Notifying a Bishop of his impending release

26 February 2019

Bishop (Name),

Thank you so much for your additional insights and counsel relative to the (Name) family. 

And thank you for being so mindful of the (Name). How is Sister (Name) doing?

As I mentioned, you are a wonderful shepherd to your flock, for which we are most grateful. And I know the Lord is deeply grateful, too.

As for your question about timing. We have prayerfully considered the matter as a stake presidency and have felt the Lord needs your strengths—and they are many—in another direction, which I will visit with you about soon. In the meantime, we are looking at a reorganization of your ward’s bishopric in late April, likely April 21.

Typically we don’t give “notice” like this to a bishop (without an official release), but you’ve been such a faithful servant, so deeply devoted to your calling that I feel appropriate to give you notification so you can plan emotionally for this change. Knowing your pure heart and having had the honor of serving with you for so long, I am absolutely certain this notification will not affect your efforts to serve the ward with all your heart to the end.

A new bishop has not been called yet. I would very much welcome and value your thoughts on the matter, such as observations and evaluations of the brethren in your ward you feel that you and the Lord have been preparing to serve in this sacred calling.

We can visit further when we meet to go on ministering visits next Tuesday evening, March 5.

With love and the deepest of gratitude for your faithful service,

President Lewis

P.S. We agree with your counsel that there is a benefit to having an overlap with a new bishop or new RS president so we would appreciate you not releasing Sister Richards for now and leave that for the new bishop.

Response to Bishop Hawkins on his 2018 Budget Surplus

Earlier email response from Bishop Hawkins:

A few questions:

1. What is your current ward budget balance? Did you transfer any budget funds into the Other account for Scout Camp? If so, how much?

I will verify the budget and get back to you later tonight. 

2. How many boys do you anticipate wanting to go to Scout camp and how much were you hoping to put towards their registration?

There is a group of about 7 to 10 that have expressed interest to go to scout camp this year. I hadn’t set an amount of money until I knew it where we were at funding wise.

3. Why are you using a projector? Hardly anyone in the stake is using a projector except when we (the stake) have large gatherings in the chapel or cultural hall.

The projector was purchased so that we could show videos on the fifth Sunday in the chapel and it was also requested by the seminary because in the years past there was not one supplied by the stake for seminary. It has also been used by larger groups of people when there has been presentations in primary, young men’s, EQ, etc. so that everyone can see. The one item that could be purchased to go along with the projector is a better sound speaker possibly wireless.

4. Flat screens are relatively inexpensive and the quality is so much better than a projector (plus more convenient for teachers). Where would you put flat screens if you had them?

We looked at possibly putting one in the relief society room last year but just the layout of the room with the windows,  the piano,  the closet’s,  the chalkboards it didn’t seem to fit well especially with the desire to have everyone in somewhat of a circle. Would have to look at wall space in the different rooms for possible locations.


THEN THIS REPLY FROM ME TO HIM:

Bishop Hawkins,

With regard to the $1,500…sorry for any confusion. What I’m asking is that if, at the end of the summer, you still have a sizable budget balance (beyond the $2,600 income you would have received by then after two quarters of allocation) will you please send us a check for something up to $1,500 to help defray costs of the trek? In other words, let's wait until we see how your expenses go through the summer. Please don’t spend just to get your balance down. But spend it wisely, getting additional technology, if needed, and helping to subsidize (but not totally pay for) any summer camp fees for your youth.

Does that sound OK?

Thanks so much,
PrL

Miracle on I-84: Remembering an experience of one of our many trips between Utah and Oregon

This is a story that I sent to granddaughter Kenna Johns, who was compiling a book of faith-promoting stories in our family for her Personal Progress;

One summer probably around 2010, after a family reunion, we drove Seth and Tiffany’s family (who lived in Minnesota at the time) from your home in Utah to our home in Oregon in our 8-passenger mini-van.. It was blazing hot and the four Lewis boys were still quite young. Asher was likely a baby.

Years before the gas gauge had broken on our van and I was too cheap to get it repaired. We left from your home on a very hot summer morning with a full tank of gas, but made a “detour” to Cache Valley to see Grandma’s family before heading to Oregon. Because of the heat, I’m sure we were running the car air conditioning at full blast. We finally got on the road and around the middle of the day we were about a mile from our exit at Mountain Home, ID where we usually stop for gas. 

