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Our retreats give married couples a unique opportunity to take time out to focus on their relationship. We run weekend retreats, one-day tasters, date nights and small groups at your venue, ideally for up to ten couples. They are not aimed at solving marriage problems, but at creating space for reflection and connection.
Supporting marriage relationships
The primary focus of Connecting Matters is marriage. Marriage is a relationship of deep value, yet the pressures and demands of daily life can gradually diminish the time, attention, and care it receives. Over time, this can leave couples feeling disconnected or stretched thin.
Through our retreats, Connecting Matters seeks to support married couples by creating space to pause, reflect, and refocus on their relationship.
Rather than addressing marriage as a set of problems to be solved, the retreats invite couples to consider the health of their relationship, recognise strengths, and give thoughtful attention to areas that may benefit from care and conversation.
Weekend retreats
One-day tasters
Date nights
Time-limited small groups
Held at your venue, ideally for up to ten couples. We do not charge a fee; the host covers the costs of running the event.
Book a retreat
The retreat
Our retreat for married couples offers stimulating presentations and discussions that are experiential and fun, not lectures. Sharing is grounded in Christian principles and the presenters’ lived experiences, and people of all faiths are welcome.
You will never be asked to share anything private or to work on your marriage in front of other couples. Find out what to expect, what you will come away with and the beliefs that shape our retreats.
About the retreatGet involved
There are several ways to help more couples take time out to invest in their marriage.
We would be delighted to run a marriage event or retreat for a group of couples at your venue: a date night, weekend retreat, one-day taster or time-limited small group, ideally for up to ten couples. We do not charge a fee for our services, but the host covers the costs of running the event, including our travel, accommodation and printed materials.
Our retreats and marriage events are open to all married couples. Couples usually pay for their accommodation and a fee to cover other costs. We do not wish to exclude anyone, especially those in developing countries who are unable to pay at this point in time. Your sponsorship could lead to a life-changing workshop or retreat for a couple.
Camps in Sri Lanka bring young people from differing ethnic groups to the campsite near Chilaw, where they enjoy shared activities and inspiring input from the Connect for Life team.
Your sponsorship of this partner organisation, Connect for Life, would enable young people to attend a camp that they might otherwise be unable to afford.
Our resources are offered free of charge because we believe they should be accessible to everyone.
If you feel led to contribute financially, your generosity helps us continue providing these tools, retreats, and services for married couples.
Every gift, big or small, makes a difference. Thank you for partnering with us.
Spread the word
Help extend the reach of Connecting Matters by following us and sharing our message with others. A simple post or mention can help more married couples discover support and encouragement.
By linking to our website, you help others find information about our retreats, resources, and approach to supporting marriage relationships.
Inviting friends to attend a retreat or event is a meaningful way to encourage time, reflection, and care within their marriage.
What happens at a Connecting Matters marriage retreat?
Barry and Paula lead sessions on themes such as effective communication, managing anger and conflict, understanding family backgrounds, and integrating sexuality with spirituality. They often model conversations from their own marriage, and couples then have time to talk together and put what they have learned into practice.
What formats can you offer?
We can run a weekend retreat, a one-day taster, date nights or a time-limited small group. We will help you choose the format that suits your church, group or organisation.
How many couples can attend?
An ideal retreat size is a maximum of ten couples, so that every couple has space to take part.
What does a retreat cost?
We do not charge a fee for our services. The hosting church or group covers the costs of running the event, including our travel, accommodation and printed materials.
Do you run retreats outside Australia?
Yes. Barry and Paula have led marriage workshops and retreats in Australia, East Africa, Sri Lanka, India and Europe, including workshops for missionary couples. Contact us to discuss your location.
Is a retreat right for us if our marriage is struggling?
Our retreats are marriage enrichment and are not aimed at solving serious marriage problems. They suit couples who want to invest in a relationship that is basically sound. If your marriage is in crisis, please speak with a qualified counsellor first.
Connecting Matters exists to support and strengthen marriage relationships through retreats and resources offered freely and without obligation. This reflects our deep commitment to accessibility, ensuring that couples from a wide range of backgrounds and circumstances can engage in this work without financial barriers becoming an obstacle.
When you choose to give, you are not simply funding an event. You are participating in a shared commitment to the value of marriage and the importance of creating space for reflection, connection, and renewal.
Your financial support becomes part of a wider partnership that enables Connecting Matters to continue serving married couples with care, integrity, and purpose.
If this work has been meaningful to you, or if you would like to help make it possible for others, we warmly invite you to consider making a contribution.
Bank transfer
Connecting Matters
BSB 062-336
Account number 1045 1615
Questions about giving? We’d love to hear from you.
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