18 March 2020
To Registrants & Interested Participants in the Up-Coming Mid-single Adult Conference – “FOCUS 2020”:
It pains us to inform all registrants and interested participants that our Huntington Beach Singles Conference (held annually during the third week of May) will be canceled due to the safety concerns of the coronavirus [COVID-19]. We are complying with the advice we have received from our Church leaders and the State of California to cancel. We will plan on 2021. We are so very thankful to those individuals who have worked so hard on planning this Conference.
We thank Sister Jessica Panula (our 2020 Conference Chair) and all those on her committees including website design, securing venues, catering and registration. They have worked many hours to make this conference a success and memorable.
We also thank those who were traveling from far away to be with us and hope that they receive reimbursements for their travel expenses.
We thank the many members who registered early. Thank you, thank you. You will receive a full refund.
We thank President Rick Johnson (our Stake President) for his support and want to extend our appreciation to him and to the speakers who committed to bring much needed messages to our Conference.
We express our deepest thanks to Elder Kevin Pearson for his willingness to travel during this busy time of year and would hope he will be able to clear his calendar to join us in 2021.
We express thanks to Elder Tad Callister, Sister Susan Easton Black Durrant, Brother Matt Ball, Brother Brad Wilcox, Brother Gary Lawrence, Brother Bruce Richardson, Sister Diana Hoelscher, Sister Elyse Peterson Hales, as they were planning on traveling to Huntington Beach to be with us.
We will make sure that our 2021 conference is what you all expect it to be and we are committed to make it better than ever before.
We pray for all of you. We pray for your families and friends. Please stay safe and follow instructions from our Church and local leaders. We love the mid-singles more than you can imagine.
With much Love,
Bishop Gary Boyce
Brother Ken Fawson
Brother Bill Wynder
Brother Ryan Bell
1 March 2020
As concerns regarding the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continue to increase, we should remember to not react out of fear, but use our faith, wisdom, and common sense to help the work of the Lord continue during these challenging times. The Lord has promised that “if ye are prepared, ye shall not fear” (D&C 38:30).
Having counseled together, and given that the conference will not even commence until mid-May, 2020 (well beyond the period that public health officials are currently counseling to engage in social distancing and avoiding large gatherings), the Bishopric have determined to proceed with holding the conference as presently planned (which we are excited to share with all of you).
We will continue to carefully monitor the advice and recommendations of church leaders and public health officials, and will post any change in conference planning (abbreviation or cancellation) should that be warranted (full refunds will be provided if necessary). In the interim, continue protecting yourself against the novel coronavirus by doing the following:
Wash your hands frequently: Regularly and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If hand washing is not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Maintain social distancing: Maintain at least 2 meters (6 feet) distance between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing. Minimize direct physical contact with others, including shaking hands.
Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth: Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and make you sick.
Practice respiratory hygiene: Make sure you, and the people around you, follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately and wash your hands.
Stay home if you feel unwell: If you have a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early. Follow the directions of your local health authority.
We look forward to seeing you at the 2021 conference!