Home Church

[bluebell]

What guidances has everyone gotten about  how to handle Sundays at home?

Our bishop gave all families permission to do the sacrament in their homes, provided someone has authority to do so. He also made provisions for those without a priesthood holder present.  And he gave guidelines for how to do the sacrament correctly. 

Then in closing he wrote:  “All ward members should be advised that the stake president passed along instruction from Elder Peterson (area authority seventy) that replication of a sacrament meeting (talks, prayers, hymns, etc.) is not required or appropriate.  We are strongly encouraged to focus on the ordinance of the sacrament.   The ordinance of the sacrament should take place separately from our Sunday study.  (Example: Sacrament ordinance, then song, prayer, study of Come Follow Me, song, prayer.)“

My friend lives in the same town but in a different stake and her stake president basically told her that it was a good opportunity for families to do their own sacrament meeting stuff, including talks, etc. 

We thought it was odd that our stake presidents have each of us conflicting counsel.

Any one get counsel on having sacrament-type meetings or hear from the area 70 on it? 

[Raingirl]

Other than an initial email from the RS President when our governor banned gatherings of 250+, I have received absolutely no communication from anyone in the church. No emails, no phone calls, not a peep.

If I wasn’t watching the news, (and reading forums such as this), I would have no information regarding what is happening within the church. 

It seems bizarre in this age of email that a bishop would not send some kind of informative email to the entire ward. 

[Rain]

Our SP and bishop have been talking about what to do. Our bishop has spent much time in prayer about sacrament.  He has been impressed to wait a week or 2 before we do the sacrament and he has not felt how that should be done yet.  

When we have traveled we have sometimes had a difficult time getting to church. I always try to plan it, but sometimes when we don't rent a car the ability to get there is not like I planned. In the past we have always asked for permission just in case.

This last time was with this bishop. He looked it up in the handbook and found that it wasn't necessary every week so he said no.  I have wondered if that goes into how he is feeling now. While he is one who follows the rules he is not a controlling bishop and he lives very much by the Spirit. It'll be interesting to see how things go.

[Rain]

6 minutes ago, Raingirl said:

Other than an initial email from the RS President when our governor banned gatherings of 250+, I have received absolutely no communication from anyone in the church. No emails, no phone calls, not a peep.

If I wasn’t watching the news, (and reading forums such as this), I would have no information regarding what is happening within the church. 

It seems bizarre in this age of email that a bishop would not send some kind of informative email to the entire ward. 

Have you checked to make sure your correct email is on the website? We have recieved many email at least from the general church which you should be getting.  I have known some RSP who keep separate lists from the church for various reasons so just because they do it doesn't mean your email is on the site.

Edit: my daughter's YSA ward has said nothing either, but she has received general church email.

Edited March 16, 2020 by Rain

[Amulek]

We just did it as a component of our FHE - at the beginning, while the kids were still reverent. 

I thought it worked okay, but I was thinking about having it be completely separate next week. We'll see how it goes.

In terms of guidance, we haven't received too much from the Area 70 level - at least, not that has been communicated down to the wards yet. There is still some 'room for interpretation' with what has been given thus far, so I anticipate maybe hearing more in the coming days / weeks. 

 

[JAHS]

Got a text from Bishop authorizing us to do the sacrament in the home and then report back if it was actually done. No further instructions.
We had our own lesson from the  Come Follow Me manual then did the sacrament and afterwards watch the Book of Mormon video related to the lesson.
Texted the Bishop back and let him know what we did. 

 

[Scott Lloyd]

1 hour ago, bluebell said:

What guidances has everyone gotten about  how to handle Sundays at home?

Our bishop gave all families permission to do the sacrament in their homes, provided someone has authority to do so. He also made provisions for those without a priesthood holder present.  And he gave guidelines for how to do the sacrament correctly. 

Then in closing he wrote:  “All ward members should be advised that the stake president passed along instruction from Elder Peterson (area authority seventy) that replication of a sacrament meeting (talks, prayers, hymns, etc.) is not required or appropriate.  We are strongly encouraged to focus on the ordinance of the sacrament.   The ordinance of the sacrament should take place separately from our Sunday study.  (Example: Sacrament ordinance, then song, prayer, study of Come Follow Me, song, prayer.)“

My friend lives in the same town but in a different stake and her stake president basically told her that it was a good opportunity for families to do their own sacrament meeting stuff, including talks, etc. 

