18 Jun 2026, 22:14Sharon Platt-McDonald, BUC Health, Adventist Community Services and Women’s Ministries Director
Embracing the Lonely
“God places the lonely in families…” (Psalm 68:6, NLT)
Loneliness: A Growing Social Concern
Loneliness Awareness Week, observed from 15–21 June, highlights a challenge affecting millions across the UK and beyond. Explaining the purpose of the initiative, organisers at the Marmalade Trust describe it as:
“…the world’s largest campaign to inspire conversations about loneliness and promote connection activities happening across the world.”¹
The campaign provides a range of practical resources designed to foster meaningful connections, including conversation starters, connection cards, chatty bench signs, and interactive activities that encourage people to engage with one another.
The issue of loneliness has become such a significant public health concern that, in 2018, the UK Government appointed a Minister for Loneliness to help address the social and health challenges associated with isolation.
Reflecting on progress made since then, the Government’s annual report states:
“A connected society: a strategy for tackling loneliness, published in October 2018, was the world’s first government strategy developed to tackle loneliness. It demonstrated that loneliness can affect anyone and everyone, with major impacts on health and wellbeing...”²
Loneliness is no respecter of age, background, status, or circumstance. It can affect young people, older adults, families, professionals, students, and even those surrounded by others.
Connecting with the lonely
Across the British Union Conference territory, local churches are reaching out to individuals who may be isolated, vulnerable, or lacking meaningful social connections.
Over the past two decades, in my role as the British Union Conference Director for Health Ministries, it has been encouraging to witness numerous church-led initiatives that not only provide practical wellbeing support but also create opportunities for friendship, belonging, and community engagement.
Some churches have received significant local authority support and external funding because of the effectiveness of their outreach programmes. Examples include the ministries of Willesden Seventh-day Adventist church and Croydon Seventh-day Adventist church.
The Church As Family
Psalm 68:6 presents a beautiful picture of God’s concern for those who feel alone:
“God places the lonely in families…”
This verse reveals the heart of a God who notices human need and provides spaces of nurture, belonging, and restoration.
Our churches are uniquely positioned to fulfil this calling. While many of our community programmes meet practical needs, some interactions are necessarily brief. Yet the Church has the opportunity to offer something deeper – a place where people are known, valued, and accepted.
Within a caring church family, people can discover purpose, belonging, and identity. Most importantly, they can be introduced to Jesus Christ, whose presence brings comfort, hope, and lasting companionship.
“It is when ministering to others that man is most closely allied to God” (Ellen G White, In Heavenly Places, p. 223).
Practical Ways to Respond
Research continues to highlight the importance of meaningful social connections. The Church Urban Fund identified several approaches shown to be particularly effective:
1. Group-based activities are often more effective than one-to-one interventions.
2. Activities centred around shared interests tend to create stronger connections than programmes specifically targeting loneliness.
3. Groups work best when participants are encouraged to take ownership and share leadership responsibilities.
Across our churches, many excellent initiatives are already making a difference. However, there are additional opportunities for intentional ministry:
• Reconnect with members who no longer attend church regularly.
• Reach out to individuals who may feel estranged from church fellowship.
• Provide practical support for single parents.
• Maintain contact with bereaved families beyond the immediate period of loss.
• Regularly check on members living with long-term illness.
• Organise visitation support for members in hospitals and care homes.
• Share Friday evening worship or Sabbath vespers with elderly or housebound members.
Sometimes the most powerful ministry is simply being present.
A Prayer of Commitment
Father God,
Thank You for Your promise to always be with us.
May the knowledge of Your presence inspire us to embrace the lonely with the same love, care, and compassion You have shown to us.
Forgive us when we have failed to notice those who feel isolated, forgotten, or overlooked. Open our eyes to the needs around us and help us to reflect Your heart by intentionally reaching out to those who need friendship, encouragement, and support.
Thank You for the opportunities You provide to share Your love through our time, gifts, and resources. May lives be enriched through our service, and may Your name be honoured in all that we do.
Amen.
1Marmalade Trust. Loneliness Awareness Week.
2UK Government. Loneliness Annual Report: The Fourth Year.
