For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

Genesis 2:24

We at Southern Gables believe that strong marriages are the foundation of strong family life. To assist our couples in creating and maintaining strong marriages, we offer a variety of services including premarital counselling, teaching on marriage and family values in our adult communities and periodic seminars and workshops. For more information, please contact Scott Naden, Director of Music/Worship & Marriage Ministries (303-986-1527, ext. 206, snaden@sgc.org ) or Joyce Goddard, Outreach & Worship Secretary (303-986-1527, ext. 220, jgoddard@sgc.org).

Pre-Marital Mentoring

Marriage is a tremendous and wonderful commitment, and we want engaged couples to be ready for the challenges and opportunities they will face once they are married. And who better to help them than couples who are married and have experienced what it takes to make a marriage flourish? This is why Southern Gables connects engaged couples with married couples for premarital marriage mentoring. It’s our equivalent of premarital counseling. The couples meet eight times and use the PREPARE inventory as a tool to aid in their discussion.

If you are interested in being a marriage mentor couple, contact Scott or Joyce.

Weddings

After premarital mentoring, it’s time for the big day! For information about getting married at Southern Gables contact Julia Grauberger in the church office.

Conferences and Seminars

Southern Gables offers a variety of conferences and retreats throughout the year. Some are sponsored by Southern Gables, and others are quality events happening in the Denver area. Keep an eye on the Marriage Ministries section of the bulletin for these events.

Couple Connections, a FREE Communication Workshop For Married and Premarital Couples sponsored by Rocky Mountain Family Council, is held periodically in the Denver area. The workshop offers a refreshing day of exploring your relationship and learning some new communication skills that will greatly increase your chances for a fulfilling marriage. The next workshop will be at Southern Gables on June 6. Here is the workshop brochure. Go here to register online. There are also two additional workshops in June in the Denver area. More information on these workshops.

Resources

Books

• The Lost Art of Listening: How Learning to Listen Can Improve Relationships by M. P. Nichols
• A Lasting Promise: A Christian Guide to Fighting for Your Marriage by Stanley, Trathen, McCain, and Bryan
• Covenant Marriage: Building Communication and Intimacy by Gary Chapman
• Sacred Marriage by Gary Thomas
• Sacred Sex: A Spiritual Celebration of Oneness in Marriage by Gardner and Stanley

Other Resources

• Marriage Partnership Magazine (A publication of Christianity Today International)
• www.christianitytoday.com/marriage/

If you are interested in a book or resource on a specific aspect of marriage you don’t see here, contact Scott Naden at the number on the back.

Recommended Counselors

Grace Counseling Services
Dr. Chris Miller
6909 S. Holly Cir.
Centennial, CO 80112
720-489-8555

Eagle View Counseling
Deedee (McDermott) Woodman
303-467-1544
2 Locations
3020 Fenton St.
Wheat Ridge, CO 80214
8420 S. Continental Divide
Suite 223
Littleton, CO 80127