Preparing for members who may be facing a financial cliff when government assistance ends

22 October 2020

TO: High Councilors, Elders Quorum Presidencies and Bishoprics

Brethren,

As you've heard by now from your assigned high councilor, Church leaders are very concerned that there may be many members who may soon face a financial crisis when unemployment benefits or moratoriums on mortgage, rent or health insurance end.

We appreciate elders quorum presidencies—and Relief Society presidencies, if you choose to invite them to assist—to begin discreetly surveying those in your ward or branch and identify any who may soon face a financial cliff when government assistance stops. 

Furthermore, we encourage you to counsel together on ideas to help those facing a crisis to draft a proactive plan of action.

This article may be helpful in identifying options, along with family resources and Church assistance.

We hope this is helpful,

President Lewis and the Stake Presidency

Guidelines for priesthood leaders preparing to begin administering the sacrament after in-person sacrament meetings

22 October 2020

Bishoprics and Branch Presidencies...

As we approach administering the sacrament immediately following your in-person, hybrid sacrament service beginning on Sunday, Nov. 1, please remember these important safety guidelines:

• Priesthood holders who do not feel well are not to participate;
  
  
• Priesthood holders are to wear masks while preparing, blessing and passing the sacrament;
  
  
• Priesthood holders are to avoid shaking hands, touching their eyes, nose or mouth while participating in any part of the administration of the sacrament;
  
  
• Hand sanitizer should be placed under or near the sacrament table and should be used by those blessing the sacrament before and between the blessings on the bread and water;
  
  
• Those who bless the bread and water should wear a face covering during the prayer or use a hand-held microphone and turn away from the table;
  
  
• The bread should be broken and placed inside individual sacrament water cups to avoid cross-touching by members;
  
  
• Those passing the sacrament should carry a second tray or small basket for members to dispose of the cups both for the bread and the water;
  
  
• Surfaces of sacrament trays are to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected after each use;
  
  
• Attendees are to sit on every other row in the chapel so priesthood holders can pass to each person individually and avoid members touching or passing the trays.

Please forward these instructions to your Covid-19 Supervisor.

Typically the administration of the sacrament immediately follows the virtual sacrament service once the webcam has been turned off. It goes as follows:

• No opening prayer
  
  
• Congregation sings a sacrament hymn while bread is broken
  
  
• Sacrament administered as per guidelines above
  
  
• Closing prayer

We appreciate you training priesthood holders on how to take every safety precaution in administering the sacrament in the chapel.

Gratefully,

Stake Presidency 

Response to sister-in-law Lynette Andersen Lewis after she sent a video suggesting Donald Trump was the perfect US President for our time

21 October 2020

Dear Lynette,

Do you remember in the early 1970s, when we were all in college, that the prevailing conspiracy theory was that Martin Luther King Jr. was a front man for the Russians and that the Civil Rights movement was a plot to turn America communist?

Well, as we look back over the past 50 years, none of that came true. It was nothing more than a ploy by well-meaning conservatives to strike fear in our hearts. Spreading conspiracies continues to be the political pastime by every persuasion.

I’m weary of the fear generated by conspiracy theories, like those described freely and convincingly in the video you shared. So I will not share it, as you’ve requested.

That is one of the major reasons so many in our family will not vote for Trump. We’ve never had a president like him who sows fear and division through conspiracy theories.

We are not going to heal or save America through fear...or through thinking that God would ever work through an adulterous, self-centered, profane, unethical, dishonest bully to rescue this nation. The divinely inspired Constitution will only survive if enough citizens are moral. 

And I personally believe President Trump has caused more damage to our Constitutional government than any one man in modern history because he has irrevocably yanked down the already declining morality of America.

Lynette, let me share one more thing with you…

When Vivienne sent her letter to the family expressing dismay over the attacks she received from family members, I was stunned that she received very few responses from my siblings. I know they don’t agree with her political feelings, but I thought at the least some of them would write, “I’m sorry you’ve been hurt. I may not agree with you, but there is no justification for family to attack each other over politics”...or something like that.

Silence from those we love was as painful as the attacks. Your letter was very gracious and she  appreciated it very much.

