http://www.emmausinstituteinc.org/blog/ The Emmaus Institute en-us Fri, 24 May 2013 20:12:34 GMT Mon, 20 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT CF Blogger by DayDream Inc http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss cjalbert@emmausinstituteinc.org cjalbert@emmausinstituteinc.org http://www.emmausinstituteinc.org/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=C44322DD-FFCA-0324-079F43F173EC63E7 Picture this: your child is in his room listening to music while he's doing his homework.  As you walk by you get a chance to hear the lyrics, which are laced with f-bombs and racy language.  You are not in favor of this influence on your child.  Decision point: how do you respond? Parenting Mon, 20 Apr 2009 04:00:00 GMT http://www.emmausinstituteinc.org/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=C44322DD-FFCA-0324-079F43F173EC63E7 http://www.emmausinstituteinc.org/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=B4DB7123-FFCA-0324-071D209D18A07C1C Lost A Loved One Or Friend To Suicide?You Are Not Alone.Please Join Us for the AFSP National Survivors of Suicide Day 10th Annual Teleconference –Nov. 22, 2008 12:00 noon Light Lunch Provided12:30pm New Hampshire Survivor Update1:00pm - 2:30pm Group Viewing of National Teleconference2:30pm - 3:00pm Opportunity for Discussion and SharingThe gathering will bring local people together to connect with others who have lost a friend, family member, coworker, or other loved one to suicide. Together we will celebrate the 2007/2008 accomplishments of NH survivors, followed by  participation in a teleconference produced by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention featuring experts and survivors. There will be an opportunity for supportive sharing between survivors after the teleconference for those who wish to stay.Survivors will gather at the five New Hampshire Locations listed below. This event is free of charge. Anyone who has been impacted by suicide is welcome to attend.Location:                             Facility:Littleton                        Littleton Area Learning Center, 646 Union St., LittletonWestmoreland              Maplewood Nursing Home, 201 River Road, WestmorelandConcord                        NAMI NH, 15 Green Street, ConcordNashua                          Harbor Homes, 45 High Street, NashuaPortsmouth                   Community Campus, 100 Campus Drive, PortsmouthTo register for any site or for more information, please call NAMI NH 1-800-242-6264 or email Becky McEnany at bmcenany@naminh.orgMany additional suicide awareness and prevention programs and trainings are offered year round by the New Hampshire Chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI NH). Please visit www.naminh.org for more information. Becky McEnanyCommunity Educator/TrainerNAMI NH15 Green St., Concord, NH 03301bmcenany@naminh.org603 225 5359 1-800-242-6264 Ask me about the WALK: Sunday, October 5, 2008We need you: Volunteers, Walk Sponsors, Walk Team Captains, Walkers!  General Information Wed, 19 Nov 2008 05:00:00 GMT http://www.emmausinstituteinc.org/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=B4DB7123-FFCA-0324-071D209D18A07C1C http://www.emmausinstituteinc.org/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=FDD3736E-FFCA-0324-073A01258FA5633C June 27, 2008 Mr. Franklin Haskell, PresidentNashua Area Interfaith CouncilP.O. Box 209Nashua, NH  03061-0209 Dear Franklin:      I received the Nashua Interfaith Council’s $1,500 donation on Wednesday, June 25, 2008.  Needless to say, that I am delighted with this donation and wish to send my sincere and heartfelt appreciation.      Your donation will be put to immediate use in funding counseling services to parolees/probationers referred to us from the Nashua Department of Corrections.  The services we will be able to provide because of your donation include the provision of face-to-face counseling services to individuals, couples and families for substance abuse issues, relapse prevention, victims of domestic violence, parenting skills, and for other related diagnoses such as depression, anxiety and personality disorders.  We will also be able to continue to provide a holding environment while individuals await long-term residential therapy options.      Thank you for believing in our mission by collaborating with us in such a concrete way.      Thank you and to the NAIC membership for your generous support. Very Truly Yours, William J. Manseau, D.Min.Director Emmaus Institute        If you would like to leave a comment or question about our program click on comment highlighted in blue below this entry.  