What is Marriage Encounter?
A Marriage Encounter Weekend gives married couples an opportunity to improve and grow in their couple communication.  It is an ongoing process, not something that comes naturally after a wedding, but involves a lifetime of active learning.  Marriage Encouner is a program geared towards enhancing the couple relationship though comunication occuring in a open and honest face to face, heart to heart encounter.

This special weekend program is offered in a comfortable setting designed to give couples a chance to get away from the everyday routine of life and to spend time together exploring their marital relationship.  We all spedn a lot of time, energy, and money on food, clothes, entertainment, homes, vehicles, and careers.  yet how much time do we spend on one of the most important relationship we will ever have?  Time is one of the most precious possessions we have, and spending time with each other is most precious gift.  This gift supplies you with new tools and new growth in your couple relationship.  Continued use of these tools enhances your relationship and allows it to grow.

Marriage Encounter is not a marriage clinic, religious instruction or retreat, or group therapy.  There is no group discussion, sharing, or talking in front of others required.  You, as a couple are the focus of the weekend.  You give the weekend to each other through sharing of yourself and your time.  Give some time to your spouse and give your marriage an opportunity to grow. Try a weekend.

Who benefits from a Marriage Encounter weekend?
Marriage Encounter is for all married couples who want to improve their marriages with better communication. It is open to all, regardless of age or faith. Newly married couples and couples married over fifty years have all found the Encounter to be beneficial. Couples of all faith commitments are welcome to explore and strengthen the meaning of their married lives in their own religious frame of faith.

Through the Marriage Encounter Weekend process couples are given time to reflect on their attitudes toward each other and their families ... their joys and their frustrations ... their disappointments and hurts ... their hopes and their dreams. The techniques shared on the ME weekend are non-threatening. The weekend experience is unique for each couple, and the communication experienced between each individual couple is personal and private.

What is the format?
A team consisting of three married couples and often a clergy person or clergy couple leads the weekend process. The members of the team are not teachers, therapists, or professional counselors, but are people who previously experienced the weekend process themselves. The team couples give a specific series of presentations. These presentations are not meant to be lectures or teachings but rather informational sharings centered around personal experiences. Time for personal reflection and couple communication or dialog follows each presentation. The weekend process centers around open and honest communication, which occurs privately between spouses in their own room. Listening is as important as talking.

What does a weekend cost?
The only required cost is a $40 non-refundable registration fee.  During the weekend you will have the opportunity to make an additional free will donation, b this is strictly voluntary.  No couple will ever be turned away beasue of lake of funds.