GETTING READY #5: Bishop, where are you?

 21 September 2020

Bishoprics and Branch Presidencies...

This is not a major matter, but if we're constantly trying to improve...well, I believe this is worthy of your consideration.

I personally don't think we have any appreciation how much members like to see the bishop sitting on the stand when they attend sacrament meeting. It gives them a measure of assurance that the ward is being watched over. It doesn't mean the bishop can't take vacations or travel, but members appreciate a bishop who goes the extra mile to be on the stand as often as possible.

One of the drawbacks of a virtual meeting is that you can go through an entire sacrament meeting and viewers never see the bishop...even though he's seated on the stand the entire time.

Most of you have webcams with wide-angle lens that show people seated on the stand, more than just the speaker at the pulpit. If so, please consider positioning the bishop or branch president so he can be seen on the stand—especially when he's not on the program. 

Like I said, this is not a major issue. In fact, it's not an issue at all when we're holding only in-person meetings. But for now, while webcasting our sacrament meetings, please give this your consideration.

Gratefully,

President Lewis

Guidelines for those who provide music in our stake

 19 September 2020

TO: All who provide music support in the Mount Hood Stake

Dear Sisters and Brothers...

We appreciate so much the way you share your talents to bless our stake. Your music support is invaluable to us, especially as we move toward meeting again in person in sacrament meeting.

In fact, you’ll get a sense of how important it is to me personally when you read the email below that I sent to bishoprics and branch presidencies on Sept 2.

NEW PHASE

We are entering a new phase in our meeting plans where we now have what some call hybrid sacrament meetings—they are both available for in-person attendance as well as for watching online via webcasts.

Because those who meet in person will not feel as free to sing, because of the state’s indoor face covering requirement, the focus of our music is to help those at home sing together the hymns of Zion during sacrament meetings. Needless to say, that isn’t easy.

CHORISTER GUIDELINES

So we’re asking the chorister, during the singing only, to remove your mask and sing while directing the music. Please position yourself on the stand where: (1) the accompanist can see you, (2) but you’re distant from everyone else on the stand and, (3) most importantly, where you can be seen by the camera that is focused on the pulpit as well as everyone in the audience. 

Please do not go up to the pulpit to direct the music, but make sure you can be seen by the camera, that your arm movement is somewhat demonstrative or expressive and, while singing, you are mouthing the words clearly so those at home can easily follow you. You may feel you’re singing a solo. We know that’s awkward, but appreciate your willingness knowing how much you’re helping those at home.

ORGANIST OR PIANIST

We appreciate the organist or pianist to always wear a face covering throughout the meeting, even during the music, and to maintain social distancing from the chorister when seated, unless you both live in the same household.

We ask you to please provide at least 15 minutes of prelude and postlude music or at least until the chapel is empty and the virtual webcast has concluded. We have found that as long as the bishop allows the webcast to continue, many people stay on to listen to the postlude music just because it feels so good to hear the hymns being played again on an organ.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Brother Jones, our Stake Music Director, or myself

Thank you again for your devoted service during this very unusual time.

President Lewis

EMAIL SENT ON SEPT. 2, 2020:

TO: Bishoprics and Branch Presidencies

Dear Brethren,

As we prepare to begin webcasting sacrament meetings from the chapel, please review together the following:

Several years ago I was reading King Benjamin's sermon in Mosiah 5. I noticed in verse 2 that the people "all cried with one voice" when making a covenant. I thought, "I wonder why we don't cry with one voice in our worship services?" Just then the Spirit whispered, "You sing!"

Ever since then I have cherished the wonderful element of congregational singing in every sacrament meeting.

As we transition to the chapel this weekend, we ask that you please find a way to incorporate congregational singing—especially members singing at home—in your virtual sacrament meetings. Also those in the chapel are now invited to sing reverently through their masks.

How do you incorporate congregational singing in a virtual meeting?

Here are three suggestions:

1. Have a music conductor with organ or piano accompaniment in the chapel direct the music over Zoom and encourage those at home to sing along. Some wards have learned how to overlay the lyrics on the screen. Encourage those in the chapel also to sing reverently through their masks.
   
   
2. Screen share the playing of hymns on the Church's music website. We recommend you click on "Vocals and Music" to the right of the lyrics. It's easier for those at home to sing along when they can hear others singing.
   
   
3. Show a video clip of a congregational hymn in General Conference and encourage those at home and in the chapel to sing along.

