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
Thursday, March 19, 2020
Helping Hands - Shopping Buddies
Ok everyone – here’s the shopping fun for the next few months (some of you may be ahead of this already!)
Shopping buddies!!!
Because we have been warned that specific age groups and/or people who may have pre-existing conditions, are at greater risk for the coronas virus than others, it would be great if we could team up to help each other by doing small errands and shopping!
1. Those who need help: (I know some of your kids have called you and would prefer you don’t go out J ).
your job is to:
- make a list (and don’t let it get too long),
- plan out how your shopper will be able to pay, cash, e-transfer, cheque, credit card tap, etc.
- call a shopper and arrange a time to get the list. (Maybe you want every Monday and Thursday etc.)
2. Those who can be a shopper or mail dropper?
your job is to:
- decide on the phone with your person how they will pay for their groceries.
- pick up a little list and payment, and, off you go!
- Leave groceries on the porch with the receipt & change etc. securely in the bag.
And this doesn’t have to just be in our ward – if you have family/neighbors/friends/co-workers in other wards who you can make arrangements with that’s perfect.
You’d be amazed at how many of the high school kid out of school would LOVE to get out of the house for a good justified cause!
Contact Dianne or Kay and tell them if
1. you already have arrangements
2. if you need help, or
3. if you could be a shopper
Dianne Oertli ph: 403.653.3078 or text 403.795.6828 or email at mdoertli@gmail.com
Kay Ridley ph: 403.653.2365 or text 587.220.6955 or email at hkridley@telus.net
Saturday, March 14, 2020
What Interesting Times We Live In - A message from our Bishopric, Stake President, and Prophet
To our dear 5th ward family,
I saw a comment this week that read “What an interesting year this last half hour has been”. I’m not sure any of us could have anticipated the flurry of changes and cancellations that have occurred in the past 7 days. As I encouraged you to do last week, I hope you have taken advantage of the Church News app that has up to the minute coverage on changes affecting the Church membership. Numerous news sites have pages dedicated specifically to Covid 19, which this week was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. It would be easy to panic in the face of such events.
President Ferguson has asked that I pass the following on to each of you:
Dear Bishops, just to reaffirm my love, support and prayers for all of you and our stake members. I hope each of you are feeling a great sense of gratitude for a living Prophet, even Russell M Nelson. How blessed we are to know as members of the church that as we follow counsel from the leadership of the church we will be blessed, protected, and safe! I know you have read and are informed about the ongoing concerns with this global pandemic!
Please convey to your members the following:
- The Lord is in Charge
- We have a living Prophet who is guiding us in these latter days.
- Encourage members to do their Come Follow Me
- Look after their minister Brothers & Sisters and Families.
- Use good hygiene practices and avoid large groups.
- We are not allowing Sacrament to be administered in their homes at this time. That direction will come through Stake Presidency through the Bishop.
- We are discouraging building use as much as possible.
We love you all and invite you to encourage your members to pray that this will pass as we know it will. Stay safe and keep intouch with your members. We are a blessed people and things will be ok.
Pres J Ferguson
As you all know, for the foreseeable future we will not be having any church meetings, including sacrament meeting. That comes from the First Presidency and is a world-wide direction. In addition, temple work has been temporarily adjusted and there will not be any proxy ordinances until further notice. Living ordinances are by appointment only. Please contact the temple for specific instruction regarding living ordinances.
In the meantime, we are also dealing with a significant snow fall. I
read something the other day from Dr. David Livingston, he of “Dr.
Livingston I presume” fame. He said, “sympathy is no substitute for action”. I agree. In this time of trial, I’m asking each person who has a ministering assignment to reach out to their ministering family to determine if they are weathering this particular storm. If you can, FaceTime them so it’s more personal. I’m hoping everyone can be contacted. Then report to your supervisor. Specifically, make sure that everyone has sufficient food and other necessaries. If someone needs assistance, let Pres. Jasperson or Pres. Oertli know.
Isolation can be an added burden on top of everything else and while we don’t have a solution for Covid 19 or a winter storm, we can communicate with each other. And remember, please exercise common sense in your day to day activities. If you’re sick, stay home. Practice social distancing, including getting used to not shaking hands. Wash your hands with soap and water on a regular and frequent basis. Use hand sanitizer if you can get it. Refrain from touching your face, especially your mouth, nose and eyes. And don’t forget that the majority of our ward members fit within the age group that is most susceptible to this viruses effects. Trust in the Lord and follow the Prophet. We will get through this.
We love you all.
Bishop Brooks
Brother Schaffer
Brother McMurray
Inspiration and News
President Nelson Shares Message of Hope during COVID-19 Outbreak As concern over COVID-19 continues and Church worship services are suspended worldwide, watch this message of hope from President Russell M. Nelson.
Watch
Thursday, March 12, 2020
Church gatherings temporarily suspended
12 March 2020 - Salt Lake City News Release
12 March 2020 - Salt Lake City News ReleaseThe First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sent the following letter March 12, 2020, to Church members worldwide.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
As promised in our letter of March 11, 2020, we continue to monitor the changing conditions related to COVID-19 throughout the world. We have considered the counsel of local Church leaders, government officials and medical professionals, and have sought the Lord’s guidance in these matters. We now provide the following updated directions.
Beginning immediately, all public gatherings of Church members are being temporarily suspended worldwide until further notice. This includes:
- Stake conferences, leadership conferences and other large gatherings
- All public worship services, including sacrament meetings
- Branch, ward and stake activities
Where possible, please conduct any essential leadership meetings via technology. Specific questions may be referred to local priesthood leaders. Further direction related to other matters will be provided.
Bishops should counsel with their stake president to determine how to make the sacrament available to members at least once a month.
We encourage members in their ministering efforts to care for one another. We should follow the Savior’s example to bless and lift others.
We bear our witness of the Lord’s love during this time of uncertainty. He will bless you to find joy as you do your best to live the gospel of Jesus Christ in every circumstance.
Sincerely,
The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles
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