Rites of passage are an important part of human life whether
we are members of a religious community, consider ourselves "spiritual but
not religious," or are completely secular. Our loved ones gather with us to
celebrate our greatest happiness or alleviate our deepest pain. Our joys are
multiplied and our sorrows divided in a communal context in which ritual,
whether religious or secular, is involved. This site is primarily devoted to
weddings, but it is my pleasure and an honor to assist you with commitment
and vow renewal ceremonies,
child dedications and baptisms, or memorial
services and funerals - any ritual for which you feel a professional
celebrant would be most appropriate.
If you see a
Red thumbtack with the words "Contract Pending" on the calendar, the date
and time may still be available. If you see such a conflict, I will
be happy to contact the couple to see if they intend to confirm
their booking.
Autumn Session
Wednesday, September 22 and Wednesday, September 29
6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
As a certified Marriage Educator with the National Marriage Centers, I
am pleased to offer a marriage education class with the Unitarian Universalist
Church of Brevard. This class is for couples considering engagement, engaged
couples, newlyweds, married couples in stable relationships and single
participants who wish to learn more about making their current or future
marriage one of strength, beauty and joy. The group classes are held at the
Unitarian Universalist Church of Brevard located at 2185 Meadowlane Avenue, West
Melbourne, Florida.
Both successful and unsuccessful marriages have about the same amount of
conflicts. How we treat one another, approach conflict and attempt to resolve
conflict is what makes the difference. Marriage faces an unprecedented number of
challenges today, so a higher divorce rate is not unexpected. However, the
divorce rate needn't be as high as it stands right now either. Having realistic
expectations, anticipating areas of conflict, setting mutual goals and learning
communication tools that affirm your relationship can help you and your partner
beat the odds. Marriage education is a process for both
self-awareness as individuals and goal setting as a couple. It is an investment
in helping your marriage endure with beauty, strength and delight.
Consider the class an
opportunity for some time away from the hustle and bustle of wedding planning or
routine obligations that gives you permission to be totally absorbed in one
another and nothing else. This is time spent focused on your relationship that
can enhance your intimacy and generate even more excitement about your
partnership Yes, it's called a class, but I promise it is also a lot
of fun!
Any couple or single individual is welcome to register for the class. This is a secular
ethics-based program. The importance of the couple's religious life is
recognized and discussed, but the course content does not affirm or promote
specific theologies or religious doctrines concerning marriage. Couples who are
inter-faith, "spiritual but not religious" or completely secular will be
perfectly comfortable in this class. We do recommend that couples experiencing
persistent unhappiness or in the midst of a specific crisis seek
professional counseling as
their situation may be beyond the scope of this class.
I recognize that some people may have a partner unable to attend a class at
the same time. (You still qualify for the marriage license discount if both
partners have taken a marriage preparation course within twelve months of
applying for the license. You do not have to take the same course or a course at
the same time.) Some may have a reluctant partner and want to find out if it is
something the other will consider valuable. Some may be in a relationship and
use this course to make the very personal decision on whether or not to proceed
to a stronger commitment. Some may simply be curious.
$124 per couple
(for whom I have officiated or will officiate their wedding
ceremony)
$74 per single
The cost includes refreshments (we won't let you go hungry!) and all relevant course materials. Participants need not
bring anything other than themselves and their love. I am registered with
Brevard County as a premarital preparation course provider. I provide a certificate that will entitle couples to receive a $32.50
discount on their marriage license as well as a waiver of the three day waiting
period if they apply for their license in Brevard County within the next 12
months.
Does This Class Qualify for the Discount on our
Marriage License?
Yes, I am a registered premarital
course provider with Brevard County. If you apply for your license in
Brevard County within twelve months of completing the class you are eligible for
the $32.50 discount and three-day waiting period waiver per Florida Statute 741.
0305. You will be given a certificate at the completion of the class to present
to the Clerk of Court when you apply for your marriage license.
Yes, but
I highly encourage couples to participate in a group class because
there are clear benefits to hearing a variety of perspectives. You
meet some really wonderful people and might even stumble upon some
great new friends.
I do appreciate that not everyone's lifestyle can accommodate a
scheduled event and will try to work with couples who legitimately
cannot make a commitment on a date I have scheduled a class. In
these cases I do break down the course into two sessions
scheduled on mutually convenient dates and times. The course fee is
$199 instead of $149.
If you have any other questions please contact me at the email or
phone number below and I will be delighted to be of assistance.
My co-pastor, Rev. Dr. Gregory Wilson,
and his wife Helen Wilson, are certified Prepare/Enrich counselors. This program
offers individualized counseling based on a computer-scored online or
paper-based inventory with questions that the couples answer as individuals, and
then get results that form the basis of one or more follow-up counseling
sessions. There are separate inventories for engaged couples, married couples,
previously married couples with children, and older couples. This is a
great follow-up option for couples who would like a more detailed personalized
form of counseling.
Simply fill out the form below and a packet will be mailed to you that
includes an addressed stamped envelope to submit payment for the class. Class
size is limited so register as soon as you are able to commit to the date(s).
Marriage Education
