Come exploring with us...

To the left is a test video clip, soon to be replaced by interviews, video clips or links.

MARRIAGE COURSE UPDATE Starting on 9th March, on 7 Wednesday evenings from 7.15pm. Couples have an opportunity to relax together over a dessert and coffee, rather than rushing straight into the material. If a couple can't both get to the course till 7.45pm, they can miss out the dessert (or eat it during one excerise when you have 30minutes together). We will finish each week just before 9.45pm. Venue details are given once couples make a firm booking. Please give both names and a phone number or email address. We currently have one or two more spaces available in this series, but the course will run again in Barnstaple later in the year. WHAT HAPPENS? Each evening is themed, and starts after a space to unwind from what else you have been busy doing, over a dessert and coffee together. It includes several short video introductions, and a clip of a different couple each week talking about their experience linked to the theme, intersperced with space for private conversations within each couple. Each member of the couple will be given their own copy of a manual which contains reminders of main themes, spaces for things you want to jot down, some exercises used in the evening, or further things to explore on your own later, if you would like to. You can hear what couples think of the course by clicking on this link to a clip http:/relationshipcentral.org/marriage-course/guest-introduction Week 1: Building Strong Foundations Week 2: The Art of Communication Week 3: Resolving Conflict Week 4: The Power of Forgiveness Week 5: The Impact of Family - Past & Present Week 6: Good Sex Week 7: Love in Action VENUES The venue will depend on the numbers booking, so the sooner we know definite numbers the better. Email: together(-AT-)barnstaple-st-paul.org.uk but please replace the (-AT-) by @ in the email address (spambot preventer), or phone: Barnstaple 344400. The ideal, if the group is small enough, is to run the course in a local home hosted by a couple. If several homes are used, we may be able to offer an alternative to Friday evening - again let us know if that is your situation, and which evening(s) you could be available. We will do our best to offer an alternative in this course series or a future one. If more than ten couples book on any particular course, we will probably use St.Paul's Church Hall (suitably decorated)rather than a home. ADDED EXTRA As there are a number of Forces couples in the area, we will occasionally offer the extra session "Coping with times of separation". This extra session is useful also where one half of the couple has work which takes them away from each other for periods of more than a few days. There will be a party or barbecue after the course when we shall invite everyone who did the previous course and ask them to bring along any family or friends they told about it, so any who had expressed a potential interest in attending a future course can find out more for themselves if they wish to. ANSWERS TO FREQUENT QUESTIONS Whatever the venue, there will be individual space for each couple to speak with each other in a relaxed atmosphere, with music to help ensure privacy. It is a rule that no-one shares any personal information (except with their partner!). This is NOT a Mr & Mrs Quiz or group therapy! No-one else will see what you write in your course manual except for your partner. Unlike the same course running elsewhere, we are making NO CHARGE, recognising that many couples will have babysitting costs; BUT we do invite couples to discretely chip in something to cover the cost of the meal/desserts and books if they would like to, and are able to do so. Although this course has been created and sponsored by churches, it is not about encouraging people to alter their faith or start going to church. In rare cases a couple discover a problem which they would like some outside help with, there are people we can refer you to - don't suffer in silence. The course is also open to people of every faith and none, to couples who have been through divorce, and to those who are not married but living together. The course is focussed on helping grow stronger committed relationships in a whole variety of circumstances in our community, whether your marriage is solid as a rock or sometimes shakey, and whether you have been married for 1yr or you have past your Golden Wedding Anniversary! There is a separate course regularly run several times a year for those just starting out in married life together - please ask for details. We have a few booklets giving most of the detail above. They are available to collect from St.Paul's or can be posted on request with an address.

Vicar's letter, page 3 , & diary page 22