This week I read an article about Americans and loneliness (“Why Americans Suddenly Stopped Hanging Out” by Derek Thompson in The Atlantic).  Thompson relates that too much time alone is creating a crisis of “social fitness.”  The article is full of statistics.  For instance, “From 2003 to 2022, American men reduced their average hours of face-to-face socializing by about 30 percent. For unmarried Americans, the decline was even bigger—more than 35 percent. For teenagers, it was more than 45 percent. Boys and girls ages 15 to 19 reduced their weekly social hangouts by more than three hours a week. In short, there is no statistical record of any other period in U.S. history when people have spent more time on their own.”*

Now we might wonder if this matters all that much. 
After all, people can be alone and not feel lonely. 
Being alone can be downright heavenly for the introverts among us! 
Technology also has ways of connecting us, ways that were unheard of decades ago. 

Though if we delve further into the recent studies and statistics, it ends up that solitude, anxiety, and life dissatisfaction are all on the rise.  Teenage depression and hopelessness are unfortunately setting new statistical records.  This is not just related to Covid, though the pandemic certainly exacerbated the situation.  Thompson writes, “We come into this world craving the presence of others. But a few modern trends—a sprawling built environment, the decline of church, social mobility that moves people away from friends and family—spread us out as adults in a way that invites disconnection.”* 

Alright, so I know that I am preaching to the Choir here in this Thursday Thought (quite literally in some cases—see you at Choir Practice tonight, fellow Choir Members!)  However, articles like “Why Americans Suddenly Stopped Hanging Out” reinforce what I have certainly observed in my ministry and in the church world in general.  We modern people crave connection and community, and this is an area of modern life where churches can shine.  In fact, our presence as faith communities may be more important now than ever.  Our church family is all the better because of the connections we have with one another.  I pray that the Circle of Friendship that ends our time of worship each week can serve as a tangible reminder that you are not alone. 

Love,
Pastor Lauren

*Derek Thompson, “Why Americans Suddenly Stopped Hanging Out,” The Atlantic, February 14, 2024.

Thursday Thoughts 2/22/24

Photo by Timon Studler on Unsplash