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Single Adult Ward

28 postsstarted by lisa88135 29,100 viewsoriginal topic

lisa88135
New Member
#1
I'm over 45. Can i go to a single adult ward?
russellhltn
Community Administrator
#2
According to Handbook 1: 9.1.9.2, Single Adult wards are for single members who are 31 to 45. For those going though a divorce, the divorce must be final (Handbook 2: 16.1.4)

What the local leadership will do when you show up is another story. Some are flexible. I'd think most would allow you to visit.
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mevans
Senior Member
#3
After the age was lowered to 45, our stake created a 45+ singles magnet family ward. Single members in the stake in that age category are allowed to transfer their membership to the magnet ward, if desired. Some choose to do so, and others do not. Sometimes the 45+ singles magnet ward get visitors from other stakes (although they cannot transfer their records), and sometimes it has had a separate singles Sunday school class that is led and taught by the singles group.

Depending on where you live, there may be organized singles activities and conferences that do include the 45+ crowd. I know people in that group who do travel to some of the organized conferences. If you're not sure how to get involved or cannot find the groups, please send me a private message and I can put you in contact with someone who is pretty well connected.
nedbrain
New Member
#4
Edited 1 time, last by russellhltn on . Reason: Combined posts
Is there a 45+ single adult ward in Las Vegas Nevada

Where is it?
scgallafent
Church Employee
#5
nedbrain wrote:Is there a 45+ single adult ward in Las Vegas Nevada

Where is it?
country59
New Member
#6
Looking for a 45 + Singles Ward near Spartanburg, South Carolina.
Mikerowaved
Community Moderators
#7
country59 wrote:Looking for a 45 + Singles Ward near Spartanburg, South Carolina.
I looks like they only have the Greenville Young Single Adult Ward, but nothing for 45+ singles.

If you type an address into the above link's search bar (on the left), it will show you which family ward is associated with that address. You can click on the ward's name and get the bishop's contact information. He can assist you further.
So we can better help you, please edit your Profile to include your general location.
russellhltn
Community Administrator
#8
country59 wrote:Looking for a 45 + Singles Ward near Spartanburg, South Carolina.
According to the General Handbook 37.5, they don't exist. There are Single Adult wards for the 31-45, but the Handbook has nothing for the 45+.

However, some wards tend to be lax on the requirements. For awhile I belonged to a YSA ward that allowed SA to attend.

But even Single Adult wards are rare. I see only 44 in the US. Mostly in church "hot spots". On the east coast, the only ones I see are Massachusetts, New York City, and two in Virginia.

All I can suggest is making connection with the local units and see if there's any gathering of your age group anywhere.
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BrianEdwards
Senior Member
#9
All I can suggest is making connection with the local units and see if there's any gathering of your age group anywhere.
I agree with that, and would add that (unfortunately), you may need to be the one doing a lot of the "information gathering". I have found that sometimes local wards/stakes may not know much about, or share much about, awareness of YSA groups/activities. And even less good about sharing info about SA groups/activities. And I would expect even much less good about over-45+ groups activities. So if you ask and the answer is "nope, nothing to see here", you might want to ask around some more just to verify.

Living outside the "Out West" environment, my experience is that the Church has organized (to some degree or another) groups and activities throughout the entire States for singles of all ages. They might be locally organized, or might be multi-Stake or Area-wide. Obviously it's not comparable to having a full-blown branch or ward for singles where you are, but I guess I'm just suggesting that fellowship and (virtual) gathering opportunities should exist even if an actual organized unit does not.
enimacario
New Member
#10
My brother Eber, would like to go over 45 ward in Utah. Where we can find that? Where people that are 50, 60, or divorced, widow, and would lime to know people available with that age, where they must go? He is going in my ward, in Sandy, we don’t have sister for him… Please, help us. He’s tried single group, but he doesn’t like.
lajackson
Community Moderators
#11
enimacario wrote:My brother Eber, would like to go over 45 ward in Utah.
There are not any "over 45" wards in the Church. Generally, single adult members ages 31 and over are best served in conventional wards. He should be attending the ward in which he lives.

There are, however, many activities that are meant for single adults to allow them to serve, lead, and socialize with other single members.

I would suggest that your brother visit with other single members his ward to learn how they communicate activities with each other. He might also contact the single adult representative in his stake if there is one. There normally also will be a high councilor or a member of the stake presidency who has responsibility for single adults in the stake.

