Jobam
Marriage council retreats
Posted on: 01/01/2012 21:22
I have a question – does the UCC have couples retreats for same sex couples? Seems that while the church is on the cutting edge to “bring us in” it is hard to find supports for us.
I have done some googling and haven’t really found anything UCC specific. I know that “Welcome Friend Association” does not know of any UCC specific counseling. I don’t think the folks at AFFIRM have it on their radar – clergy folks that I have reached out to are not aware of such services either.
This site http://www.execulink.com/~recholm/ looked really interesting until we realized that it was for straights only. Too bad, it looked really interesting.
There are counselors out there but these are “session” based – and most are in larger cities….looking for something like couple counseling for a two or three day period.
We found a couples based retreat (for all types of couples) but it was expensive, and not faith based.
Suggestions/comments.
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Pinga
There is a couple that offers
Posted on: 01/01/2012 22:47
There is a couple that offers them in S. Ontario and I seem to remember they would welcome same sex couples, but, .....I don't remember there name Jobam.
If S. ont is the gneral area that would work for you , let me know, and I will see if I can dig their names up
Tabitha
I know Calgary Presbytery
Posted on: 01/01/2012 23:51
I know Calgary Presbytery offers some-they state all are welcome at any but some are same sex specified for those who feel more comfortable with that.
somegalfromcan
I'm not sure about couples
Posted on: 01/02/2012 00:09
I'm not sure about couples retreats, but I know that Naramata Centre has offered retreats specifically geared towards members of the GLBTQ community.
Pinga
ditto for five oaks
Posted on: 01/02/2012 00:17
ditto for five oaks
Jobam
Thanks Pinga - I believe we
Posted on: 01/02/2012 09:53
Thanks Pinga - I believe we are talking about the same couple that we have been in contact with - looks like a great place to start however, we were really hoping to find something with UCC spirituality/theology blended in. (religious conponent)
Jobam
Hi somegalfromcan and
Posted on: 01/02/2012 10:04
Hi somegalfromcan and Pinga - thank you for thinking of these - and the Affirm facebook group gave me Naramata Centre and Tatamagouche Centre. Thank you. I think all of these places lists have some sort of "scheduled" one time events per year. I will check. As we become more affirming congreations that "need" for such services is going increase. Society as a whole needs to get on board - I don't see crisis center's for gay guys - unless they are expected to bunk in at the womens shelters....hmm..
Panentheism
In our area teh committee
Posted on: 01/02/2012 11:09
In our area teh committee responsible checked and ran the idea with some affirm members and there was no demand for same sex - those who do it for us are open to a separate event or including in the events we hold- there is little demand in any one year.
MC jae
Sorry as I derail the thread
Posted on: 01/02/2012 11:17
Sorry as I derail the thread here just a little... does the UCC ever have marriage retreats where non-UCC people are welcome to come. My wife and I would possibly attend such an event. Thanks.
seeler
MorningCalm - I think non-UCC
Posted on: 01/02/2012 11:24
MorningCalm - I think non-UCC people are welcome at all of our events. I can't see why not?
Pinga
Pan... couple retreats don't
Posted on: 01/02/2012 11:29
Pan... couple retreats don't seem to have a lot of demand from our church. I can't think of anyone who has gone to one.
Panentheism
Pinga you are correct - we
Posted on: 01/02/2012 16:11
Pinga you are correct - we use to have them (couples retreats) at Five Oaks but they eventually did not attract enough to make money ( we had to at least break even), Pre marrriage events still happen and that is what I was refering to above - but I cannot think of a marriage event for other couples...
Tabitha
The naramata centre long
Posted on: 01/02/2012 20:10
The naramata centre long weekend in May does not have a couple counseling format. That is not it's purpose.
It's a weekend to explore being LGBQT etc. and God-or spirituality-and meeting others.
In the past some summer weeks have been "couple enrichment: and same sex couples would be welcome those weeks.
Not sure if what you are after is Pre-marriage or for those already married??
somegalfromcan
Thanks Tabitha. Not being a
Posted on: 01/03/2012 02:04
Thanks Tabitha. Not being a member of the GLBTQ community, I've never spent much time looking at the write-up for that weekend in that part of the calendar.