Marriage Enrichment Opportunities Available
The General Board of Discipleship (GBOD) administers no marriage enrichment programs directly; however, there are two marriage enrichment programs — Marriage Encounter/Engaged Encounter United Methodist and The Association for Couples in Marriage Enrichment — that are affiliate organizations. A third —Marriage Enrichment, Inc., begun by Carl T. Clarke — has its roots in The United Methodist Church and is also recommended for congregations. Provided here is a profile of each program.
Marriage Encounter/Engaged Encounter United Methodist
Programs of Marriage Encounter/Engaged Encounter follow United Methodist theology and polity, and the presenting couples are United Methodist. The presentation team — a lead couple and a United Methodist clergy couple — is in charge of the informal talks made to the whole group. The weekend includes couple experiences and total group talks. There are no group sharing sessions. Through the weekend, couples have quiet, private time to communicate with each other: exploring ideas, feelings, attitudes, hopes, and dreams. (The weekends are not to be seen as a marriage clinic, therapy session, or sensitivity group. Couples do not discuss their problems with the group or with the lead couples.) In addition to the weekend retreats, ME/EEUM includes ongoing follow-up groups and renewal weekends. Marriage Encounter/Engaged Encounter United Methodist trains leader couples. For more information, go to www.encounter.org.
Association for Couples in Marriage Enrichment
The Association for Couples in Marriage Enrichment (A.C.M.E.) became an affiliate organization of the General Board of Discipleship through the action of the GBOD Board Members in March 2001. A network of people working for better marriages, A.C.M.E. offers opportunities for couples to build on their strengths and to become better equipped to develop more satisfying relationships.
A.C.M.E. activities are for couples in every stage of their marriage: pre-marrieds; newlyweds; remarrieds; young parents; two-career couples; midlife couples; senior couples. Many of A.C.M.E.'s enrichment activities are conducted with small groups of couples. They include weekend retreats, ongoing enrichment groups, skills-learning classes, workshops, seminars, and local chapter programs. A.C.M.E. trains and certifies married couples for enrichment leadership. The activities are not marriage counseling or therapy; rather, through marriage enrichment couples are encouraged in growth and education. For more information, go to http://bettermarriages.org.
Marriage Enrichment, Inc.
Marriage Enrichment, Inc. is not an affiliate organization of the General Board of Discipleship, but it has deep Methodist roots. It is a non-denominational, not-for-profit, nationwide Christian organization dedicated to helping build stronger marriages and families. Couples are encouraged to learn and practice more effective communication skills. The workshop also includes informal worship and spiritual experiences for couples.
Marriage Enrichment, Inc. trains its leaders according to the certification requirements of its organization. Leader couples offer traditional weekend retreats, midweek versions, and in-church/in-home weekends. Leaders are willing to offer the experiences on two successive Sundays or two successive Saturdays as well as weekend away-from-home experiences. For more information, e-mail info@marriageenrichment.org or go to www.marriageenrichment.org.
The Family Ministries Office distributes information on all three of these marriage support programs. All three programs operate with volunteer leaders who are committed to their own marriages and to helping others grow in their marriages. We can provide further contact information and are glad to answer questions about these three distinct programs. Contact MaryJane Pierce Norton, 1-877-899-2780, ext. 7170 or mnorton@gbod.org.
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