You can help members prepare to sing at home by identifying the hymns to be sung when you send your broadcast email announcing your sacrament meeting. That way those at home can have the lyrics ready.

Thank you for making congregational singing an essential part of your virtual sacrament meetings.

Gratefully,

President Lewis and the Stake Presidency

GETTING READY #4: Preparing for sacrament meetings to be attended by members in person

 16 September 2020

Dear Ward Council Members...

After this Sunday, Sept 20, your next sacrament meeting will be on Sunday, Oct 11. The two weekends in between will be stake conference (Sept 26-27) and general conference (Oct 3-4).

As you know, Oct 11 will be the first Sunday in which you will be inviting members to attend in person, remembering that only up to 50 individuals are allowed in the building at one time. (Exception: the Powell Valley Ward and Pioneer Branch will meet at the same time because they will be completely separated within the stake center.)

Oct 11 also will be your Fast and Testimony meeting for October.

We remind you of a number of important matters that need your attention before your Oct 11 sacrament meeting:

• Make sure you can use the pulpit microphone in the chapel and still webcast without creating an echo (look to Tom Mueller, assistant stake clerk - technology, if you need help);
  
  
• Complete your member surveys and identify those you plan to invite and determine how you will social distance them in the chapel (families or those who arrive together in the same vehicle can sit together, up to 10 people);
  
  
• Determine if you need to assign different Sundays if you have more members who want to attend than can be accommodated under the 50-person limit;
  
  
• During the week before Oct. 11 extend personal invitations to those who want to attend in person and instruct them on the safety guidelines for attending in person (see the attached stake plan for guidelines);
  
  
• Call or designate a Covid-19 Supervisor to assume oversight that the building is properly prepared for an in-person sacrament meeting each Sunday and sanitized afterwards;
  
  
• Draft a ward or branch Covid-19 Control, Mitigation and Recovery Plan with procedures and precautions that you are taking.

Please reference the attached four-page stake plan for the guidelines and resource material needed to fulfill the above assignments, including drafting your own Covid-19 Plan.

Brother Ira Eldredge, of the Stake High Council, will be your resource for cleaning and sanitizing procedures. Also attached is the Meetinghouse Cleaning Instructions document that you can simply attach to your Covid-19 Plan.

Finally, we remind you this is the next step toward safely administering the sacrament as part of your weekly sacrament meeting—to begin in November or earlier. Our ultimate goal, of course, is to eventually hold sacrament meetings for everyone together when state guidelines allow.

Safety continues to be our first concern so we appreciate you strictly following the guidelines and procedures outlined in the attached four-page stake plan submitted to and approved by the Area Presidency. 

We love you and thank you for your key role in safely leading members back to worshipping together in the Lord's house.

Gratefully,

The Stake Presidency

Actions of the stake presidency during the pandemic

16 September 2020

Brethren,

I’d like us to practice what we’re about to preach. I’m sorry that we didn’t have time to discuss this in our presidency meeting yesterday.

But what are your thoughts about this topic for the stake presidency?

I believe our training efforts this summer, though we appear to have stumbled in the home stretch was a good attempt on our part to act during the pandemic when some were “paralyzed” by the pandemic.

Do you have some thoughts as to what the stake presidency can do to step forward within our limitations and not “wait for spring”?

I’d appreciate an email discussion in hopes we can share in Stake Council this Sunday some ways the stake presidency hopes to act in the coming months while being acted upon.

Thx

Crismon

Hi President,

I've updated the spreadsheet with Dave Brown's and Blayne's Yates' training. They've both completed the training with their presidencies now. I will also check in with Brother Howes, as he's been meeting with TFH Leaders as well (or is getting regular meetings set up.)

Here are some items that the Stake Presidency has been working on and will continue to work on in the future:

1) A new YSA Branch is being formed that will bless many. 

2) We are having Stake Conference when very few others are doing so.

3) We will be having 3 options for members when it comes to Sunday Worship.

4) We have helped displaced members through the wildfire situation.

5) We will be helping wards offer additional Self-Reliance classes, including the new Emotional Resiliency class. We will do so at the Stake level if needed as well.

6) We are setting apart missionaries and they are serving full-time missions. 

7) We have ordained many to be Elders and High Priests.  There have been more of these than usual in the past few months.

8) We have personally ministered to many on our own and will continue to do so.

