[Parish] Retreat, Couples' Conversation, etc.

[Malcolm Young]

19 March 2009

Dear Parish Family,

I wanted to tell you a few things before I leave for the Parish  
Retreat up in Healdsburg tomorrow afternoon.  First, if there is an  
emergency while Jim and I are away please call my home phone number  
(650) 969-3964.  Heidi will be in town with Micah and can relay the  
message.

Although a large number of us will be gone the service schedule will  
be the same on Sunday.  Our visiting priest Roger Wharton will preach  
another installment in our forgiveness sermon series.  We won’t be  
having Godly Play, but Miss Kimmy in the nursery has been warned that  
she might have a few extra children this week.

After looking through the results of the survey we’ve decided to  
change our service times to 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. starting on Palm  
Sunday (it falls on April 5 this year).  It was a closer call than I  
thought it would be, but I think the majority of us will appreciate  
having church just a little later. We'll have the forum between the  
services and offer a repeat of DVD programs after the 10:00 a.m.  
service for choir members or others who request it.



I also wanted to remind you about Couples Conversation, a dinner and  
discussion event planned for Thursday March 26 at 6:15 p.m.  I want  
to emphasize that this is not just for Ventana families or other  
relatively newly-married couples.  What has made this such a powerful  
experience in the past is that we’ve always had such a range of  
different ages and experiences.  It’s not group therapy, but rather a  
chance to talk honestly about a pressing issue which we face daily –  
what can we do in the face of an often indifferent culture to thrive  
as a couple.  Here’s all the official information:



"Couple´s Conversation"



with The Reverend Dr. Malcolm Young

Thursday, March 26th

6:15pm dinner

7:00pm discussion



Please join the Rector of Christ Episcopal Church, The Reverend Dr.  
Malcolm Young, for dinner and conversation on how as couples we can  
strengthen our relationships and navigate the stresses of life  
together.  Also joining us will be Christ Church Member, Anne Crane  
LMFT, with 17 years of experience working with couples in the Bay  
Area. This is not group therapy; it is a chance to think about your  
life seriously as a couple in the company of good friends.



Reverend Young will give a brief talk followed by questions and  
discussion on....

    What practical steps can we take to strengthen our bonds as  
married and unmarried couples?

     Despite all the pressures around us, how can we grow stronger  
and communicate better?

     What can we learn from others as we try to build happy marriages?

     How do we balance time for ourselves in the midst of raising  
children?



This discussion is open to all couples in the community!  Bring a  
friend....or two!



Suggested donation of 5$ per person.

Babysitting is available with advanced reservation, 5$ per child.



Please RSVP to elisamerrifield at yahoo.com

Location: Christ Episcopal Church, 1040 Border Road,

Los Altos, (650)-948-2151.




May God bless and keep you and all yours this weekend!

Love,

Malcolm