WELCOME
If you find yourself on this page then something within you has moved you or sparked an interest in improving your marriage. We know it is the Lord who works and move within us and we are thankful for this opportunity to support His central message of the Bible, to building healthier relationships ie: learning to love our neighbour.
Marriage is an a vital part of a stable home and society. Yet, working on our marriage is not something that we tend to give much time nor didicate effort to learning and improving.
Why Support Marriages
There are numerous issues that contribute to marriage struggles such as:
Parenting issues, Financial difficulties, In-Law issues, Major Health or Illness issues, Mental Illness in one spouse, Employment issues and more.
When a couple finds themselves faced with any one of these stressors, the couples that manage to get through it and come out the other side stronger are those who have cultivated the following traits:
Communicate well, Draw Closer as a Couple, Perserve Together, Prioritise the Relationship, and Sacrifice Individual wants.
Leaning inwards towards each other when times get tough and developing an attitude of "together", strengthens a couple's relationship, which studies have shown, releases more oxytocin, the feel-good drug.
Saturday May 24th, 10:00am - 4:00pm
Hosted at the Carmel New Church
40 Chapel Hill Drive, Kitchener
Registration Cost: $25 per Couple
Child Care: $25 per Family
Who is it for?
The Marriage Conference is for any couple or persons looking to learn more about marriage. Each will have a different reason for attending. Some are intentionally investing in the future of relationships, while others may be looking to work on a specific challenge. Whatever the reason, the conference offers insights, tools and guiding ideas that will help you build a relationship that lasts, not just "till death do us part" but to eternity.
What can you expect?
Presentations and Practice
Presenters are planning to share ideas to enrich the mind as well as opportunities to practice some skills.
Child Care
We don't want child care to be a barrier to you attending, so child care for the duration of the presentations will be available. Activities and projects will be planned for the children and if the weather is good, time spent outside on the fields.
Lunch
The cost of the event goes towards providing lunch for the whole family and snack for the afternoon. Children and Adults will be together for a shared lunch time.
PRESENTATION TOPICS
Common Marital Challenges and How to Navigate Them
Presented by Allerica Carr
Many of us experience the highs of love and the lows of life’s unexpected twists. From marital disagreements to blended families, from moments of intimacy to facing the complex dynamics with in-laws, many of these aspects of life are challenges that come with joining two distinct lives together. These obstacles can often leave us feeling misunderstood, alone, or even hopeless. But happy couples have conflicts. This doesn’t mean the love is gone; it simply means that growth is necessary.
I’ve learned that the real key to overcoming these challenges is understanding your cycle—the patterns of behavior and communication that emerge in your relationship. How do you and your partner interact during moments of tension? It’s through this process of uncovering the cycle and working together to change it that a deeper, more meaningful connection is formed. Relationships are not static; they evolve with time, and the goal isn’t perfection but understanding.
Together, let’s discuss some common marital challenges, why some of these challenges arise, and how to navigate them as a couple.
Marriage as a Spiritual Practice – How Funny Is That?
Presented by Steve and Vera Dyck
When we are committed to our own spiritual and emotional growth, and in a relationship that is safe and respectful enough, marriage can be a training ground, a playground, and a path to heaven. With a combination of attempted comedy and storytelling, sharing ideas about what has been helpful for them, and facilitated experiential exercises, Vera and Steve will plumb the wisdom in the room, leading the community gathered in a workshop of learning with and from each other.
Singles, separated/divorced, and never-married folks will be welcomed and included.
Introduction to the work of John and Julie Gottman
Presented by Michael and Gwenda Cowley
While working on a Master of Marriage and Family Degree at Ottawa University in 2005, Michael discovered the work of the Gottmans, with actual empirical evidence to support what makes marriages succeed or fail. So began a study of Emotional Intelligence, and John Gottman’s work “The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work”.
In this session couples will be introduced to the Principles and to other of Gottman’s work that pertains especially to marriage. All relationships can benefit from the concepts. There will be some time for interaction and discussion. Hopefully, couples will find some tools, but also share some laughs and benefit from the experiences of those in the room.