Donation Opportunity Mon, 07 Jul 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.emmausinstituteinc.org/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=FDD3736E-FFCA-0324-073A01258FA5633C http://www.emmausinstituteinc.org/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=9D49134D-FFCA-0324-07E061F074CB2746 WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT LICENSED PASTORAL PSYCHOTHERAPISTS? Licensed Pastoral Psychotherapists possess a depth of training that is unique among mental health care professionals.  Theirs is a discipline which respects and affirms the natural connection between the physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions.  It is now recognized across the mental health field that understanding and supporting this connection fosters a sound and lasting foundation for treatment of the whole person.  The Licensed Pastoral Psychotherapist is well equipped to work with the total person by integrating the spiritual dimension when the client wishes to do so (NHPPA).  The Emmaus Institute offers the services of individuals trained in mental health counseling, and social work services as well as pastoral psychotherapists.  Therapists who work at the Emmaus Institute have expressed knowledge, interest, and additional training in working with individuals when the topic of spirituality presents itself. DO LICENSED PASTORAL PSYCHOTHERAPISTS USE A RELIGIOUS APPROACH AS PART OF THE PSYCHOTHERAPEUTIC TREATMENT THEY OFFER?  Licensed Pastoral Psychotherapists and Emmaus Institute clinicians provide clinically competent as well as spiritually sensitive care to those who seek their assistance. They are specially trained to help clients utilize their spiritual resources, but they do not impose their values on the client.  The spiritual commitments and religious traditions of those who seek assistance are fully respected.  Licensed Pastoral Psychotherapists work with the classified mental and emotional disorders and utilize a variety of approaches to psychotherapy. HOW IS THIS TYPE OF COUNSELING DIFFERENT FROM TALKING TO A PRIEST OR MINISTER?  Counseling often begins in the office of a clergy person.  It is a place where people experience 2 important components of the counseling process:  safety and confidentiality.  Studies about the counseling process indicate that it is the counseling relationship that provides the safety and confidentiality that can lead to healing.  Clergy persons while often willing to counsel individuals often lack the time resources to continue to treat someone on a weekly basis.  Clergy persons usually receive training in counseling but are not covered by insurance companies nor can they provide mental health diagnoses.  Licensed Pastoral Therapists are covered by insurance companies and are trained to diagnose and in treatment planning.  They often work with psychiatrists should the need arise for medication referral.   WHAT IS THE DIFFRENCE BETWEEN A PSYCHIATRIST AND A MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL?A psychiatrist is a Medical Doctor who has specialized in Psychiatry.   What typically happens nowadays is Psychiatrists typically do not offer the talk therapy component of mental health services.  Their focus of specialization is expertise in managing medication for serious mental illnesses.  They have first-hand experience and knowledge about how medications affect the brain and are often called in for chronic and life threatening mental illnesses.  Many counselors often work with Psychiatrists.  To ask your own question about pastoral counseling click "Post a Comment" below.   Pastoral Counseling Wed, 18 Jun 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.emmausinstituteinc.org/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=9D49134D-FFCA-0324-07E061F074CB2746 http://www.emmausinstituteinc.org/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=8606AF23-FFCA-0324-074AE65744372C7B Emmaus Institute To Reveal Secrets to a Happier Marriage Why not a school for marriage?  Maybe you’re one half of a couple who has wondered,” I don’t know how to do this anymore?”  Or maybe you have said to yourself I never had lessons on how to do marriage right.”  Or “There has got to be a better way!” We are not born knowing how to make relationships work.  And sometimes our families of origin may not have been the best teachers of how to make relationships work.  Why not try a different approach?  “Attending the Emmaus School for Marriage classes may help to bring back some of the reasons you married each other in the first place,” says Dr. William Manseau, Director of the Emmaus Institute and class leader.  