3Church Urban Fund. How Can the Church Respond to Loneliness?
“God places the lonely in families…” (Psalm 68:6, NLT)
Loneliness: A Growing Social Concern
Loneliness Awareness Week, observed from 15–21 June, highlights a challenge affecting millions across the UK and beyond. Explaining the purpose of the initiative, organisers at the Marmalade Trust describe it as:
“…the world’s largest campaign to inspire conversations about loneliness and promote connection activities happening across the world.”¹
The campaign provides a range of practical resources designed to foster meaningful connections, including conversation starters, connection cards, chatty bench signs, and interactive activities that encourage people to engage with one another.
The issue of loneliness has become such a significant public health concern that, in 2018, the UK Government appointed a Minister for Loneliness to help address the social and health challenges associated with isolation.
Reflecting on progress made since then, the Government’s annual report states:
“A connected society: a strategy for tackling loneliness, published in October 2018, was the world’s first government strategy developed to tackle loneliness. It demonstrated that loneliness can affect anyone and everyone, with major impacts on health and wellbeing...”²
Loneliness is no respecter of age, background, status, or circumstance. It can affect young people, older adults, families, professionals, students, and even those surrounded by others.
Connecting with the lonely
Across the British Union Conference territory, local churches are reaching out to individuals who may be isolated, vulnerable, or lacking meaningful social connections.
Over the past two decades, in my role as the British Union Conference Director for Health Ministries, it has been encouraging to witness numerous church-led initiatives that not only provide practical wellbeing support but also create opportunities for friendship, belonging, and community engagement.
Some churches have received significant local authority support and external funding because of the effectiveness of their outreach programmes. Examples include the ministries of Willesden Seventh-day Adventist church and Croydon Seventh-day Adventist church.
The Church As Family
Psalm 68:6 presents a beautiful picture of God’s concern for those who feel alone:
“God places the lonely in families…”
This verse reveals the heart of a God who notices human need and provides spaces of nurture, belonging, and restoration.
Our churches are uniquely positioned to fulfil this calling. While many of our community programmes meet practical needs, some interactions are necessarily brief. Yet the Church has the opportunity to offer something deeper – a place where people are known, valued, and accepted.
Within a caring church family, people can discover purpose, belonging, and identity. Most importantly, they can be introduced to Jesus Christ, whose presence brings comfort, hope, and lasting companionship.
“It is when ministering to others that man is most closely allied to God” (Ellen G White, In Heavenly Places, p. 223).
Practical Ways to Respond
Research continues to highlight the importance of meaningful social connections. The Church Urban Fund identified several approaches shown to be particularly effective:
1. Group-based activities are often more effective than one-to-one interventions.
2. Activities centred around shared interests tend to create stronger connections than programmes specifically targeting loneliness.
3. Groups work best when participants are encouraged to take ownership and share leadership responsibilities.
Across our churches, many excellent initiatives are already making a difference. However, there are additional opportunities for intentional ministry:
• Reconnect with members who no longer attend church regularly.
• Reach out to individuals who may feel estranged from church fellowship.
• Provide practical support for single parents.
• Maintain contact with bereaved families beyond the immediate period of loss.
• Regularly check on members living with long-term illness.
• Organise visitation support for members in hospitals and care homes.
• Share Friday evening worship or Sabbath vespers with elderly or housebound members.
Sometimes the most powerful ministry is simply being present.
A Prayer of Commitment
Father God,
Thank You for Your promise to always be with us.
May the knowledge of Your presence inspire us to embrace the lonely with the same love, care, and compassion You have shown to us.
Forgive us when we have failed to notice those who feel isolated, forgotten, or overlooked. Open our eyes to the needs around us and help us to reflect Your heart by intentionally reaching out to those who need friendship, encouragement, and support.
Thank You for the opportunities You provide to share Your love through our time, gifts, and resources. May lives be enriched through our service, and may Your name be honoured in all that we do.
Amen.
1Marmalade Trust. Loneliness Awareness Week.
2UK Government. Loneliness Annual Report: The Fourth Year.
3Church Urban Fund. How Can the Church Respond to Loneliness?