We thought it was odd that our stake presidents have each of us conflicting counsel.

Any one get counsel on having sacrament-type meetings or hear from the area 70 on it? 

This is the first I’ve heard that it’s “not appropriate” to sing hymns or have gospel study along with administration of the sacrament at home. That strikes me as odd and a bit heavy handed.  I would like to have more sources that are more highly placed confirm that before I accept it without question. There’s too much in the way of hearsay in what you quote above. 
 

Incidentally, it would seem your bishop, like many people, is not up on current terminology with regard to members of the Seventy. The term “Area Authority Seventy” is outmoded. Should be Area Seventy (as distinguished from General Authority Seventy). 

[bluebell]

2 minutes ago, Scott Lloyd said:

This is the first I’ve heard that it’s “not appropriate” to sing hymns or have gospel study along with administration of the sacrament at home. That strikes me as odd and a bit heavy handed.  I would like to have more sources that are more highly placed confirm that before I accept it without question. There’s too much in the way of hearsay in what you quote above. 
 

Incidentally, it would seem your bishop, like many people, is not up on current terminology with regard to members of the Seventy. The term “Area Authority Seventy” is outmoded. Should be Area Seventy (as distinguished from General Authority Seventy). 

I thought it was odd too. 

[Raingirl]

48 minutes ago, Rain said:

Have you checked to make sure your correct email is on the website? We have recieved many email at least from the general church which you should be getting.  I have known some RSP who keep separate lists from the church for various reasons so just because they do it doesn't mean your email is on the site.

Edit: my daughter's YSA ward has said nothing either, but she has received general church email.

My email is correct on every church site.  Other than the email from the RS Society President, no communication from anyone. 

[bluebell]

8 minutes ago, Raingirl said:

My email is correct on every church site.  Other than the email from the RS Society President, no communication from anyone. 

That’s so weird. I wonder why you aren’t getting the emails that go out from SLC to all members?

[Scott Lloyd]

20 minutes ago, JAHS said:

Got a text from Bishop authorizing us to do the sacrament in the home and then report back if it was actually done. No further instructions.
We had our own lesson from the  Come Follow Me manual then did the sacrament and afterwards watch the Book of Mormon video related to the lesson.
Texted the Bishop back and let him know what we did. 

 

We had an opening prayer, then sang a sacrament hymn followed by blessing and passing of the sacrament by my boys and me. I then beamed the recent video from President Nelson from my iPhone to our big-screen and we watched it. I wanted us to also watch the Book of Mormon video that goes with Jacob 2, but we had to cut the meeting short due to an appointment with extended family. 
 

Our bishop is not requiring that we report back to him, but I did it anyway. 
 

Our elders quorum president asked us to check in via email with our ministering families to see that sacrament and other needs were being met, so I did that in the afternoon. 

Edited March 16, 2020 by Scott Lloyd

[smac97]

Here's what has happened in our ward:

1. Our ward's ward council is meeting remotely via Google Hangouts.  They have already met a few times.

2. The bishop and the EQP and the RSP are coordinating welfare checks on the entire ward.  On Saturday the bishop sent out an email which stated in part:

Quote

I am deeply committed to making sure that all of our members are safe and that their temporal and spiritual needs are met. You will be contacted shortly by your Ministering Elders or Sisters to check and see if you have any needs. There are primarily four concerns.

1. Heath needs - are you healthy? do you have the medications you need?
2. Necessities - do you have what you need?
3. Employment - has your employment or income been adversely affected by the virus?
4. Neighbors - do you have any neighbors with needs, members of the ward or others?

 Please feel free to contact me or any member of the bishopric with any concerns.

3. Thereafter (also on Saturday), the EQP sent out an email to everyone in the quorum, which stated in part:

Quote

• Will you please reply to this email immediately, confirming that you have received it and also Bishop's email? 
• Will you also please talk to each of the families we have asked you to minister to and ask them the questions Bishop has given us? 
• Please call me, reply to this email, or text me with the results of your efforts by Wednesday of this week? 
• Also, please consider checking in with your neighbors as well and let us know which of them you have talked to and any potential needs.

The first bullet above was helpful in winnowing down the list of people who are not "in the loop" (since they did not reply immediately). 

The second and third bullets were helpful in that the ward leadership is getting immediately information about the entire ward.

