Introductory statement to in-person sacrament meetings

30 November 2020

STATEMENT TO BE RAED 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 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.

• The sacrament will be administered to those in attendance immediately after the benediction. The sacrament is also authorized to be administered in homes.

• 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 on each side of 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.

Announcement about increase of sacrament meeting attendance of up to 100

30 November 2020

TO: Bishoprics and Branch Presidencies

Dear Brethren,

You may have noticed that Oregon's governor announced this week new guidelines that give us much more flexibility on the number who can attend in person religious services and gatherings.

As reported: "Faith institutions, funeral homes, mortuaries, and cemeteries will be limited to a maximum of 25% of capacity or 100 people indoors (whichever is smaller), or 150 people outdoors."

While we are still seeking the seating capacities of the chapels, overflows and cultural halls for all three buildings, as established by the fire department, we are confident the seating capacities of those three rooms combined in each building will easily allow more than 100 people to be socially distanced.

So the new attendance allowance for sacrament meetings in our stake, beginning Sunday, Dec. 6, will be up to 100 people—as long as everyone is properly distanced, wearing masks, etc.

A few notes:

• Beginning Dec. 6, you may no longer have to restrict who attends, assuming you have fewer than 100 members who want to attend services in person.
  
  
• You may want to ask members to notify you in advance, if they plan to attend, so you can adequately prepare for seating into the overflow and cultural hall, if needed, and plan for the increase in administering the sacrament.
  
  
• Continue to conduct Sunday services virtually as there will be many who will not want to attend in-person due to the most recent surge in Covid cases.
  
  
• Continue to administer the sacrament following sacrament meeting (not to be webcast) and authorize administration of the sacrament in homes.
  
  
• For youth second-hour classes and activity nights, you'll want to know the seating capacity of the rooms you plan to use to make sure the 25% allowance in each room can accommodate the number attending.

If you don't already know the seating capacity of a room (sometimes there is a fire department document or plaque on the wall that gives the number), Brother Eldredge, of the High Council, has been tasked with obtaining those numbers for each building and we'll get them to you as quickly as possible.

Coincidentally this week, you may have seen that the Supreme Court ruled against a state government applying Covid-19 restrictions on church attendance. While this is good news for churches and for freedom of religion, we still want to show "an abundance of caution," as the First Presidency has repeatedly stated, to make sure we do everything we can to keep our church meetings as safe as possible.

Thank you for continuing to read the attached statement reminding those attending sacrament meeting in person of the safety guidelines. Please draft and read a similar statement for all other in-person church meetings.

Gratefully,

Stake Presidency

Message to the children when sending them our wills

20 November 2020

Dear children,

This has nothing to do with the brush I’m having with Covid right now (still no word yet from Brother Jones, though he feels the longer it takes to get test results the better the indication that he’s negative because testing labs notify the positives first so they can immediately initiate contract tracing efforts).

But a couple of months ago Mother and I signed up with an MLM called Legal Shield to get access to an attorney to draft our wills. Those wills are now complete and attached. (We’ve cancelled our Legal Shield membership.)

We just wanted you to have a copy of them for safekeeping, but we have the originals as does the attorney, Kivel and Howard LLP in downtown Portland.

The attorneys simply use a template and fill in our names and your names. There’s not much to the wills, but hopefully it will expedite the processing of assets (home, cars, furniture that no one will want, etc.) if something should happen to the two of us together.

Earlier we drafted wills back in the early 1990s when all of you were still at home. So these wills should replace those wills when now, instead of amazing children, our most prized possession is a can of Reliv in the cupboard or our 2008 Honda with 200K miles in the garage :)

We hope these wills give you some comfort or assurance that our post-death desires are now formalized. BTW…Apparently there is no formal or court-recognized document for us to establish a living will, i.e. if you’re having to make a life-and-death decision for both of us. But please know that neither Mother or I want our lives to be prolonged if we are on some type of life-sustaining device in the hospital. We are completing a form and will keep that on file.

I can’t believe we’re old enough to be talking about this, but such is life or mortality, right? Thankfully, the Lord wants us to come home—His home.

We love you and cherish each of you…you make us very happy and thankful for Thanksgiving that you and your wonderful families will always be around OUR table. 

Dad & Mom

Guidance on weeknight use of the stake center

16 November 2020

Stake Leaders and Bishoprics / Branch Presidencies...

Just as we are restricted to in-person attendance of 25 for Sunday services, we must also abide by that limit for youth night activities and other weeknight gatherings...always with masks and social distancing.

Will you please note that the following times are scheduled exclusively for those units assigned to the stake center. It is most important that no other groups or even missionaries use the stake center during these times on the designated weeknights so we don't exceed the 25-person gathering limit:

• Tuesdays, 7:00 - 8:45 pm - Walters Hill Ward
  
  
• Wednesdays, 7:00 - 8:45 pm - Powell Valley Ward
  
  
• Thursdays, 7:00 - 8:45 pm - Damascus Ward and Pioneer Branch

Thank you for respecting this schedule and helping us abide by the new state guidelines that go into effect this Wednesday, Nov. 18.