But you’ll find interesting that responses poured in from the next generation. Cousins from every Lewis family (except Duraye’s and Wick’s) wrote in response—sympathizing and expressing their deep disgust with Trump and his fear mongering.

Vivienne and I came away with a new appreciation for this next generation. They see how politicians use fear tactics to divide our country and they don’t want any part of it.

Lynette, in my opinion, it’s time for us to set aside our preaching and posturing. It’s time to listen to our children and not insist they listen to us. It’s their turn. It's their America and their future now.

I hope this doesn’t offend. Our family loves you and we will always love you. I’m sure you, too, will be glad when this election is over.

Crismon

Helping ward and branch council members understand why Emotional Resilience Self-Reliance Classes are so needed today

7 October 2020

TO: All Ward and Branch Council Members

Dear Ward and Branch Leaders,

At a recent Portland-wide leadership training, Richard Pedersen, local manager of welfare and self-reliance services, presented the results of a survey taken among a group of Church members. The results were stunning, though not totally unexpected in the midst of a pandemic.

Members were asked: What is your greatest personal and/or family need?

1. Emotional and Social Health (anxiety, depression, suicidal thoughts, marital difficulties, parenting, etc.) - 27%

2. Basic Needs (food, clothing, housing, transportation, healthcare) - 13%

3. Employment (unemployment, underemployment, inadequate income, unable to get a job) - 13%

4. Financial (immediate unemployment, sudden or overwhelming debt, catastrophic life event) - 12%

5. Addiction (pornography, substance abuse, family member support) - 11%

Other categories with smaller percentages were physical health, emergency response, education and language challenges.

Now we know why the Church rushed out the Emotional Resilience Self-Reliance Course that was introduced at stake conference last weekend.

Will you please counsel together on how to launch this course in your ward or branch?

As you heard in conference, it follows the same format as other Self-Reliance courses, including Personal Finances. These 12-week courses are professionally produced and well worth the time of every member.

Please help make it happen in your ward or branch. We are ready to help you. Contact Scott Howes, of the High Council, at 503-710-4834 for manuals and additional guidance, if needed.

Gratefully,

Stake Presidency

P.S. Attached is a copy of the course workbook or manual in pdf format. Also, below is a suggested email the bishopric or branch presidency can draw from to introduce the course to all members.

SUGGESTED EMAIL TO SEND TO MEMBERS:

Hello Ward (Branch) Members,

A great challenge facing many members today is not unemployment or finances, as you might expect, but emotional resilience.

The Ward (Branch) Council now invites all members of our ward (branch) to participate in the Church's new Emotional Resilience Self-Reliance Course.

This 12-week course is professionally produced and self-facilitated, the same as with other Self-Reliance classes, such as the popular Personal Finances course.

The class will be held in our ward (branch) on (day/date) at (time).

Please enroll by contacting (name/contact info) as soon as possible. If you want to participate at another date and time, please tell us so we can arrange other classes.

We promise this will be a true blessing to everyone who accepts this invitation.

— Ward Bishopric (Branch Presidency)

Sacrament Meeting Introductory Announcement for In-Person Meetings

6 October 2020

TO BE CUSTOMIZED FOR EACH UNIT AND READ AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH SACRAMENT MEETING:

Brothers and Sisters, we welcome you to the (Ward / Branch)  sacrament meeting. We extend a special welcome to those viewing these proceedings at home through webcast.

Bishop (President) (name) presides at this meeting. He has asked that I, (name), (title), conduct.

Before we begin, please know that your safety is our first priority. For those attending in person, thank you for following a few safety precautions:

• Always wear a face covering while indoors.

• Refrain from shaking hands or hugging.

• Use only the restrooms located at (location of restrooms)

• We encourage those at home to join us for all congregational singing. Those of us here in the chapel are asked to sing quietly with our mask on. Or, for those who prefer, simply read the lyrics while the hymn is played. The music conductor will be allowed to remove (her/his) mask to lead the singing, especially for those watching online.

• Once the meeting ends, please exit the building promptly and socialize safely outside.

TESTIMONY MEETING INSTRUCTIONS:

Today is Fast Sunday. We will invite you to share your testimonies, both in-person and virtually. It is no longer necessary to wipe down the pulpit and microphone after each use, but we do ask that you remove your face covering before coming to the pulpit and that you not set your mask on the pulpit. Also, please apply hand sanitizer, available here on the pulpit, immediately before and after speaking at the pulpit.

