Dear Members of the Rocklin California Stake,
We greet you today with grateful hearts and some good news. After six months of having our in-person worship services suspended, the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, together with our Area Presidency who are monitoring local regulations, have authorized us to begin meeting again in a careful and cautious manner.
“And the church did meet together oft, to fast and to pray, and to speak one with another concerning the welfare of their souls. And they did meet together oft to partake of bread and wine, in remembrance of the Lord Jesus.” (Moroni 6:5-6).
Sacrament Meetings
With Placer County moving to “red” status earlier this week, churches are allowed to operate indoor meetings at 25% capacity or less than 100, whichever is fewer. Per church guidelines for Phase 1, each Sunday wards will hold an in-person sacrament service which will also be virtually broadcast to ward members not in attendance.
As a stake, we plan to start sacrament meetings on September 20th. Your bishoprics will be communicating schedules and members will be assigned specific times for in-person attendance. The general guidelines indicate that members in a higher risk category due to age or health are encouraged not to attend, but to continue worshipping at home by viewing the weekly broadcasted sacrament meeting. All should feel welcome to attend in-person meetings if they choose to do so. Support will continue to be provided for those members who need to continue home Sabbath worship in the current circumstances, and Bishops will continue to authorize the sacrament to be administered in homes at this time. Due to the size of groups, members will attend on their assigned Sunday only. Therefore, home worship will continue to be applicable for all of us in any given week.
If in the future we are again unable to attend meetings in-person due to a status change, then the weekly sacrament meeting will continue to be virtually broadcast and be a benefit for all ward members. As we respond to changing circumstances, flexibility will remain important.
As we consider how to safely go back to sacrament meetings, if you will please keep the following in mind:
- Please do not attend an indoor meeting if you, or any member of your household, have any cold-related symptoms (fever, cough, shortness of breath, runny nose, sore throat, etc.)
- Masks will be required and should be worn. If you are unable to wear a mask, we invite you to view the meeting through the virtual broadcast.
- The pews and chairs will be organized to allow households to maintain a 6-foot distance from other households.
- Please do not shake hands or give hugs. It is also important that members do not congregate in the lobby or chapel.
- We won’t be singing in our meetings, rather hymns will be played on the organ or piano.
- Bishoprics will share more details on how the sacrament will be safely administered and other cleaning protocols that will be followed.
- Be patient and focus on the spiritual benefits of gathering together while following safe protocols.
While the meeting will look different than we are used to, we are confident the Spirit will be present and we can be strengthened. In that, may we collectively pray to our Heavenly Father and ask him to prepare our minds and hearts to be ready to be spiritually uplifted, edified and strengthened as we begin gathering again.
As a Stake Presidency, we continue to be amazed at the resiliency and strength of each of you in this great Stake. We pray that we will know when and how to minister to one another in these unusual times.
We look forward to gathering with you once again to worship.
Much love to each of you,
Rocklin Stake Presidency
OTHER UPDATES
Other In-Person Meetings
Per Area Presidency guidelines, second-hour meetings won’t be held in-person at this time. They will continue as virtual meetings and should be balanced with the focus on sacrament meetings and home-centered efforts. Other in-person meetings are not authorized unless specifically mentioned below and approved by the bishopric.
Youth Activities
The general guidelines we received from the Area Presidency back in June indicated that infrequent outdoor activities, less than 20 people, could be considered. In any activity, we should follow social distancing and other health guidelines. We encourage Aaronic Priesthood quorums and Young Women classes, as well as class presidencies, to gather virtually regularly.
Using technology and safe in-person practices, many opportunities exist for presidencies and councils to meet, for youth to be encouraged and supported, and for meaningful worship, ministering, and service to occur.
Elders Quorums & Relief Societies
Using technology and safe in-person practices, many opportunities exist for presidencies and councils to meet, for individuals to be encouraged and supported, and for meaningful worship, ministering, and service to occur.
Gym Usage
The gym will continue to be closed at this time.
Baptisms
While we are in “red” status, all baptisms will be again held at the font in the Stake Center. Families should understand that our county status could change this at any time. Groups attending should be limited to 10 or less family members and follow safety and cleaning guidelines that have been outlined.
Patriarchal Blessings
Patriarch Stephenson is performing blessings and welcomes you to schedule an appointment.
Seminary
Some schools are starting to offer in-person sessions in our area and have specific guidelines they can follow that are different than what Places of Worship are asked to follow. We will take a very slow, conservative approach before we offer in-person seminary. We would like to see a longer-term trend in local and state statistics before offering in-person instruction. The social distancing and health/safety requirements would be a challenge for us. We will continue with our current online/Zoom based instruction for now.
Temple
The Sacramento temple is still paused for all ordinances.
Temple Recommend Interviews
Will continue to be done virtually for now.
