Ward Boundary Changes

Q: What is happening to the 6th/7th Ward Building?

A:  We understand this building holds many memories for our members. The Church Department of Temporal Affairs works with area and local leaders to plan and manage church facilities to make the best use of sacred tithing funds. Many factors are considered, including:

• Age of the building

• ADA concerns/risks

• Ongoing maintenance costs

• Anticipated upgrades or major renovations 

• Parking and other size limitations 

• Capacity of the chapel and overflow area

• Non-standard floor plans

• Capacity needs in the area

• Increasing or declining membership

After a thorough analysis, the Department of Temporal Affairs selected 30 facilities throughout Utah that fell outside these standards, including 4 in our area. Our 6th/7th Ward building is one of those buildings. Earlier this year, the Presiding Bishopric approved plans to sell the 6th/7th Ward building, and we’ve been asked to relocate the wards that meet there.  

Q: What happens when a building is sold?

A: When a building is sold by the church to a new owner, the new owner determines what comes next. Sometimes a building is purchased by another church for its congregation.  Sometimes the city purchases buildings to use for community centers or parks. And sometimes developers purchase the property to redevelop in line with city ordinances.  

We know that many in our stake have special memories associated with this building, once we have completed the changes, we are planning on having a special open house so all in the stake who like to tour the building, to take photos, to share memories with family and friends will be able to spend time there prior to the building being sold.  We will announce more about the open house in the upcoming month.

Q: Will the wards that meet in the 6th/7th Ward building become part of a different stake?

A: No. ALL members of the Burch Creek Stake will continue to be members of the Burch Creek Stake. No wards or ward members will be moved to a different stake.  

Q: Will changes be made in other wards in the Burch Creek Stake?

A: Yes. The Utah Area Presidency has studied what makes strong, sustainable wards and has shared their recommendations with us. After careful, prayerful consideration, we, the Burch Creek Stake Presidency, feel inspired to follow these recommendations to strengthen our wards.

Q: What did the findings show?

A: The Utah Area findings show that wards with fewer than ~170 participating members often experience:

• Chronic leadership burnout

• Constant recycling of the same individuals into callings

• Weak or socially fragile youth programs

• Limited retention of converts and returning members

Under these conditions, wards often struggle to sustain leadership development, youth retention, and unit vitality–even if total membership numbers appear adequate on paper.  

The findings went on to say that a well functioning ward should operate with somewhere between 180 - 250 participating members.

Q: How do the current ward sizes in the Burch Creek Stake align with the 180 - 250 participating member target?

A: In 2025, only one ward in our stake consistently reached that target. After discussing this with our bishops, we determined that realigning ward boundaries to create larger wards with stronger youth groups and more participating members would be a great blessing to our stake.  The boundary realignment will be at the ward level,  the stake boundaries will not change.   

Q: What changes are coming?

A: In order to reach these prescribed targets, we will reduce the number of wards from 7 to 5 and will be realigning ward boundaries. This will create 5 wards that fit well within the recommended size. We believe this will strengthen leadership development, improve youth retention, and enhance unit vitality.  The Regent Branch and Crestwood Branch will continue to be part of the Burch Creek Stake and will continue to be aligned to those two facilities with no changes.  

Q: When will these changes occur?

A: Our proposal has already been submitted to Church headquarters. Once we have received final approvals from the Presiding Bishopric and the First Presidency, we will hold a special stake-wide meeting to announce the changes. The date, time and location for this special stake wide meeting will be announced in early May.    We will present all the changes in that meeting and then will begin meeting in the newly aligned wards from that point forward.  

Q: What ward will I be in once the changes are made?

A: The Burch Creek Stake will no longer have numbered wards (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th). Instead, each ward will have a new name, so all stake members will be in a new ward. (with the exception of those in Crestwood and Regent Branches).  

The new wards will be:

• Glasmann Pond Ward

• Cedar Knolls Ward

• Grandview Park Ward

• Ben Lomond Ward

• Oakwood Hills Ward

Each ward will have many of the people you have known in your current ward. And every ward will have some new members.  5 of the 7 current bishops have been asked to lead these new wards.

