Special thanks to Tom Whiteman, president of Life Counseling, for presenting a unique offering of the Fresh Start Divorce Recovery Seminar.  As I sit here in the back as Tom is bringing part 2 of this unique offering of the FSS, it's truly a priviledge to have been through the FSS for the 5th time.  As a former divorcee himself, and a counselor, Tom really knows how to speak to others facing separation and divorce.

For those looking to find healing in this area, Christ Community offers several options…

1. Class for single moms - meets at 9am every Sunday morning in room 214 at Christ Community
2. Many Hands - offering volunteer home maintenance to single moms
3. Divorce Care - meets at 7pm every Tuesday night in the Conference Room at Christ Community
4. Classic Singles - a singles ministry for those 45+, click tab at left

 For more information, email Melanie at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

The following are notes received from single moms in response to work done in their homes through our Many Hands Ministry teams (see article entitled Serving a Family). If you are a single mom and would like more information about our Single Mom's Ministry OR if you would be interested in participating in the Many Hands Ministry to assist these single moms, please email me at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

"The new front door is fabulous, and now my daughter can actually unlock it herself(the old one was really a fire hazard). Someone from your group swept my garage, so since it looked so clean I was inspired to organize it over the Christmas holiday. And my humidifier is humming along nicely, since it now has a drain attached to my utility sink.
 
New Years eve a tree fell on my power/phone lines, so I still don't have computer or telephone yet, but I'm hoping to work on the printer situation once I get the Fios man to reattach to fallen wires in my yard. I think that the ramp does need one more coat of stain, but now that I have finished graduate school I might be able to do that myself.
 
Happy New Year to you and your team of helpers. I'll see you in church!"

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"I wanted to let you know that all has been done on the list except the tub caulking as I may be replacing the shower door and both would be done at the same time.  We've already planned on touching base after the new year for this item.
 
I wanted you to know that the guys who came out and worked on my house were truly awesome!  The retired men's group is really special and the twenty-something group was very helpful.  They helped me rake countless bags of leaves. I can't say enough good things and words can't express how grateful I am."

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"Ralph and two other guys came out today. Just wanted you to know, that they cut up the one tree, and hauled two truck loads of wood over to the farm across the street.  However, the ground was a little too damp, and the truck wasn't able to get traction the last time they went. Therefore, Ralph stated that they would be back when it got a little cold, God bless them, so the truck wouldn't sink.

Must tell you, that Ralph and the other men were wonderful to do this for me. Their attitude and selflessness was great. Comments from other groups and individuals in the past have been, "You live too far."  "Your not a widow or elderly (shut-in)."  "You have wwwaaayyy too much to do."  Their attitudes were great!  They didn't make me feel that my house was too far away, that the project was too difficult or that the weather was too cold/damp. They really had a good attitude and you could feel that their service was really from the heart and for the Lord. And, they said they would be back to help more!  What a blessing!

Thank you so much."

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Gentlemen,

I just want to say Thank You again for all that you did for me and my family on Wednesday evening, especially for your time, effort, and enthusiasm. Everything you guys did looks fantastic!  You guys are awesome!

I especially appreciate how you all cleaned everything up so nicely and put things back away.  It is so nice to have all those things done and crossed off my mental list.

Thanks too for dinner.  It was one less thing I had to worry about doing that night. My family and I will keep you in our prayers.  Please feel free to email me any prayer requests you might have in the future.

Have a great weekend!

Tracy & Family

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"Thank you to Michael S. for helping me insulate the crawl space under my house. It is much warmer now."

Rebecca

Scott Allen wrote an article recently and it was included in the recent newsletter sent out by Lori Little, author of the new curriculum, Hope and Help for the Single Mom. Here is what he said in an article entitled "Catch The Vision".
 
In the newsletter last month, I included some articles from the Leaders of the 21 Principles. They shared about how easy it was to facilitate a 21 Principles class and what they are doing in the class. Most important though, they shared how God is working not only in the lives of the single moms, but in their lives too. This month I would like to share with you a note from Pastor Scott Allen from Christ Community Church in West Chester, PA on why they chose to use the 21 Principles and how this series is impacting their church and community.

"Recently we've shifted our singles ministry to focus on the particular needs of single moms. Many singles resist traditional singles ministries in fear of entering a 'meat market'; besides, the needs of singles are so vastly different, throwing out one net for all of them becomes an impossible task. Further, many singles want nothing do with a group or a ministry that is called something that they do not want to be: single.
 
However, single moms have incredible needs that often go unnoticed. And, single moms usually don't mind associating with other single moms. In fact, we've found that single moms desire to connect with other single moms. They want to be with others who know what it's like to be them.
 
Recently, we offered the "21 Principles of a Healthy Single Mom" series to single moms at our church. We had 13 single moms at the first meeting, with more on the way! Here's some of the feedback we've already received:

• I'm so encouraged that the church is supporting single moms.
• I'm looking forward to connecting with other single moms.
• I'm praying this group will help me feel more connected to God and the church.
• I want to learn more about handling basic tasks that every couple has, but that single moms face alone.

At the same time, we are looking to better meet the needs of single moms by starting a 'helping hands' ministry.Single moms have reported that there are things around their house that they just can't get to. We are now bending our other demographic-based singles ministries toward becoming the volunteer force behind this helping hands ministry.
 
In short, we are using the "21 Principles of a Healthy Single Mom" as a launching pad to create a larger ministry to more effectively meet the needs of singlemoms in our church and in our community. I recommend it!"

Thank you Pastor Scott. This letter says it all and you have truly caught the vision! What you said here is exactly why I designed the 21 Principles and my vision for the church using the 21 Principles. I know so many of you reading this article have also "Caught the Vision" and I would love to hear your stories to share with others. Please email your stories to me at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

For more information, or to indicate your interest in the group, please email Melanie at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).