These 2 letters are for all members as they are relevant to this Sunday. The first has to do with a request that we join the rest of Canadian members in a fast for a quick and effective resolution to this pandemic. The second is a repost of the directions for the administration of the sacrament this Sunday.
Letter to Stake Presidents from Elder Evanson:
Dear Presidents,
For most of us this Sunday was to be a Fast and
Testimony Meeting.
May I request that we join
together in Fasting this weekend to petition our
Heavenly Father to pour out His blessings upon
us at this time of crisis in our world.
Please ask
your members to join their faith in requesting that
the Lord will show forth His power in healing our
hearts, our lives and our nations of both this
physical virus and the spiritual viruses that we
struggle with.
Let's unite our faith to pray for
government leaders, health care workers and all
who are struggling at this time of great need.
I will be sending this request to Elder Craig to
possibly make it an Alberta-wide fast and I have
sent it also to the Area Presidency to see if we
can enlist the entire North America Central Area.
'Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and
fasting.'
Love,
Elder James E. Evanson
Area Seventy, North America Central Area
Repost of Stake Presidency letter regarding the Sacrament
March 19, 2020
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
We would like to express our deepest love and concern for each of you. As members of the Cardston Alberta West Stake, we are all in very unchartered waters at this time. We express gratitude for the Lord’s hand in our lives and know that He is our “shadow by day and our pillar by night.”
COVID-19 has now advanced and is considered a global pandemic. The effects of this pandemic are now felt in our local communities as the provincial government has declared a state of emergency in Alberta. As a stake presidency, we are very concerned for the safety and well-being of our stake members and our community at large. We are committed to protect our members and do our part to prevent the spread of this virus.
To do this Church leaders have asked, “Beginning immediately, all public gatherings of Church members are being temporarily suspended worldwide until further notice.” As such, Bishops and the Stake Presidency been counselled to determine how to best make the sacrament available to its members “at least once a
month”. The Stake Presidency met with the Bishops to counsel together, and we ask the stake members to follow the instructions below along with direction from your local Bishop. We know that as you prepare yourself and family to partake of the sacrament, your life with be blessed and you will feel the hand of the Lord
during this time.
1. Instructions for the Sacrament Ordinance in the Home.
The Sacrament ordinance is temporarily authorized to be administered in the home by worthy Priests, Elders or High Priests on Sunday, March 29. More instruction will be given from the Stake Presidency on home Sacrament ordinances following General Conference. We also encourage worthy Deacons and Teachers to help prepare and pass the Sacrament under the presiding priesthood holder in the home. Those who wish to partake of the Sacrament, but do not have a priesthood holder in the home, are encouraged
to contact their Bishop who will make arrangements for this to occur.
Under the direction of the Bishop and Elder’s Quorum presidency in each ward, the Sacrament may be administered to homes that do not have a priesthood holder residing in them. We admonish safe social distancing in these cases.
-No one should feel obligated or pressured to receive others or to go into other member’s homes
-Recording, posting on social media, or broadcasting of the sacred sacrament ordinance should not take place
Special attention should be given to proper hygiene practices in light of the current situation with CO-VID 19 virus.
Priesthood holders should consider the following guidelines:
a. Individuals involved in the ordinance of the Sacrament should
thoroughly wash hands.
b. Trays, dishes, cups should be washed before use.
c. Individual cups should be provided for each person.
d. It is preferred that a white cloth/fabric is used to cover the water cups while the bread is being blessed and then moved to the bread while the water is being blessed. If white fabric is not available, another simple, clean cloth may be used.
Individuals who have a fever, cough or shortness of breath should not participate administering the Sacrament outside their home. Also, individuals who have a fever, cough or shortness of breath should not invite others into their home (always call ahead).
2. Sunday/Sabbath Worship in the Home
We would invite stake members to set aside appropriate time each Sunday by having a home-centered gospel study and personal worship on the Sabbath. We would invite you to remember the Sabbath Day and to keep it Holy.
You can still prepare for the Sacrament by repenting daily, keeping your covenants and remembering the Savior. When the Sabbath comes, if not partaking of the Sacrament that day, you can still sing a sacrament hymn at home and read the Sacrament prayers (D&C 20:77, 79). “Go there spiritually even if you can’t physically.”
Some things to consider:
- Dress and groom the same as if you were attending church as a reminder of the sacredness of the ordinance and our personal commitment to our Savior, Jesus Christ.
- Strive to be consistent on a time each week.
- Strive to maintain reverence and invite the Spirit.
- Consider including singing hymns, prayers, and spiritual messages.
- Avoid gathering in groups and be consistent in practicing “social distancing” to avoid the potential spread of the virus.
3. Instructions for Ministering the Sacrament in Others Homes.
Under the direction of the Bishop and organized by the Elder’s Quorum President, worthy ministering brothers who are authorized by the Bishop may administer the sacrament in other’s homes where a priesthood holder is not present. They should be mindful that not everyone will be comfortable having visits in their home. Priesthood holders should first call and determine level of comfort before offering service, understanding that it is totally acceptable if someone chooses not to receive the Sacrament in their home due to health concerns.
Priesthood holders should consider the following guidelines:
a. Individuals involved in the ordinance of the sacrament should
thoroughly wash hands.
b. Trays, dishes, cups should be washed before use.
c. Individual cups should be provided for each person.
d. Member of the household should provide the emblems of the
Sacrament (bread and water).
e. It is preferred that a white cloth/fabric is used to cover the water cups while the bread is being blessed and then moved to the bread while the water is being blessed. If white fabric is not available, another simple, clean cloth may be used.
We encourage everyone to review Alberta Health Services recommendations on
hand washing and infectious disease outbreak management at www.ahs.ca/covid
At this unique and challenging time, we express our desire to have stake members renew a commitment to minister to those to whom they are assigned and to others who may be in need. Just as technology has blessed us to continue to hear the word of the living Prophet, it also allows us to connect to those who may be ill,
homebound or otherwise need to hear a friendly voice or receive an inspirational and personal text.
As a Stake Presidency, we wish to reaffirm that the hand of the Lord is in our lives. He knows you and loves you. During this unique challenge, we hope that you will find comfort in Sabbath Day worship, preparing for partaking of the Sacrament,
and in the words of the Living Prophet, President Russell M. Nelson, “These unique challenges will pass in due time, and I remain optimistic for the future.”
We, likewise, express our love.
Sincerely,
Cardston Alberta West Stake Presidency