Gratefully,

Stake Presidency

P.S. Also, we remind you of the following guidelines sent to you on Nov. 9 that apply to all meetinghouses in our stake:

• Where possible, please defer to virtual rather than in-person for (1) presidency and other leadership meetings; (2) interviews; and (3) adult classes, including Relief Society, Elders Quorum and Self-Reliance classes.
  
  
• Use meetinghouses only for Church gatherings where adult leaders are present and are willing to assume responsibility for the safety of the group, including maintaining a list of attendees for contact tracing purposes.
  
  
• Do not use cultural halls for contact sports and other activities where participants are unable to practice social distancing and wear face coverings.

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

New Guidelines following Governor Brown's announcement of a 'pause' with stricter guidelines

9 November 2020

TO: All stake and wards leaders in the Mount Hood Stake

Dear Leaders,

As you know Governor Brown recently announced a two-week "pause" by listing additional safety precautions for five counties beginning this Wednesday, Nov. 11. The new guidelines were issued for some businesses and "informal social gatherings" (usually in homes) where precautions are easily ignored. Her action was in response to the recent surge in Covid-19 cases in Oregon.

Gratefully, the new restrictions did not include religious groups or faith-based meetings. We believe that is because officials acknowledge that churches, like ours, are making every effort to follow safety guidelines.

Additionally, Clackamas County (where all of our meetinghouses are located) was not included in the governor's directive. However, Clackamas County is experiencing a surge in Covid cases, too, and may soon come under the same restrictions. Regardless, we want to be good citizens and comply with all official guidelines as best as possible.

Therefore we ask you to please follow these (hopefully temporary) guidelines for our stake:

'OFFICIAL' GATHERINGS

• Continue to hold Church in-person services and classes, specifically: (1) sacrament meetings; (2) second-hour classes for youth and YSA; and (3) weekday youth activities.
  
  
• Continue to follow safety precautions during in-person gatherings, such as wearing face coverings indoors and even outdoors, if unable to social distance.
  
  
• Stress with parents the expectation that youth comply with safety precautions, including wearing of a mask indoors.

OTHER GATHERINGS

• Where possible, please defer to virtual rather than in-person for (1) presidency meetings; (2) interviews; and (3) adult classes, including Relief Society, Elders Quorum and Self-Reliance classes.
  
  
• Use meetinghouses only for Church gatherings where adult leaders are present and are willing to assume responsibility for the safety of the group, including maintaining a list of all attendees for contact-tracing purposes.
  
  
• Do not use cultural halls for contact sports and other activities where participants are unable to practice social distancing and wear face coverings.

We hope these new guidelines will not be permanent. In the meantime, we appreciate your willingness to help protect our stake members and communities.

Gratefully,

Mount Hood Oregon Stake Presidency

Guidance to bishoprics after the Governor calls for a "pause" in social gatherings

7 November 2020

TO: Bishoprics and Branch Presidencies in the Mount Hood Stake

Brethren,

We recognize there may be concerns about continuing with in-person sacrament services following the governor's announcement yesterday.

Unless we are directed otherwise by our Area Seventy and/or the Area Presidency, the stake presidency has counseled together and feel to continue meeting as we are for several reasons:

1. The governor did not include religious services as part of the two-week "pause" presumably because the latest Covid outbreaks have not come from churches where safety is a priority;
   
   
2. The greatest concern is with "informal social gatherings" in homes where safety precautions are seldom taken and with many businesses where contact tracing is all but impossible;
   
   
3. We continue to conduct hybrid services so members can choose whether to attend in person or virtually.

We appreciate you continuing to take every safety precaution in conducting sacrament meetings and administering the sacrament afterwards. Please make sure your clerk or Covid-19 Supervisor continues to keep a list of all who attend in person each Sunday for the purpose of contact tracing.

Feel free to draw from this email or forward it in your communications to your leaders or members. 

Gratefully,

President Lewis and the Stake Presidency

Message to Members on 29 Oct 2020

2 November 2020

Dear Mount Hood Stake Friends...

As you know we live in a wicked world with wars, atrocities and even genocide not unlike those we are reading about in our Come, Follow Me study this week of Mormon 1-6.

We are amazed by the prophet-general Mormon, a mighty man of righteousness living at a time when the "day of grace was passed." (Mormon 2:15) Somehow he retained in his heart "the goodness of Jesus." (1:15)

My heart resonated with a thought shared in a popular podcast about Mormon. 

First, let me say that I welcome and completely embrace President Nelson's plea that we not use nicknames for the Church or for ourselves.

But this week's reading has given me a new appreciation and gratitude for Mormon's righteous life while surrounded by evil.