Uncle Seth was driving when suddenly the car died. We had run out of gas. We were still rolling along, but the engine had stopped. Fortunately, there was an exit just a few yards ahead so I asked Uncle Seth to take that exit. The momentum of the car allowed us to coast right up behind a flat bed truck that was stopped on the exit ramp. There were no gas stations or any buildings that I could see even close to this exit.

I was so embarrassed that I had miscalculated the amount of gas we had (confident we’d make it to our usual exit) and now stranding these dear little boys along with Grandma Lewis and Aunt Tiffany in 100-plus-degree weather on the side of I-84 and no civilization in sight—except for this flat bed truck in front of us.

I sheepishly went up to the truck cab and was relieved to find a driver inside eating lunch. I asked if there was any chance he had some spare gas on him.

He hardly said a word, but just got out of his truck, reached up onto the bed of his truck and removed a gas can, the lone item on the huge flatbed. He walked over to our car and began pouring in several gallons of gas into our tank.  As he did so, he asked me, “Did you say your prayers this morning?” I answered I surely had. “Well,” he said, “so did I. And I prayed that I would be able to help someone on the road today.”

I offered to cover the cost of the gas, but he declined. He just reminded me that the Lord had watched over us both that day.

We then drove off easily reaching the next exit where we filled up to the brim—all within about 5 minutes of running out of gas.

It happened so fast the children didn’t even have time to get out and stretch their legs. As I have thought back on that experience, I have marveled how many things had to happen so perfectly and precisely for us to roll up right behind that flat bed truck with a driver who had loaded an extra can of gasoline on his struck and prayed God would allow him to help someone that day.

We were the answer to his prayers and he was the answer to ours.

It was a miracle I’ll never forget.

In response to a mother feeling overwhelmed by all the things the Church asks her to do

Hey Pres. Lewis -

Needing your guidance on something.  I have really been feeling overwhelmed with everything that I need to help the kids with.  They have school, homework, they are suppsoed to be reading every night for seminary and the come follow me curriculum,  and now the trek studying they need to do. I do know all of this is inspired to bring forth a stronger generation and to help these kids in the latter days but it just seems like so much. The kids dont even get home till between 5 and 7.  Then homework.  I dont really know why I am writing you except maybe you might have an idea of how do it all.  I wish that it was all on the same subject,  like the Book of Mormon,  NT, or OT.  Just so it was all the same and we could get all three done at once.  I dont know...any insight you might have would be super helpful!

Thank you,

(Name)

Hello, sweet Mother (Name)…

Thanks for reaching out. Yeah, it is a dilemma and I apologize for us adding to it. I wish I had an answer as to why Seminary is not in sync with SS, but it’s not and never has been…pity.

It’s time like this when there’s so much pulling…and frankly pushing…on families that it’s an excellent time for parents to show their children that when we’re overwhelmed it’s time to put first things first, i.e. prioritize. And the Lord comes first. And if we’ll put Him first, all other things will fall into place; we’ll find our homework goes smoother, our relationships are better, there’s more harmony in the home, etc.

So I recommend that you make family scripture study, family prayer and FHE as the highest priorities. You don’t have to make them long or spectacular. Consistency is more important than content.

If you can read scriptures in family scripture study that also supports their daily Seminary reading, that would be nice. I’d leave Come Follow Me for a Sunday afternoon FHE. Then, at your next FHE, take a few minutes to calendar which 5 Sundays or Mondays in the coming 5 months (i.e. once per month) that you’re going to focus on preparing for trek. Then forget about trek until the calendar says you need to focus on it.

I hope this helps. 

Teaching children that the Lord comes first, even before the family and schoolwork, will pay off for years to come as your children discover for themselves that they can rely on the Lord…that He can be trusted to help them in busy or especially tough times.

Thank you to you and Dave for the wonderful work you are doing as a family for the mighty sons you’re raising.

You’re in your prayers.

