What is Engaged Encounter

What is an Engaged Encounter?

Engaged Encounter - United Methodist is a weekend experience
designed to help couples prepare personally and as a couple
for marriage. The focus is on the marriage, not on the wedding.
"A wedding is a day ... a marriage is a lifetime."

Couples are shown communication and decision-making techniques
they can use throughout their lifetime together. Engaged
Encounter is specifically designed for quiet reflection and
discussion by each couple. It is a positive, simple, common-sense
experience between two people who are either seriously
considering engagement, engaged or recently married. At no time
will
the couple be asked to share their private experiences with the
group. 



What an Engaged Encounter is not:

It is not: -a lecture series -a group sharing experience -a Bible
study -or a vacation weekend. Who should attend? Although
the Engaged Encounter is United Methodist in orientation, it is
open to couples of any faith. Any couple serious about making
and keeping their marriage the best it can be will discover the
weekend to be meaningful and non-threatening and will be able
to relate the weekend concepts to their own faith. This includes
couples of all ages and those who have been married before.
Couples without church affiliation are also welcome. 



When and where?

Engaged Encounter weekends are held several times during the
year, at various locations throughout the country. The program
begins on Friday evening at 7:30 p.m. and ends Sunday afternoon
about 4:30 p.m. Of course the total weekend stay is
essential to experience the full benefit. Register early to be
assured a space. Contact the persons listed below for weekend
dates. 

 

What is the cost?

A non-refundable deposit, usually between $35 and $50 sent with
the registration form will hold a reservation for you. The
total weekend cost, including the deposit, is usually between
$175 and $235 per couple, depending on facilities costs in the
area. The balance, which covers rooms for two nights and meals,
is due on arrival at the weekend. Please make your check
payable to Engaged Encounter - United Methodist. Scholarships are
available for couples for whom the cost of the weekend
would be a burden.

 

What to pack and wear:

Separate sleeping facilities are provided for men and women on
the weekend. Pack separately and bring casual clothing that
will be comfortable. Jeans, shorts and tennis shoes are
acceptable. Variations in air conditioning make it a good idea to
bring
sweaters for indoors. Depending on the weather, part of the time
may be spent outdoors as well, so a jacket may be
advisable. No formal gatherings require ties, coats or dresses.



What happens at the weekends?

The weekend is presented by three married couples -- all are
United Methodist, one is clergy. The presentations are given to
the group as a whole. After each presentation, each couple has
private time for personal sharing with each other. A wide
variety of subjects are presented to give each couple freedom to
explore the areas important to them. The weekend unfolds
differently for each couple, since each person brings a different
perspective to the relationship. By communicating their own
fears, values and expectations, couples gain deeper understanding
of themselves as they prepare for the covenant of marriage.



Why should we attend?

The weekend experience offers each couple the insights, the
tools, and the confidence to enrich their relationship and
strengthen their love for one another. They learn that good
marriages don't just happen. They must be developed. For many
couples, this weekend is one of the most significant experiences
of their courtship.



Comments from marriage experts:

"Engaged Encounter is the best marriage preparation program in
communication for engaged couples of any denomination in
the U.S." - Michael J McManus, author of the book,"Marriage
Savers", syndicated columnist in 100 newspapers, radio
commentator" "In addition to pre-marital counseling, another
wonderful way to eliminate the unpleasant surprises of early
married life is a program called Engaged Encounter ... I strongly
recommend Engaged Encounter to every couple planning a
wedding." - Dr. James Dobson, author of "Love for a Lifetime",
founder of Focus on the Family.

 

Comments from couples who have attended an Engaged Encounter Weekend:

"It seemed like it was just 'our' weekend. I found a new friend
for life, my fiancee." "It has been three years, but when I hear
Engaged Encounter... I get a warm feeling, a smile and recall it
as the real beginning of our relationship." "Friday night, we
loved each other. Sunday night, we loved each other so much
more... and still do." "I felt apprehensive, but in just two days
we
learned more about ourselves than in the 2 years of dating. I
felt confidant." "We almost didn't go. I really believe if we
hadn't
attended, we would have missed the greatest growth opportunity of
our life." "How can I describe before and after? How
about comparing glass to diamonds?... or optimism to total belief
in him and of our love relationship." "We dated for 5 years,
so I didn't expect to really learn much from the weekend. Boy was
I surprised. There were still topics we had not really
discussed, and I found out we didn't always know how each other
felt on every issue." "We laughed, we cried, and we talked.
(Oh yeah, we also argued a little.) Yet we reached a level of
closeness and communication that would have been very difficult
to do on our own. It was as if we were falling in love all over
again."

 

Comment from a couple already married for a year:

"Although we thought we had a very close and open relationship up
until that weekend, we would not be where we are in our
marriage without those 3 days. We were able to uncover our
individual thoughts and expectations about our marriage in a very
safe and supportive environment. It brought us closer together
than we had ever been."






Contacts for Engaged Encounter - United Methodist
Alabama:

        Jerry & Lynn Wilson

        (334) 661-3722

      
gwilson@jaguar1.usouthal.edu

      (EE weekends still in planning stages)



California (North):

        Jerry & Sue Angove

        (916) 781-6785



 or:    Morgan & Anne Staines

    mogstaines@msn.com



California (South):

        Dee & Matt Taylor

        (909) 370-3380

or      Tom & Laura Rothaar

        lauratom@ix.netcom.com


Colorado:

        Marcy & Roy Lae

        (303) 225-3826



 or: Rich & Vicky Gorman

       twobike@hemi.com



Illinois:

        Jerry & Donna Robey

        (815) 232-8218

         bmgb95a@aol.com



Indiana:

        Evan & Mary Jane Farmer

        (219) 657-5733

or      Steve & Rita Sowers

        stevesowers@trader.com



Michigan:

        Robert & Carol Jones

        (616) 796-5311
         
        jonesr@tcimet.net


Missouri/Kansas:

        Randy & Sue Biggerstaff

        (314) 928-5297



Nebraska:

        Ken & Trish Ross

        (308) 384-8884

        (1st weekend planned for Fall '96)



Ohio:

        Roger & Kathy Beitzel

        (513)235-0895

or      Barb & Otie Mekoleske

        (216) 264-2841

        mekoleske.1@
postbox.acs.ohio-state.edu



Pennsylvania:

        Curt & Evelyn Bookhammer

        (814) 832-2616

       
Bookhammer@aol.com



Texas:

        Don & Vivian White

        (713) 721-8666



 or:    Dave & Peggy Richards

      drichard@soark.net



Virginia/Maryland

        Duff & Polly Means

        (703) 860-1506

       
themeans@mail.erols.com



Wisconsin:

        John & Rosie Mitchell

        (414) 894-7177



OTHER AREAS:



Protestant Expressions:

        Dave & Sue Edwards

        (303) 753-9407

or send a self-addressed stamped envelope to:   

        1509 S. Forest St.

        Denver, CO 80222

        



Catholic Engaged Encounter:

      Mike & Kathy Chavez

     
76776,61@compuserve.com

Go back to Email: Webmaster