GENEVA - On November 18-20, 2016, our church in Geneva, Switzerland, held its first Marriage Seminar under the theme "Water or Wine?" with Pastor Cicero Barros as the main speaker. The event began on Friday night, continued during the Sabbath, and ended on Sunday afternoon. There were 13 couples present, 4 of whom were visitors. We also had the opportunity to have with us 4 visitors who were single but helped in the event. The event was organized by the Geneva's Family Department Director, Sister Luciane Barbosa, with the help of Sisters Paula Barbosa and Celene Rocon.
During these days, we experienced many blessings and learned, among other things, that we ought to pray for and with our spouses. The aim of the seminar was to connect couples, to help them understand their differences and solve problems, and to bring back some of the first impressions that existed in the beginning of the relationship.
The couples were put in charge of diverse tasks within the program, such as musical presentations, the Sabbath School, the Divine Service platform, as well as participating in the role of deacons: gathering the offering, church entrance greeting, and overseeing the church exit.
On Sabbath, we had a special menu for lunch and the lunch hall was beautifully decorated. In the evening, we had a romantic dinner at a restaurant decorated with candles and photos of each couple.
After the lecture on Sunday, we spent time together in a moment of relaxation and prayer. It was a powerful moment with a lot of emotion, in which the couples were deeply touched. At the end of the weekend, each couple received a personalized certificate of participation.
May God bless the work that was done during the seminar, and may He bless the families represented by the couples present. May their love grow stronger towards each other and towards God daily.
Photos on our Facebook page below: