Vital to the Kingdom: Single Adult Sisters

In a Church that places a strong emphasis on eternal families, some members—including sisters who have never married, have never had children, or are divorced or widowed—may wonder how they fit in. But the Church benefits from the talents and skills of all its members, and single sisters called to leadership positions have the opportunity to bless not only the lives of those they serve but their own lives as well. The Church is exactly the place for these sisters to share their gifts.

Bishop Knudsen never excluded single sisters when calling people to serve in the ward. Nor were they chosen merely because they weren’t married. He says, “These sisters were not called because they were single but because we, as a bishopric, felt that they were the right people for the callings. After prayer, consultation with my counselors, and confirmation by the Spirit, I extended calls to these sisters and helped them see their own potential.” He adds, “We discussed their individual circumstances and the time commitment that would be required to fulfill their callings and whether they could make that work in their lives. They all agreed that they would make the time necessary to serve as called. They, and the ward, have been blessed for their service.”

President James E. Faust (1920–2007), former Second Counselor in the First Presidency, said, “Remember that we have all been single, are now single, or at some time may again be single; so being single in the Church is not extraordinary.”¹ He also said, “Many faithful, righteous sisters have not had the opportunity for marriage, yet they have always been a vital and necessary part of this sacred work. These wonderful women have a distinct errand of influence. … In the Church there are endless opportunities to love and nurture.”²

A call to serve may be daunting if we are called to serve those of a different age. Sister Marie Brown was in her 70s and recently widowed when she was called to serve as Young Women president in the Owego Ward. Though some might imagine that an older widow and a group of seven teenage girls would not have much in common, Sister Brown has developed close friendships with the young women she serves.

Image

Marie Brown and young women

One of her favorite parts of the calling is sharing her life experiences with the young women during her lessons. In an era marked by electronic communication, Sister Brown has taught the girls that there can still be value in old-fashioned letter writing. Each month the young women make approximately 30 cards for less-active ward members, widows and widowers, missionaries serving from the ward, and young women who have left for college. These cards, which include messages written by the young women, are touching and meaningful to those who receive them.

Sister Brown also loves attending the temple. Three times a year she drives the young women the 95 miles to the Palmyra New York Temple to demonstrate her love for them and for temple ordinances. The drive is two hours each way, but it seems a short time as they get to know each other and share in their love for temple service.

Sister Brown and the young women quickly discovered that the difference in their ages and life experiences is no barrier to having a wonderful time together. This friendship across the generations has come to bless and enrich all their lives, thanks to Sister Brown’s willingness to accept the call to serve.

Sister Susan Brandt is another sister who has blessed many lives through her service. Sister Brandt was divorced later in life, after raising five children with her former husband, and continued to serve in many capacities, including as a missionary in the Family History Library in Salt Lake City. She currently serves as Relief Society president in the Owego Ward.

Sister Brandt loves reaching out to find the sisters in her ward who may feel lonely or distant during activities. She knows what it is like to be alone, so she goes out of her way to pay special attention to those who do not have a companion who is active in the Church. One way she does this is through an activity on the first Thursday of every month, when Sister Brandt and her counselors meet with other sisters at a local restaurant and spend time getting to know each other in a non-Church environment (pictured below). Her natural love and compassion for the sisters in the ward have helped many feel more included.

Image

Susan Brandt and other women

Now that Sister Williams is serving as a seminary teacher, Sister Judy Woodard has become Primary president in the Owego Ward. After raising four children, Sister Woodard and her husband divorced. Though Sister Woodard now lives alone, she diligently serves the children in Primary and blesses many of their lives with her kindness and love.

Bishop Knudsen has seen many blessings come to these sisters and the ward as they have served in their callings. He says, “Our ward has a large percentage of single members as well as part-member and less-active families, and these sister leaders are here to help participate in the rescue and reach all of our members. We are all on a pathway back to our Heavenly Father, and we are all here to help each other, no matter what our circumstances in life.”

Whatever our personal situations may be, we can take comfort in knowing that we have a caring ward family and loving Father in Heaven to help us through. President Thomas S. Monson has said: “We were not placed on this earth to walk alone. What an amazing source of power, of strength, and of comfort is available to each of us. He who knows us better than we know ourselves … has assured us that He will be there for us to provide help if we but ask.”³

The single adult sisters serving in the Owego Ward have certainly found this to be true.

Image

Judy Woodard with children