Dr. Manseau has developed a unique approach in counseling couples based on his three decades of experience and on the works of two notable authorities on the subject of relationships, Harville Hendrix, PhD, who originated Imago Relationship Theory; and Susan Heitler, PhD who developed the Power of Two programs for couples. Emmaus School for Marriage begins on Wednesday, May 7 and will continue on consecutive Wednesdays through the end of June from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at the Pilgrim Congregational Church at 4 Watson St., Nashua NH. Cost for the program is $45 per couple per session.  Copies of related literature will be available for purchase during sessions. Sessions are designed to be taken independently of one another so that busy couples can sign up for one session in May and a different session in June. Couples can also choose to attend consecutive Wednesdays that cover the eight major topics. To register call the Emmaus Institute at 886-3760.    Schedule of topics and dates:  Wednesday, May 7:   The Power of One and the Power of Two: overviewWednesday, May 14: Effective Listening and collaborative dialogue Wednesday, May 21: Safe Expression of anger and Safety Receiving AngerWednesday, May 28: Fix-it talk Wednesday, June 4: Shared Decision MakingWednesday, June 11: Cleaning up after upsetsWednesday, June 18: Conflict ResolutionWednesday, June 25: Augmenting love, support, and joy Emmaus School for Marriage Fri, 25 Apr 2008 04:00:00 GMT http://www.emmausinstituteinc.org/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=8606AF23-FFCA-0324-074AE65744372C7B http://www.emmausinstituteinc.org/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=C4E083CD-FFCA-0324-078B62011DDC5CA2 "It's better to light one candle than to curse the darkness."--The Christophers Emmaus Institute financial advisor, AG Edwards, has informed us that the Emmaus Institute qualifies as a QCD.  What this means is that you can help out the Emmaus Institute while you get tax benefits.  Take advantage of this potential opportunity before 2007 ends.  As a result of the Pension Protection Act of 2006, if you’re age 70½ or older, you can make qualified charitable distributions (QCDs) in 2007 of up to $100,000 per taxpayer per year directly from your IRA to your choice of qualified charities with no federal tax consequences.  In other words, a QCD lets you avoid incurring federal income taxes on mandatory distributions you don’t need.  In addition, a QCD removes assets from your estate, which could benefit your wealth transfer strategy.  It may also help you avoid being bumped into a higher tax bracket.  You can make a donation by clicking the paypal button located at the right of this blog post. This is a safe, confidential and easy way to donate.  Donations are aknowledged with a thank you letter.  You can also mail in a donation to:         The Emmaus Institute 154 Broad Street Nashua, NH 03063For more information contact: wmanseau@emmausinstituteinc.org Donation Opportunity Mon, 10 Dec 2007 05:00:00 GMT http://www.emmausinstituteinc.org/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=C4E083CD-FFCA-0324-078B62011DDC5CA2 http://www.emmausinstituteinc.org/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=92375802-FFCA-0324-078C5ECB6A9C01E3 Dear Reader, Chances are that if you are reading this blog either you or a family member have at some time in your life been affected by a psychological or spiritual dilemma.  You may have looked for assistance in solving this dilemma by seeking the services of a counselor. You may have suffered with the loss or chronic illness of a loved one.  Maybe you have been laid off from a job or your spouse has run off with a younger person.  The point I am trying to make is that as much as we don’t want to admit it sometimes: “Life gets to us”.  These and other stressors may result in depression, anxiety or addictions. The Emmaus Institute Counseling services counselors have been able to help people to function better under some of life’s curve balls.  How have we been able to do this for 25 years?  Because people like you have cared enough to contribute to our “Samaritan Fund”.  This fund assists our counselors to provide mental health services to the uninsured and the under insured.  A prevailing ethic of Pastoral Care is that no one is turned away due to inability to pay.  To learn more about our services click this link: http://www.emmausinstituteinc.org/index.cfm Won’t you help us to continue to help by making a donation to the Emmaus Institute today?  