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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Churches Newsletter April 2008
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friendsfirst's 4th Newsletter
Resourcing your ministry
April 2008 - Issue 4
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| Dear Katharine, |
It's time again for the bi-yearly email from friendsfirst supplying you with information and resources to encourage, support and complement your ministry to the single people in your congregation and community.
In this our 4th email you will find:
- Resources - An article for your church magazine; A recommendation for a fabulous book about the gift of singleness; Fundraising help; The answer at long last to that age old question: Where are all the eligible men?; Suggestions for sermons on singleness.
- News and Views
- Encouragement - Read more stories of people who've made new friends - and found love - stories to help you encourage others in similar situations.
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Resources
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1. Looking for an article for your church/parish newsletter
Give the single people in your congregation something to read that will make them think:-
Get serious about relationships!
2. Books
'Getting serious about getting married: Rethinking the gift of singleness'.
We're featuring a book we came across at the Christian Resources Exhibition last year. This is a book you and all the single people you know should read. It explodes the myth that the majority of single people are called to singleness, and provides compelling reasons why the church and community should be doing everything they can to encourage and help people to get married.
It's a powerful book and will certainly make you think and probably change your views on a hot subject in today's church.
ISBN-10: 1581347413 ISBN-13: 9781581347418 Order from Amazon or Eden
If you'd like to read more about this book and the discussion it's started, click here.
3. Sermons on singleness? - Count me out?!
Whilst I was exhibiting at the Christian Resources Exhibition (CRE) last year (2007), I was very surprised to hear many of the clergy I met say that they had very few single people in their congregations. Singleness was not a problem in their parish. They told me that their churches are full of married couples, families and the elderly and very few single people. As a result few of them thought there was any need to give time to the issues of singleness from the pulpit. A sermon on this subject would not be relevant for the majority of listeners! But actually this issue may be far more relevant to your congregation than you are aware of. Read on for why there are compelling reasons why this issue should be given a space in your sermon schedule.
4. Fundraising with Confidence.
Don't miss Craigmyle at the Christian Resources Exhibition
I don't know of any church or Christian charity that I've been involved with that didn't have fundraising needs. Consequently you, or one of your colleagues, might be interested in the workshop Fundraising with Confidence that my husband is running at the Christian Resources Exhibition (CRE) at SandownPark, Esher, Surrey on May 14th and again on May 15th. His company, Craigmyle, have almost 50 years' experience in helping both large and small churches and Christian organisations achieve their goals through successful fundraising. Do take a look if you need help in this area.
Furthermore I have a number of FREE entry tickets to CRE (full on door price £7) to give away to you or someone you feel may benefit from the amazing things on show at CRE. Both friendsfirst and Craigmyle are great supporters of CRE (not least because my husband and I met there) and although we can't guarantee that everyone will find their soul mate there (!) it is a place of great Christian inspiration! Please ring if you would like me to send you tickets (maximum 2 per person). For more about the exhibition click here.
5. Where are all our eligible men?
Whatever your position in the church, I bet this is a question you've heard raised many times and commonly by single women in church. Recently I found a fascinating article on the internet and it gives an interesting perspective on the problem, and certainly food for thought.
In "The Eligible-Bachelor Paradox", Mark Gimein explores what seems to be a shortage of available, attractive men. Gimein first points out that the woman controls the central decision when it comes to marriage. They are the ones who have the power to say "yes" or "no" to a proposal (or at an earlier stage, a date). Gimein then explains the paradox (more eligible women than men) in terms of an auction. Click here to read the remainder of this article.
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News and views
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We've moved address.
Recently we moved into new offices and we now have a new address (see bottom of email). Don't worry, any mail sent to our old address will still get to us, so please don't take down any of our literature you have - it's still valid.
However we're having lots of new artwork done and will soon be sending out new flyers for your church notice boards. If you aren't currently on our mailing list for post, please email us with your address and we'll make sure you are included.
Do you know anyone looking for a summer holiday with no-one to go with?
If so, then please do point them in our direction. Once again, and for the 3rd year running, we've teamed up with St. Rhadagund's on the Isle of Wight to offer a superb value summer holiday. Click here for more details or call Andrew Gardner on 01983 852160.
In our last email we told you about our partnership with Chris Knott Insurance - a company that offers outstanding insurance, great service and extremely competitive prices. The manager contacted me recently to say that of the quotes they'd done for people who'd heard about them through friendsfirst, 48% of the people had taken up policies, and saved money.
We know that as a church your premiums are probably quite large - and I'm sure your treasurer would be pleased to see these reduced! Do pass Chris Knott Insurance details to them (Call 0800 917 2274 for a free quotation mentioning friendsfirst) and I'm sure they will be delighted.
Wedding joy
You may have heard from other sources that I got married in July last year! I met my husband at the Christian Resources Exhibition in May 2004 - it's amazing how God works. You can read more of friendsfirst's news by clicking here.
And recently we've heard news of a young couple in their early 30s who met through friendsfirst and are now engaged, shortly to be married. It's always such encouraging news. |
| Encouragement - what makes us different |
Late last year a very special couple got married through us and have written up their story for our website. I encourage you to read it, particularly because its so enlightening about how people make choices and how, as we have indicated above through the articles, it's easy to miss what God has in store for us if we are not careful. Click here to read it.
But of course it's not only about finding a soulmate. Lots of our members are looking for friends. Here's what a few members have said to us recently:-
- "THANK YOU so much for the trouble that you are going to - it speaks volumes of your commitment to your service and I appreciate it very much." Ruth (56, College Lecturer)
- "I think that you and your team do a lot of good work and help many Christians find friends of the opposite sex with whom they can get on well" (Roy -Tax Adviser 35)
- "Thank you for sending the Looking for Love the Second time round book. In fact it was the information in it that persuaded me to join your organisation." (Noel - 66 Retired)
If you would like to read more of our members' feedback about our service please click here. |
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I am sure you've found something in this newsletter useful, and read something that's made you think. Please keep single people in your thoughts - and if you think our service might be suitable for them please pass on our details.
And if there is anything we can do to help you with your singles ministry, we'd love to hear from you. With warmest regards,
Katharine
Katharine Gray friendsfirst Director |
| P.S Please do forward newsletter to any single people in your congregation. If you would like more information about friendsfirst and our history, click here |
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