Crismon

Dividing adult Sunday School classes into smaller class sizes

8 January 2019

Bishops and Branch Presidents,

You likely noticed that your Adult Sunday school class (aka Gospel Doctrine class) last Sunday was packed! It was not unique to our stake. Based on a survey of my children, spread from coast to coast, it was a dynamic felt in most wards and branches.

The numbers are likely coming from: (1) elimination of other adult classes, such as Gospel Principles; (2) members, who thought 3 hours was too long, are now staying; and (3) third-hour teachers, who used to prepare their class in the hall or foyer during the 2nd hour, are also attending.

You may be wondering, where are you going to put everyone if this trend continues?

Hopefully it will continue and even grow. 

Please consider calling several teachers and dividing your Adult SS class into several small classes. You can create small classes by placing chairs in a small semi-circle in each corner of the cultural hall, if classrooms are needed. It will be a blessing as it gives more members an opportunity to learn and serve as teachers of the gospel and creates small, more manageable classroom sizes where everyone feels a need to participate and contribute to the discussion.

When I was called into the YSA Ward Bishopric several years ago, we divided the gospel doctrine class into four small classes and it was wonderful to see the YSA respond. For sure, it puts a lot of pressure on your SS presidency to make sure teachers are prepared and show up, but it was worth the extra effort. Each class was reduced to 12-15 students, much more manageable for a teacher and the students took ownership of the class as they recognized that their participation was needed and appreciated. It can be done!

We divided the classes by the first letter of the last name to discourage students from going into the class of a favorite teacher.

I hope this is helpful. Feel no obligation to implement this, but I hope you’ll see the value this can be in addressing our wonderful problem of so many attending the Adult Sunday school class.

President Lewis

Direction to Bishops on two important actions they will take in December 2018

1 December 2018

Bishops and Branch Presidents…

The following is to help you prepare for two important actions you will take in December:

1. FINANCES: We hope to have for you by next week a customized report for each ward and branch listing for you all the financial numbers you’ll need going into 2019, including: 

a) your 2018 allocation and carry over;

b) your expected income for 2019 as per your sacrament meeting attendance;

c) a recommended amount to budget for 2019 to cushion against fluctuations in sacrament meeting attendance;

d) the total “extra” amount you’ll receive from the stake in 2019 to help subsidize families for any summer camps you choose to hold in addition to the trek in the summer of 2019;

e) a chart showing how your sacrament meeting attendance has been trending over the past 4 quarters.

2. AREA PLAN PRESENTATION: You may be wondering what you are expected to present in your 3rd hour presentation on the Area Plan 2019 on Sunday, December 30.

In support of your presentation, we will deliver to you by the middle of the month these two documents:

a) the 8.5x11 flyer (see attached) describing in detail the “My Plan 2019” which you are to distribute one per household during your presentation;

b) a wallet-sized, folded card (see attached) to be distributed to each person who attends the presentation, which lists the 4 priorities of the plan and provides a place on the inside for each to write down their own “2019 My Plan."

WHAT AND HOW TO PRESENT IT

We recommend you consider the following in preparing for your Dec. 30 presentation:

• Review again the one-hour presentation by the Area Presidency in which they address at length each of the 4 priorities, which will be a good resource for your presentation; here is the link again for the video presentation: https://www.dropbox.com/s/oce4y37lddqqbd9/NANW_AreaPlanBroadcast_103018_ReviewCopy_360p_captions.mov?dl=0

If you need to register to view it, use:

User Name: churchleader

Password: Nov2018_broadcast

• We suggest your presentation can be this simple:

1) Distribute the support materials to those in attendance;

2) Have members of the bishopric or branch presidency conduct a brief discussions on each of the 4 Area Priorities;

3) Give members 10 minutes at the end of the meeting to ponder and write down 4 things they want to commit to do in 2019 in support of the 4 Priorities.

4) Close with a testimony and prayer.

We hope this is helpful,

The Stake Presidency

Encouragement to Ward and Branch Councils to make sacrament meetings more Christ-focused in 2019

                                           

12 December 2018

TO: Ward and Branch Councils

FROM: The Mount Hood Stake Presidency

Christ-Centered Sacrament Meetings in 2019

Dear Ward and Branch Leaders,

The new year—especially this upcoming new year—is an excellent time to make changes.
We have already recommended that you make sure you have teachers in place willing to embrace the “Come, Follow Me” approach in the classroom. (Please encourage teachers to review resources on www.lds.org such as a search of: “Videos for Leaders” and “Come Follow Me: New Testament.”)

