Have you discovered online meetups yet? Organised virtual social events are a popular way for people to meet and get to know each other better while meeting face-to-face is difficult. We’ve hosted regular quiz nights and virtual tours of interesting sites, and Christian Connection members have been stepping up to organise virtual games nights, karaoke, poetry evenings and more. So what can you expect if you attend an online meetup? And how can you make the most of these social gatherings?

Liz and Nigel lived in different UK countries when they first met on Christian Connection. In their own words they describe the anticipation of their first date, how their relationship developed into marriage and how life has changed since that first message.

When it comes to connecting with someone on a dating site, you’re probably aware of the usual advice to meet in person as soon as possible. Well, coronavirus has certainly thrown a spanner in the works with that! While restrictions are being relaxed in some places, you may not be able to meet in person easily, safely or even legally for some time. Some fortunate souls might be able to meet for a socially-distanced walk or picnic – assuming you don’t need public transport to get there, and until one of you needs the bathroom! But hand-holding, hugs and kisses are probably off the agenda for now. So where does that leave you in a developing relationship?

“Communication is key” – how many times do we hear that? It’s crucial in all relationships. From the moment I first started talking on Christian Connection with the man who is now my husband, we were polar opposites in regard to our hours, vicinity and quite frankly, our lives! We hardly ever saw each other in person. We relied on communication over distance and had to communicate emotionally too (which sometimes is difficult with the barrier of a screen).

Whether you’re new to the world of online dating or have been a Christian Connection member for some time, it can be helpful to take a fresh look at your profile and approach. With new people joining all the time – and the ever-changing situation in the wider world – does your profile reflect who you are, what you care about and how you’re spending your time? Do you feel confident making connections and dating online? Here are some top tips for getting the most out of your membership.

Toby and Victoria met on CC and had their dream wedding planned for this summer – until the UK lockdown changed things. Here’s their meeting story, and what happened next…

“We met on Christian connection in October 2018…I had been on the app for a month or so however I was at the point of giving up hope and was in the process of shutting my account, however on this day before I decided to do this I thought I’d have one last scroll and I stumbled across Toby…who I later discovered had only been on the app for an hour in total!!

A godly dating relationship should allow both parties to grow together in their walk with God. Before social distancing, the lockdown and other restrictions, you could perhaps visit each other’s churches, attend Christian festivals together, and take part in other ways of shared fellowship, but the lockdown has changed the way we do things.

Dating can be tricky at the best of times. We may struggle to meet compatible people or fledgling relationships may fail again and again, leaving us back at square one. Add in huge challenges such as the coronavirus, which has led to social distancing in many parts of the world, and we might be tempted to throw in the towel. So how do we hold on to hope?