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Conference lgp30::christian-perspective

Title:Discussions from a Christian Perspective
Notice:Prostitutes and tax collectors welcome!
Moderator:CSC32::J_CHRISTIE
Created:Mon Sep 17 1990
Last Modified:Fri Jun 06 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1362
Total number of notes:61362

116.0. "Marriage Encounter" by CSC32::J_CHRISTIE (Not by Might) Mon Nov 26 1990 16:15

Note 112.29

>    In what ways did the four week-ends differ?

This question begs for a new topic.

Each of the Lutheran and UM Marriage Encounter weekends had a clergy
couple doing some of the presentations during the weekend.  The Catholic
weekend we went on had a priest.

The thrust is pretty much the same.

The first weekend, it took me quite a while to adjust to the structure and
discipline of the weekend.  I didn't realize it at the time, but I know now I
was having difficulty describing my own feelings.  By the time I really
got into it, the weekend was over.

The second time was actually called an EEE, an Enriched Encounter Experience.
It was for couples who had gone through the original weekend and felt a
desire for an even deeper experience (mind you, the original is none too
lightweight).  This weekend had stronger religious overtones.

The third weekend was like an old shoe, not very glamorous, but felt very
comfortable.

This last weekend was heavy.  We risked more.  Some issues had been getting
the better of our marriage.  Technique was of little hindrance this time,
a huge difference from the first time.  The issues are still there, but
we are closer now, and hopefully better able to face those issues.

Peace,
Richard
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name		DateLines
116.1ANKH::SMITHPassionate committment/reasoned faithMon Nov 26 1990 21:187
    Thanks, Richard.  I was not aware that couples went more than once
    (unless they became leaders).  But certainly the growth and evolution
    you describe make sense!
    
    I wish you well in your continued work together!
    
    Nancy
116.2CLOSUS::HOEGrandpa, dad said no; can I?Thu Nov 29 1990 09:5214
< Note 112.29 by ANKH::SMITH "Passionate committment/reasoned faith" >

    RE: .27
>>>>In what ways did the four week-ends differ?

The Marriage Encounters differ only in the prayers at the
beginning and end of each day and of the weekend; the way
communion is served. Our first encounter in 1983 was held in a
Franciscan Retreat Centre near Hallister, Calif. There were three
EM going at the same time. We ate in a common dinning room. The
three EM groups were American Baptists, Episcopal and an RC
group.

calvin
116.3There's a new world somewhere...CSC32::J_CHRISTIETempered PeaceFri Feb 08 1991 22:375
    This might not mean anything to anyone here except Cal Hoe and me,
    but Sunday, February 10th, is "World Marriage Day".
    
    Peace,
    Richard
116.4Cross-posted with author's permission ;)CSC32::J_CHRISTIEWatch your peace &amp; cuesThu Sep 26 1991 17:2837
                <<< PEAR::DUA1:[NOTES$LIBRARY]SOAPBOX.NOTE;1 >>>
                 -< SOAPBOX: to seek out strange new opinions >-
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Note 481.9              "Marriage Encounter" ... wazzit?                  9 of 9
CSC32::J_CHRISTIE "Watch your peace & cues"          30 lines  25-SEP-1991 22:07
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    Ok..I cain't resist.  My spouse and I have been on a Marriage Encounter
    weekend 4, count 'em, 4 times....And we're going to keep going until
    we get it right or until the kids grow up and move out and quit drivin'
    us out of our minds!
    
    A Marriage Encounter weekend is typically held at some retreat site
    beginning on a Friday evening and ending on Sunday evening.  The
    weekend teaches a process of communication between intimates, which
    is so different from the way people normally communicate (which is
    more like the way people do here in the Box) that at first it seems
    awkward and unnatural.
    
    It's not terribly expensive.  Expenses for 2 nights and 5 meals for
    the two of us away from home came to around $250 last November. 
    Anything over expenses is a tax-deductable donation.  Marriage Encounter
    sets no fees, except for maybe a deposit of $15 or $20.  They say
    (and I believe them) that no couple is turned away because of inability
    to pay.
    
    Marriage Encounter was initiated by a Roman Catholic priest in Spain in
    the late 1950's.  Now many denominations have their own particular
    faith expression; Episcopalian, United Methodist, Lutheran, Mennonite,
    just to name a few.  The thrust is the same.  The flavor of each
    denomination is different.
    
    I'm might add that I have been thinking about trying to put together
    a similar weekend for same-sex couples who are in a committed dyadic
    relationship.
    
    Richard