JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- The Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson chaplains are hosting an all-inclusive weekend at no cost for couples at the Alyeska Resort in Girdwood, Alaska on Sept. 16 and 17, as part of a marriage retreat.
The retreat is based on the Marriage Care curriculum developed by Air Force chaplains to revitalize strained military marriages and build marital resiliency.
“Marriage is when we say ‘til death do us part;’ that’s a long time,” said Air Force Chaplain (Capt.) Jessica Prophitt, a JBER chaplain. “Throughout that time frame, our lifetime, we all grow and change. The intent for this retreat is to provide them with the ability to navigate the storms that come up in life.”
On the first day of the retreat, couples will minimize group activities and maximize couple time.
“We give them information to talk about while they are on their own, so we can leave it in their hands to make it what they want to make,” Prophitt said. “When couples get there, they can have much time together and relax.”
Prophitt just asks couples to have an open mind, come ready to meet their partner to discuss things they may never have discussed, and to just enjoy the time at Alyeska.
The caveat to this retreat is that no childcare is available; the staff wants couples to focus on their relationship. It is up to members to coordinate childcare during the retreat.
The chaplains’ goal is for couples to leave with a stronger marriage and tools so when adversity comes, or their vows tested they can look back at the information provided during the retreat.
“We all know relationships in life are paramount for our well-being,” said Air Force Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Kim Bowen, JBER senior chaplain. “When we are talking about our military community, the health of our community is mostly based on the health of what’s going on inside our homes.”
Bowen added that when people are happy in their relationship at home, they are much more focused on what they are called to do in their professional and personal lives.
“[Working with their spouse] is vital to the foundation of readiness for our fighting forces,” Bowen said. “We believe in healthy relationships and this ties to the spiritual and [social] aspect of Comprehensive Airman Fitness.”
The marriage retreat is currently full after the first two days of advertising, but Prophitt encourages service members to call and be put on the waiting list.
“We have a limited number of folks we can bring, and we try to keep it between 20 and 25 couples,” Prophitt said. “[This event] is on a first-come, first-served basis, but if it’s something that will be beneficial to your marriage we want to make every effort to provide that space.”
For more information about the retreat, contact the JBER Religious Operations Center at 552-5762.