During this season of giving help us to continue to give our services by becoming an Emmaus Institute benefactor.  We are a 501c3 tax exempt, non-profit organization and all contributions are tax deductible. To donate on-line via pay pal click the paypal button link located at the right of this page.  You can also make a donation by mail. Donations should be made payable to the Emmaus Institute, Inc. and sent to: The Emmaus Institute Counseling Services, Inc. 154 Broad St. Nashua, NH  03063For more information about giving opportunities contact Dr. William Manseau, Director at 603-886-3760 or wmanseau@emmausinstituteinc.org Best wishes to all for a blessed holiday season,Dr. William J. Manseau, D.Min. Donation Opportunity Fri, 30 Nov 2007 05:00:00 GMT http://www.emmausinstituteinc.org/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=92375802-FFCA-0324-078C5ECB6A9C01E3 http://www.emmausinstituteinc.org/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=49F007D7-FFCA-0324-07E8605AAF863FA6 Photo by Alan Cogswell, Riverside UMC, Kezar Falls, MaineWilliam J. Manseau, D.Min. was recently presented with a Distinguished Service Award recognizing his contributions in the field of pastoral counseling.   Emmaus Institute clinician, Reverend Margaret Hess, delivered the following remarks summarizing Manseau’s accomplishments during the American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC) north eastern regional annual meeting and conference held in Williamstown,MA on November 3, 2007.First impressions reveal a lot but they never tell the whole story about a person.  It usually behooves us to scratch beneath the surface.  When I first met Bill Manseau over 15 years ago, my first impressions of him were that he was a quiet, mild mannered, unassuming, steady as she goes, dutiful, over-functioning first born male child.  “What a nice man,” I thought then, and that first impression has held true.  The first impression about the over-functioning first born male child proved mostly true as well.  In my opinion only a dutiful, first born could love organizations and committee work as much as he does.  For example, Bill has been the President of the Nashua Interfaith Council, Northeast Region Chair of Legal and Legislative Concerns for the AAPC and Chair of its Institutional Accreditation Committee, President of the Massachusetts Association of Pastoral Counselors, and the Treasurer for the NH Association of Pastoral Psychotherapists, President of the International society of the Apostles Peter, Thomas and Mary Magdalene and Vicar Apostolic of the International Catholic Apostolic Vicariate of the Good Shepherd, President, Chairperson and Representative at Large for the Federation of Christian Ministries, Dean of the Global Ministries University M.Div. program.   But these leadership roles in the AAPC and in his religious community don’t begin to tell the story of Bill’s interesting journey of ministry.   The rest of the story is the stuff that makes for a docudrama.  You see, by day, Bill is an ordinary committee member plodding through meeting after meeting, but by night, Bill is a Rabble Rouser, plotting the overthrow of Life as we know it on Planet Earth, or at least the structures of traditional Christendom.  The life of the Secret Super Hero began when Bill married Mary and they had three children, which may not sound like a big deal.  But their marriage made newspaper headlines because he was a Roman Catholic priest and she a nun.  They were just living out their understanding of Vatican II.  And why not?  This decision to marry led Bill to his work with CORPUS, an organization of married priests that eventually broadened its mission statement to include advocating for the ordination of women in the Roman Catholic Church.  Last year, Bill told me this amazing story about attending a wildly countercultural event, the ordination of Catholic women priests, on a boat in international waters by secretly ordained women bishops.  OK, so I’m revising my first impression of the dutiful, law abiding first born.  By day, he’s an ordinary worker bee, but by night, he’s speaking the truth to power and challenging the status quo.  By night, he’s blogging.  (Check out Bill’s blog!)One of Bill’s great loves is the Emmaus Institute, which he founded in 1984 as an expression of his work as a NH licensed Pastoral Psychotherapist and a Fellow with the AAPC.  The work of Emmaus is broader than its Counseling Services, but also encompasses the National Resigned Priests’ Pensions Advocacy Program (more Rabble Rousing), and other ministries Bill is involved in.Their son, Peter Manseau, has written a remarkable and well received book about Bill’s ministry journey from compliant priest to one who has continually challenged the hierarchy of the Catholic Church from a position of faithful devotion to the church.  