9) We have encouraged members to be taught by full-time missionaries and do missionary work, including we have been personally taught by full-time missionaries regularly the past six months and will continue to do so.

10) We have encouraged members to do temple and family history work during this pandemic so when temples re-open, we will have amazing opportunities in the temple.

11) We have encouraged and helped families become spiritually stronger through their home-centered church services. We will continue to emphasize this.

12) We have adapted to and enrolled 55+ students for online seminary. We will continue to work with seminary teachers on this.

13) We have worked regularly with EQ Presidencies and will continue to do so as they minister to their members.

14) We will hold a training meeting in November to help encourage and uplift leaders in their callings.

15) We will continue to manage and oversee that sacred funds of the church are used properly. 

16) The Stake youth committee continues to meet regularly and work toward blessing the lives of youth.

17) Emergency Preparedness will continue to be refined and improved with additional callings and planning.

18) The Stake Single Adult Committee will be part of the larger committee as we begin planning for August 2021. We are likely as a Stake going to be in charge of the New Years Eve Activity for the region, whatever that may be.

19) We have and will continue to train others, especially Bishoprics, in their duties so they can minister to the youth and their wards.

20) We will help counsel and minister to members and non-members who are living in a pandemic, and will help counsel and minister to them when it's over.

I try very hard not to compare myself or our Stake to other individuals nor any other Stake. I feel like as a Stake we have done very well spiritually and physically amidst some very, very, very tough circumstances. I am proud of our efforts as a Stake Presidency and all of the other members who have continued to serve in their callings even with increased pressures and demands from external forces. I am often in awe of members who serve without pay as volunteers and do so much good in the world for others. 

I appreciate the invitation you've given me to reflect back on the past few months and the next few months ahead. I'm excited to see (and have seen) the spiritual growth that will continue to happen in myself, my family, my ward, and our Stake members as we all continue to seek to act even while being acted upon.

Steven

President,

I echo many of the sentiments and outlined efforts the stake presidency has been working on throughout the last few unique months and into the future.  Just a couple of more to add:

• We have actively, and throughout much of the spring and summer months weekly, met with the bishops during a conference call to train, update, and talk about how they can best minister to youth and general membership alike.  This has been a good way to continue to engage and learn their duties and serve in their sacred callings.
• We have also continued to hold leadership training meetings, including bishopric training meeting, to not wait and move forward in training bishoprics their duties.
• Training from Stake YM presidencies to bishoprics has also been especially helpful to help bishoprics better understand their roles with the youth and youth class/quorum presidencies.  This training, as well as YW, Primary training, continues.
• We have reorganized 2 new ward bishoprics and plan to train them as well in their responsibilities on Oct. 8.
• We have encouraged members to be temple worthy and continued to hold regular and spiritually personal temple recommend interviews with all members throughout and in future.
• We have continued to encourage priesthood advancement as mentioned and receiving temple ordinances as some have been married and received their own endowments, sealing, etc. throughout and in future.
• We have ministered personally and stressed ministering to leaders in the midst of pandemic.  We have seen very wonderful increases in ministering from many in the stake, both in quantity of contacts as well as quality of ministering.
• We have released and called many other leaders in the stake and let them know with training their responsibilities start now.
• We have not put our efforts on hold as a stake presidency and continue to brainstorm ways to bless members lives within our stewardship.
• We have stressed the vital importance of home-centered worship and witnessed many individual families and individuals embrace this emphasis to their great benefit spritually.

President, there is surely more we can do but as last weeks CFM lesson touched upon remembrance this also is a good exercise for me to remember all the positive things that have gone on in our stake.  Stake training continues even as Sis. Perry, Sis. Dobson, and Bro. Newell have faced challenges such as evacuation with them and their presidencies.  They have led well!  They are continuing their training but it is taking longer than original schedule.  Bro. Eldredge was scheduled to complete Estacada training but that will be on hold as well due to Pres. Bever's evacuation.  He is ministering in outstanding ways as our Physical Facilities HC!!

 

I do believe this past week has really brought out the best from our great members and leaders as they purposefully and naturally have been acting when acting upon.  Thanks!

Paul

Thank you both. I get the message. Are we ready for some R&R, are we? :)

Thank you both for helping to make all of these things happen. 

I would appreciate your help in identifying the things that we’ve done…or could do…that are “out of the box” so to speak…adapting to the pandemic with a different. approach.

I’m not trying to ask stake leaders to do more…,but to do it differently maybe in a way that is better than what we did before.

