The number of people living alone - whether by choice, by circumstances, through divorce or the death of a partner - is growing rapidly in our society today. Even as you read this article, you can probably think of at least 5 people on  their own - and, if you know them well, you'll know the majority of them suffer from loneliness and would rather not be alone.

This certainly wasn't God's plan for us and there's no doubt he'd rather we weren't on our own. But many people seem to think otherwise and believe that if God wants them to be with someone he'll magic that person into their lives. Occasionally he does - but mostly., like in so many of his dealings with us, he relies on human agents to help.

Friendsfirst - the Christian friendship organisation - is one such agent which God has been using since 1999 to bring people of all ages - young and old - together. Their work rests on solid biblical principles which go right back to the book of Genesis.

When Abraham wanted a wife for his son Isaac he didn't just pray about it. He sent his servant on a long and hard journey to his homeland to search out the right woman. Undoubtedly it was a journey covered in prayer but at the heart of this story is the servant's work  searching out and finding Rebekah who then returns to marry Isaac.

Similarly in the book of Ruth, we find Naomi (Ruth's mother-in-law) directly intervening to  find a husband for Ruth and, as a result of her  work, Ruth marries Boaz.

In both these stories we see an important principle at work. 'Pray as if it all depended on God - work as if it depended on you.'

So if you are on your own and would rather not be, or you know others in this position, why not get in touch with friendsfirst and let them do the necessary work to bring about a change to this situation friendsfirst has a very member orientated focus and is run solely by Christians for Christians. It's a very effective way to make new friends and soulmates. For an informal and confidential chat about membership ring Katharine Gray on 020 7100 1220 or look at their website www.friends1st.co.uk

Sooner than you think comes Christmas and we are looking forward to our village's Advent celebration; Adventivity.

The idea originated from Mexico where two young people dressed as Mary and Joseph went from house to house telling people of the imminent arrival of Jesus and inviting them to give him a room overnight.

In our equivalent, we ask that you might offer accommodation to a wooden set of Joseph and Mary figures for one night during Advent, receiving them with a simple prayer from one household and passing them on to the next home with another short prayer the following evening. The figures end their journey through our village by returning to the Church at the Carol Service on Christmas Eve.

We will contact you nearer the time to advise you whom you will receive from and the household to forward to.

It really is a lovely way to celebrate the season of Advent so to be a part of Elstead Adventivity.
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