Dear 5th Ward Members,
Attached to this short letter is a letter received from President Ferguson. I will also send to all of you a copy of an email from Elder Stewart. Both letters describe the situation that exists following the government announcement this past Tuesday regarding the state of emergency. It will certainly have an impact on us as a ward.
I’ve discussed our ward situation several times this week with President Ferguson. In a nutshell, this Sunday we are going to have one meeting, commencing at 10 am. It so happens that this Sunday, we will have the Primary Presentation, which will be prerecorded and shown on the screen in the Chapel. This is, quite likely, a one time exception to the rule that we don’t use video or visual aids in a Sacrament meeting. The Primary Presentation portion of Sacrament meeting will also be available to view on the Stake YouTube channel. This too will likely be a one time occurrence. We have been given permission to this in order to allow family and friends from outside our ward to participate in the meeting. Of course, we will not be showing any other portion of the meeting.
Now, for the difficult part. The new restrictions mean we cannot have any more than 95 people attend our meeting. On Nov. 15, when we held our last meeting, we had 88 people attend. If a similar number come this Sunday, we will be well within our cap set by the government. However, we will be keeping track of the numbers and if we exceed 95 we will have to exclude some people.
So, please review your circumstances. If you are in a vulnerable group, including age (65 is the number usually used) or underlying health concern, or if you have tested positive or been in contact with someone who has tested positive, or have been in contact with someone who has been in contact with someone who has tested positive, or if you are ill in any way, or if you are the least bit concerned about being in a group setting, please do not come to the church and watch it on the YouTube channel instead.
One significant change is that we must all wear masks throughout the meeting, the only exception is being at the pulpit to pray or speak, or while partaking of the Sacrament. You might remember that on the 15th I mentioned that we were not, at that time, subject to such a restriction. That has changed with the most recent health order.
We will still keep track of names and phone #’s and will ask all to take advantage of the hand sanitizer that is available and will ask everyone to enter the building through the main doors on the east side of the TSC. You will see from Elder Stewart’s letter that there will be no in person YM/YW activities, but that is something we have been doing anyway. The numbers for funerals, weddings and baptisms are lowered, although baptism numbers have yet to be determined. We expect all will be restricted to 10. You have also likely heard that the Temple has been placed in Phase 1 status again, meaning only living sealings, and only by appointment, can occur.
I know it seems we are regressing. That may be true, but we are hopeful this is temporary. We love you and ask for your cooperation in this, particularly the maximum number of 95.
Bishop Brooks
To All Members of the Cardston Alberta West Stake,To each and everyone, I say, Thank You, I Love You , and We Need You!We are living in a day that has been foretold by many Prophets of old, even current Prophets of our day. There is so much commotion in today’s world, that it may be difficult to steady our course, especially during this Global Pandemic. During these past 9 months we have experienced and personally witnessed so many Changes, Restrictions, & Adapting to a “New Normal”. With the recent announcements from the Alberta Govt and further Restrictions, one might question and wonder “Will this ever end” All these restrictions affect each and everyone of us to some capacity. It is up to each of us to do our part in helping control the spread of the Virus! May I reaffirm what the First Presidency and Quorum of the 12 Apostles have asked each of us as members of the Church to do.They have always asked, that Each Member of the Church be a good Global citizen, be law abiding, that we look after each other, that we follow Govt Rules and comply to those rules and regulations given.I encourage each and everyone of us in this great Stake, to do our part, and follow the council of The Brethren and Govt Leaders. We will be blessed in our very personal lives if we do. I promise each of you, that there is Help, Hope and Light ahead in this dark tunnel we been travelling through.May we allow “God to Prevail” in each of our lives. I bear my witness that God Lives, and His True & Living Church has been established on this earth, with a Living Prophet today, even Russell M Nelson! May we listen to the council below from our Prophet on “The Healing Power of Gratitude”.
May it heal our souls!God Bless all of you!President Michael James FergusonCardston Alberta West Stake
Dear Presidents,As per Premier Kenney’s directives last night, we have some new guidelines in our province. As it relates to church activities, they are on the following link:I have listened to Premier Kenney’s message and have reviewed the documents. As I read them, we are allowed to meet at 1/3 capacity. He also said that most faith communities were already abiding by this, however some were not so these are no longer “guidelines” but “required”. But the written info above speaks to “normal attendance”. We haven’t been “normal” since before COVID so we need to look at 1/3 pre-COVID attendance. We are encouraged to utilize technology. Please continue to do so. If you have technology troubles, please have your Stake Tech person reach out to a neighboring Stake’s tech person. Masking is required in Calgary and Lethbridge and other “purple” areas (link to that map is on the above link). Most of both CC’s are in purple now.Social events (youth groups would likely fall in that category) may not be held in person. Virtually they can. “In person faith group meetings can continue” - I can see Bishopric / Stake Presidency meetings falling there, maybe High Council although the physical distancing may be tough. We have been encouraged to “work from home” so I think virtual meetings when possible is advisable. I think we should not be taking Sacrament into another person’s home for now. I think we want to “avoid the appearance” of a social visit. There is the “submit a complaint” button where you can complain if someone is not following the orders, and we sure would not want people complaining about our actions.In the April 16 letter “Administrative Principles in Challenging times” it gives guidelines. Under “Administering the Sacrament” it states that a Bishop can authorize the Sacrament in the homes of Priesthood holders or the homes of others, however “in unusual circumstances when the sacrament is not available, members can be comforted by studying the sacrament prayers and recommitting to live the covenants members have made and praying for the day they will receive it in person, properly administered by the Priesthood.” Please remind your members who this will apply to of this counsel. You may need to visit with your Bishops and consider again re-authorizing “at home sacrament” if your units have ceased that recently with the resumption of “in builiding” sacrament meeting. You may want to revisit that letter.No indoor social gatherings in any setting likely includes ministering. Virtually there is no concern. I think people can still reach out and could visit outside on some days weather permitting. Please encourage people to redouble their efforts to reach out by phone, virtually or a letter to those who are isolated.Seminary and Institute follow the school system so in person likely needs to be done Nov 30 for Seminary, and Institute can follow the local College or University lead. If they meet in person they need to have physical distancing and masks.Weddings / Funerals are at 10 with no receptions. You can decide if you want them in your buildings or not. 10 may not need a building the size of a Church but could. I suspect this may now apply to temple weddings as well, however endowment ceremonies may be still under the 1/3 normal capacity already and not need to adjust those numbers. Your local temple president will likely directly address this.Thanks brethren. Please connect locally with other units if there are some that share your locale so that you are all singing from the same song sheet.Summary:1. Sacrament meetings at 1/3 pre-COVID numbers with physical distancing2. No in-person indoor social gatherings - so no in-person indoor youth gatherings and no in-person indoor ministering.3. Seminary and Institute will follow the local school / college / University schedule.4. Weddings / Funerals capped at 10.Please let me know if I’ve missed anything. I appreciate your service to the great people in your Stakes.Elder David StewartThe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day SaintsArea 70 - North America Central Area
