meeting 10:30am - 11:10am, second hour classes 11:20am - 11:50am, Tuesday weeknight activities

  • King's Deer Ward: Sacrament meeting 12:30pm - 1:10pm, second hour classes 1:20pm - 1:50pm, Wednesday weeknight activities

  • Jackson Creek Ward: Sacrament meeting 2:30pm - 3:10pm, second hour classes 3:20pm - 3:50pm, 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, Tuesday weeknight activities]

  • Meadow Run Ward: Sacrament meeting 12:00pm - 1:00pm, second hour classes 1:10pm - 2:00pm, Wednesday weeknight activities

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

  • [Chapel Hills Ward (Colorado Springs East Stake): 9:00am - 11:00am, Tuesday weeknight activities]

  • Cheyenne Mountain YSA Ward: Sacrament meeting (cultural hall) 11:30am - 12:10pm, second hour classes 12:50pm - 1:30pm, Monday and Thursday weeknight activities

  • Mount Herman YSA Ward: Classes 11:30am - 12:10pm, sacrament meeting (chapel) 12:50pm - 1:30pm, Monday and Thursday weeknight activities

  • Pikes Peak YSA Ward: Sacrament meeting (chapel) 11:30am - 12:10pm, second hour classes 12:50pm - 1:30pm, Monday and Thursday weeknight activities

4. Stake Cadet Sponsorship Information

• Each year the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) welcomes over a thousand new cadets, including many members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to the local area

• The Cadet Sponsor program is a way for local families to support these new cadets by providing them a home-away-from-home during their time at USAFA

• According to the Cadet Sponsor Program website, sponsor families “provide cadets with positive adult role models.... that serve as mentors, friends and advisors in an environment that allows some time to relax away from the rigors of the Academy.”

• Cadets who are members of the Church often take great comfort in knowing they may request to be sponsored by families who are also members of the Church

• Over the years, these families have provided enormous blessings in the lives of the cadets

• Sponsor families need NOT be affiliated with the military

• Opening your home for time and relaxation away from life at the Academy is the only requirement.

• If your family is interested in sponsoring a cadet, we invite you to contact Elder Mark Melville (mmelville6@gmail.com) for more information.

• More information is also available at the USAFA Cadet Sponsor Program website

• Stake technology specialists can help members and leaders with network use, if needed.

5. 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

6. Review the church's website periodically as the church provides continuing and timely updates and consolidates their announcements on this website:

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:

   • 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 (married and single), ages 18-30

   • 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

• 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’s 12:00 pm

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

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

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

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, 25 September 2020: Guidelines for Using Virtual Meeting Technologies

• Guidelines are provided to help local units make decisions about the use of technology for meetings and activities.

• Notice, 25 September 2020: New Security Resources Available for United States and Canada on LCR

• The Church Security Department, with the support of the Presiding Bishopric, has created a security resources web page for local Church leaders that can be accessed through a link in Leader and Clerk Resources (LCR).

Selection of Previously Released

• Notice, 18 September 2020: Documenting the Impact of COVID-19: Preparing and Submitting a Meaningful Stake or District Annual History in 2020

  • We invite you to include the impact of the virus as part of your unit’s 2020 annual history.

• First Presidency letter, 11 September 2020: Safely Engaging in Church Meetings and Activities

  • Area Presidencies approve meetings and activities in their areas.

• Notice, 27 August 2020: Youth Theme for 2021

  • The youth theme for 2021 is Doctrine and Covenants 64:33–34.

• Notice, 31 July 2020: Revised General Handbook Chapters

  • As directed by the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, the following four chapters have been revised in General Handbook: Serving in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

• 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.

