Five questions about Marriage Encounter

WHO IS IT FOR?

The ME Weekend is for all married couples. It is not a counseling session for troubled marriages, but a series of talks designed to improve all marriages. Couples may have been married for only a year, or they may have been married for 30 years. The simple fact is that every marriage has room for improvement.

WILL I HAVE TO SPEAK IN FRONT OF OTHER PEOPLE?

No. The only persons who speak when the group meets are the presenters. The couples only listen and then return back to their hotel rooms where each couple discusses what they have heard among themselves in the privacy of their own room. So, the only sharing you will do is with your spouse.

WHAT DO YOU TALK ABOUT?

There are several different presentations, but most of them focus on deepening your communication with your spouse, being more bold in your sharing, improving your listening, and listening to feelings rather than judging them. The new skills you will be introduced to are challenging and you will be given opportunities after each presentation to try them with your spouse in privacy.

IF MY MARRIAGE IS OK, WHY SHOULD I GO?

Because your marriage is important. It should be a source of happiness in your life. It should provide a healthy environment for rearing your children. A caring relationship should provide a good example for their development. Isn’t it worth one weekend to improve your marriage?

In addition, all marriages sooner or later run into difficult times, whether due to financial problems, child-rearing problems, in-laws, job stress, or other causes. When you encounter a crisis, the skills you learn on your Weekend will assist you in surviving it.

WHO HAS GONE TO THE WEEKEND?

On Saipan, over 400 couples have attended the Weekend. People from all walks of life, all religions, and the many nationalities on Saipan have benefited from attending.

The next Marriage Encounter will be held on October 21-23, 2005 at the Riviera Hotel. The cost is $50, including room and meals and will last from Friday night 6pm to Sunday afternoon. To register, couples must fill out an application form.

Contact Jess and Anicia Sonoda (233-2600), Russ and Kanae Quinn (256 1058), or Tony and Linda Yarobwemal (288-1369) to hand in your application and check.