Friday, October 18, 2002

A story published today by the Florida Times-Union reports that the reality of being divorced hit Roy Clarke when he thought of sitting alone in his church pew surrounded by families and couples.

A group of Christian pastors has been meeting monthly to find ways to offer more to the growing single-adult population, and there's talk of starting a citywide worship or Christian entertainment night for singles. Jewish leaders began a demographic study this month to help assess the Jewish single population in the First Coast and how best to reach it.

"I think the city is in desperate need," said Bobbie Simmons, a single parent who attends Calvary Christian Fellowship.

In some cases, members of the congregation have taken the lead.

Clarke, reacting to his own feelings of isolation, figured there were others like him. He started a weekly non-denominational Bible study group that after seven years now draws at least 100 people every Monday to the Beach United Methodist Church campus in Ponte Vedra Beach.

The success prompted the 30-and-older singles group to open a chapter three weeks ago at First Presbyterian Church in downtown Jacksonville. About 40 people have been attending the meetings at 6:15 p.m. Tuesdays.

The Rev. David Wheeler, who leads a singles ministry at New Life Christian Fellowship, acknowledged many religious leaders can't relate to the needs of singles.

"Not many people have a heart for it," said Wheeler, who is married. "But Jesus Christ was single. Paul was single."

For some churches, it's not a lack of desire but a lack of money that prevents them from doing more. In other cases, a church may not have enough single congregants to justify the expense of filling a mixed bag of services and activities.