By Karen Vance
Enquirer contributor

FAIRFIELD - It's the holidays. And you're single.

For some, being in the ranks of the unattached can be dreary when most events seem geared toward families. That's why Pastor Anthony Hunter of Word of Deliverance Ministries for the World in Forest Park started a large holiday singles party seven years ago.

In its first year, the Ohio Valley Christian Singles' Holiday Extravaganza attracted 50 people. By last year it had grown to 350, and this year, the network of church singles' ministries expects as many as 500 people for the Dec. 13 event.

The extravaganza, which features games, prizes, mixers, dancing, a disc jockey and a live contemporary Gospel group, Everett Moore and Co., will be at the Econo Lodge, formerly the Ramada Inn, at 4670 Dixie Highway in Fairfield at 8 p.m.

The event typically attracts a diverse group of people from all Christian denominations and races from all over the Tristate. Last year, the party had a 50/50 racial split and had slightly more men than women. And there's also a diversity of age.

"One event may not solve everything, but people will meet others and network and make friends," he said. "Our ultimate goal is that folks can find out about singles' ministries all over the city. Not all churches have a singles ministry, but we can expose them to the groups that are doing things, so they can see there is so much else going on in the city all year," said Pastor Hunter.

Tickets, which include a full buffet dinner, are $20 and can be purchased at the door or by calling Word of Deliverance Offices at (513) 589-3400.

They are also available at several Christian stores including: Berean Christian Stores in the Forest Fair Mall, Brighter Day in College Hill, Family Christian Stores in Evendale and in the Towne Mall in Middletown, God's Provisions in Silverton, Heaven's Cupboard in Hamilton and Triune Books and Bibles in Bond Hill.

Christmas musical

The Fort Mitchell Baptist Church in Northern Kentucky is presenting Repeat the Sounding Joy, a musical which includes scenes from A Christmas Carol and It's a Wonderful Life, on Dec. 13, 14 and 15 at 7:30 p.m. The event, which is free and open to the public, includes varied musical styles, including Celtic, ragtime, Victorian and medieval.

For more information contact the church, 2323 Dixie Highway, Fort Mitchell, by phone at (859) 331-2160 or visit them on the Web at www.fmbc.info.

`Messiah' performance

Cincinnati Baroque, a professional chamber ensemble, will perform George Frederic Handel's Messiah at 8 p.m. today at Memorial Hall downtown.

Advent reflections

Bayley Community Outreach Services will present an Advent reflection and discussion led by Sister Jeanette Jabour called "Jesus is the Reason for the Season" on Wednesday.

"It's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of Christmas, but we need to step back and look at Advent," Sister Jabour said.

The event is free and open to the public at 1:30 p.m. at 990 Bayley Place Drive in Delhi. For more information and to register call Sister Jabour at (513) 347-5514.