He should serve in his ward in any calling given to him by the bishopric. Then, if he will participate in other single adult activities he will be able to meet many others, including sisters, and be able to form friendships with them.
mevans
Senior Member
#12
I think the only way to find these groups is through networking at singles activities. Find out what happens in your area and chances are you may find helpful people who know the singles scene. For example, our stake has a 45+ singles magnet family ward. Any singles 45+ in the stake can choose to have their records in that family ward. I don't think it's well publicized, but it exists.
towngreen1
New Member
#13

Re: Single Adult Wards

Is their a 45+ singles gathering near Inverness Florida? I'd yes were and what kind of dress ?
russellhltn
Community Administrator
#14

Re: Single Adult Wards

towngreen1 wrote: Tue Dec 07, 2021 6:07 am Is their a 45+ singles gathering near Inverness Florida? I'd yes were and what kind of dress ?
Please see the post before yours. You'll need to network with the local members. Odds are against anyone in the forum having an answer for you.
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mevans
Senior Member
#15
Go online and search for something like "Mormon Singles Conference." I just did and found various things that popped up. You'll may need to discern between what are church-organized activities and things that might be private dating services. Someone mentioned in a previous comment that he searched for Single Adult wards in the USA and only found a couple on the East coast...none in Florida (I don't know how long ago he did the search; things could have changed since then). Some of them look like Facebook groups. You might be able to network there to see if anything is in your area.

There are church-sponsored events. I'm on the West coast and periodically see official church-sponsored conferences here, and sometimes people travel from a ways away to attend the activities and conferences.

If you don't see much happening in your area, perhaps the Lord is calling you to be a pioneer in reaching out to other 45+ members who are in need of fellowship. There's a pretty diverse need in that crowd. I'd recommend talking to a stake presidency counselor about the needs of singles. Sometimes they really aren't aware. I think it was recently that the church said that the majority of church members in the USA are now single (they said outside of USA it's been that way for a while). Does your stake have Single Adult reps called? If so, reach out to them and see what they know. It might be a place to start networking. And if your stake doesn't have any Single Adult reps called...who knows, you could receive that calling.

Inverness, FL looks like it's a less-populated area. You might need to travel to places like Tampa, Orland, or Jacksonville...or even Atlanta...for some singles gatherings. I know not everyone is in a personal or family situation where travel is possible. But, maybe if needs are known (child care, watching house, etc.), members may volunteer to help so you can go to a weekend conference.

I hope something above might help you get started in finding out more. It can be a challenge. I have a family member as well as other church friends in the 45+ single category, so I tend to hear a little bit about the happenings.
johngw
New Member
#16
37.5
Single Adult Wards
Generally, single adult members (ages 31–45) are best served in geographic units.
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/stu ... s?lang=eng
Stake clerk in Sweden Stockholm South Stake.
John Wennerlund
ek.kamrer@ssstav.org
+46703557505
russellhltn
Community Administrator
#17
johngw wrote: Thu Mar 31, 2022 7:31 am Generally, single adult members (ages 31–45) are best served in geographic units

I know that's what the handbook says, but I know several single adults that would disagree.
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Chrystal1
New Member
#18

Re: Single Adult Ward 50+

I am in the same boat. My husband passed away a couple of years ago and I do not know where to go to find single friends my age. My ward is a family ward and I feel out of place there. I have no callings. I supposed people my age are archaic and don't get to have a social life or callings. If anyone knows of a 50+ singles ward in Northern Utah, please let me know.
mevans
Senior Member
#19

Re: Single Adult Ward 50+

Chrystal1 wrote: Mon Jun 20, 2022 12:09 am I am in the same boat. My husband passed away a couple of years ago and I do not know where to go to find single friends my age. My ward is a family ward and I feel out of place there. I have no callings. I supposed people my age are archaic and don't get to have a social life or callings. If anyone knows of a 50+ singles ward in Northern Utah, please let me know.
The church does not authorize singles wards for 50+, so you will not find such a ward. However, here are some other thoughts:
  • Think about your needs and goals (which may change over time). Are you looking to get remarried? Are you looking for service opportunities? Are you looking for social opportunities? Did the death of your spouse leave you with financial problems? Are you unsure?
  • If you have ministering sisters/brothers and feel comfortable doing so, talk to them about your situation. Blessings sometimes come through these people who are called to minister to you.
  • Meet with both your Relief Society president and your bishop. Let them know how you're feeling, including your desire to serve. If you have any thoughts about callings where you'd like to serve, let them know about those callings. Sometimes inspiration comes from information.
  • Meet with someone in the stake Relief Society presidency and talk about your situation. Chances are you're not the only person feeling the way you do in your ward or stake.
  • Meet with a member of your stake presidency, or possibly the stake president and talk about your situation.
  • Be patient. Often times things don't move quickly in the church.
  • Use the meetinghouse locator to look for a Single Adult (31-45) ward in your area. You reference "Northern Utah" and that's a big area. I see an SA ward in Logan and then several between Ogden and Provo. You won't be able to transfer your membership to such a ward; however, depending on how far over 45 you are, you might be comfortable attending some of the activities. You might also meet other people in your situation and find out about other activities, informal groups, etc.
  • Look online for groups. You made a post here in this forum so you have some comfort on the internet. Be careful, as some groups you find may not be what they seem (critical of the church, etc.). If one of your goals is remarriage, you could also investigate various dating sites that cater to church members. These are private businesses, but might be a way to help you meet people. Online activities (whether for marriage or just social) can be very good, but can also be very dangerous. Make sure you have a trusted friend or friends with whom you discuss your activities, any planned meetups, etc.
  • Is serving a full- or part-time mission the right thing for you to do? There are opportunities to serve while living in your home and opportunities to serve by going elsewhere. Here is information about senior missions: https://seniormissionary.churchofjesusc ... /?lang=eng
As I've mentioned previously, a stake presidency could feel inspired to make organizational changes, such as designating a singles magnet family ward in the stake where single members have the option of moving their records. Maybe that ward has additional support programs for those members. Such actions would likely be done in consultation with the stake Relief Society presidency and bishops. The stake president could also have other inspiration on things to do and also discusses situations in his stake with other priesthood leaders, such as general authorities.
russellhltn
Community Administrator
#20