The book is entitled: Vows: A Priest, a Nun, and their Son.  My favorite way to tease Bill is to ask: Bill, who’s going to play you in the movie version?  I ask him this at least once a month, just to see him laugh.  At last week’s staff meeting, David Sundell answered my question and said: “Maybe Don Rickles could play you in the movie.”  As for me and my household, I’m waiting for the Broadway version.  Vows: The Musical, starring Richard Geer and Catherina Zeta-Jones.  What distinguishes Bill’s service is not the wide range of things he has done, or the sheer number of committees he has served on, or the contributions he has made to the field of Pastoral Psychotherapy, or the radical positions he has taken in regard to the institution who ordained him to ministry.  What makes his contribution distinctive is the quality of Self he brings to his ministry.  Bill has a remarkable capacity to compassionately bear witness to the suffering of others.  He takes on some of the most difficult clinical cases I’ve ever heard of, and wades into the dark night of the soul with these people with an unshakable belief in the transforming power of the resurrection as his guide.  Bill is not afraid to walk alongside the poorest of the poor in spirit.  The guiding scriptural image for his ministry is Luke’s story of the Emmaus journey, where the living Christ joins the two disciples fleeing the tragedy of Jerusalem.  This journey is the model for pastoral care and counseling, for though Jesus was at the center of the events in Jerusalem, he doesn’t assume that he knows what their experience has been but calls forth their version of events by asking “What things?”  He then helps these two disciples who were fast on the road to nowhere to revise their story in light of the reality of the resurrection.  Bill is faithful to that model of ministry, and that is what makes his service distinguished.Thank you for your many contributions to the AAPC, Bill, and may God continue to bless you on your journey alongside those who need to hear the good news. William J. Manseau, D.Min. Fri, 16 Nov 2007 05:00:00 GMT http://www.emmausinstituteinc.org/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=49F007D7-FFCA-0324-07E8605AAF863FA6 http://www.emmausinstituteinc.org/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=CE55AF1B-FFCA-0324-070B226E0FDA2807 What does it take to walk through the door of a counseling office? Thought this might be an intriguing question to ask our blog readers.  Some people have asked if I could give them some information about counseling in order to help them to reduce the level of anxiety they might experience about walking through the door.    Most people who come to counseling are looking for answers because of some problem, or psychic pain.  Sometimes individuals are court ordered to go to counseling.  What individuals usually experience in varying degrees is turmoil that may be affecting their close relationships, at home, on the job, or socially.    Usually this turmoil compels someone to make the call.  Perhaps they have heard someone speak about how they were helped when they went to counseling. A counseling relationship between a professional counselor and a patient is a professional relationship in which the professional counselor assists the client in exploring and resolving difficult life issues.  At the first session each person is asked to complete a personal inventory that includes basic information and a brief personal history.  Your counselor will then ask a series of questions designed to help clarify the issue or issues of concern.  You then will be asked what you would like to achieve as the result of counseling.  Counseling works best when the therapist and the patient work together to determine goals and the means to achieve those goals.  By mutual agreement, the therapist will outline steps needed to bring about manageable changes to reach your goal.   The issue of confidentiality is critical in psychological treatment. Ordinarily, client conversations with therapists are considered privileged also known as confidential.  Exceptions to confidentiality include threats of suicide or violence, child abuse, elder abuse, abuse of a disabled person, or inormation required by the courts. Counselors are obligated under law to take whatever actions necessary to protect people from harm, including the release of confidential information without the patient’s permission.   