Bishops and Branch Presidents,
Earlier this week Elder Blunck asked for a brief, unscheduled video conference with stake presidents. There was no agenda. Mostly he wanted to: (1) get an update on what stakes are doing as far as sacrament meetings and second hour youth meetings; and (2) share his insights on the legality of the state dictating constraints on churches.
What other stakes are doing: I found interesting that there’s quite a broad spectrum as to how stakes in the Portland area are responding to the pandemic. Most stakes are doing what we’re doing. There are a few who are still completely virtual and even some that are spreading out their meeting start times to accommodate second-hour youth quorum and class meetings that are in-person only.
Elder Blunck’s insight: As you may be aware, professionally Elder Blunck is an attorney. He wanted us to know that there have been “several” cases ruled on by the US Supreme Court recently in favor of religion. In short, the court ruled that Covid-related constraints placed on churches by state governments are unconstitutional. In other words, the government can’t tell churches they can only have 25, 50 or even 100 people attend in person or whether those in attendance can sing or not.
I don’t think Elder Blunck was sharing this to encourage us to do whatever we want. But I think he wanted us not to feel so constrained that we’re counting noses and panicking if we go over the allotted 100 in attendance.
It still comes down to optics. We want to be good neighbors. And, as the Brethren, have stressed, we want to be good citizens by following government guidelines. I think his point was to remember that the state is issuing guidelines, not laws.
Bottom line, I think it means bishoprics have the flexibility to determine how many you will allow to attend your meetings and, above all, the responsibility to make sure we keep members safe…recognizing we still have MANY members who still do not feel safe coming to meetings in person. Thank you for continuing to make sure they don't feel pressure or an obligation to attend in person.
I hope this is helpful as you counsel together on how to continue to go forward in your ward or branch. We appreciate so much your many efforts to make your sacrament meetings safe and inspiring.
President Lewis
Earlier this week Elder Blunck asked for a brief, unscheduled video conference with stake presidents. There was no agenda. Mostly he wanted to: (1) get an update on what stakes are doing as far as sacrament meetings and second hour youth meetings; and (2) share his insights on the legality of the state dictating constraints on churches.
What other stakes are doing: I found interesting that there’s quite a broad spectrum as to how stakes in the Portland area are responding to the pandemic. Most stakes are doing what we’re doing. There are a few who are still completely virtual and even some that are spreading out their meeting start times to accommodate second-hour youth quorum and class meetings that are in-person only.
Elder Blunck’s insight: As you may be aware, professionally Elder Blunck is an attorney. He wanted us to know that there have been “several” cases ruled on by the US Supreme Court recently in favor of religion. In short, the court ruled that Covid-related constraints placed on churches by state governments are unconstitutional. In other words, the government can’t tell churches they can only have 25, 50 or even 100 people attend in person or whether those in attendance can sing or not.
I don’t think Elder Blunck was sharing this to encourage us to do whatever we want. But I think he wanted us not to feel so constrained that we’re counting noses and panicking if we go over the allotted 100 in attendance.
It still comes down to optics. We want to be good neighbors. And, as the Brethren, have stressed, we want to be good citizens by following government guidelines. I think his point was to remember that the state is issuing guidelines, not laws.
Bottom line, I think it means bishoprics have the flexibility to determine how many you will allow to attend your meetings and, above all, the responsibility to make sure we keep members safe…recognizing we still have MANY members who still do not feel safe coming to meetings in person. Thank you for continuing to make sure they don't feel pressure or an obligation to attend in person.
I hope this is helpful as you counsel together on how to continue to go forward in your ward or branch. We appreciate so much your many efforts to make your sacrament meetings safe and inspiring.
President Lewis
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