We are often asked how successful friendsfirst is?
If you judge success by the number of marriages we've had then we are very successful. And if you add in the numbers of people making new friends (which is what some people join for) then it's even better
For more details of couples stories
> click here
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Enhance your social skills!
Would you like to be better at meeting people, feel more confident and do it more often? We've teamed up with The Dating Doctor giving you preferential rates on a whole range of his services.
For more details.
> click here
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Enquirers Newsletter August 2010
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friends1st's 23rd Newsletter
Creating Amazing Relationships
August, 2010 - Issue 23
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 Welcome to friends1st's 23rd newsletter and especially if you are a new subscriber.
This newsletter is all about relationships - how to create amazing ones and the impact on our lives and souls when we do.
As always we also hope this newsletter and the articles in it will give you information that is worthwhile and useful to you. Do let us know your thoughts - as we love to hear your feedback.
With best wishes,
Katharine Gray
Director
P.S Don't forget - we are here to help you - if you want to chat about being single and how we can help, just give us a call on 0121 427 1286. |
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friends1st's News
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Summer holidays now and next year
The summer holidays are here - perhaps you've taken yours like a lucky group of our members. Our fifth holiday took place at St. Rhadagunds from 26th June to 3rd July and once again by all accounts it was the best holiday ever. The holiday was exceptionally well led by a lovely lady called Angela who was not only excellent at getting people together and organising fun things for those who wanted to do them, but also led the holiday spiritually, creating just the right atmosphere for people to share their faith journey and be strengthened by each other. 
One man said to us that he'd been going to St. Rhadagunds for some time now but this holiday stuck out as being the best and he'll definitely be going back.
Once again the holiday had a good mix of men and women and was blessed with good weather - always a bonus.
Next year there will be two holidays - the first on 25th June - 2nd July and the second on 3rd - 10th September. So if you missed this one and want to plan ahead (I know some places are already booked!) then put these dates in your diary - and we'll email you more details in due course (or you can find them on our website). Our thanks to Andrew and his team for providing such a great holiday for us.
Our latest feedback
We're pleased to see that feedback about our service continues to flow in regularly and our members are delighted with our service. Read on below to see a few exerts from recent feedback:
I am so happy because I'm seeing Omar. Our relationship started in January (2010) and I hope it continues to flourish. Thank you (Julia, Activity Co-ordinator)
Thank you for your emails but please take me off your email and mailing list now. I am engaged to be married (praise God). Your agency was very helpful to me (Sian, musician)
Thank you for all you do for your clients, especially the personal care and concern. (Julia, Secretary)
When I wrote my profile in Jan 09 I prayed to find a partner in 2009. Well my prayers came true, praise the Lord - just as we're coming to the end of the 2009. In my last profiles I was sent and then met Rosie. Romance moved fast for us and we recently got engaged to wed in May. God has been in the centre of our prayers and still is. So we wanted to thank friendsfirst and I wanted to say to new christian members ''it will happen if you only believe it will." Thank you and God bless. (David, Catering Assistant)
Contact with you has been good: 'It convinced me of the integrity of your organisation. I felt that a service was being offered not a financial transaction. I wouldn't want to go elsewhere, I trust this organisation and its personnel.' (Denise - Proof reader )
Thank you for all your encouragement, letters etc. The work you do brings so much new happiness to many, and I hope that continues for many years to come. (Julia - Administrator)
Thank you very much for the number of contacts I received this month, with the various ages. I am so pleased - it lifted my spirits up. Thank you very much (Lizette, Advisor for volunteering)
Thank you for your professionalism and under-standing. (Wendy, Carer)
Thank you for doing such a great job - I'm so grateful that something like friendsfirst exists (Julie, PA)
There's no better way to get to know if our organisation is right for you - or could be of benefit to you - than reading what other people have to say about us. Click here if you'd like to read more feedback.
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Creating Amazing Relationships
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We found this useful article on the net. It's by Life Coach Victoria Vetere, PhD, HC and, although not explicitly written from a Christian point of view, it's still food for thought which I hope you'll find useful.
"The topic of "relationships" is indeed a popular one, because, after all, life is all relationships! We exist in a world where enjoying even a cup of coffee requires the cooperation and coordination of a myriad of relationships. Whether these are personal or professional, intimate or casual, it serves each and every one of us to truly understand how relationships really work. And it especially serves us to commit to enhancing all of our relationships. If nations did this, war would cease. If individuals did so, love and joy would replace ever so much drama.
So how do relationships really work? It helps to begin with one important fact. The common denominator in all of your relationships is you. Thus any patterns are obviously being created by your repeating choices, hopefully good ones. To be even more accurate, you are actually creating all of your relationships. Without going too deeply into quantum science, suffice it to say that each of us is vibrationally attracting everything we experience. Much of this occurs unconsciously and that is where the trouble starts!"
To read the rest of this article click here.
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Good relationships are the key to touching the heart of God
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One of the reasons we love our business here at friends1st, is because it's all about relationships - and relationships are at the heart of life. So we were interested to find the following article by Bruce Sands which after exploring the many sides of relationships, leads us to see that good relationships are the key to touching the heart of God.
"Human beings are born in relationship and the lives we lead right from infancy to old age are anchored in relationships. It is in relationship that we grow and achieve adulthood and die in the final peace that comes through dying in a trusting relationship with God.
There are many views on the nature of human relationships. In practice, however, it is the day-to-day relationships that must survive the wear and tear of daily life. Sometimes we find that in order not to sour a relationship, it is better to keep a distance. At other times, a clean break becomes necessary. We need to learn to cultivate relationships in a way that there is room for love, mutual respect and space for the other to grow.
At work the equations are different. In an office or a work environment, in which hierarchy is important, relationships tend to remain at a rather superficial level. There is a certain give and take in official relationships, but they rarely survive once we are out of that particular work situation and environment.
The family, which was once the primary environment for close relationships, is no longer so for many because the sanctity of relationships is under threat. When mistrust and insecurity make demands of family life cloying, we might have to make that extra effort to strike a balance that will restore the pristine nature of the original relationship.
Relationships become our chief means of reaching God".
Click here to read the rest of this article.
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I hope you've enjoyed reading this newsletter and have found something useful in it. If we can be of service to you in any way, or you've decided it's now time to get a bit more proactive in finding yourself a special relationship, then please don't hesitate to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you.
With best wishes
Katharine Gray friendsfirst Director
0121 427 1286
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