Marriage Retreat
February 10-12, 2023
Laurel Ridge Retreat Center
$100 per couple
A Weekend Away
Life doesn't stop so you can work on your marriage
Work, kids, laundry, dinner - it all needs your attention. It's exhausting and leaves you with little energy for anything else. The enthusiasm you poured into your relationship when you were dating seems to have been thrown out with yesterday's leftovers. Meeting your mate's physical and emotional needs does not come naturally under today's pressures. That pressure can quickly become an invisible wedge separating the two of you from the warmth and love you once felt. The good news is, when you develop tools to reconnect and live life as a team, a fuller, deeper love is in store for you. Attending a United Marriage Encounter Weekend can begin a transformation in your marriage that leads to a lifetime of fulfilling love.
On a Marriage Encounter Weekend, February 10-12 at the Laurel Ridge Retreat Center, you are taught communication tools that can impact your relationship for the rest of your life. You learn to communicate on a deeper level, to learn what it is like to be your spouse.
This is a private Weekend between the 2 of you. After introducing yourselves on Friday evening, the rest of the Weekend is just between the 2 of you. You have the rare opportunity to focus 100% on your spouse for the course of a Weekend experience, away from common distractions such as the internet, TV, children, job, phones, etc. This is an amazing gift to give your spouse in this high-tech age we live in. It has lasting benefits.
This is not a marriage counseling weekend. Our presenting team couples are volunteers who share their life stories to help you communicate better with each other. They give of their time because they care about marriages in our world today and want to leave the legacy of a better world for today’s children.
FAQ
Have questions? We have the answers!
How much does it cost?
We are asking for $100 per couple to secure your spot and this cost is provided as a gift to encourage all couples to participate.
The true cost is more than $720 per couple. You will also be invited to "pay it forward" for other couples to attend. How much you give is up to you. This donation is tax-deductible in the USA as it helps the organization leading the retreat provide Weekends.
Who are the speakers?
Asbury is partnerting with United Marriage Encounters to lead the weekend. A clergy couple and two or three other couples lead each Weekend. These Trinity based Christians are volunteers who come from all over the world and are trained by UME. They share their lives, struggles, defeats and victories with you and teach practical communication skills that you can take home and use every day in your marriage.
Is it preachy?
As a non-denominational Christian ministry, we encourage Christ-centered marriages. The Christian content is integral, but not intrusive. People of all faiths - those of other beliefs, or no beliefs at all - are welcome and DO attend our Weekends.
What is the schedule like?
We try to keep a timeless weekend. We encourage couples to leave their phones in their rooms or even their cars. In general, the event starts at 7:30 pm on Friday and ends at 5:30 pm Sunday. However, couples are encouraged to arrive earlier than 7:30 pm to settle into their rooms.
There is very little "free time" as you'll be busy learning and practicing communication skills, but will consistently have time together in the privacy of your own room. It's hard work, but most couples report the rewards are wonderful!
What happens on the Marriage Weekend?
On Friday night each couple introduces themselves to the group, but after that, no group sharing is required. Your focus will be on each other. A series of talks are given, emphasizing personal stories, ideas, and communication
methods that you can use to strengthen your marriage. Following each session, you will be given a question to personalize the talk for you as a couple. You will write your reflections on that question and share with each other, in the privacy of your own room, using the communication methods you learned.
Can we skip a session?
No. The whole program is like a set of interlocking building blocks - if you leave some out, the structure will be incomplete. And, because your Weekend cost has been funded by individuals and couples, we ask that you honor their generosity by making plans to attend the entire Weekend. If you can't attend all sessions, please reschedule to a time when you can stay the entire Weekend - from 7:30 Friday night, until 5:30 Sunday evening.
Is this going to be heavy or hard content-wise?
With our program there are no books to read, no tests to take, and no intensive psychology to be applied. We offer an opportunity to strengthen your marriage and improve it day by day for a lifetime.
Can we invite friends?
If you know another couple who would like to
strengthen their marriage, by all means invite
them.