Marriage Matters Jackson Events for singles, dating, and married couples in Jackson, Michigan

Weekly Marriage Restoration

Start
28 Jul 2014
6:00 PM
End
31 Dec 2014
8:00 PM
Location
United Way Center, 536 N Jackson St., Jackson, MI 49201

Register

Marriage Restoration

Every Monday evening

6 p.m. - 8 p.m. @ The United Way Center,

536 N. Jackson Street, Jackson, MI.

*Workshop registrants attend at no cost.

Most couples going through rough spots only see two options; painful marriage or divorce. There is a third option: an ongoing weekly program to restore and build better marriages. The Marriage Restoration Workshop offers hope for hurting couples, and covers critical topics, such as how to fight fair, forgiveness and repair, understanding expectations, control issues and much more.

Many couples needing a "turn-around" in their marriage find hope and answers participating in these weekly forums. Attend as-needed to gain support from other couples while learning tools to help rebuild your relationship.

Summer 2014 Schedule:
Click here for a printable copy

June 16 - Rebuilding Trust

June 23 - Building a Climate of Respect

June 30 - Responsibility and the Blame Game

July 7 - NO CLASS (4th of July)

July 14 - Understanding Expectations

July 21 - Redefining the Power Struggle

July 28 - Control Issues

Aug. 4 - Listening Beyond the Words

Aug. 11 - Personality Differences

Aug. 18 - Childhood Issues & Emotional Baggage

Aug. 25 - Handling Anger Constructively

Aug. 25 - Speaking the Truth in Love

Sept. 1 - NO CLASS (Labor Day)

Sept. 8 - Speaking the Truth in Love

Sept. 15 - How to Fight Fair; Conflict Resolution

Sept. 22 - Hurt & Forgiveness

Sept. 29 - First Steps Toward Repair

* Cost underwritten in part by Marriage Matters Jackson, the Jackson Community Foundation, and donors like you!

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Money Habitudes

When
20 Aug 2014
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Location
Carnegie Library Auditorium

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Money Habitudes Workshop
Whether you come alone or as a couple, you’ll learn ideas to help your relationship -- and we will provide dessert.

Wednesday, August 20th
Noon - 1:00 p.m.

Carnegie Library Auditorium
244 West Michigan Ave

Jackson, MI 49201

Join MMJ’s Amy Pelletier as she makes it fun tackling a serious topic: MONEY!

Using Money Habitude cards, she will help people talk about money, understand financial psychology and explain their money personality type.

In this quick and effective workshop you will use Money Habitude cards to:

Start great conversations about money and finances. Money is one of the most difficult subjects for people to discuss. As a fun and engaging conversation starter, Money Habitudes makes talking about money easy and approachable.
Provide AHA! insights regarding finances, relationships, career and lifestyle choices. Often, we don’t know why we do what we do with our personal finances. Money is the number one reason why couples fight and is frequently the reason people stay in dead-end jobs. The financial personality quiz aspect of the tool provides important insights about money issues.

Who should attend? Individuals can use the cards to understand how they can take charge of their financial future and see where old habits and attitudes may be supporting or sabotaging their intentions.

Couples can use the cards to understand where they complement and conflict with each others' habits and attitudes, which gives them a strong foundation to talk about important financial issues productively, using the non-judgmental, common language provided by the cards.

Facilitator:

Amy Pelletier

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Help Your Marriage Survive Parenting

When
18 Sep 2014
6:30 PM
Location
Middle School at Parkside

Register

Register by Monday, September 15th.
At the point of registration, all fees are nonrefundable.

Listen Up People … If you're married (or thinking about it) you need to be in it to win it! This means you can't let your kids trample your love life!

Look, we all love those sweet babies, adorable toddlers, fun young kids or growing tweens and teens (well, most of the time), but let's face it, they can add stress and strain to your relationship. Plus, no matter what their age, the best way to raise happy kids is to put your marriage first! In fact, study after study shows that when parents are in healthy marriages, their kids do better in school and are physically and emotionally healthier overall.

But how do you find the time and energy to invest in your marriage?

Come and hear MMJ's Shelby Raines, who will give you some ideas and strategies to keep your marriage strong through both the frantic and fulfilling parts of parenthood. Enjoy a 45-minute presentation followed by time for questions and answers.

Come and laugh and learn together- you need it and deserve it! Each couple will receive a goody bag and take away information and have the chance to register for some great giveaways.

Date: Thursday, September 18, 6:30 p.m.

Location: Middle School at Parkside Jackson, MI

Ticket Price: Just $10 per person! (Includes goody bag)

Facilitator: Shelby Raines

Shelby Raines is Executive Director of Marriage Matters Jackson and an accomplished presenter and facilitator. Communicating the importance of healthy relationships is Shelby's passion. She mixes learning and laughter to help couples connect. A graduate of Spring Arbor University, Shelby and her husband, Drew, have been married 17 years and have three children.

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Marriage LINKS Weekend Workshop

Start
26 Sep 2014
7:00 PM
End
27 Sep 2014
4:00 PM
Location
Country Inn & Suites, Jackson
Spaces left
20

Register

Register by Thursday, Sept. 18th to guarantee your spot!