Q: Will the building where I meet change?

A: Due to the increased size of the wards, the change in ward boundaries and losing one of our ward buildings, there will be some moving around of who attends which building to accommodate those changes.  In addition to the two remaining buildings in our stake, one of the wards will attend a building in a nearby stake. This ward will be part of the Burch Creek Stake, but we will share that building with another stake.

Q: Will my calling change?

A: Possibly. Since these are new wards, some members will be asked to continue in their current calling, while others may be invited to serve in a new calling.  Our primary purpose will be to ensure the ward council leadership in each ward has a good representation from each of the wards that have blended into that ward.  This will help to quickly form a cohesive ward family.   

Q: Are there any plans for get-to-know-you activities?

A: Yes.  Once the changes have been made, you will find that you already know many of the ward members, however every ward will have some new faces. 

We’ve asked each bishop to plan a big ward activity soon after the changes are made, giving everyone an opportunity to get to know each other better. They will also have a few linger-longers and a special ward temple day to give more opportunities for members to spend time together.  

Q: How will the changes benefit the ward members?

A:

• More energy and momentum in meetings, activities, and programs as fuller wards create greater excitement and participation.

• Less leadership burnout with a larger pool of active adults available to fill callings.

• New friendships while still serving and worshipping alongside many people you already know and love. 

• More balanced ministering as responsibilities are spread among more participating members.

• Stronger organizations with enough active members to fully staff callings.

• Better fellowship for new converts, part-member families, and those who may otherwise feel alone in a very small ward.

• More diverse talents in teaching, music, activities, service, and leadership.

• Better long-term stability as larger wards are less vulnerable when families move, become less active, or are unavailable for callings.

• Stronger combined efforts in missionary work, temple and family history work, service, and ministering.

• More efficient use of resources and meetinghouses by eliminating duplicate leadership structures across very small wards.

• Larger ward budgets to support activities and other ward expenses.

Q: How will the changes benefit the youth?

A:

• Greater stability for programs like Primary, Young Men, Young Women, and Sunday School because there are enough children and youth in each age group to make classes more effective.

• Bigger peer groups so youth have more friends, stronger social connections, and less isolation.

• More leadership opportunities where youth can learn from one another, counsel together, contribute ideas, plan activities, and develop spiritually and socially.

• Greater retention because youth and young adults are more likely to stay involved when they have close friendships and feel connected.

• Larger budgets to support stronger youth activities.

Q: What can I do to prepare myself and my family?

A: We invite you to prayerfully consider how you can each prepare yourselves and your families to move forward with faith as we enter this exciting time in the Burch Creek Stake.  Here are a few ideas:

• Pray for peace and the ability to see the Lord's hand in this process.

• Remember that ward boundaries and organizations may change, but covenants, doctrine, and the gospel do not.

• Talk positively at home, especially around children and youth. Parents set the tone for how a family responds.

• Help children understand that wherever they attend, they will still have friends, leaders, classes, activities, and opportunities to grow.

• Remind youth that new wards can mean stronger friend groups, larger youth programs, and more meaningful activities.

• Fast as a family if needed, asking for peace, unity, and the ability to trust the Lord.

• Study examples in scripture where the Lord asked people to move forward into unfamiliar situations with faith – 1 Nephi, Ether, and Joshua are great places to start.

• Remember that some of the greatest blessings, friendships, and spiritual experiences can come because of changes we did not originally want.

Q: What can I do to help my neighbors through this change?

A: These changes will be easier for some than for others. Here are a few ways you can make a difference:

• Avoid rumors, complaints, and “what if” conversations that create fear or division.

• Reach out to families who may be struggling more than others, especially youth, widows, older members, and those who are less active.

• Be willing to let go of “this is how it has always been” thinking and instead ask, “How can we help make this successful?”

• Encourage others to see change as an opportunity to serve, meet new people, and strengthen the kingdom.

• Make a deliberate effort to welcome new members, attend activities, and participate.