For more information about how psychotherapy can help as well as loads of other information about a variety of mental health topics click here  http://www.mental-health-matters.com/articles/article.php?artID=903Photo by Ayashok photos on Flickr Counseling process Tue, 23 Oct 2007 04:00:00 GMT http://www.emmausinstituteinc.org/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=CE55AF1B-FFCA-0324-070B226E0FDA2807 http://www.emmausinstituteinc.org/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=94D014F4-FFCA-0324-07F8EA310027FE70 The October 2007  Harvard Mental Health Letter  features an article which gives tips to clinicians about how to support patients.  Here are some excerpts worthy of further disussion and thought.  For a small fee you can view the complete article at  www.health.harvard.edu "Clinicians may think that these topics are so highly charged that they keep their distance and avoid talking with patients about their spiritual or religious beliefs.  .  .The Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life has reported that 87% of Americans consider themselves to be religious, while 57% attend some type of religious worship service on a regular basis.  Likewise, a Newsweek/Belief poll found that 88% of Americans who responded described themselves as spiritual, religious, or both. " "Recognizing the importance of spirituality the Joint Commission . . .now requires that hospitals, mental health centers, and other participating organizations have clinicians assess clients' spiritual beliefs and needs, with the goal of improving treatment and services.  .  .   The Joint Commission requires clinicians to ask about spiritual beliefs at the time of assessment, so that a patient's beliefs can become part of the treatment plan. .  .  '"For example, a practicing Catholic who is struggling with an addiction  may find it helpful to attend Mass on a daily basis rather than weekly."   Spirituality & Mental Health Fri, 12 Oct 2007 04:00:00 GMT http://www.emmausinstituteinc.org/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=94D014F4-FFCA-0324-07F8EA310027FE70 http://www.emmausinstituteinc.org/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=6C6A9167-FFCA-0324-0793A52D28E3132D  I am writing today to tell you about an upcoming event that I am participating in that is both very important and very exciting to me. It is NAMIWalks for the Mind of America, NAMI's signature walkathon event that is being held in Concord, NH at New Hampshire Hospital on October 7, 2007. I would like to ask you to donate to support my participation in this great event. Visit my personal walker page to sign up: http://www.nami.org/namiwalks07/NHP/BillM. There is also a link so you can donate directly to me online. Donating online is fast and secure, and I'll get immediate notification via e-mail of your donation.NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness, is the largest education, support and advocacy organization that serves the needs of all those whose lives are touched by these illnesses. This includes persons with mental illness, their families, friends, employers, the law enforcement community and policy makers. The NAMI organization is composed of approximately 1100 local affiliates, 50 state offices and a national office.The goals of the NAMIWalks program are: to fight the stigma that surrounds mental illness, to build awareness of the fact that the mental health system in this country needs to be improved, and to raise funds for NAMI so that they can continue their mission.NAMI is a 501(c)3 charity and any donation you make to support my participation in this event is tax deductible. NAMI has been rated by Worth magazine as among the top 100 charities "most likely to save the world" and has been given an "A" rating by The American Institute of Philanthropy for efficient and effective use of charitable dollars.Thank you in advance for your support.Sincerely,Bill Manseau   General Information Thu, 04 Oct 2007 04:00:00 GMT http://www.emmausinstituteinc.org/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=6C6A9167-FFCA-0324-0793A52D28E3132D http://www.emmausinstituteinc.org/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=28927215-FFCA-0324-079DA5816D0DE38A The American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC) offers valuable resources for clergy and lay persons in understanding and supporting the recovery process. Newly developed resources have been designed specifically with you in mind.  