VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:

We are getting new storage lockers at the Best Western Hotel in Eagan and we would appreciate all the help we could get to assemble the new units.

WHEN:  Saturday, May 6th at 3pm - 5pm
WHERE:  Best Western Hotel in Eagan, MN
BRING:  Tools, gloves

Dinner to follow afterwards.

TCR CORE In-Person

Best Western Plus Dakota Ridge Hotel
3450 Washington Drive, Eagan, MN

Meet in the lower level conference room.

Friday, May 5, 2023  6:30 PM


Potluck Dinner at 6:30 PM.
Meeting program starts afterwards at 7:00 PM.

 
We are excited to announce that a new series will be started from the Gottman Institute called "Sound Relationship House" starting May 5th.
The Sound Relationship House is a foundational theory introduced and developed by Dr. John Gottman. It says that a foundationally strong relationship is like a house. It contains weight-bearing pillars and floors that help couples establish a strong link. This structure, called the Sound Relationship House, has provided numerous couples with the foundations they need to have happy, healthy relationships that last.

Gottman Sound Relationship House assists couples in managing their marriages and developing problem-solving abilities. These abilities allow couples to be more adaptable in their relationships while also assisting them in achieving emotional stability and peaceful life.

The Sound Relationship House is built on seven levels and two pillars. The two pillars that keep the house standing are Trust and Commitment. Dr. John Gottman shares the seven principles linked to each level or floor of the Sound Relationship House in his book “The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work.” These seven floors or levels are:
  • Build Love Maps
  • Share Fondness and Admiration
  • Turn Towards Instead of Away
  • The Positive Perspective
  • Manage Conflict
  • Make Life Dreams Come True
  • Create Shared Meaning
Click Here for More Information on the Sound Relationship House
Volunteers Needed

Please prayerfully consider helping.

Thank you!
Weekend Set-Up  and Clean-Up
We need volunteers to help set-up/clean-up for the Retrouvaille Couple's weekend of June 2, 2023.  You can volunteer just for set-up or just clean-up or both!  If interested, clink the link for more information and to sign-up. The time commitment ~2 -3 hours each day.
Click Here for More Information and to Sign-Up
Friday Night Greeters
"Greeter Couples" are requested to help on weekends with the Friday Night Couples (FNC's). 
Enjoy complementary dinner with Retrouvaille friends, then help escort FNC's to their hotel rooms.
Goal:  Talk to FNC couples and help them relax.  Check to make sure that both of their key cards are working.  Provide encouragement for the weekend.  Confirm that they have made a good decision to attend.  Tell them when you made your weekend and maybe share how Retrouvaille helped heal your marriage.
Click Here for More Information and to Sign-Up
POST Session Helpers
Interested in POST sessions but would like to do more?  We need helpers at the POST sessions to help prepare the room, set-up tables & chairs, and work with the coordinators to help the session run smoothly.  Help for just one session or several.  Please use the link below to email the coordinators for more information.        
Click Here to Email for More Information or to Sign-Up
"FUN" Event Coordinators
We are looking for a couple to set-up a "FUN" event for more community involvement.  It could be anything from bowling to golf simulator to group pickleball. If you have an idea, we would love to hear it! 
Click Here to Email Ideas or to Sign-Up
6 Reasons Why Counseling Is a Saving Grace for a Troubled Marriage

by Michelle S. Lazurek
Crosswalk.com - January 26, 2023

Marriage is a beautiful covenant between two people who love each other. Marriage is hard work. Marriages have ups and downs, highs and lows. Sometimes marriages can feel as if they have reached a breaking point, with no hope of ever returning to the fruitful relationship God meant it to be. God wants us to put our very best into our marriages. No couple should consider divorce until they have gone through the counseling process. Counseling can be a great tool for even the most difficult marriages.

Reasons Why Counseling Is a Saving Grace

  1. It helps process pain
  2. It gives hope in the future
  3. You get a third party's perspective
  4. Help in communicating more effectively
  5. Rebuild trust
  6. Apply the Bible
Click Here for the Full Article
More Dialogue Questions

No need to look all over for Dialogue Questions. 

Click the link below for dialogue questions that can be sorted by subject.
 