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, September 28th - Sunday, October 4th

Mon, Sep 28, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - September 28–October 11. 3 Nephi 17–19: “Behold, My Joy Is Full”

• 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

• Institute [USAFA] 6:20 - 7:50pm

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

Tue, Sep 29, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - September 28–October 11. 3 Nephi 17–19: “Behold, My Joy Is Full”

Wed, Sep 30, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - September 28–October 11. 3 Nephi 17–19: “Behold, My Joy Is Full”

Thu, Oct 1, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - September 28–October 11. 3 Nephi 17–19: “Behold, My Joy Is Full”

• Institute [Online] 6 - 8:30pm

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

Fri, Oct 2, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - September 28–October 11. 3 Nephi 17–19: “Behold, My Joy Is Full”

Sat, Oct 3, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - September 28–October 11. 3 Nephi 17–19: “Behold, My Joy Is Full”

• Denver Temple Closed (Reopens Tuesday, October 6th) [DCT]

• General Conference Saturday Morning Session [Online] 10am - 12pm

• General Conference Saturday Afternoon Session [Online] 2 - 4pm

• General Conference Women’s Session [Online] 6 - 7:30pm

Sun, Oct 4, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - September 28–October 11. 3 Nephi 17–19: “Behold, My Joy Is Full”

• General Conference Sunday Morning Session [Online] 10am - 12pm

• General Conference Sunday Afternoon Session [Online] 2 - 4pm

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

Next Week: Monday, October 5th - Sunday, October 11th

Mon, Oct 5, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - September 28–October 11. 3 Nephi 17–19: “Behold, My Joy Is Full”

• 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, Oct 6, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - September 28–October 11. 3 Nephi 17–19: “Behold, My Joy Is Full”

Wed, Oct 7, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - September 28–October 11. 3 Nephi 17–19: “Behold, My Joy Is Full”

Thu, Oct 8, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - September 28–October 11. 3 Nephi 17–19: “Behold, My Joy Is Full”

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

• Institute [Online] 6 - 8:30pm

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

Fri, Oct 9, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - September 28–October 11. 3 Nephi 17–19: “Behold, My Joy Is Full”

Sat, Oct 10, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - September 28–October 11. 3 Nephi 17–19: “Behold, My Joy Is Full”

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

• Stake Family History Workshop [LX] 9 - 10am

Sun, Oct 11, 2020

• Come, Follow Me - September 28–October 11. 3 Nephi 17–19: “Behold, My Joy Is Full”

• Fast Sunday

• Second Sunday: Priesthood quorums, Relief Society, and Young Women (Primary not currently held)

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

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

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

Updates to the Stake Calendar of Events

• The following meetings and activities 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

• Mon, Sep 28, 2020

  • 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]

• Thu, Oct 1, 2020

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

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

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

• Fri, Oct 2, 2020

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

• Sat, Oct 3, 2020

• • • 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]

  • Sun, Oct 4, 2020

    • Changed: General Conference Sunday Morning Session [LX]10am - 12pm to [Online]

    • Changed: General Conference Sunday Afternoon Session [LX]2 - 4pm to [Online]

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

  • Sat, Oct 10, 2020

    • Changed: Stake Primary Child of Record Baptisms [LX,JB,MN] 9am-12pm from Saturday, September 26

    • Cancelled: Stake Conference Adult Session [LX] 6pm-8pm

    • Cancelled: Multistake Late Saturday Temple Sessions [DCT] 7 - 9pm

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

  • Sun, Oct 11, 2020

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

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

    • Changed: Fast Sunday from Sunday, September 27

    • Changed: Stake Council Meeting [LX] 6:30 - 8am to [Online] from Sunday, October 17th

    • Added: Second Sunday: Priesthood quorums, Relief Society, and Young Women (Primary not currently held)

  • Tue, Oct 13, 2020

    • Rescheduled: Multistake Aaronic Priesthood–Young Women Committee Meeting [Online] 6 - 7pm from Tuesday, September 8th

  • Sun, Oct 18, 2020

    • Changed: Stake Council Meeting [LX] 6:30 - 8am to Sunday, October 11th

  • 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

New Church "Liahona" Wireless Network to Replace "LDSAccess"

• 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.

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.

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 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.