Seminar aimed at step-families

By: centraljersey.com
On Tuesday evenings, beginning Sept. 14 and running through Nov. 16, a seminar/workshop entitled "Step-up to a Healthy Step-family" is being offered at Christian Community Chapel in Hillsborough.
The sessions will be facilitated by Rev. Joel E. Davis and will meet from 7:30 until 9 p.m. A unique design requires the husband and wife to both be present only every third session, alleviating some of the scheduling burdens couples face.
"This is a topic that is sorely needful of address" the Rev. Davis said. "So many are trying to manage an inherently difficult situation having only myths, presumptions and false expectations to go on." The Rev. Davis explained this is not a series of lectures: It is described as a "workshop" specifically to convey the idea that attendees will be participants, not observers. The sessions focus specifically on the contrast between what many expect when entering into a step-family relationship as opposed to what the data show is really happening. Stress, conflict and long periods of adjustment are the norm, not the exception, according to the Rev. Davis.
There are several reasons for the unusual scheduling which requires both parents to attend only every third session. First, and most important, this allows for sessions where only the women, or only the men, are present, making candid conversation safer, easier and in some ways more productive. Second, having both parents at the meeting only every third week makes it easier for them to schedule babysitting, transportation, or other issues. Third, the "joint" sessions, where both husbands and wives are present, serve as "orientation" sessions for the material that will discussed in the next two workshops. This means everyone has a chance to review and reflect upon the material that will be upcoming.
The Rev. Davis believes that to achieve the goals intended for these sessions the size of the group must be limited. "A group that is too large, or too small, does not allow for the kind of interactive dynamic we are hoping for," the Rev. Davis said. The sessions will be limited in size to six couples. If there is a greater interest and more people register, the Rev. Davis said additional sessions will be arranged to accommodate to requests.
"We know from experience," he said," that what we are offering here is desperately needed in the community, and I am pleased Christian Community Chapel has agreed to allow us to meet at their terrific facility." Pastor Steven Nash, the senior pastor at CCC, says he is all for this kind of community involvement, and is entirely supportive of the mission of the "Step-up" program.
Pre-registration is required. There is a $50 per-couple fee to help defray costs. For more information contact the Rev. Davis at [email protected], or call (908) 874-0677.