You’ll also remember that in Elder Quinton L. Cook’s introduction in General Conference to the new 2-Hour Meeting Schedule he announced that Sunday meetings in 2019 “will consist of a 60-minute sacrament meeting each Sunday, focused on the Savior, the ordinance of the sacrament, and spiritual messages.”

We feel to emphasize in our stake a focus on the Savior in all sacrament meetings in 2019.

We urge you to assign a talk or talks with a topic focused on the Savior each Sunday in 2019 (not Fast Sunday, of course). We’ve also asked the High Councilors, when assigned to speak in your ward or branch, to follow this counsel.

Furthermore, we ask that this be a frequent topic in Ward Council meetings that you counsel together often on how to place emphasis on the Savior in each sacrament meeting.

The following resources will help you generate talk topics on the Savior:

·      Sunday School Manual: The New Testament lessons found in the 2019 edition of “Come, Follow Me — For Individuals and Families”;

·      Scripture Helps: The scripture Study Helps found online, including the Topical Guide (57 topics referencing Jesus Christ), Index to the Triple Combination, Guide to the Scriptures, Gospel Topics, and the Bible Dictionary;

·      General Conference: Messages from the Brethren are replete with talk topics on the Savior; search for “Jesus Christ” on www.lds.org and click on “General Conference” in the left margin (please do not assign a single talk to a speaker).

On page 2 (or backside) you can see examples of how to use these resources to assist in generating a wide variety of topics on the Savior.

Thank you for accepting this counsel. We feel strongly it will set the tone for a more spiritual sacrament meeting and for our gospel study of the New Testament at home.

Examples of Sacrament Meeting Talk

Topics that Focus on the Savior

Mount Hood Stake • 2019

2019 ‘Come, Follow Me — For Individuals and Families’

January 7-13: Matthew 1, Luke 1

·   How Jesus’ unique heritage (mortal mother, immortal father) was essential to fulfill God’s Plan for His children.

·   What we learn from the annunciation of Jesus’ birth about God’s timing in our lives and why it’s so important to seek and submit to His will.

January 21-27: John 1

·   Just as the disciples bore witness of Jesus Christ, we can stand as witnesses of Jesus Christ “at all times and in all things, and in all places,” (Mosiah 18:9)

October 14-20: Philippians and Colossians

•  How do we find joy in Christ, regardless of our personal circumstances?

Topical Guide

Jesus Christ, Atonement through

·   Why Jesus Christ’s Atonement is so important to all mankind and to me personally.

Jesus Christ, Condescension of

·   How our appreciation of the Savior’s willingness to become like man so man can become like God can influence the way we live the gospel each day.

Guide to the Scriptures

Redeemer

·   What it means to be redeemed and why we are grateful for our Savior’s selfless act.

Bible Dictionary

Lord of Hosts (see Sabbath)

·   Why the Lord has given us a Sabbath Day and the many ways it can bless us.

General Conference Messages (please do not assign a single talk to a speaker)

‘Strengthened by the Atonement of Jesus Christ’ – Elder Oaks, October 2015

·   How the Savior is able to help us in our day-to-day lives.

‘Jesus Christ, the Master Healer’ – Elder Nelson, October 2005

·   What it means to receive the healing power of Jesus Christ in our lives.’

4 Essential Missionary Activities and Expectations of Ward Mission Leaders

4 Essential Missionary Activities

in the Mount Hood Stake

December 2018

The four essential missionary activities in our stake are:

1.   Weekly Missionary Coordination meetings, under the direction of the Bishop, a member of the Elders Quorum presidency (assisted by a member of the Relief Society presidency) presides and the Ward or Branch Mission Leader conducts the meeting. Those to attend include the ward or branch missionaries and full-time missionaries. This meeting can be held in person or via electronic media. Objective: see agenda items in Handbook 2: 5.1.5.