Click Here for Dialogue Questions

Angel Helpers Needed

How would you like to repeat the Retrouvaille weekend with your spouse?

Help with details behind the scenes during the weekend. Tasks include helping serve meals, clean-up after meals, running errands if needed.  Your cost is $0 to attend the weekend.  TCR will cover your hotel cost + meals.  
Your main duty: work on your marriage.

We are looking for 1-2 angel couples per weekend:
            August 4-6, 2023
            October 6-8, 2023
            December 1-3, 2023

 
Click Here to Learn More and to Volunteer
Missed a POST Session?
Need a refresher?


Join us any time!
ALL ARE WELCOME!



All TCR POST sessions are available both in person and online.

Please email Jim & Vicki for link to join post online.

Church of St. Peter
405 Sibley Memorial Hwy
Mendota Heights, MN


For more information contact:
Jim & Vicki Smith   
Jim Cell:  507-381-7614
Vicki Cell:  651-890-9377

TCRPost@TCR-mn.org

 

Saturday, April 29, 2023 (ZOOM ONLY 9:30-2:00) 
Post 5 – Decisions:  Commitment and Love 
Post 6 – Decisions:  Forgiveness and Trust 

Saturday, May 6, 2023 (Post Sessions 9:30-2:00 with Noon Potluck) 
Post 7 – Conflict Part 1 
Post 8 – Conflict Part 2 

Saturday, May 13, 2023 (Post Sessions 9:30-2:00 with Noon Potluck) 
Post 9 - Intimacy

Post 10 - Sexual Relationship 

Saturday, May 20, 2023 (Post Sessions 2:30-6:30 – Potluck)
Post 11 - Marriage as a Sacrament 
Post 12 - Looking Beyond Us 

International Online POST Sessions
Tuesday Nights 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm (Central Time)

Created By: Gary & Denise Moody on Apr 18, 2023     
This online Post Sessions series begin on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 and continue for 12 weeks.

Please enter the first name for both Husband and Wife in the First Name box when registering. This will present both names in the Meeting window.
 

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.

Click Here to Register for the On-Line Post Sessions

Central MN CORE In-Person
May 21, 2023

Meetings held every 3rd Sunday of the month (except December).

St. Michael’s Church
1036 Co Rd 4
St Cloud 56303

Please contact Kyle or Jennifer for additional information
jennifer_paumen@hotmail.com
 
International CORE Meetings

1st Thursday of Month 7 pm

Retrouvaille International hosts an online CORE the first Thursday of each month, from
7-9 pm Central Time.

May 4, 2023

Questions call be directed to
Dick and Irene
financeteam@helpourmarriage.org
Click Here for Advanced Registration
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
This is a new link and all need to reregister.  The old link is no longer in use.
We look forward to seeing many of your shining faces on this monthly Online CORE.
Men's Group
Fargo Men's Groups

In-Person: Friday Mornings 6:30am
at Snap Dragon Asian Buffet in Moorhead

Virtual: Wednesday Mornings 6:30am
(see zoom link below)

The Fargo Retrouvaille Community would like to welcome any and all men to join the Friday morning group meetings. 
It is an awesome opportunity for men to support one another as we strive to become the best husbands, father, brothers, and sons we can be. 

Brad and Lisa Gray
Red River Retrouvaille, Community Coordinators
Diocese of Fargo
5201 Bishops Blvd
Fargo, ND 58104
(701) 356-7903 – office
(701) 306-7685 - mobile
brad.gray@fargodiocese.org
Click Here for Zoom Meeting Weds 6:30am
REBUILD YOUR MARRIAGE
10 Ways to Build Intimacy Apart From Sex
by Beth Denison, There's Still Hope & Covenant Eyes

For many of us, the idea that there can be intimacy without sex sounds as unbelievable as the story of a man’s encounter with aliens, headlined on the magazine at the check-out counter. This can be especially true for the person struggling with porn or sex addiction.  For those in recovery or anyone else who would like to know how to build intimacy apart from sex, here are ten suggestions:
  1. Focus on Spiritual Connection
  2. Express Appreciation
  3. Reminisce Together
  4. Laugh Together
  5. Foster Connection with Conversation
  6. Do New Things Together
  7. Engage in Non-Sexual Physical Touch
  8. Look into Each Other's Eyes
  9. Do Something to Make Your Spouse Feel Special
  10. Listen Intently
Click Here to Read the Full Article
Defeat Porn. Together.

