Notifying of Area Presidency approval for a limited, in-person Seminary class

27 August 2020

Brothers Risenmay and Richards,

I am pleased to report that the proposal below, as recommended by you, has been approved by the North America West Area Presidency.

Thank you for caring so much for those youth who need this blessing of a limited in-person Seminary class. I’m confident the Area Presidency won’t want this "exception to the rule" to be widely known so please be prudent in telling others outside your ward.

I am copying this to Brother Ira Eldredge, the High Councilor who has responsibility for the facilities management in our stake, and ask that he instruct you both on how to limit exposure in the building and after-class cleaning and sanitizing procedures. Thank you both for taking the responsibility to ensure that the students and yourselves practice social distancing, including the wearing of masks, as directed by the Oregon Health Authority.

Congratulations and thank you again for caring enough to speak up.

President Lewis

PROPOSAL TO THE NA WEST AREA PRESIDENCY via Elder Lawrence Blunck, Area Seventy

Dear Brethren,

We have a growing ward in our stake located in Estacada, Oregon—a relatively remote community in the country 30 miles from Portland.

The Estacada Ward Seminary teachers, Tyler Risenmay and Jason Richards, are very close to their students. In fact, they both have children who attend Seminary.

Brothers Risenmay and Richards have made a special request for permission to provide in-person, early-morning Seminary for about 10 of the 14-15 students. All the other students prefer the virtual Seminary instruction, as planned.

As priesthood leaders, we have counseled together and feel this is a valid request. My second counselor, President Steven Christiansen, has been a school counselor at Estacada High School for many years. So he knows the youth in that school and ward very well. He confirmed that all 10 of the youth found virtual learning extremely challenging last spring and would benefit significantly from a small, in-person class. 

The plan is for these 10 students to attend early-morning Seminary in a meetinghouse classroom where they can be socially distanced (at least 6-feet apart). They will also be required to wear masks. The teachers are willing to accept responsibility that all who attend comply with state and church guidelines.

The two instructors are being trained on the Canvas software so they can provide adequate administrative support and instruction for both the in-person and online Seminary students.

Estacada Ward Bishop Andy Trujillo and the Stake Presidency are unanimous in supporting this recommendation, even though all of the students are part of the Estacada School District, which has decided to host school 100% virtually through October 30.

The current state guidelines allow for indoor, faith-based gatherings of up to 50 people provided they are socially distanced. That number will increase to 100 when we finally enter Phase 2.

Thank you very much for giving this your consideration.

Crismon Lewis

President, Mount Hood Oregon Stake

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