2.   Daily or every-other-day contact between the Ward or Branch Mission Leader and the full-time missionaries assigned to his ward or branch. This can be done via phone, text or messaging. Objective: the Mission Leader should give direction to the full-time missionaries as to the next steps they should take in their missionary efforts and also ensure they meet the goal of teaching the gospel at least once a day—to investigators, new converts or long-time members.

3.   Regularly schedule full-time missionaries for evening, non-dinner appointments to visit member homes. This is to be done by the Mission Leader or ward/branch missionary he assigns. Objective: so members and missionaries can get acquainted, build a relationship of trust, and ultimately work arm-in-arm in growing the ward or branch and ministering to others.

4.   Twice-weekly report by the full-time missionaries sent via email or text to all who attend the Missionary Coordination meeting. Objective: keep everyone apprised of new developments and needs of the full-time missionaries as well as report on needs of families they visit.

 Full-Time Missionary Report

In fulfillment of the fourth guideline above, full-time missionaries are to make their twice-weekly email or text report very simple and succinct. For example:

·      List the names of only two or three families you visited since the last report;

·      Make suggestions as to the needs or concerns, if any, of those you visited;

·      Ask the ward leaders what they would like you to do to further help their missionary and ministering efforts.

Expectations of Ward and

Branch Mission Leaders

Mount Hood Stake • December 2018

The Stake Presidency asks Ward and Branch Mission Leaders to (1) ensure the Four Essential Missionary Activities are fulfilled consistently, (2) that the guidelines for baptismal services are followed, and (3) that they take responsibility for the following under the direction of the Elders and Relief Society presidencies:

Missionary-Ministering Coordination:  The mission leader is responsible for coordinating the missionary work in the ward or branch, including: (1) conduct the weekly coordination meeting, and (2) coordinate with the EQ and RS presidencies on how the full-time missionaries can assist and participate in home visits with ministering companionships.

Give Direction to the Full-Time Missionaries: The mission leader is to visit each day or every-other-day—preferably on the phone—with the full-time missionaries and assign them to the homes where you want them to visit and teach.

Ensure Missionaries Teach Every Day: The mission leader is responsible to arrange for the missionaries to teach at least one lesson per day. That can be to an investigator or to a member family. The mission leader or a ward/branch missionary is to make the member appointments for the missionaries.

Encourage Finding by Members: The mission leader works with the ward council, via the EQ and RS presidencies, to encourage and train members on how to fellowship and invite their friends to be taught by the missionaries.

Connect the Missionaries and Members: Recent changes to missionary policies and guidelines can create a distancing between the full-time missionaries and the members. The mission leader is to oversee and implement activities that will help members and missionaries work together, including (1) train the full-time missionaries on making their twice-weekly reports to ward leaders more effective and (2) prepare ward leaders to receive and act on these reports.

Arrange Leader Visits: The mission leader is to help arrange a visit by a ward or branch leader, preferably a member of the bishopric, branch presidency or elders quorum presidency, in the home of all sincere investigators prior to baptism.

Guidelines for Missionary Work in our stake

12 December 2018 

Dear Brothers and Sisters, 

Thank you very much for adjusting to the policy changes we've received lately regarding Missionary Work.

While we are very supportive of the new direction, we are concerned that 

• the no-dinner policy is distancing full-time missionaries from the members; 

• the removal of Ward and Branch Mission Leaders from the Ward and Branch Council is causing them to wonder about their role and usefulness. 

Furthermore, we have a growing concern that we sometimes begin to think that we're supposed to help the missionaries, when it's the other way around—they're here to help us with our missionary efforts. 

In order to address these concerns, we have drafted the attached 2-page document identifying the "Four Essential Missionary Activities" in every ward and branch and the "Expectations of Ward and Branch Mission Leaders." 

Will you please review these together and use them as guidelines for moving forward the Work of Salvation in your ward or branch? 

Gratefully,

The Stake Presidency 

P.S. We receive a report every week on which units are conducting a weekly Missionary Coordination meeting, now presided over by members of the EQ and RS presidencies. We are pleased to report that ALL wards and branches held such a meeting this past week. THANK YOU!

