Sunday, March 18
8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Rev. Fuller's Home
Melbourne, FL 32940
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 either the
Unitarian Universalist Church of Brevard located at 2185 Meadowlane Avenue, West
Melbourne, Florida and Rev. Fuller's home near the Suntree/Viera area of
Melbourne depending upon the date.
Why Invest in
Marriage Education?
Who Can
Register for the Class?
Why do you
offer this class to singles?
What Topics
are Covered in the Class?
How Much Does the
Class Cost?
Does this
class qualify for the discount on our marriage license?
Do You Offer Additional
Personalized Counseling?
How Do
We Register for the Class?
Do
you offer private marriage preparation sessions?
Why Invest in Marriage
Education
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.
Why do you offer this class to
singles?
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.
What Topics are Covered in
the Class?
What is Marriage? (May sound silly, but it's a great place to start)
History of Marriage (You'll learn some pretty cool stuff behind some of
our wedding traditions!)
Stages of Marriage (No, your honeymoon is not going to last fifty years
even if it feels like it now)
Contemporary Challenges to Marriage
Myths That Harm Marriage
Family of Origin Impact on Marriage / Family Systems Theory
Evolutionary Psychology (Yes, men and women really are different, but
it has nothing to do with celestial bodies in our solar system)
Communication Styles
Decision Making
Needs Fulfillment
Plotting The Future Together
Fun Tips for a Successful Marriage
How Much Does the Group Class Cost?
$149 per couple
$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.
If you are interested in a group class, a packet will be mailed to you that
includes an addressed stamped envelope for submitting your tuition. Group
classes are limited in size so register as soon as you are able to commit to the
session.
If you are interested in arranging private sessions, I will
contact you to schedule mutually convenient dates and times for our
sessions. Simply skip the question regarding class date.
After you click on the Submit button above, you will be taken to a
confirmation screen. You will be return to the Brevard Minister home
page once you click on the Continue button to
confirm your information.
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