Pastoral Family Care

Nobody walks down the aisle, or sets up a home together wanting their relationship to come to an unhappy end. Relationships however sometimes get stuck, become routine, tedious and unfulfilling. Couples can also feel as if they have outgrown one another, or begin to want different things from their relationship. Communication can dry up as dissatisfaction builds up, leaving resentment and bitterness between two people who were at one time very much a couple with a strong sense of being an ‘us.’ Life stresses in our very competitive and consumer society can erode a happy family life

A relationship can be rocked by an affair or placed under great pressure by family difficulties. Broken relationships leave a trail of mistrust and a wake of emotional destruction. A relationship crisis not only creates pain for the couple, but for wider family members and friends, and of course is heart wrenching for children. In 2006, the average length of a marriage was just 11.7 years. Following family breakdown, children do less well at school and are less successful in their careers, they are likely to have higher alcohol use and problem drinking, have less healthy as adults.

For couples who are experiencing difficulties in their relationship, we offer appointments where you can both talk through your situation and feelings in a confidential and safe environment. Rather than allowing disappointment, worry, and resentment to build up and pull your relationship apart, making an appointment can be the first step to understanding, resolving difficulties and transforming your relationship.

We also offer pre-marital counselling, marriage enrichment days and weekend retreats. In addition we run Recovered Life Groups which run over eight 90 minute meetings. These groups usually run one evening per week.