Thank you so much for helping all of us to be safe. We will begin this meeting by singing hymn (number), (hymn name), with (conductor’s name) conducting and (organist’s name) on the organ (piano).

After which (name) will give the invocation.

GETTING READY #6: No more wiping down the pulpit

6 October 2020

Bishoprics and Branch Presidencies...

As we prepare for our first in-person sacrament meetings this Sunday, please note the following change in pulpit protocol.

It is well-accepted now that touching surfaces, like pulpits and microphones, is not a high-risk way to spread the Covid virus. Therefore, it is no longer necessary to wipe down the pulpit and microphone after each use.

Instead please ask those on the program to apply these precautions:

• Remove your face covering before going to the pulpit and put it in your pocket, purse or leave it on your seat, but do not set it on or near the pulpit.
  
  
• Apply hand sanitizer—available at the pulpit and foyer—immediately before and after speaking at the pulpit.

Brother Eldredge, of the High Council, will place a pump bottle of hand sanitizer on both sides of the pulpit for use when someone goes to the stand to speak.

Also, attached is an updated version of the "Sacrament Meeting Introductory Announcement" to be read at the beginning of each in-person sacrament meeting. It includes a paragraph to be read on Fast Sundays (such as this Sunday, Oct. 11). Each bishop and branch president has access to this document to make a copy and edit to fit your ward or branch.

We hope this is helpful. Thank you for the many preparations you are making to provide an inspiring...and safe...experience for all who attend in-person sacrament meetings.

Gratefully,

Stake Presidency

GETTING READY #7: Instruction on attending sacrament meeting in person

Bishops and Branch Presidents…


You may recall that prior to stake conference, we maintained a list of everyone who accepted our invitation to attend a session in person.


Below is a copy of that message to them. You may want to consider sending those in your ward or branch a reminder of what it means to attend in person.


As you establish who you’re inviting this Sunday, and into the future, please remember to keep a list of all who attend for contact tracing purposes. Hopefully it won’t be needed.


Finally, because you will be having a testimony meeting this Sunday, you may want to remind them of that and explain how much you appreciate them sharing their testimonies at the pulpit...and how there is a new pulpit protocol, as shared with you yesterday.


Hope this helps,
President Lewis




Dear Members,

Thank you for your desire to attend a Mount Hood Stake Conference session this weekend, Sept 26-27.

You are invited to attend the Adult Session at 7:00 pm on Saturday.



Thank you for adhering to the following health safety guidelines:

• Always wear a mask or face covering while indoors.

• Come prepared with the lyrics for the congregational hymns (hymnals will not be available).

• Quietly sing with your mask on during congregational singing. Or you can simply read the lyrics to yourself.

• Arrive more than 10 minutes early to ensure seating arrangements for proper social distancing.

• Seat yourself in a designated row. There is room for two individuals on a side pew and four individuals on a center pew. Ushers can help.

• Families or those who arrive in the same vehicle can sit together as a group and even fill a pew.

• Drinking fountains will not be available. Please bring your own water, if needed.

• Use only the women and men restrooms off the south hall (ward side of the building).

• At the end of the meeting, promptly exit the chapel and the building. Feel free to socialize outside the building.The weather should be nice.

Thank you so much for helping us comply with state and church guidelines as we work together to keep everyone safe.

Gratefully,

Stake Presidency

Guidance on new guidelines for resuming meeting 1 Oct 2020

1 October 2020

TO: Bishoprics and Branch Presidencies

Brethren,

We have received this week updated instruction from the First Presidency and Area Presidency. We hope you have already reviewed the attached two documents titled:

• First Presidency letter “Safely Engaging in Church Meetings and Activities;”

• “North America West Area Supplement to First Presidency Guidelines for Safely Returning to Church Meetings and Activities.”

Our stake’s return-to-meeting plan is basically compliant with the updated guidelines, including our plan to begin holding in-person, weekly sacrament meetings in October and adding on the administration of the sacrament in November.

Overarching Sentiments

We remind you of some overarching principles and sentiments of the stake presidency regarding our return to meetings:

• We firmly believe safety comes first, including sanitizing after all in-person meetings and activities in church buildings.

