What is 10 Great Dates?
This highly acclaimed resource is an exciting, fun-filled approach to helping couples build thriving marriages. It invites couples to go on 10 exclusive dates (with specific topics) that are meant to enrich their relationship. Dates include: Making Your Marriage a Priority, Learning to Talk, Resolving Conflict, Becoming an Encourager, Finding Unity in Diversity, Having a Creative Love Life and many more! 10 Great Dates is an extremely practical resource, appropriate for all stages of marriage, and can be targeted to engaged couples, newlyweds and empty nesters. It is the perfect ongoing marriage education program.
(Under Construction. We invite you to visit us again as new information is being constantly added.)
Congregations and Organizations currently participating in 10 Great Dates:
(If you would like to participate in a 10 Great Dates group, we invite you to contact one of the host sites below for registration details.)
Asbury UMC - 2312 Ellen Ave., Columbus, GA 31903-3424; (706) 689-4190
January 14: (beginning) Second Friday of each month.
CSU Continuing Education
10 Great Dates Before you Say "I Do"; 2/15/11 to 4/19/11; Tuesdays 6:30-7:30 p.m. (10 sessions)
Cost: $29/Couple
Edgewood Presbyterian Church
Emanuel Christian Community Church, 2423 Woodruff Farm Road, Columbus, GA 31907
(706) 569-9569
Epworth UMC - Phenix City
February 28 and March 7 (Dates 8 & 9): 6:15 p.m.; Free childcare
First Baptist Church
February 20 and March 6, 13, 20 & 27: 5:00 p.m. (Dates 1-5; Dates 6-10 to be determined); Free
childcare
First Presbyterian Church
Head Start
Midland UMC
March 12: Final date night; Free childcare
Northside Chapel
Dates and times to be determined
Philippians Church of God in Christ, 301 35th Street, Columbus, GA 31904 (706) 653-2099
Pierce Chapel
February 12 at 6:00 p.m. Childcare: One child $10; Two or more children $15
Shearith Israel - 2550 Wynnton Road, Columbus, GA 31906 (706) 323-1443
March 10 - May 5: starts at 6:30 p.m.
South Columbus UMC, 1213 Benning Drive, Columbus, GA 31903 (706) 689-5094
St. Mark UMC
St. Matthew Evangelical Lutheran Church
February 25 (Date 1): 6:30 p.m.
St. Paul UMC
February 25 (9 consecutive Friday nights for a total of 10 classes): 6:00 p.m. Contact John Fugh
Below is a list of restaurants offering discounts to 10 Great Dates participants between February 15 and June 15, 2011:
To receive a discount, simply show your server your 10 Great Dates book and let them know that you are on your "date."
Buckhead Bar & Grill 25% Off with Purchase of Two Entrees
Cafe' Le Rue 15% Off with Purchase of Two Entrees
Cannon Brew Pub Free Dessert with Purchase of Two Entrees
Carraba's Free Appetizers with Purchase of Two Entrees
Fife and Drum Free Dessert with Purchase of Two Entrees
Fuddruckers 10% Off
Houlihan's Airport Free Dessert with Purchase of Two Entrees
Houlihan's Downtown Free Dessert with Purchase of Two Entrees
Johnny Carino's 10% Off
Loco's Grill & Pub Free Appetizer or Desert with Purchase of Two Entrees
Lynn's Gourmet Cafe Special Dessert with Purchase of Two Entrees
Macon Road Bar-B-Que Free Drink with Purchase
Momma Goldberg's Deli 15% Off
***Some restrictions may apply. Please see individual stores for details.
How can my congregation or organization serve as a host site for a 10 Great Dates group?
All you need to get started is a television monitor, a DVD player and a willingness to invite other couples to join you on the adventure.
What Materials Are Needed for a Successful Group?
- Television monitor and DVD player
- 10 Great Dates DVD Curriculum and Participant books (one per couple). The participant’s book for this program is 10 Great Dates to Energize Your Marriage, which contains a short reading assignment introducing the dating theme for each date. The second part of the book contains the Dating Guide with duplicate tear-out dating exercises, pre-date preparation, date night tips, and a short summary of the reading assignment for the one who might not have time to read the assignment before their date. Book and DVD can be ordered on www.marriagealive.com.
- Anything to create a dating atmosphere—music CD, candles, light refreshments (optional)
Good to Know
This curriculum can work equally well in a number of settings and can be used in small or large groups. Basically 10 Great Dates is an opportunity for couples to have time-out to build their marriage and to enrich their relationship. It’s a unique program that combines fun dates and marriage education skills.
Each session begins with a short video date launch (approximately 15 minutes), where the theme (skill) for that particular date is introduced. Then couples experience their own “great date”! (One and a half hours is the suggested time for the actual date—it’s long enough to have a real date, but not long enough to go to a movie.)
Most 10 Great Dates groups encourage couples to go out for their date, but a dating atmosphere can also be created at the church or facility if leaving the campus is unrealistic. 10 Great Dates can also be adapted to 60-minute sessions with couples having their own date between sessions, but if at all possible, it’s highly recommended to include dating time within the session.
One important key is to provide free or low-cost child care. It’s a great program for churches, businesses, agencies, and others who already have child-care facilities. Other ideas for child care include recruiting empty-nesters or teens, or suggesting to parents that they share a babysitter in one family’s home.
To register your group or for more information, contact Carmen Overton at 706.649.6507, ext. 1210 or by email at coverton@pilink.org. We expect significant media attention to this unique collaboration of multiple, cross-denominational congregations...do not miss out!