Concerns:

• Church's focus on marriage and families often ignores needs of singles – "Noah's Ark" mentality
• Married friends often feel uncomfortable socializing with singles
• Singles have to run their households completely by themselves
• Single parents have to make decisions by themselves without having someone else to consult
• Singles are seen as having lots of free time when their lives are just as busy
• Some church leaders don't see single adults as a an important ministry
• Not all singles are actively seeking to be in a couple
• In the past singles have been overtly excluded from church-sponsored events
• People newly single – divorced or widowed – may have troubles adjusting to life on their own, finding their own place
• Singles new to the area have trouble meeting people
• "Singles ministry" has negative connotation for many people – seen as a dating club
• People may feel they are too old – or too young – to participate

Goals:

• Provide social opportunities for singles – events that attract different ages and interests
• Give singles an opportunity to share their unique concerns and joys
• Be a support group for each other – let people know that others have been through what they're going through, or give them perspective from someone else's point of view
• Bible study is already well-represented at Salem; a singles-only study group is not needed now
• Invite single parents from the school to events or form a single parents sub-group
• Hold events with speakers or discussion forums on issues related to singles – tax planning, financial planning, single Christian life
• Hold holiday events for people without families in the area –
  Thanksgiving, Easter, Christmas, Memorial Day
• Plan events that focus on singles but are open to all
• Provide events to which people can bring un-churched friends
• Involve Pastor Glen as pastoral support
• Invite singles from area churches (Lutheran and other Christian) plus the community at large
• Be welcoming to others in the congregation who are underrepresented, such as couples without children
• Support events which attract younger adults, people just out of college

Decisions:

• We plan to meet a month from now (depending on people's schedule) after church, for lunch and to continue planning activities
• We will make inquiries for speakers to lead forums on taxes, financial planning, and other singles issues
• We will look into holding an dinner event for Easter

For more information on Salem's singles ministry please email:
fellowship@salemlutheranglendale.org.