FOOTLOOSE AND FANCY FREE

An idiom to describe the word, “single” which has many synonyms such as only, solitary, unique, particular, and separate. However, in this instance, I am referring to the synonyms: unattached, unfettered, spouseless, and unmarried; and in this case, a group--a singles group. Why do so many people cringe or get bent out of shape and want to steer clear of any involvement with a singles group? Possibly they don’t want to be labeled. Perhaps it connotes being a loser or undesirable. Maybe it’s the age difference. Or simply they don’t want to be reminded of their status. Of course, some married individuals would love to be included in this group once again.

Speaking as a member of the single population, I admit at times being considered a single person is non too flattering, but it’s who I am and being a part of any group gives me a sense of belonging. Although a bigger congregation lends for bigger group participation, it can hamper a close camaraderie among its members; but in a small church, it’s hard to get enough participants. Although Long Beach is a small church and it has been difficult to spark an interest, we do have a singles group with only a limited number, but a faithful number nonetheless.

Last month we went out to lunch after Sunday morning service. The total number in attendance was seven, but we had a good time. Didn’t want it just to be strictly a time for socializing, so plan to undertake different types of projects throughout the year.

On Saturday, five of us met to clean the church kitchen. A filthy mess. A kitchen that should have been shut down by the health department a long time ago. We had an arsenal of rags, buckets, degreaser, Comet, Lysol, vacuum, mop, broom, ladder, and stepstool. We each took a section and cleaned from inside to outside, top to bottom, all the while reorganizing all contents in the cabinets and drawers and on the countertops. Scrubbed and scoured. Bent and knelt. Climbed and reached. Yes, we all got down and dirty and called it quits after six hours. Although Joe mopped the entire floor, we only managed to finish one-half of the kitchen. Despite having to endure Joe’s old-time ditty every time Comet was mentioned, and an almost attempt at pole dancing (you had to have been there), we had a lot of laughs and think everyone felt good about what had been done. It was determined that every fifth Saturday, the singles group would undertake the ministry of cleaning the church kitchen.

Besides the laughter, there were a lot of barbs, jabs, sarcasm, and snide remarks. Yes, Barbara, Peggy, Joe, Cindy, and I definitely turned into a close knit family.