A “toolkit” entitled “Spiritual Caregiving to Help Addicted Persons and Families: Pastoral Counselor’s Curriculum for the Education of Faith Leaders” has just been printed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. To request a copy email Brenda@aapc.orgThere is a long list of resources with information about addiction for anyone to copy and to share.  Click here to continue http://www.aapc.org/core_competency.cfm  Addictions Fri, 21 Sep 2007 04:00:00 GMT http://www.emmausinstituteinc.org/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=28927215-FFCA-0324-079DA5816D0DE38A http://www.emmausinstituteinc.org/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=1936211C-FFCA-0324-07061D01B2A514F3 An individual dealing with recovery from alcoholism would probably tell you, “Every month is recovery month.”  Alcoholism affects the entire family.  Often family members   live in a similar denial as does the alcoholic.  A wife may be the last person to admit, “My husband is an alcoholic.”  Recovery for the alcoholic and the entire family is most often successful when the family becomes involved.  “How can this happen?”  There are several ways but one way I’d like to talk about is family attendance at Al-anon.  To learn more click here http://www.al-anon.org/afaAnderson.html For information about Al-Anon in New Hampshire click here: http://www.nhal-anon.org/OutsideLinks.html Addictions Tue, 18 Sep 2007 04:00:00 GMT http://www.emmausinstituteinc.org/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=1936211C-FFCA-0324-07061D01B2A514F3 http://www.emmausinstituteinc.org/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=049D7074-FFCA-0324-072EE57A84215C09 Why not a school for marriage?  Maybe you’re one half of a couple who has wondered,” I don’t know how to do this anymore.”  Or maybe you have said to yourself, "I never had lessons on how to do marriage right.”  Or “There has got to be a better way!” We are not born knowing how to make relationships work.  And sometimes our families of origin may not have been the best teachers of how to make relationships work.  Why not try a different approach?The Emmaus Institute School for marriage was born out of 30+ years of working with couples in teaching skills such as communication, conflict resolution and emotional self-regulation that can bring back some of the reasons you married each other in the first place. Let me know what you think about a school to teach people how marriage works by responding to this blog entry.We’ve decided to reveal our secrets to a happier marriage by offering a one day marriage school.  We are currently working on a new schedule of workshops to begin in 2008. For more information contact the Emmaus Institute, Inc. at cjalbert@emmausinstituteinc.org or call 603-886-3760 or reply to this blog post.   Watch for more information on this blog.  Emmaus School for Marriage Fri, 14 Sep 2007 04:00:00 GMT http://www.emmausinstituteinc.org/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=049D7074-FFCA-0324-072EE57A84215C09 http://www.emmausinstituteinc.org/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=1E6B46DF-1320-DCF3-51667ADCB87D12D7 You may remember these billboards?  They advertised, “The Family That Prays Together Stays Together?”  A google search  revealed  pictures and  a website — http://www.familytheatr.org   The site describes the origins of the campaign as well as current billboard topics.  According to the website: “Father Peyton started Family Theater in 1947 to produce the series of the same name and to use mass media to promote prayer, moral values and unity among families everywhere. A young ad executive and an accomplished copywriter, Al Scalpone, donated his services to Family Theater in 1947 and wrote the now famous slogan, "The Family That Prays Together Stays Together ™" as well as "A World at Prayer is a World at Peace ®" for the radio series. They became the mottos for Father Peyton and his organization. In 1947, a Los Angeles outdoor advertising company representative was taken by the slogan, "The Family That Prays Together Stays Together ™." He heard it on the "Family Theater" radio series. The company offered to put the slogan on vacant billboards as a public service. The idea caught on with other advertising companies. These messages have appeared on more 100,000 billboards throughout the country, courtesy of outdoor advertising associations and companies, and have been seen more than 400 million times, according to outdoor advertising associations’ estimates. The campaign continues today with three new, contemporary posters designed in 2001. General Information Tue, 31 Jul 2007 04:00:00 GMT http://www.emmausinstituteinc.org/blog/display_blog.cfm?bid=1E6B46DF-1320-DCF3-51667ADCB87D12D7