Single With Kids In the House?

There's no doubt that children are a blessing. But raising children can be a challenge, too, a huge challenge. That's true when both parents are in the house, but when you are a single parent the challenges can be even greater. Life can seem like an endless cycle of meals, laundry, household chores, car pools, homework and, oh, yet, there's your job too! You race through the day only to collapse and get ready to do it all over again. It's worth it; but it's hard, none-the-less.

Ever wished you had a place where you could share the joys and challenges with others going through similar experiences? Solo Flight Singles Ministry is sponsoring a gathering for singles with children on Wednesday, November 5 from 7-9 pm in CFC 208. Bring your family and share dinner in the Parish Center from 5-7 pm. ($5 per person, maximum of $15 per family). Following dinner you can leave the little ones in our professionally run nursery. Elementary age children can join the art class and high school kids can take part in the youth program. And that night we'll have a special programming in place for middle school kids.

Then, with the kids covered, mom or dad will be free to join other single parents, have some fun and explore how we might grow together and support one another. Imagine, an hour just for you! Come join us. You'll be glad you did. Questions? Contact Bob Morris or Luke Jernagan at 285-6127.

-Bob Morris

Solo Flight Luncheon Series - Cooking For One

Cooking for yourself can feel like a chore. On top of that, a busy lifestyle that includes any combination of work, school, child care and exercise can make a regular mealtime for singles non-existent. Statistics show singles tend to eat out more and consume more calories each meal than married couples.

Now is the time to begin a more conscientious effort to eat better. As the Solo-Flight luncheon series resumes, we welcome Melissa Stewart, a Registered Dietitian at Mayo clinic. Before joining Mayo, Melissa worked in the restaurant industry, attended culinary school and received her Bachelors Degree in Dietetics from the University of Florida.

Single herself, Melissa understands the unique challenges that singles can face when it comes to healthy eating. She will offer suggestions on maintaining a basic healthy diet, weight loss, eating out and convenience foods, pantry staples for easy meals, healthy snacking, satisfying cravings, decoding food labels, and economical food shopping.

Join us on October 19 for lunch in the new Parish Center following the 11:15 a.m. Eucharist. Lunch is $5. Childcare provided with reservations by Monday, 10/13/08. Reservations, Questions? Contact Mary Alice Wester at 273-2961 or mawester@bellsouth.net.

- By Robin Ray