Marriage Preparation Courses
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The Marriage Preparation Course is a five-session course developed by Holy Trinity Brompton, suitable for people who are not Christians as well as for those who are. Designed to help engaged couples develop strong foundations for a lasting marriage, the course covers topics such as:
the importance of commitment
appreciating differences
the art of communication
resolving conflict
spending time together
developing a good sexual relationship
the importance of talking about goals, values and dreams
The evenings are relaxed. There is a meal, followed by short talks interspersed with exercises and questions for each couple to discuss together. Before the first evening they are invited to fill in a questionnaire which is designed to help them learn more about themselves and their relationship. They are then given the opportunity to discuss any issues with a support couple if they wish.
The Marriage Preparation Course Leaders’ Toolkit contains everything you need to set up, run, and publicise The Marriage
Preparation Course. It costs £30.
Also available is an audio set for £20, and supporting invitations and posters, a video set for £40 and a DVD set for £40. alpha@stl.org Tel 08457 581 278
http://www.themarriagecourse.org/ 
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Marriage Resource has produced two videos, Time for Each Other, featuring TV presenter Sally Magnusson and marriage counsellor Eric Bird. Originally for marriage support, the videos are also suitable for marriage preparation, and highlight aspects of marriage that are often key to success or failure. Sections are titled:
Worth the effort
Understanding each other
Equal but different
Let’s be friends
Let’s communicate
Giving love or getting sex
Workbooks, either for Christian couples or for couples who do not regularly attend church, are available. The materials are suitable for use in a group or for lending to couples to watch and work on on their own. The videos with two copies of either workbook cost £25, while a leader’s pack, including leader’s notes and six copies of either workbook cost £34. Extra workbooks £2.50 each.
Available from www.2-in-2-1.co.uk/mr/mrresource.html
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The highly recommended six-session
Family Caring Trust course,
Couple Alive, described in the Enriching Marriage section, is designed also for a marriage preparation course. The video and participant’s handbook focus on relationship skills
and conflict management.
(The kit includes a video, two leader’s guides and one participant’s handbook for £51.77. Further copies of the handbook, with the same name, cost £6.50– and may also be bought as a separate resource.)
Tel 028 3026 4174 mailto:office@familycaring.co.uk www.familycaring.co.uk - Marriage Encounter & Marriage Resource: A complete package of materials, training and support. The Engaged Workshop, over one day or two sessions, is designed to be given by one or two lay couples, to help engaged couples see marriage as a lifetime of relationship building. Topics include communication, deciding to love, handling conflict, and keeping marriage permanent and growing. Materials include talk outlines and handouts, in paper and electronic format. They cost £50 and an annual fee of £15.
Email to: d-j-gierth@surefish.co.uk
- Two Agreed: Building Twogether (£40) - four sessions for a single day or over two or four evenings, for individual couples or groups. Available on 2CDs. A practical workbook is included.
Tel 01483 272016
www.twoagreed.com
- Carefully Prepared, an ecumenical guide for marriage preparation, setting out various issues for consideration, is a
useful book to help church leaders get a marriage preparation course started. It can be read free on line.
- www.marriage-preparation.co.uk
- So too can Step Carefully, a guide for those leading marriage preparation involving couples who have children from a previous relationship. (Both published by Churches Together for Families Tel 020 7898 535) www.marriage-preparation.co.uk
- Care for the Family has produced a marriage preparation course, From this Step Forward, for those who are about to become step-parents. It is on CD and is printable (£19.99). www.careforthefamily.org.uk
- Growing Together is a new marriage preparation resource from Church House Publishing. It has readymade plans for 7 sessions and fully photocopiable and downloadable support material. It comes with a free CD-ROM which contains worksheets and scripts to each session. It is available from www.chpublishing.co.uk Tel: 020 7898 1451
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