The fourth bullet is helpful because it's a reminder that we need to check on everyone, including neighbors who are unknown, not members, etc., but whose welfare is still our concern.

I believe the RSP has been doing the same thing on the sisters' side.  

I have lived in my ward for 14 years, and we have a good number of folks who have lived here even longer than that.  I have found that such longevity carries a lot of benefits, particularly when the remainder of the ward is comprised of renters (mostly BYU students), who are very transitory, and who therefore aren't as "rooted" in the ward/neighborhood, and who therefore may need some real attention.

I am grateful for my ward. 

Thanks,

-Smac

[Amulek]

1 hour ago, Rain said:

Our bishop has spent much time in prayer about sacrament.  He has been impressed to wait a week or 2 before we do the sacrament and he has not felt how that should be done yet.  

In the stake physically adjacent to our own, the stake president has expressly counseled all bishops to have members not have the sacrament in their own homes prior to the last Sunday of the month. Whereas, in our stake, almost the polar opposite has occurred. Bishops were counseled to authorize all worthy priesthood holders to share the sacrament in their homes this week and to ensure those without priesthood in the home were given the opportunity as well. 

Unless further direction is given, our plan is to proceed just as we have been throughout the duration. Our EQ presidency is still compiling the numbers, but when I went to bed last night the numbers were right in line with what we normally have in terms of weekly sacrament meeting attendance - maybe 10 or so off, but very close. In fact, I am only aware of one person so far who wanted the sacrament and didn't receive it - but it was due to a scheduling conflict, and bishop didn't want to authorize it to be administered on a weekday; we'll just catch them this coming Sunday.

 

[Duncan]

This is what we got on facebook, so what to do if you're not on facebook, I don't know

“Brethren and Sisters,

As most or all of you have no doubt heard, the Church has suspended all meetings until further notice. I want to clarify that this includes ALL meetings such as youth activities, seminary, extracurricular activities such as basketball and even leadership (Bishopric/Branch Presidency) meetings. In the notice, which can be read on the church website, indicates that Bishops will work with their Stake President to provide the sacrament to members at least monthly. As of this writing, I have not had direction on how this is to be done. However, I believe the church will be sending further information soon.

I have spoken with some of you about notifications for members, and I would like to repeat that request. I'd like to ask that a notification be put on the church doors indicating that there will be no meetings held in our buildings and that they are effectively closed until further notice. Please use wording similar to that of the church on their website. Using your ward or branch council, you can ensure that all members receive the information. I will update as I receive more information.

As for the Bishops storehouse, we will authorize this week's storehouse, however, after tomorrow, we will go back to our previous method of providing for the needy by working one by one.
Feel free to ask questions. I likely won't be spending much time on social media, so I won't be monitoring what is being said. I'd ask that you Brethren help our members focus their faith on the Saviour and using the resources in Come Follow Me to fully implement the home-centred, church-supported study of the gospel we have been given.

As additional, reputable resources, I'd recommend the following websites or agencies:"

[rongo]

We loved our home service yesterday. We did it as a full sacrament meeting (my priest and I blessed and my teacher passed). Opening song, opening prayer, sacrament hymn, wife and teacher spoke, and closing song and closing prayer. I taught Sunday School. 

[Rain]

1 hour ago, Raingirl said:

My email is correct on every church site.  Other than the email from the RS Society President, no communication from anyone. 

Have you received occasional emails from the church in the past year?  If not I wonder if it is a spam filter or if it is switched off in your account?

[Amulek]

3 minutes ago, Rain said:

1 hour ago, Raingirl said:

My email is correct on every church site.  Other than the email from the RS Society President, no communication from anyone. 

Have you received occasional emails from the church in the past year?  If not I wonder if it is a spam filter or if it is switched off in your account?

Definitely check this. By default, all of my church emails go to my junk folder. 

 

[Rain]

2 hours ago, Raingirl said:

My email is correct on every church site.  Other than the email from the RS Society President, no communication from anyone. 

Meanwhile, you can check this page for updates: 16 March 2020 - Salt Lake City   Summary Page  Updates on How COVID-19 Is Impacting Saints Worldwide

They are updating it each time they send out an email.

