New guidelines after the governor's announcement today

13 November 2020

Bishoprics and Branch Presidencies...

As you're aware, the governor announced today new guidelines and restrictions, including a reduction in gathering limits for churches to 25 indoors and 50 outdoors.

We are grateful the governor acknowledged, for the first time, the importance of faith gatherings and didn't lump us in with social gatherings, which came under even more severe restrictions.

President Lewis spoke personally with Maria Waters, the Faith Liaison in the governor's office, and she said it is a favorable indication that the Gov. Brown recognizes that faith groups are being extra vigilant—thankfully very few, if any, outbreaks from religious services. However, she stressed that the demand on hospitals is now critical and everyone is being asked to do something to bring the latest Covid surge under control.

By the way, Maria said she was hopeful that this temporary "freeze" through Wednesday, Dec. 2, will make a difference and that faith groups would be among the first to see an easing of restrictions.

We, of course, want to be good citizens and comply with government guidance and continue to show an abundance of caution in our in-person gatherings. We may yet receive specific direction from our Area Presidency inasmuch as the three West Coast states are working together in addressing the latest surge in Covid cases.

In the meantime, we share the following guidance for our stake:

• The new state guidelines go into effect next Wednesday, Nov. 18, so there is no need to make any changes this Sunday, Nov. 15, unless you feel to do so;
  
  
• Starting Sunday, Nov. 22, we encourage you to continue to hold in-person sacrament meetings with 25 in attendance;
  
  
• You may want to survey your ward again next week to determine how many want to attend in-person and assign them accordingly so all have a chance to attend an in-person sacrament meeting at least once per month;
  
  
• We encourage you to continue to administer the sacrament following your sacrament services, but consider having only one priesthood holder bless and one pass;
  
  
• Here's one idea to maximize the number in the congregation—2 bishopric members, one to conduct, one for technology; 2 for music; 2 speakers; 2 to administer the sacrament; 0 prayers, invite prayers to be given over Zoom from home; leaving room for 17 in the congregation; as you've noticed, it's very difficult to speak over the pulpit when no one is in the audience (17 is better than no one);
  
  
• If you feel deeply that there is an increased risk to members' safety, you may choose to continue to webcast your sacrament service and not invite members to attend in-person nor administer the sacrament in the chapel;
  
  
• Continue to hold second-hour classes and meetings for youth and YSA, but we strongly recommend they be virtual-only until restrictions ease up.

Thank you for how well all of you have adjusted to these fluctuating guidelines and continue to provide inspiring sacrament services both in-person and virtually.

Gratefully,

Mount Hood Stake Presidency