In response to a Ward Mission Leader concerned about the burden of making dinner appointments for the missionaries

Hello, Brian…

Thank you so much for reaching out. And, yes, it’s always appropriate to contact me directly. Vivienne and I feel a kinship to both you and Alisha, thanks to our Self-Reliance class. We are so grateful you are part of our stake and are equally as excited for you to welcome in a baby into the world soon. Congratulations!

As for your question, no, there is no policy, either from the stake or mission, that you cannot use a calendar for scheduling weekend meals. It’s your call or the decision of your ward leaders.

However, we have tried to teach a higher principle by encouraging ward and branch leaders to avoid passing sign-up sheets during meetings. The attached document hopefully will explain why. 

Knowing how sensitive you are to the needs of others and observing your dedication to your calling (you are doing a great job as Ward Mission Leader!), you’ll appreciate the importance of using these wonderful full-time missionaries in our ministering and teaching efforts. Having them in less-active members’ homes could be very powerful and a true blessing in the lives of these special members who need our extra attention. In other words, in my opinion it's worth every effort to get these missionaries, who have been set apart and given a very special mantle to take the Spirit of the Lord wherever they go, into as many members’ homes as possible.

Now that the Ward Mission Leader has a closer tie to the EQ and RS presidencies, I recommend you turn to both presidencies and ask them to use ministering companionships to arrange for missionary lunch and dinner appointments in members’ homes, especially those less-active who are blessed by as much contact from fellow members as they will allow. Let the ministering companionships take turns in fulfilling this assignment, that can feel burdensome to just one person.

I hope this is helpful. Will you forgive me if I take the liberty of copying this to your bishop and EQ and RS presidents so they’ll know you have my support, if you choose to recommend this?

I hope this is helpful. We send our love and best to you both for a very Merry Christmas!

Crismon

Report on a miracle of a missionary who died in his first week in the field

For those who joined in fasting for this tender cause, you might like to know that the body was returned home from South Africa in less than two weeks, much less than the 3-4 weeks that it usually takes. Elder Lamping’s funeral is this Friday. 

Thank you again for remembering this family in your fasting and prayers.

Pres Lewis

Dear fellow stake leaders…

Our stake was recently touched by a very sad incident, and yet witnessed a remarkable tender mercy, too. I thought you’d enjoy hearing about it.

All of you know Sister Beth Newell, our former Stake Relief Society president. She and her husband Matt’s oldest son, Carter, was set apart just last week (the Monday before Thanksgiving) to serve in the South Africa Johannesburg Mission.

Tragically, with less than a week in the Missionary Training Center in South Africa, Elder Newell’s companion, Elder Zane Lamping, suddenly and inexplicably died. https://www.thechurchnews.com/members/2018-11-27/young-missionary-dies-after-collapsing-at-the-south-africa-missionary-training-center-48511

Because both elders had been in the MTC such a short time, the Lamping family had not even received an email from their son before he passed away. Needless to say, it left his grief-stricken mother grasping for any information about Elder Lamping’s experience in the MTC. 

With a heavy heart, Beth reached out to the Lamping family in southern Nevada and, in the phone conversation, recognized this grieving mother’s yearning for more information about her son’s week in the MTC. 

The tender mercy...

The Newell’s son Carter seldom took photos even when he had a camera on his phone at home. In hopes he would take at least a few photos on his mission, Matt and Beth sent Carter off with a small, inexpensive digital camera—with no expectation of receiving many photos from their son.

Surprisingly, Carter got the "photo bug” immediately upon his departure and during his trip to South Africa (he met up in the Atlanta airport with Elder Lamping and the 18 missionaries all going to South Africa) and during those first days at the MTC he took LOTS of photos showing he and his companion—where they ate, slept, studied and exercised. 

So when Beth discovered a grieving Sister Lamping desperate for any information about her son’s brief MTC experience, Carter’s many photos, which he had already sent home, provided the healing balm for the Lamping family…precisely at the right time!

The next miracle the Lampings need now is to have their son’s body returned quicker than usual. 

Normally, it takes 20-25 days to process such a shipment from overseas. The Newell family has invited all of us to fast this Sunday with them asking the Lord, if it’s His will, to expedite the process and bring closure and healing sooner to the Lamping family.

Thank you for remembering the Lamping and the Newell families in our prayers and fasting this Sunday.

President Lewis