Re: Single Adult Ward 50+

mevans wrote: Mon Jun 20, 2022 9:13 am The church does not authorize singles wards for 50+, so you will not find such a ward.
This is true. SA wards are for Single Members 31-45. However, it's quite possible some ward consider the upper age limit as a suggestion rather than a rule.

I'd start the search by typing your address into the Meetinghouse Locator to see what wards cover your location.
Have you searched the Help Center? Try doing a Google search and adding "site:churchofjesuschrist.org/help" to the search criteria.

So we can better help you, please edit your Profile to include your general location.
jillykearl
New Member
#21
I live is SE Idaho. I'm looking for either a Ward or activities for over 50 singles. I'm a divorced woman. Thanks in advance!! :)
rmrichesjr
Community Moderators
#22
jillykearl wrote: Wed Aug 03, 2022 5:51 pm I live is SE Idaho. I'm looking for either a Ward or activities for over 50 singles. I'm a divorced woman. Thanks in advance!! :)
Please refer to the two posts immediately before yours.
tourdeforce1946
New Member
#23
Is there a 45+ Single Adult Ward I the Houston Area?
russellhltn
Community Administrator
#24
tourdeforce1946 wrote: Thu Apr 11, 2024 3:26 pm Is there a 45+ Single Adult Ward I the Houston Area?
According to the General Handbook, Single Adult wards are limited to ages 31-45.

Your best bet would be to use the Meetinghouse Locator and see if you can find a Single Adult ward that's willing to ignore the age limit.
Have you searched the Help Center? Try doing a Google search and adding "site:churchofjesuschrist.org/help" to the search criteria.

So we can better help you, please edit your Profile to include your general location.
mevans
Senior Member
#25
tourdeforce1946 wrote: Thu Apr 11, 2024 3:26 pm Is there a 45+ Single Adult Ward I the Houston Area?
Hi, welcome to the forums. I recommend you browse through previous responses to the 45+ question in the discussion threads on this topic. While where aren't any 45+ wards, there's some information from me and others that might be helpful to you in worshiping and socializing with other singles. There isn't even a 31-45 ward anywhere near Houston; it looks like the closest one is in Albuquerque. If you have specific questions about any of the posts people have made, maybe people on this thread can help you.

If you're in a position to travel, here's information on an upcoming 31+ (which includes 45+) conference in Orange County, California. It's coming up in August.
https://www.ocldssinglesconference.com/
lajackson
Community Moderators
#26
You may wish to ask around. In some larger metropolitan areas one of the wards is designated as a suggested meeting place for single adult members who are interested in attending together. I do not live there, but I know that the Dallas area has one such ward.

And the Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio areas, among many others, hold regular single adult conferences and other activities quite often.
Thelordfirst
New Member
#27

Re: Single Adult Ward 50+

Chrystal1 wrote: Mon Jun 20, 2022 12:09 am I am in the same boat. My husband passed away a couple of years ago and I do not know where to go to find single friends my age. My ward is a family ward and I feel out of place there. I have no callings. I supposed people my age are archaic and don't get to have a social life or callings. If anyone knows of a 50+ singles ward in Northern Utah, please let me know.
Hi!
I am also in the same boat. I would like to meet others in their 60’s. I’m looking for an older singles ward as well.
Thank you,
jdlessley
Community Moderators
#28

Re: Single Adult Ward 50+

Thelordfirst wrote: Sun May 26, 2024 8:11 pm I am also in the same boat. I would like to meet others in their 60’s. I’m looking for an older singles ward as well.
Please note post #27 in this topic thread. There are other posts in this thread that address your issue.
JD Lessley
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