Marriage retreat has helped Jefferson City couples for generations

Marriage Encounter - Growing stronger as a couple

Marriage Encounter has been in Jefferson City for 40 years and is now reaching a third generation in some families to strengthen couples' relationships.

The next retreat weekend is Feb. 14-15 at the Best Western, and registration is open through Tuesday. The National Marriage Encounter Conference will be July 16-19 at Lincoln University.

Jeff and Jill Cremer took their "encounter" in the fall of 2013 and have stayed involved with the group, despite both working full-time jobs, rearing their 2-year-old and growing their own business.

Like many, they were reluctant at first, thinking it would be a lot of group sharing.

"We're pretty reserved," Jill said. "Exactly what our fears were is what Marriage Encounter was not."

Almost all of the two days are spent one-on-one as a couple. It was a time of reflection without everyday distractions.

But the Cremers also found a sense of peace being in a group with like-minded people.

"I'm better at keeping my commitments when other people are with us," Jeff said.

After the weekend, the Cremers said they felt equipped with tools and new forms of communication that would help them work through future situations.

But they enjoyed continuing to spend time with people who shared their same priorities in marriage.

"I wholeheartedly believe this is good for married couples," Jill said.

Ryan and Susan Brookins are the chair-couple for this upcoming weekend.

"To see these new encountering couples grow closer in their marriages was a gift to us," Susan said. "We want more couples to experience the growth of their marriages as we did, to better the line of communication as ours has been."

A misconception is that the program is Catholic specific.

"It's for all couples of all ages and all faith denominations," Jeff said.

The program was developed by the Rev. Gabriel Calvo in Barcelona, Spain, in 1962 "to assist in the formation of healthy marriages," said local volunteer Candy Smith.

The first Jefferson City Marriage Encounter was in February 1975. Enrichment weekends are hosted locally twice a year by the all-volunteer organization.

"It is based on Judeo-Christian principles," Smith said. "The weekend provides the opportunity, atmosphere and inspiration for couples to have deep, meaningful dialogue with one another.

"The goal is for participants to better understand themselves and their spouse, so that they can grow closer, more united and stronger as a couple and more conscientious about their relationship."

Call 573-694-3292 or email [email protected] for more information.

Link:

jeffcityme.org