Your thoughts?

Thx

Crismon

Panic over wildfires near Estacada...and how we clarified the original information

 14 September 2020

Dear Mount Hood Stake Members,

The wildfire conditions in our stake continue to worsen. Right now half our stake—the Estacada Ward, both Sandy wards and part of the Damascus Ward are under some level of evacuation order. 

You'll notice in this Wildfire Evacuation Zone map by Clackamas County that the entire City of Sandy is now in Stage 2—to be packed and ready should a mandatory evacuation (Stage 3) alert be given.

You may also notice that our stake center, where evacuees have been gathering, is now on the border of Stages 1 and 2. If we are forced to evacuate the stake center in Boring, we will then gather at the Gresham Stake Center located on 182nd Avenue across from Centennial High School. The Gresham Stake is prepared to use all of their buildings for evacuation purposes, if needed.

Attached is the sad announcement that the fires have become so out of control that firefighters have been pulled out of Estacada. While we have no reports of property damage to members' homes in that area, unfortunately they have lost firefighter protection.

There are some members who have remained and joined with their neighbors to continue to battle the fires in their neighborhoods. 

We invite you to join with us in fasting and prayer for a miracle...for their protection and the protection of their community.

Stake Presidency 

TWO HOURS LATER:

Dear Mount Hood Stake Members,

I'm happy to share with you a clarification as to what I sent you earlier this afternoon.

As you'll remember I shared with you an announcement that made it appear that firefighters were abandoning the community of Estacada. The reason, it said, was that the fire was out of control. 

It was, just not in Estacada.

I have since learned of factors they failed to communicate:

• It appears the fires approaching Estacada slowly turned south today away from the community—thankfully!
  
  Possible confirmation of this was the announcement today that the Riverside fire (threatening Estacada) is expected to merge with the Beachie Creek fire to the south (near Salem).
  
  
• As a consequence, the firefighters were not abandoning the community, but were being reassigned to more urgent front lines.

If the fire is moving away from us, why did they expand the the reach of Stage 2 to include all of Sandy and other points north?

Apparently it was out of two precautions:

• Wildfires are so unpredictable, it's possible the Riverside fire will suddenly change direction and move north again;
  
  
• If the wildfires suddenly move north again they will impact denser population areas, like Sandy and Damascus, and authorities need everyone to be on high alert and even start evacuating voluntarily to avoid major, even dangerous, traffic jams caused by mandatory evacuations.

Why weren't we given this information?

I assume they didn't want us to get complacent or even hint that it might be safe for Estacada residents to return to their homes.

May the above bring us all some relief and great hope. Frankly, I hope it's true. Information, like the weather, changes quickly in times like these.

Fasting and prayers are still needed. While wildfires may miss us, they're not missing someone else.

May the Lord bless and protect you...and all those who are still in the path of these horrific fires.

President Lewis

Meeting guidelines for bishoprics and branch presidencies during wildfires

14 September 2020

TO: Bishoprics and Branch Presidencies

Dear Brethren,

Thank you for all that you're doing to provide refuge for your members from the wildfires and smoke.

SUNDAY SERVICES: Please go forward with your sacrament meeting webcasts from the church building this Sunday, as long as your building is not in Stage 3 or mandatory evacuation area. We hope you'll still invite those on the program to attend in person, if possible. 

This is an important time when members need to feel the assurance that our world isn't falling apart, that we're all pressing forward, and that the solution to problems is to trust in the Lord. Seeing you and your counselors in the chapel will help send that message to your members.

If, however, for any reason you do not feel safe in webcasting from the chapel, we support your decision.

NEW GUIDELINES: You've all received the attached new guidelines (3 pages) from the First Presidency regarding meetings and activities.

As you see, they validate what we've already been doing or planning to do by holding weekly sacrament meetings with three options: 1) home worship, 2) hybrid of webcasting sacrament meetings with some in-person attendance (we start in October), and 3) in-person sacrament meetings with the sacrament administered at the conclusion of the meeting (to start in November).

Here are a few other things we noticed:

• We received permission to hold bishopric and presidency meetings in person and in the building, if we want (with social distancing, of course). 
  
  
• There was an emphasis on helping the youth to connect by holding "youth meetings, activities, and service projects, virtually or safely in person...on Sundays or other days." While it doesn't say specifically, we suggest this includes an increased use of our church buildings for youth gatherings.
  
