KMC Marriage & Family Life Conference

***image1***Each month the eight chaplains that serve the KMC get together and
discuss issues that face their faith communities. Inevitably they start
talking marriage and relationships. It’s the issue about which the
chaplains get the most questions.

“The greatest cry for counseling in the KMC is relationships, and
predominantly it’s marriage,” said Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Gary Garvey,
435th Air Base Wing deputy wing chaplain.

Last year, the chaplains decided, it was time to call in the experts
and they hosted the first marriage and family life conference for
married couples and spouses of deployed persons.

Nearly 120 couples – from newlyweds to 45-years together – attended the weekend-long conference.

“I got letters,” Chaplain Garvey said. “They wrote in that, after the conference, they would stay married.”

Marriage is hard work. It isn’t all fairy tales and happily ever after,
Chaplain Garvey said.  “I can’t think of a more difficult
institution to be in,” he said.
But, with work and communication skills, it can be a healthy and happy marriage.

The Kaiserslautern Protestant Military Community chaplains are hosting
the second annual KMC Marriage and Family Life Conference Oct. 6 to 9
in Willingen. Transportation will be provided and the cost is
subsidized for military and Department of Defense civilians.

Couples don’t have to be at a breaking point to get something out of
the conference, Chaplain Garvey said. All couples are welcome and they
can expect to get useful information about living with differences,
nurturing self-esteem in their partners, communication skills and how
to build love in a marriage.

Chaplain Garvey said to think of it as “a marriage tune-up weekend.”
“Our people are being put on the firing line and they have longer
deployments,” Chaplain Garvey said. “The upsurge is families will be
far more stressed then ever before.”


Details
The KMC Marriage and Family Life Conference is Oct. 6 to 9 in
Willingen. Cost is $200 per couple and includes transportation,
lodging, all meals, speakers, breakout sessions and workshops. Adults
only, no child care will be provided. Register by Sept. 15.

Air Force call 480-6148 or 06371-47-6148.
Army call 489-6743 or 0631-536-6743.