Far left photo courtesy Tim Dillon/USA Today. Rob and Becky Haley attend a marriage education class taught by Ed Koplin at the Grace Fellowship Church in Timonium, Md. Koplin and his wife, Mary Beth (near photo), are holding a similar workshop here in New Smyrna Beach March 19-20 at the First Baptist Church of New Smyrna Beach.
NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Ed and Mary Beth want to help married couples stem the rising tide of divorce with a special workshop March 19 and 20.
An exciting grass-roots movement has taken root, providing hope and skills to married couples, the Koplins say. Fed up with the rising tide of divorce, the Koplins drew a line in the sand eight years years ago, when they saw the negative impact of divorce on teens while serving in a youth ministry. Then they decided to work with married couples in the community.
The Marriage Communication Workshop is for any couple that believes good communication and conflict resolution are essential to their marriage. Couples discover they gain skills that transcend their marriage, improving every aspect of their lives.
The success of the Koplins' non-profit, pilot program was reported on the front page of the USA Today Life Section in April 2004. More than 100 couples have attended it.
As the Koplins, married for 35 years, explain it, their "mission is to take married couples from conflict to collaboration and intimacy within four weeks. The closer the person is to you, the more effective the program benefits become.”
The Koplins, residents of Ne Smyrna Beach for 18 months from Maryland, are certified teachers of the Couples Communication Program written by doctors Sherrod and Phyllis Miller, a husband and wife team. More than a million couples have completed the course in its 45-year history.
“Good communication may be one of the hardest skills to master on this planet” Dr. Sherrod Miller said.
In the weekend class couples gain new skills through brief presentations in a small group format. Then they get the chance to practice in class. Couples’ privacy is respected: They choose together privately, as a couple the issues they will discuss and practice.
The Koplins said they love teaching the class, which has strengthened their own marriage.
“This has been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life," said Ed Koplin, a mechanical engineer. "I get to work with my wife of 35 years, and help other families in our area.”
Mary Beth Koplin, a retired piano teacher, added, “Using these skills has helped us to really be a team. We love sharing it with other couples.”
The Marriage Communication Workshop will be held on March 19 and 20, at the First Baptist Church in New Smyrna Beach. The cost is $75 per couple, with sign-up preferred by March 12 by going to the Web site below.
For more information, please visit the Koplins' Web site: http://listentogether.com/