There is always lots to do at the last minute – checking talks, packing your things, getting children and the bigger kids organised. While the practical preparation is important, so too is your spiritual preparation.
Before the Seminar. A couple of things we encourage presenting couples to do before a seminar is to ensure you don’t neglect your Skin-to-Skin before the weekend – this is important to your couple unity. Forget about the logistics of food, name badges, signs and just spend 20 minutes connecting with each other. Your love is the sign that this is possible for others to reconnect and remember we are deeply loved. This is so important – in fact it really is a prerequisite to being on team for the seminar – and is the only acceptable excuse if you are running late on Saturday morning!
We also encourage you to pray for passion for your relationship before the weekend: if your passion is low, ask God to continue to work his miracles and rekindle your passion.
Your witness will be different if you have spent time leading up the weekend practicing skin-to-skin and prayer-for-passion. And the couples on the weekend will have a more powerful experience as a result of your spiritual preparation.
Many teams meet on the Friday evening before the seminar for fellowship, prayer and a meal. This is a very valuable practice but we do appreciate may not always be possible, especially when there are young children to be cared for. However, some time should be set aside for the team to connect in prayer together in the week before the seminar. If being physically together is not possible, have a teleconference. Pray especially for protection on the team, their families and the participants as it seems that sickness and mishap are common in the lead up to a seminar.
During the Seminar. Before your first talk on Saturday, and preferably before the couples arrive, meet as a team and say a prayer together. Offer to God your concerns, fears, anxiety and invite God to work through you this weekend. After you have prayed together ensure each couple has a ‘connect cuddle’. Two other times to gather as a team for a brief prayer are during the couple sharing in the Family talks (Saturday 12:30), and during the couple sharing of the Living in Love talk (Sunday 12:30). These are also a good opportunity to review the progress and note any special prayer intentions for participants who may be struggling.
Seminar Debrief. This is another valuable time for spiritual growth. Thanksgiving for the graces of the weekend should be the starting point. It is a good practice to use some of this time as a team to affirm each other, focusing especially on the sacramental charisms that were evident throughout the seminar. Abbreviate the Sacramental Affirmation exercise and make sure you include the Host couple and chaplain if available. Before any decisions are made (eg discerning new presenting couples, planning for follow up, etc), remember to call on the Holy Spirit for the graces of wisdom and enthusiasm.
Luke & Vanessa Van Beek, Perth, Australia.