Covenant Eyes is designed to help you and those you love live free from pornography.

Struggling to quit watching porn?

YOU'RE NOT ALONE


Join over 1.5 million people who've used Covenant Eyes to experience victory over porn.
Click Here for more info
Would you like to become a Mentor Couple?

Two of our most important goals in Retrouvaille are helping hurting couples and developing our TCR community. Here is a chance to do both! 

TCR is starting a Mentor Couple program similar to efforts in other successful communities.  
What is a Mentor Couple?
Mentors are TCR couples who have been through a weekend and the Post sessions. They connect with new Friday night couples to provide a supportive link to TCR and its programs. 

What are the qualifications?
If you have been in Retrouvaille for a year and want to help other couples, you qualify! Being good listeners and working well together as a couple are particularly helpful. 

What will Mentor Couples actually do?
The Friday night couple you are helping will receive your contact information and a short bio. They will be expecting a text from you in the week following their weekend to set up a call. This is a chance for them to stay connected to another couple who has shared their weekend experience. As with all Retrouvaille, this is not therapy, but a listening ear and an open heart.  

How do I find out more?
Contact Eric & Char Anderson at TCRFinance@tcr-mn.org.
 
 
Helpful Resources

Are you looking for books or website to help yourself or your marriage?  Click below for resources for Marriage, Marriage Counseling, Infidelity, Forgiveness, Sex & Intimacy, Pornography & Sex Addiction, Workaholism, Substance Abuse, Depression, and Devotionals.

Click here for books and Website Links
Click here for MN Relationship & Marriage Counselors
Book Drive for FNCs

Do you have books that helped heal your marriage?  Would you be willing to donate them to other couples who need help with their marriage? 

Bring any books you would like to donate to the Best Western Dakota Ridge in Eagan during a Retrouvaille weekend or to any Post Session.
Relevant Radio
Relevant Radio

Bringing Christ to the world through the media

We would like to thank Relevant Radio for their support and sharing Retrouvaille through the media.

Tune in to 1330AM
Click here to support Relevant Radio
Patron Saint of Retrouvaille - St. Joseph

O blessed Joseph, faithful guardian of my Redeemer, Jesus Christ, protector of thy chaste spouse, the virgin Mother of God, I choose thee this day to be my special patron and advocate and I firmly resolve to honor thee all the days of my life. Therefore I humbly beseech thee to receive me as thy client, to instruct me in every doubt, to comfort me in every affliction, to obtain for me and for all the knowledge and love of the Heart of Jesus, and finally to defend and protect me at the hour of my death. Amen

'I know by experience, ' says St. Teresa of Avila, 'that the glorious St. Joseph assists us generally in all necessities. I never asked him for anything which he did not obtain for me. 

Mission & Vision Statements
Mission Statement

Twin Cities Retrouvaille is a Christian peer ministry that, with the help of God, teaches communication skills and offers a support community to couples experiencing pain and disappointment in their marriage relationships. 

Vision Statement

The vision of TCR is to build a healthy, vibrant, and expanding community which provides a nurturing environment that inspires Retrouvaille couples to grow in support for each other, other couples, and to reach out to other communities.


TCR Board Meetings are held the 3rd Tuesday of every month, 7pm-9pm.
Meetings are open for all community members to attend.
If you would like to attend, please contact any of the board members listed below.


TCR Board Members:

Community Coordinators:  Mike & Ann Cerney   TCRCoordinator@tcr-mn.org
Finance Coordinators:  Eric & Char Anderson   TCRFinance@tcr-mn.org
Secretary:  Stan & Mary Nordin   TCRSecretary@tcr-mn.org    
Registration Coordinators:  Dean & Pat Ziegenbein   TCRRegistration@tcr-mn.org   
Weekend Coordinators:   Tim & Teresa Sazma TCRWeekend@TCR-mn.org
POST Coordinators: Jim & Vicki Smith  TCRPost@tcr-mn.org
Volunteer Coordinators   OPEN  TCRVolunteer@tcr-mn.org
CORE Coordinators:  OPEN   TCRCore@tcr-mn.org