Simpson Bay Resort:--- Sixty-eight persons of the Moravian Church Eastern West Indies Province comprising eight single pastors, 28 couples, eight of which were both clergy couples and four pastors without their spouses convened at the Simpson Bay Resort from Friday, July 29th to Monday, August first for their first marriage enrichment and singles retreat. The marriage enrichment and singles empowerment sessions of the retreat were facilitated by local therapists, and relationship specialists, Roy Cotton Jr. and his wife Dr. Erna Mae Francis-Cotton.
This past weekend retreat was a significant and necessary time for these mighty men and women of the cloth and their spouses to retreat so that they may recharge physically, emotionally, spiritually and relationally. The need for the retreat was underscored by a powerful and challenging sermon preached by Bishop of the Eastern West Indies Province Dr. Kingsley Lewis on Sunday, July 31st at the Moravian Church here on St. Maarten.
Rev. Dr. Cortroy Jarvis, Chairman of the Provincial Elders Conference of the Moravian Church, Eastern West Indies Province, requested the services of Dr. Erna Mae Francis-Cotton through the recommendation of Rev. Neilson Waithe founder of Network Services Center in Barbados, a non-profit organisation, committed to the provision of competent, professional counselling and human resource services to businesses, schools, families and individuals.
Francis-Cotton, marriage and family therapist and visionary of Victorious Living Foundation, is a member of this prestigious network and provides counselling services to local banks, and other organizations affiliated with Network Services Center. Roy Cotton Jr., personal and professional growth and leadership coach and host of the popular radio program Love and Inspiration conducts pre-marital and marriage counselling with Francis-Cotton. They, therefore, tag teamed to facilitate the Moravian Church’s marriage and singles retreat.
The feedback from the majority of the participants underscores the tremendous value that they received from this transformational, enriching experience. The majority of participants stated that the sessions were of high quality and exceeded their expectations. Most couples were also able to receive a clear picture of the areas they needed to work on to improve their marriages and were equipped with the tools to do so.
The couples were taught the significance of affair proofing their marriages by cherishing and honouring each other using research-based nuggets to empower the pastors and their spouses. Singles were also provided with emotional support and tools to work through the challenges faced in their personal and professional lives. In summary, Rev. Dr. Cicely Athill Horsford stated of the sessions: “Highly recommended. It was refreshing. I will do this again.” Persons interested in couples counseling or retreats may contact Victorious Living at 1-721-524-8731.
Moravian Church Eastern West Indies Province Marriage & Singles Retreat: Refreshing and Transformational.
