Resources

1. An article for your church/parish newsletter

Looking to fill your church newsletter - or wanting something that's not just for families? Here's an article aimed at all ages of single people who might be wondering where their life is going:-
Stuck in a rut? Looking for something new?
2. Books
'Looking for love the second time round - A guide to making new friends and relationships for widows and widowers'.
ISBN 978-0-9552164-2-8. Price £10 plus p&p. Order direct from friendsfirst on 0121 427 1286 or from our website www.friends1st.co.uk/resources_books.htm
friendsfirst's 2nd book is now published and we've received very positive feedback about this essential resource for widows and widowers. It does exactly what it says on the tin - and is written entirely from the experiences of widows/ers themselves. Either order some copies for your church bookshop, or to give away to widows/ers in your congregation, or perhaps order one for yourself to acquaint yourself with the issues many people in your congregation are secretly working through. You'll be amazed at what you read.
You can now also order our other book:- 'Risking Romance again - Dating after Divorce' online
3. Is your church attractive to the local community - The facts about singleness - something to make you think!

Did you know that about 7 million people in the UK live alone today? That's 3 times as many as 40 years ago. This is likely to increase to 11 million by 2010.
The proportion of one person households in the UK is now 31% (going up to 45% in urban areas) and it's predicted that between 37% and 50% of the population will soon consist of unmarried adults. Think about that for a moment and then think what your local community is like.
Singleness - whether that's young, unmarried, separated, divorced, widowed, or chosen singleness - is here to stay and it's a big issue in our society. We must wake up to this issue as businesses and politicians are beginning to do.
Only a very small percentage of our churches have any singleness programmes (compared with 20% in America). In fact we don't debate the issues, teach church leaders about it, or have staff assigned to work with single people compared to how we resource children, youth, the elderly or married people.
And yet 35% of adult church attendees are single and if the population growth figures are correct, neglecting singles and their needs is going to have a very dramatic effect on church attendance - or much more importantly, the ability of the church to reach out and evangelise/reach single people.
Isn't relationship at the heart of what God wants for us?
Thinking you are already swamped? Don't despair. If you have singles (of any age in your congregation) how about getting them together - ask them to organise something themselves - you'll be amazed at what happens. And if we here at friendsfirst can help, please don't hesitate to ring us for a chat.

4. Looking for a better deal on your insurance?

friendsfirst has teamed up with Chris Knott Insurance bringing the benefits of value for money insurance, excellent service and personal service to Christians. If you are looking to reduce your insurance bills (car, house, travel, church) then ring Chris Knott Insurance on 0800 917 2274, ask for a quote mentioning friendsfirst and see the savings you can make for yourself. This offer is not just for you but your family and friends can take advantage of it as well. I've recently renewed my car insurance and saved 100s of pounds, so it really is worth making a call to them.

News and Views

friendsfirst at the Christian Resources Exhibition (CRE)

friendsfirst took a stand again at CRE this year, causing a stir and getting many favourable comments for our stand of a double bed singularly occupied! There certainly was someone missing in our model's life. Some people said we should have got a prize and others said it was very innovative and thought provoking. It certainly got people talking and that was our aim as we do think 'singles' don't really get much attention compared to families in our churches today.
We also had the privilege of meeting the Archbishop of Canterbury and chatting to him about single clerics! (I'm pictured with him at CRE at the top of this email).
We met and interacted with nearly 300 people, many of whom we are still in touch with. And of course it was good, as always, to meet vicars and ministers and have the chance to say thank you in person for their support of our work. We couldn't do it without you.
Our revamped website - new resources for all

We've totally overhauled our website. It has a new look and much more information about us as an organisation: what people think about us; marriage stories; services and resources on offer (for example see www.friends1st.co.uk/parishes.htm); books; holidays; and membership. It's also now got a 'social lounge'/chat room - a forum for Christians (members and non members) to discuss and share with each other online - do please go and have a look.

Encouragement - What makes friendsfirst different?

• "Many thanks for the excellent service you are providing. It is proving very successful for me."
• "The difference in the people you have is amazing. It's a lovely class of people on your books. They are all such caring, loving people."
• "I think you run a very professional service and a much needed resource for Christians trying to form new friendships/relationships. I really do think you're doing a vital work for the Kingdom here and love reading your members' stories!"

So that's all for this email. I hope you've found something in it of use, or 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 Gray friendsfirst Director
email: katharine@friends1st.co.uk phone: 0121 427 1286 web: http://www.friends1st.co.uk