Church To Offer Loneliness Support Group

For 12 years, Sam and Jill Waters of New Holland operated Still Waters Ministries, which offered faith-based counseling services for men and women at Conestoga Mennonite Church. After Jill passed away in April, Sam decided to take the ministry in a different direction by offering Lonely No More, a support group for people who are experiencing loneliness.

Lonely No More, open to men and women age 45 and over, will meet at the church from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on the first and third Saturdays of the month from October through December, beginning on Oct. 4. There is no charge to attend the meeting. Snacks will be provided.

"Still Waters Ministries closed at the end of 2024. Now, God has called me into a new ministry - Lonely No More Ministries," Sam said.

Sam said that loneliness is a growing problem locally and throughout the United States, citing a U.S. Surgeon General report in 2023 that declared an "epidemic" of loneliness affecting half of all American adults. "Recent studies indicate that nearly 1 in 5 Americans report feeling lonely, with higher rates among younger adults and marginalized communities," Sam stated, adding that loneliness is linked to various health issues, including depression, anxiety and even physical conditions like high blood pressure.

During the upcoming meetings, Sam aims to educate people about loneliness and equip them with tools needed to combat it. "I'm going to talk about causes for loneliness, the effects of loneliness and steps towards becoming less lonely," said Sam. "(Meetings) will (offer) education and tools and, if need be, individual counseling."

He will also encourage attendees to interact with one another. "I do want them to have the opportunity to make connections," Sam said. "We'll have activities that create a path for them to interact and get to know someone else who is experiencing the same things, and hopefully relationships can form from that."

For example, attendees may take part in icebreaker activities. "If we have a large group, we will break into smaller (groups), and they will ask three questions of everyone at their table. Then, they will switch, and they can introduce the person that they met," Sam explained.

While Sam admits that attending the first meeting may be difficult for some, he encourages those who may be experiencing loneliness to attend. He added that loneliness can even occur with people who have friends and family members because individuals may feel misunderstood or disconnected from others. "If you are hesitant about coming, you certainly should come out. It (may be) indicative of some of the underlying issues of loneliness," he stated. "Get out and begin and the process."

Conestoga Mennonite Church is located at 2779 Main St. (Route 23), Morgantown. For additional details about the support group, visit the "Lonely No More Ministries" Facebook page. Those with questions may email lonelynomoreministries@gmail.com or call the church office at 610-286-9124.