EVENTS

Helping couples build their relationship

In response to recent news that there are more people in the over-50s age group in Britain getting divorced than ever before according to the Office of National Statistics, FamilyLife, a division of Christian charity Agapé, is staging an event for couples seeking to strengthen and enrich their marriage.

The Weekend to Remember conference, is planned for 26-27 February at The Corus Hotel, Honiley, near Warwick, and is for married and engaged couples regardless of age.

The event aims to give couples the necessary tools to make their relationship stronger. During the weekend they can expect to hear speakers who will share their own experiences of married life, as well as examining tried and tested biblical principles. Topics touched upon include: the purpose of marriage, how to resolve communication problems and disagreements, and, of course, sex.
The rest of the weekend is spent in a relaxed atmosphere as couples discuss further the issues raised. On the Saturday night couples are encouraged to enjoy a quiet dinner together.

Agapé recognises that the pressure on relationships to stay together has never been higher. The latest statistics reveal that the number of divorces in England and Wales last year was 153,490, equivalent to 13.9 per 1000 marriages. It is estimated that just the legal aid bill for divorces costs taxpayers in excess of £61 million a year.

Director of FamilyLife, Mark Daniel, who leads FamilyLife with his wife Christine, commented: “The feedback we’ve received has shown that this mix of talks and private discussion is really powerful, whether you have a strong, healthy relationship or are on the point of splitting. One couple who attended a previous event told us: ‘We have been married for over 40 years, but areas of difficulty were highlighted by the weekend and as a result a healing process has started’.”

Mark continued: “The course is not just for couples whose marriage is under pressure. It can strengthen and enrich any marriage - no matter how long you have been together. If you have a garden you need to weed it, and it is the same with your marriage - it is so important that you just cannot afford not to look after it.”

Christine Daniel added: “We know the FamilyLife material works because we’ve seen it transform our own marriage. A few years ago our relationship was under huge pressure from successful, demanding careers and young children, but we rebuilt our marriage.”

Mark is a former army major who served in the Falklands and Hong Kong as an army bomb disposal expert, before starting a career in sales and marketing. Along with Christine, a former bank manager, they “gradually became convinced we should change careers to help others through Agapé’s Family Life team”.

The weekend starts at 9.30am on Saturday and costs £125 (including accommodation). For more information about the weekend conference please e-mail: info@familylife.uk.com or look at www.familylife.uk.com or call 0121 765 4404.

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