CFF(NZ) Single and Significant weekend at Geraldine (South Canterbury).

This was held over Christchurch Show weekend in November.

A great time was had by the 20+ live-in campers (and 6-10 day visitors). There were encouraging and challenging messages from the speakers. It was good to meet up with a number of people from South Canterbury with an interest in CFF. Two campers (new members) from South Canterbury are keen to start up a CFF social group in their region.

There was plenty of opportunity for discussion, sharing together and prayer ministry.

It was great to have CFF members actively involved and to have a CFF couple involved in the worship and message.

From Happy Campers

“Thanks very much for all the work you must have put into organising. It was a lot of fun and it was good to just be able to meet with other Christians in a non-threatening way without expectations. Good to relax away from home as well.”

“Thanks for a wonderful time at camp. It was wonderful to spend time with other single Christians and to not feel like a third wheel alongside 'couples' for a change.

I appreciated the group times/teaching and the fun times we had getting to know everyone. They were a great bunch of people. - made me realise how much I have been missing out by not having many other Christian singles to socialise with.”

Future CFF(NZ) Camps

There seems to be a continued interest in these weekends and we are willing to support/help run these as long as there is a working group from the area interested. It would be great to hear from you if you are keen to see something happen or are willing to be involved!

GROUP NEWS

The groups are a great opportunity for CFF(NZ) members to meet in an informal, safe, social setting. It is a chance to make new friends, plus have a positive contribution to others

There are vacancies in all areas for people to volunteer to be involved in a local CFF group. It is not hard or demanding, but does require commitment. Please contact us so we can talk further. There is a strong need for such groups as we are getting many enquiries from people seeking social contact with Christian singles in their area.

We envisage people working with others, rather than organising group functions on their own. We will help you.

Why Volunteer?

Because one person can make a great difference...

To paraphrase the words of Steve Allen:

‘Volunteering is good for the heart and the soul.’

CHRISTCHURCH

Although there is currently no organising team in Christchurch, there are still activities. A group of 25 met for an evening meal the week before Christmas. There was a walk at Corsair Bay last month and a boat trip to Quail Island in February. Other functions coming up : shared meals, walks, movie evening, McCafe breakfast and a possible weekend away.

NEW WEBSITE FOR CFF(NZ)

We are in the process of upgrading our website. Thank you for your patience. Special thanks for member’s donations which has made it possible. We are looking forward to the future of CFF(NZ).

MAIL BAG

From him

“I made contact with CFF member ..... around three months ago and I'm delighted to report that we've connected very well. As a result I'd like to withdraw my list details out of respect for the growing relationship I'm now fully committed to. Thank you for the assistance that CFF has given to enable us to get in touch, she is a most lovely companion” (M..... Div50’s Wgtn)

From her

“I joined CFF in the middle of last year and was contacted by .…. We corresponded via email and then met for lunch late last year. Since that time we have dated a lot and are now in a developing relationship. We are both very happy to have met a like-minded Christian, and credit CFF with providing the means for that to occur.

I have recommended CFF to several of my Christian single friends and I would hope and pray that CFF is able to continue to provide a means of singles finding fellowship.” (F….Div 50’s Wgtn)

THANK YOU

"I am now very happily married to a wonderful woman.........Thank you very very much for the service you have faithfully provided for me and others for many years. Although I did not find a wife through it, it has been a great help to me. I have made friends, I have developed and maintained my confidence in meeting and getting to know new people, it has provided me with relief from an often very lonely and monotonous life, and many, many enjoyable events to look forward to and to remember. Despite (some disappointment for me), you have faithfully continued in this valuable ministry.........
May the Lord bless you....... and everything you put your hand to." (Former Social Group member)

NOTES from Odette and Peter, speakers at our CFF Single and Significant Camp

Odette spoke of the experiences she went through as not something she would have chosen, but through them God has had a huge effect in moulding her into the person she has now become. Odette spoke of God’s love for each of us and how He provides for us. It is important for us to be careful who we hang out with as we can become like those we spend time with.

Peter started his message by maximising the ‘Significant’ and minimising the ‘Single’.

As Christians we are all called to be significant. Should we consider ourselves exempt just because we are single?

The world talks about success. The Bible talks about significance. We are called to be salt in the world, light in the world and a city on a hill (Matt 5: 13 & 14)

We can’t accept others (or be significant to others) if we don’t first accept ourselves. God considers us significant by calling us His sons/children (Romans 8: 14-17). He makes us kin with Jesus (Romans 8:29).

We are significant because God is in us (2 Cor 4:7) so we are significant because God is with us. In the Old Testament there are repeated assurances of His presence.

How can we exercise our ‘significance’? It is a gift of Grace.

God gifts us the grace to be significant. Grace is what allows us to accept ourselves as we are now. We can stand tall. We can be the person God wants us to be. He doesn’t necessarily call us to be successful but He calls on us to rely on Him and to be significant. Our singleness doesn’t have to be a wasted or limbo period. It’s a period where we can make a huge impact on the community around us through the way we live.

So we become significant by being like Jesus - by portraying the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23).

We are sons (and daughters) of God (Romans 8:14-17)

Our significance is shown in the way we live (1 John 4: 19-21)

RECOMMENDED BOOK

UK author Catherine Blyth in her book The Art of Conversation: How Talking Improves Lives states that “conversation, when it works can come close to heaven. Shyness is no excuse for verbal inaction.” Although there is something “uniquely poor about modern conversational skills, conversation is important for our day-to-day well being. It is as good for our mental health as five portions of fruit and vegetables a day for our physical health.” This book offers many strategies for negotiating the conversational rapids, such as:

“No word costs less or counts for more in conversation than ‘hello’

Make people feel at ease by asking open questions, e.g. House of Windsor special: ‘Have you come far?’

Turn observations into discussion points by tagging on a question.

Great conversationalists listen more than talk.

Good topics create talk.

Use silence.” (Listener Jan 10 2009)

A new year may make us feel a little uncertain as we are not sure what is ahead for each of us. May we “remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing: Now it springs forth ....... I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the dessert.” (Isaiah 43:18-19)

Remember you are welcome to contact us if you have any query or concern.

We trust that 2010 will be a good year for you, and that the Lord will bless you.

Norma and David

CFF(NZ) Co-ordinators