You're invited to a relaxing overnight getaway and marriage workshop that will help you draw closer together as a couple. Marriage Links is one of MMJ's most popular workshops- drawing rave reviews and often sold out sessions.

During the overnight stay, you'll learn ways to keep your relationship a priority, and you'll gain tools to help strengthen your commitment to each other. The LINKS program is an interesting and engaging presentation rooted in major areas of research on trust, forgiveness, communication, attachment/closeness, and sexual intimacy- couples who have gone through the program report increased satisfaction in their relationship.

Whether everything is going good in your marriage or whether you're in a more stressful stage, this weekend getaway is just want you need!

Check into the hotel Friday any time after 3 p.m., enjoy the hotel or go out for dinner at one of the close by restaurants (Olive Garden, Cracker Barrel, or Culvers, just to name a few). Then, meet from 7-9 p.m. for the Links workshop-- after 9 p.m. you can enjoy some more couple time on your own. Saturday morning begins with breakfast, followed by an engaging daylong session beginning at 9 a.m. A delicious lunch will be served at noon and the workshop ends at 4 p.m.

Date: Friday, September 26th & Saturday, September 27th

Location: Country Inn & Suites, Jackson

Price: *$100/couple (includes overnight hotel stay & workshop & Saturday meals) or $75/couple (includes workshop & Saturday meals only)

*At the point of registration, fees are nonrefundable.

Facilitator: Amy Pelletier

Amy Pelletier is an experienced presenter and has been teaching college level communication courses for nearly two decades. Amy is committed to building strong marriages to help couples, their children and our community thrive. She holds a Master's Degree from Eastern Michigan University. She and her husband, Todd, have been married 19 years and have two children.

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4 Great Dates Before You Say "I Do"

Start
02 Oct 2014
7:00 PM
End
23 Oct 2014
9:00 PM
Location
Various Locations around Jackson County
Spaces left
20

Register

Register by Thursday, Sept. 18th to guarantee your spot!

Let's go out! Spend four consecutive Thursday nights on a date with each other, learning and having fun. Sessions will be held at different locations throughout Jackson and a tasty appetizer or dessert will be served each week. MMJ will start you off with a treat and a topic, guide you through ways to explore subjects like communication, conflict resolution, expectations, and more.

Like everything we do, the tone of this workshop is positive and upbeat and the environment is relaxing and fun. Our goal is to give you some of your best times as a couple! Get ready to laugh, snack, and find out (even more) about each other. Don't worry, you don't have to share with others, you just have to be willing to go on 4 dates, how great is that?

Dates: Thursday evenings, 7-9 p.m.
October 2, 9, 16 & 23

Location: The first session, October 2nd, begins at Cascades Manor House in Jackson, and then each week Shelby will reveal the location for the following week.

Price: $75 per couple includes all 4 workshop sessions, beverages, and appetizer or dessert each week for two.

*At the point of registration, fees are nonrefundable.

Facilitator: Shelby Raines

Shelby Raines is Executive Director of Marriage Matters Jackson and an accomplished presenter and facilitator. Communicating the importance of healthy relationships is Shelby's passion. She mixes learning and laughter to help couples connect. A graduate of Spring Arbor University, Shelby and her husband, Drew, have been married 17 years and have three children.

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Surviving the Holidays... Together!

When
06 Nov 2014
6:30 PM
Location
Spring Arbor University, Ralph Carey Forum

Register

Register by Monday, November 3rd.
At the point of registration, all fees are nonrefundable.

Take a deep breath! Food, family and friction have become a holiday tradition for too many couples- it can be caused from the strain of trying to "stay in budget," or figuring out how to fit in all the family functions, or maybe it's from our own unmet holiday expectations. All of it can take a toll on your marriage- but don't let it.

This year can be different!Give each other the gift of peace, harmony and teamwork! The two of you can join forces and join hands and you commit to enjoy the season with each other, no matter what's going on around you. Let MMJ's Shelby Raines show you how to let go of expectations and hold on to each other. Enjoy a hopeful and helpful 45-minute presentation followed by time for questions and answers.

Come and laugh and learn together- we'll show you how to make your marriage stronger and find time to sneak a kiss under the mistletoe! Together, you can find the joy the holidays were meant to bring.

Each couple will receive a goody bag and take away information and have the chance to register for some great giveaways.

Date: Thursday, November 6, 6:30 p.m.

Location: Spring Arbor University, Ralph Carey Forum

Ticket Price: Just $10 per person! (Includes goody bag)

Facilitator: Shelby Raines

Shelby Raines is Executive Director of Marriage Matters Jackson and an accomplished presenter and facilitator. Communicating the importance of healthy relationships is Shelby's passion. She mixes learning and laughter to help couples connect. A graduate of Spring Arbor University, Shelby and her husband, Drew, have been married 17 years and have three children.

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The Second Half Weekend Workshop

Start
16 Jan 2015
7:00 PM
End
17 Jan 2015
4:00 PM
Location
Chelsea Comfort Inn & Suites, Chelsea
Spaces left
25

Register

Register by Thursday, Sept. 10th to guarantee your spot!