So if you slip and say to someone, "Yes, I am a Mormon," please don't feel guilty. It can mean you are trying to be like Mormon and live righteously in a wicked world.

May we all be "Mormons!"

With love and gratitude for your faithfulness,

President Lewis

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

GETTING READY #5: Bishop, where are you?

 21 September 2020

Bishoprics and Branch Presidencies...

This is not a major matter, but if we're constantly trying to improve...well, I believe this is worthy of your consideration.

I personally don't think we have any appreciation how much members like to see the bishop sitting on the stand when they attend sacrament meeting. It gives them a measure of assurance that the ward is being watched over. It doesn't mean the bishop can't take vacations or travel, but members appreciate a bishop who goes the extra mile to be on the stand as often as possible.

One of the drawbacks of a virtual meeting is that you can go through an entire sacrament meeting and viewers never see the bishop...even though he's seated on the stand the entire time.

Most of you have webcams with wide-angle lens that show people seated on the stand, more than just the speaker at the pulpit. If so, please consider positioning the bishop or branch president so he can be seen on the stand—especially when he's not on the program. 

Like I said, this is not a major issue. In fact, it's not an issue at all when we're holding only in-person meetings. But for now, while webcasting our sacrament meetings, please give this your consideration.

Gratefully,

President Lewis

Guidelines for those who provide music in our stake

 19 September 2020

TO: All who provide music support in the Mount Hood Stake

Dear Sisters and Brothers...

We appreciate so much the way you share your talents to bless our stake. Your music support is invaluable to us, especially as we move toward meeting again in person in sacrament meeting.

In fact, you’ll get a sense of how important it is to me personally when you read the email below that I sent to bishoprics and branch presidencies on Sept 2.

NEW PHASE

We are entering a new phase in our meeting plans where we now have what some call hybrid sacrament meetings—they are both available for in-person attendance as well as for watching online via webcasts.

Because those who meet in person will not feel as free to sing, because of the state’s indoor face covering requirement, the focus of our music is to help those at home sing together the hymns of Zion during sacrament meetings. Needless to say, that isn’t easy.

CHORISTER GUIDELINES

So we’re asking the chorister, during the singing only, to remove your mask and sing while directing the music. Please position yourself on the stand where: (1) the accompanist can see you, (2) but you’re distant from everyone else on the stand and, (3) most importantly, where you can be seen by the camera that is focused on the pulpit as well as everyone in the audience. 

Please do not go up to the pulpit to direct the music, but make sure you can be seen by the camera, that your arm movement is somewhat demonstrative or expressive and, while singing, you are mouthing the words clearly so those at home can easily follow you. You may feel you’re singing a solo. We know that’s awkward, but appreciate your willingness knowing how much you’re helping those at home.

ORGANIST OR PIANIST

We appreciate the organist or pianist to always wear a face covering throughout the meeting, even during the music, and to maintain social distancing from the chorister when seated, unless you both live in the same household.

We ask you to please provide at least 15 minutes of prelude and postlude music or at least until the chapel is empty and the virtual webcast has concluded. We have found that as long as the bishop allows the webcast to continue, many people stay on to listen to the postlude music just because it feels so good to hear the hymns being played again on an organ.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Brother Jones, our Stake Music Director, or myself

Thank you again for your devoted service during this very unusual time.

President Lewis

EMAIL SENT ON SEPT. 2, 2020:

TO: Bishoprics and Branch Presidencies

Dear Brethren,

As we prepare to begin webcasting sacrament meetings from the chapel, please review together the following:

Several years ago I was reading King Benjamin's sermon in Mosiah 5. I noticed in verse 2 that the people "all cried with one voice" when making a covenant. I thought, "I wonder why we don't cry with one voice in our worship services?" Just then the Spirit whispered, "You sing!"

Ever since then I have cherished the wonderful element of congregational singing in every sacrament meeting.

As we transition to the chapel this weekend, we ask that you please find a way to incorporate congregational singing—especially members singing at home—in your virtual sacrament meetings. Also those in the chapel are now invited to sing reverently through their masks.

How do you incorporate congregational singing in a virtual meeting?

Here are three suggestions:

1. Have a music conductor with organ or piano accompaniment in the chapel direct the music over Zoom and encourage those at home to sing along. Some wards have learned how to overlay the lyrics on the screen. Encourage those in the chapel also to sing reverently through their masks.
   
   
2. Screen share the playing of hymns on the Church's music website. We recommend you click on "Vocals and Music" to the right of the lyrics. It's easier for those at home to sing along when they can hear others singing.
   
   
3. Show a video clip of a congregational hymn in General Conference and encourage those at home and in the chapel to sing along.

You can help members prepare to sing at home by identifying the hymns to be sung when you send your broadcast email announcing your sacrament meeting. That way those at home can have the lyrics ready.

Thank you for making congregational singing an essential part of your virtual sacrament meetings.

Gratefully,

President Lewis and the Stake Presidency