  
• What they don't address are the second-hour classes. While you have been holding them regularly (thank you!), you may (1) continue doing so, if you feel they're of benefit to members, or (2) discontinue holding second-hour classes until we receive further instruction.

Thank you again for your faithful leadership, providing encouragement and hope that the Lord is mindful of our circumstances and will not forsake us.

Gratefully,

The Stake Presidency 

New Gresham YSA Branch: History in the making

14 September 2020

Dear Mount Hood Stake Members,

We are pleased to announce the formation of a new branch in our stake, the Gresham YSA (Young Single Adult) Branch, to be created this Sunday, Sept. 20, at 12 noon.

This new branch will comprise the current Mount Hood YSA Branch plus all YSA in the Gresham Stake.

The new Gresham YSA Branch, which will continue to be a part of the Mount Hood Stake, will be officially established in a sacrament meeting to be webcast, along with some in-person attendance, in the Troutdale building, 1515 SW Cherry Park Road, across from Reynolds High School.

The Troutdale building is located within the Gresham Stake and will become the new home for the Gresham YSA Branch because of its proximity to two popular YSA gathering sites—Mount Hood Community College and the Church's Institute building, 2285 NE Kane Road, Gresham.

We are pleased to announce that the current Mount Hood YSA Branch presidency will be sustained as the presidency of the new Gresham YSA Branch. They are: Steven Lindhorst, president; Brian Allen, first counselor; and Clay Ramberg, second counselor.

We look forward to this action, authorized by the Area Presidency, in hopes it will become a more centrally located gathering place for YSA in both stakes.

Speaking of YSA...

Last night Young Adults around the world participated in a most remarkable Face-to-Face event with Elder Ronald A. Rasband, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and Sister Melanie Rasband. The Rasbands fielded questions on many topics, including suicide and renouncing Church membership. 

All members will enjoy this very unique and inspiring event available on the Church's website.

This is a marvelous time to be a young adult in the restored Church of Jesus Christ.

Mount Hood Stake Presidency

Request to Stake Council members to discover how to act when acted upon

 14 September 2020

Dear Presidents of the Stake Relief Society, YW, YM, Primary and Sunday school…

We look forward to meeting with you this Sunday at 7:30 am via Zoom for our quarterly Stake Council meeting. (Note: the High Council will meet at 7:00 am to conduct stake business.)

In a recent Coordinating Council Meeting with our Area 70, we learned about a survey the Church conducted of missions worldwide. Church leaders wanted to know why are some missions flourishing during the pandemic and others floundering? There must have been a lot of reasons, but the bottom line came down to:

• Those that were flourishing were discovering and developing new ways to do missionary work, including using social media and other technology.

• Those that were floundering were “waiting for spring.” They were stuck waiting to go back to “normal” missionary work when the pandemic finally ends…hopefully by spring.

Recently, Kevin Worthen, president of BYU, gave an excellent address to the faculty and staff in which he discussed the importance of “learning how to act when acted upon.” In other words, how do we fulfill our calling when we’re impacted by so many things out of our control (like a pandemic)? 

We encourage you to listen to the entire address, if you want, though it’s obviously focused on the school itself and how to approach the academic year in a different way. We ask you to at least listen to a 5-minute clip: from 9:20 and to 14:16.

We feel the principles are the same and apply to us as stake leaders.

ASSIGNMENT: Will you please visit with your presidency this week and come prepared to give a 2-3 minute report this Sunday in Stake Council on: “No, we don’t want to wait until spring…here are things we’re thinking of doing differently in the coming months to fulfill our callings.”

Feel free to forward this email to your counselors and secretary.

Thank you for beginning this discussion and coming prepared to report briefly this Sunday in Stake Council on what you decide.

Gratefully,

Stake Presidency

P.S. If we have time, we’d also like to hear from High Councilors with their ideas on how to fulfill their calling during a pandemic. Thank you!

GETTING READY #3: Encouraging testimony-bearing during monthly Testimony Meetings

7 September 2020

Bishoprics and Branch Presidencies…

Thank you for making the “leap” to webcasting from your chapel yesterday. While the transition hasn't been seamless, we’re making great progress. THANK YOU for figuring it out so well!

And a special thanks to those who are going the extra mile to incorporate singing at home in your webcasts.

TESTIMONY MEETING

As you well know, yesterday was Testimony Sunday. The holiday weekend took a toll in most units. Some of you had wonderful experiences and others ended early for lack of participation.