[Scott Lloyd]

1 hour ago, Amulek said:

In the stake physically adjacent to our own, the stake president has expressly counseled all bishops to have members not have the sacrament in their own homes prior to the last Sunday of the month. Whereas, in our stake, almost the polar opposite has occurred. Bishops were counseled to authorize all worthy priesthood holders to share the sacrament in their homes this week and to ensure those without priesthood in the home were given the opportunity as well. 

Unless further direction is given, our plan is to proceed just as we have been throughout the duration. Our EQ presidency is still compiling the numbers, but when I went to bed last night the numbers were right in line with what we normally have in terms of weekly sacrament meeting attendance - maybe 10 or so off, but very close. In fact, I am only aware of one person so far who wanted the sacrament and didn't receive it - but it was due to a scheduling conflict, and bishop didn't want to authorize it to be administered on a weekday; we'll just catch them this coming Sunday.

 

I wonder why a stake president would forbid home administration of sacrament. I can see why he would not want it done without authorization, but with the same effort it takes to contact people to tell them not to do it, you could go ahead and give permission. 
 

Weird. 

Edited March 16, 2020 by Scott Lloyd

[Nacho2dope]

3 hours ago, bluebell said:

What guidances has everyone gotten about  how to handle Sundays at home?

Our bishop gave all families permission to do the sacrament in their homes, provided someone has authority to do so. He also made provisions for those without a priesthood holder present.  And he gave guidelines for how to do the sacrament correctly. 

Then in closing he wrote:  “All ward members should be advised that the stake president passed along instruction from Elder Peterson (area authority seventy) that replication of a sacrament meeting (talks, prayers, hymns, etc.) is not required or appropriate.  We are strongly encouraged to focus on the ordinance of the sacrament.   The ordinance of the sacrament should take place separately from our Sunday study.  (Example: Sacrament ordinance, then song, prayer, study of Come Follow Me, song, prayer.)“

My friend lives in the same town but in a different stake and her stake president basically told her that it was a good opportunity for families to do their own sacrament meeting stuff, including talks, etc. 

We thought it was odd that our stake presidents have each of us conflicting counsel.

Any one get counsel on having sacrament-type meetings or hear from the area 70 on it? 

We got the same guidance from our Bishop. He did not mention any member of the area seventy. I thought it was interesting. 
This is from the email "A few final comments on this plan.  Please do not conduct or think of this as having sacrament meeting in the home.  This is a unique opportunity to administer the ordinance of the sacrament in your home, but it is not a sacrament meeting."

Thanks,

[bluebell]

18 minutes ago, Nacho2dope said:

We got the same guidance from our Bishop. He did not mention any member of the area seventy. I thought it was interesting. 
This is from the email "A few final comments on this plan.  Please do not conduct or think of this as having sacrament meeting in the home.  This is a unique opportunity to administer the ordinance of the sacrament in your home, but it is not a sacrament meeting."

Thanks,

That is interesting.  Do you live in Utah?  

[Amulek]

1 hour ago, Scott Lloyd said:

I wonder why a stake president would forbid home administration of sacrament. I can see why he would not want it done without authorization, but with the same effort it takes to contact people to tell them not to do it, you could go ahead and give permission. 

Weird. 

I thought it a little curious myself. I suspect there is some combination of inspiration and pragmatism in play - I mean, most active members should have already had the opportunity to take the sacrament during a church service this month (i.e., first two weeks), so if the guidance is 'monthly,' I can maybe see taking your time to set things in order for coming month.

Still, I'm grateful my family will continue to be able to partake of the sacrament regularly until normal services resume. 

 

[Nacho2dope]

1 hour ago, bluebell said:

That is interesting.  Do you live in Utah?  

No we are in Texas.

[The Nehor]

My stake has told bishops they can authorize home administration of the ordinance but they want bishops to give approval that can be tracked whether email or text. This is a “one and done” thing where you get permission and can administer the sacrament until told otherwise. Others get it brought as we can.

We are also sending out messages weekly and holding leadership meetings using tech every Sunday morning.

[Ginger Snaps]

1 hour ago, Scott Lloyd said:

I wonder why a stake president would forbid home administration of sacrament. I can see why he would not want it done without authorization, but with the same effort it takes to contact people to tell them not to do it, you could go ahead and give permission. 
 

Weird. 

I belong to a Facebook group for Bishops (and counselors) wives. One of them said their Stake President forbid it because he didn’t want it to be a situation of haves and have-nots.