• We favor providing members options so they can participate either in person or virtually without feeling guilty or obligated.

• We support local leaders' judgment on how to safely implement the return to meetings to meet the needs of your members and your situation.

New Guidelines from the Brethren

Our take-aways from the updated guidelines received recently are three-fold:

• Suspension of the second-hour classes except for youth and young single adults (YSA);

• Greater emphasis on the youth and YSA;

• More in-person meetings and activities in church buildings.

Below are some details on each:

Suspension of second-hour classes except for youth and YSA

• Due to a concern of over-scheduling families, second-hour classes on Sunday are now suspended for all organizations except youth and young single adults.

• Devotionals on weekday evenings or even occasionally on Sunday can be held by ward, branch and organization (RS, EQ, SS, Primary) leaders; however, we caution against holding these so often that they burden families or become an attempt to return to their pre-Covid meeting schedule.

Greater emphasis on the youth and YSA

• Second-hour youth and YSA classes and weekday activities may be virtual or in-person at the church building, or a hybrid of both. Local leaders decide how often to gather. Remember to sanitize afterwards.

• Regular Young Women and Aaronic Priesthood Quorum presidency meetings are to be held “virtually or safely in person” to discuss how to “carry forth the work of salvation.”

• Youth groups can meet in larger groups, such as all the Young Women or Young Men, and not necessarily as classes or quorums. Remember to sanitize afterwards.

• There is flexibility so the second-hour classes or meetings do not have to follow immediately after sacrament meeting, but can be held at a different time on Sunday or virtually so they don’t conflict with another sacrament meeting in the building.

[NOTE: The stake presidency has serious concerns about the burden in-person second-hour youth classes may place on families to say nothing about the challenge of overlapping with another unit’s sacrament meeting and stay within state gathering limits. We urge local leaders not to feel pressured to hold in-person youth classes on Sunday, but to decide what works best for the youth, parents and leaders.]

More in-person meetings and activities in church buildings

• Meetinghouses can now be used more freely for interviews, meetings and activities, as long as social distancing is practiced. Remember to sanitize afterwards.

• With cooler weather approaching, units may hold regular weeknight youth activities inside the buildings. However, only one ward or branch should be assigned to have an in-person youth activity per night in each building to stay within state guidelines and to minimize the appearance (“optics”) of a large gathering. Remember to sanitize afterwards.

• Ward and branch leaders are responsible to maintain a list, by name, of all who attend a meeting or activity for contact-tracing purposes, if needed later.

• Funerals and weddings are allowed in the buildings, as long as they stay within the state’s gathering limits (currently 50 persons in the building at one time) and practice social distancing. Remember to sanitize afterwards.

• Baptismal services in the building are no longer limited to 15 people but must comply with the state indoor gathering restrictions (50 persons) with social distancing. There is a reference to allowing baptismal services in private outdoor swimming pools. This is strongly discouraged; the state gathering restriction is the same for both indoors and outdoors so there is no advantage to having an outdoor baptismal service.

Important Reminders

We were also reminded of some important guidance given earlier:

• All Church meetings, including baptismal services and ordinations, can still be webcast live, but cannot be recorded.

• The sacrament can be administered in homes or in the church building under the bishop’s direction; the  administration of the sacrament cannot be webcast or recorded.

• Ministering and ministering interviews are strongly emphasized, especially to ensure the sacrament is regularly administered in homes safely.

• Social distancing still applies, especially indoors, such as the wearing of masks and maintaining six feet of distance. Remember to sanitize after all meetings and activities.

• Please continue to have extra masks on hand for those who forget to bring one. If anyone refuses to wear a mask, please consider having them sit in a room alone where they can hear or watch on Zoom the proceedings with their mask off.

We hope you recognize the importance the Brethren are placing on wanting us to gather the youth and YSA as best, and as safely, as possible. Emphasis is also given to meeting regularly in person and using the church buildings more freely for youth classes and activities.

Thank you for the leadership you give in continuing to help us transition back to in-person meetings and activities. We look forward to meeting and counseling with you in our video conference.

We deeply appreciate how you are adapting and finding ways to gather the members...safely.

Gratefully,

Mount Hood Stake Presidency