Online relationship and marriage education courses for individuals and couples for marriage preparation and marriage strengthening are available every few weeks through the Wilmette Institute (http://wilmetteinstitute.org). All courses are based on the teachings of the Baha’i Faith and also include content from relationship and marriage educators. Courses are open to all. Course details can be found here: http://wilmetteinstitute.org/ourcourses/upcoming/marriage/

Here is the announcement from the Wilmette Institute for the next few courses:

The Bahá’í teachings refer to marriage as a “fortress for well-being and salvation” and as the foundation for a unified global society. Healthy relationships and marriages are the foundation for creating families. The process of creating and maintaining close relationships requires knowledge and skills. Individuals and couples thrive when they are engaged in personal and couple growth and development founded on spiritual teachings.

The Wilmette Institute offers spiritually-based practical and participatory courses for:

• Individuals wanting to understand friendship, dating, and courtship
• Individuals and couples preparing for the possibility of marriage
• Married individuals and couples who want to engage in marriage building and strengthening
• Members of families and institutions wanting to support the relationships and marriages of others
• Groups of individuals or couples wanting to study and discuss materials together, either in the same geographical location or over the Internet

The Relationship and Marriage courses build capacity in the participants to make wise choices and create happy, unified marriages that are of service to those involved and outward to others.

In 2016, Wilmette Institute will offer the following courses:

Are We Ready for Marriage?: Deepening Our Courtship 01/1/16 to 02/26/16

Creating a Coherent Marriage, Family, and Community Life

In person at Green Acre Bahá’í School: April 1-3, 2016; Online: 4 weeks, April 4-30

Thinking of Relationships and Marriage? 05/27/16 to 07/8/16

Consulting and Problem-Solving As a Couple 09/2/16 to 09/30/16

Engaging in Parental Consent for Marriage  10/21/16 to 11/18/16

Course Content: Courses include the Bahá’í Writings, relationship and marriage education materials, discussion questions and Forum, activities, skill-building opportunities, videos, articles, the arts, active mentoring (available by email, videoconference, or phone as needed), and more.

Language: Course materials are in English, with Google Translate available for rough translations. Each participant or couple in a course has a faculty mentor for interactive discussions and support. As needed, a mentor can be assigned based on a wish to interact about the content in a common language. Please specify Persian, Spanish, or Portuguese when registering to wi@usbnc.org.

Faculty/Mentors include:

• Susanne Alexander (US-Canada; English speaking; basic-only French speaking); serves as lead faculty
• Alex Blakeson (US; English & Spanish speaking)
• Hoda Kemp (US; English and Persian speaking)
• Wendi Momen (UK; English speaking)
• Raymond Switzer (Hungary-Canada; English speaking)
• Fariba Vahdat (Brazil; English, Persian, Spanish, and Portuguese speaking)

Technical Requirements: Internet access; equipment capable of downloading and reading pdf documents, and email. Most of the readings, activities, and discussions are available on the course’s website or transmitted through email.

Registration: The Wilmette Institute provides discounts and scholarships as needed to groups, couples, youth, senior citizens, and pioneers. Please do not register for a course more than three months in advance, because course dates sometimes must change.

Wilmette Institute Relationship Marriage Book List (a valuable free resource)

Details: http://wilmetteinstitute.org/ourcourses/upcoming/marriage/

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The Wilmette Institute, an agency of the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States, offers quality online courses on the Bahá’í Faith. It aims to engage a broad and diverse community of learners in in-depth study of the Bahá’í Faith. Wilmette Institute, 1233 Central Street, Evanston, IL, 60201-2886 USA; Phone 1.877.WILMETTE (1.877.945.6388) – Fax: 1.847.733.3563; Email: wi@usbnc.org; Web: http://wilmetteinstitute.org

© 2016 National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the United States – www.bahai.us

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Susanne M. Alexander presented a webinar about “Healthy, Unified Marriages As Service to Humanity” as part of a series through the Wilmette Institute.  Here is the link to the video of the presentation (about 35 minutes) and the Question and Answer period (about 45 minutes):