Fortunately, our next Testimony Meeting on Oct. 11 will be a “hybrid”—both a virtual webcast and some in-person attendees (see earlier email about October Fast Sunday).

Here are some thoughts that may help in the future:

• PREPARE MEMBERS: Remember to announce in advance the Fast and Testimony meeting so members, either in-person or online, will prepare mentally and spiritually to share.

• MAKE IT EASY: Instruct those participating online how to make it known they want to bear their testimony. Remind them they don’t have to turn on their video. Sometimes the “raise hand” feature on Zoom Webinar is difficult for members to locate. Explain that they can also notify the bishopric in other ways, such as with the Chat function or texting.

• EASIER STILL: Some of you used the regular Zoom version for your Testimony Meeting, making it a lot easier for members to unmute themselves and just start talking without having to raise their hand or indicate they want to share.

• TEACH TESTIMONY: Teach through emails or messages from the pulpit the power of testimony bearing and why Church leaders ask us to consistently hold a Testimony Meeting each month despite conflicts, like general conference, on the first Sunday.

• LEADERS’ ROLE: Encourage your ward council members to set the example by stepping up to share when the testimony bearing becomes uncomfortably slow. Remind them of the influence and example leaders' testimonies will have on new and returning members in attendance.

• A TESTIMONY CULTURE: Create a culture of testimony-bearing by encouraging families to hold testimony meetings in the home.

I hope these are helpful. Thank you for persevering in making your monthly Testimony Meetings a spiritual highlight for your ward or branch each month.

Gratefully,

President Lewis

GETTNG READY #2: Preparing to webcast from the chapel

7 September 2020

TO: Bishoprics and Branch Presidencies

Dear Brethren,

Thank you for the preparations you are making to webcast sacrament meetings from your chapel beginning this Sunday, Sept 6.

We hope the following will be helpful:

• As per the earlier email, when you can, please incorporate congregational singing into your sacrament meeting webcasts. And invite those in the chapel now to sing reverently with their masks.
  
  
• The bishop or his counselor always presides in your sacrament meeting webcasts unless a member of the stake presidency is on the stand in-person. The stake presidency does not preside when only viewing the webcast.
  
  
• You can begin anytime to "practice" having members attend in the chapel by inviting family members of those on the program (speakers, prayers, music) also to attend in-person.
  
  
• Thank you for finding a way to use the pulpit microphone in conjunction with webcasting. We remind you that this won't be essential until you start inviting up to 40 or more members to attend in person (hopefully by October). So please don't stress over this technology challenge; you have time.

We hope the above are helpful. We appreciate you leading the way in webcasting your sacrament meetings from the chapel.

Gratefully,

The Stake Presidency

GETTING READY #1: Lead singing in the home in virtual sacrament meetings

 7 September 2020

TO: Bishoprics and Branch Presidencies

Dear Brethren,

As we prepare to begin webcasting sacrament meetings from the chapel, please review together the following:

Several years ago I was reading King Benjamin's sermon in Mosiah 5. I noticed in verse 2 that the people "all cried with one voice" when making a covenant. I thought, "I wonder why we don't cry with one voice in our worship services?" Just then the Spirit whispered, "You sing!"

Ever since then I have cherished the wonderful element of congregational singing in every sacrament meeting.

As we transition to the chapel this weekend, we ask that you please find a way to incorporate congregational singing—especially members singing at home—in your virtual sacrament meetings. Also those in the chapel are now invited to sing reverently through their masks.

How do you incorporate congregational singing in a virtual meeting?

Here are three suggestions:

1. Have a music conductor with organ or piano accompaniment in the chapel direct the music over Zoom and encourage those at home to sing along. Some wards have learned how to overlay the lyrics on the screen. Encourage those in the chapel also to sing reverently through their masks.
   
   
2. Screen share the playing of hymns on the Church's music website. We recommend you click on "Vocals and Music" to the right of the lyrics. It's easier for those at home to sing along when they can hear others singing.
   
   
3. Show a video clip of a congregational hymn in General Conference and encourage those at home and in the chapel to sing along.

You can help members prepare to sing at home by identifying the hymns to be sung when you send your broadcast email announcing your sacrament meeting. That way those at home can have the lyrics ready.

Thank you for making congregational singing an essential part of your virtual sacrament meetings.

Gratefully,

President Lewis and the Stake Presidency