Major changes in a marriage can take place anywhere between the ages of 40-70. Let MMJ show you how to have fun and steer you through the many changes that can happen in the second half o f marriage. We'll be looking at such topics as:

Dealing with an Empty Nest
Caring for Aging parents
Health & Body issues
Teenagers or adult children living at home
New family dynamics (grandchildren, married children)
Career Changes
Sexual issues
Retirement decisions

If you do it the healthy and fun way, the second half of your marriage can be a time of learning about each other, sharing dreams and working toward a more satisfying relationship. Based on the award winning book, The Second Half of Marriage, this workshop gives practical strategies for navigating this special stage of your relationship.

If you are in or near the empty nest- or if your nest has refilled, this seminar is just for you. You'll learn you're not alone, and the second half of your marriage can be a time of incredible fulfillment, not matter what challenges you previously faced or what lies ahead.

Get ready to cruise into the next part of your marriage and enjoy the adventure together.

Date: Friday, January 16th & Saturday, January 17th

Location: Chelsea Comfort Inn & Suites, Chelsea, MI

Price: *$150/couple (includes overnight hotel stay & workshop & Saturday meals) or $99/couple (includes workshop & Saturday meals only)

*At the point of registration, fees are nonrefundable.

Facilitator: Gary & Paula Marken

Gary and Paula have been married almost 30 years and have experienced many of the events that happen in the second half of marriage: teenagers, kids moving out, kids moving back in, ailing parents, and changing family dynamics. Experiences facilitators, they have taught on such topics as conflict resolution, attitude, and leadership. Together they bring their expertise and excitement about this new stage of marriage to MMJ.

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Tackling Debt

When
27 Jan 2015
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
Location
Carnegie Library Auditorium

Register

Tackling Debt Workshop

Tuesday, January 27
Noon - 1:00 p.m.

Carnegie Library Auditorium
244 West Michigan Avenue
Jackson, MI 49201

Call or click to register! (517)796-5116

“Most couples I know don’t look forward to money talks, especially topics like Tackling Debt,” facilitator Shelby Raines admits. “When it comes to keeping marriage healthy and happy, though, I know it’s a topic you can’t avoid … but that doesn't mean we can’t figure out a way to make it more fun (or at least less boring) for people.”

Whether you come alone or as a couple, you’ll learn ideas to help your relationship. Pack your lunch -- and we will provide dessert.

Facilitator:

Shelby Raines

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KISS Valentine's Date-Your-Mate Event

When
14 Feb 2015
Location
Potter Center Dining Commons a
Spaces left
123

Register

Sweetheart
Dinner & Dance

Friday, February 14th

The Potter Center Commons on the campus of Jackson College

Doors open at 6:00, Dinner Served at 6:30

$50/couple

VIP Seating for $75/couple (see details below)

Register by February 5th to guarantee your spot!

Spend an evening dining, dancing and romancing at MMJ's annual K.I.S.S. event, Friday, Feb. 14th at the Potter Center Commons at Jackson College. MMJ does all the work- we help you Keep It Sweet & Simple (K.I.S.S.)- so that you can focus on each other and have a fabulous night out together.

MMJ's Shelby Raines will host the evening, which includes a plated dinner* for two, entertainment, and lots of fun activities throughout the evening. A cash bar will be available for pop, beer and wine. A DJ spins the tunes until you and your mate decide to go make out like teenagers in your car... or until 10:00 p.m- whichever comes first.

Cost of the Valentine's Date night: only $50 per couple or $75 per couple for VIP Seats, which includes a private booth, bottle of wine and chocolates. Please call the MMJ office at 517-796-5116 to register for VIP seating.

*Dinner Menu:
TBA

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Turn Down the Lights & Turn Up the Heat

When
26 Mar 2015
7:00 PM
Location
Commonwealth Commerce Center Ballroom, Downtown Jackson

Register

Register by Monday, March 23rd.
At the point of registration, all fees are nonrefundable.

Let's talk about sex, baby! Now that we've got your attention, let MMJ show you how to make the time, spice up your routine, and find ways to get each other "in the mood." Join us for one of the most fun- and one of the most sensitive- topics in marriage.

Enjoying intimate moments together is an important part of building a healthy marriage, but things like bills, careers, kids, and other obligations can move your love life to the bottom of the list.

MMJ's Shelby Raines will host Maria Current, Jackson's only licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in sex therapy. This casual and upbeat presentation will cover some of the common misconceptions and questions surrounding sex that married couples face. It will also provide tips to help you grow closer.

Please note: some of the conversation may be a bit blush worthy, but the lights will be low, so you wont be embarrassed!

Each couple will receive a goody bag and take away information and have the chance to register for some great giveaways. A cash bar is also available.

Date: Thursday, March 26, 7:00 p.m.

Location: Commonwealth Commerce Center Ballroom,Downtown Jackson

Ticket Price: Just $10 per person! (Includes goody bag)

Facilitator: Maria Current

Maria Current is Jackson's only licensed marriage and family therapist specializing in sex therapy.

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