RESOURCES BY SUBJECT l FTF LIBRARY

This list is continually growing; if you would like to join us please indicate your support by sending an email to info@FirstThingsRichmond.org with your name, church, denomination and phone/fax/e-mail and that you support the Richmond Community Marriage Policy.  If you just want to keep up with our free events, you may be added to our mailing list without signing the CMP by sending the same info and indicating that you do not agree with the CMP.  Including your reason is helpful in our constant assessment of the needs of our community and possible revision of CMP.    

Advisors   (below) :  Include most of the Bishops and senior clergy leaders in each denomination and growing to include Business and other Community Leaders.

(If your denominational leader is not listed, please contact us) 

 PREPARE-ENRICH Certification training for clergy/counselors; the best single tool for helping couples.

Christian PREP classes at your church contact Bob at 804-288-3431 to set up a program for you.

10 Great Dates to Revitalize your Marriage: Let us help you run this effective but inexpensive program at your congregation.;  Run in over 18 churches in Richmond duting 2009 with over 850 participants. Contact Bob Ruthazer to find out how: 804-288-3431 or e-mail bob@   firstthingsrichmond.org (with no spaces)

HOPE Project: MMateCenter at Regent University is offering continuing education for clergy and counselors for HOPE Focused Counseling. This is a proven method introduced by Dr Everett Worthington. FREE couple-counselor resources for download. CE credits available. http://www.mmatecenter.com/

Galatians 6:6 Clergy Couple Retreats FREE Link to web site    Download flier09

Limited time: Free  "RESPECT in Marriage" brochure master from the National Healthy Marriage institute: e-mail Aaron Larson [mailto:director@fambooks.com]  you can personalize for your organization and where to get more help FREE.  Very Nice.

Kansas City:  Read about Pastor Jeff Meyers of Christ Lutheran Church in a Kansas City suburb Pastor  Leroy Sullivan of the inner-city Bread of Life Church teamed up to save marriages in their community and say a 70 percent drop in their divorce rate over 10 years.     link to read full article.  There is also a video link at that site.

Marble Retreat Marbel CO Healing and Restoration for Those in Ministry   www.marbleretreat.org

Marriage Intensive Workshops with discount for clergy:   http://www.nationalmarriage.com/

Cleft Rock Retreat Mt. Vernon KY  http://www.cleftrock.org/default.asp

Resources for couples in crisis:    http://www.firstthingsrichmond.org/crisis_marriages.htm

Choosing Wisely (Before You Divorce) - strong medicine for failing marriages! a kit for those considering divorce; gives valuable information and realistic expectations. Video w/workbook ... can be used by individual or couple contemplating divorce or by clergy or mentors the assisting couple.  Available in our Resource library at Center for Congregational Ministry (formerly Ecumenical

Reconciling God's Way: now called Marriage 911  A 13 week Christian Mentor/Discipleship program with workbook and helper's guide.  Used male to male and female to female and may be used with only half of the couple in crisis. Testimonies from one Pastor (link)  http://www.reconcilinggodsway.com/  

**NEW***  Finding a Marriage Friendly Therapist - Therapeutic Family Law Blog 08 article by James Stinson link here

www.DivorceBusting.com Skill-building "Keeping Love Alive" workshops by marital therapist and author Michele Weiner Davis.

AMFM Resource Guide   from Association for Marriage and Family Ministries

UMC Family  Ministries Resources  http://www.gbod.org/ministries/family/resources.asp

Board of Directors:

• Ms. Molly Dean Bittner ; Chairman: Asst. V.P. for Advancement, University of Richmond

• Ms. Rebecca Blackwell; Assistant Chairman: Self-Employed, Pampered Chef

• Mr. Steve Bittner ;  V.P. Liberty Mortgage

• Ms. Honor Carver ;  Matrix Capital Markets Group

• Dr. Jera Nelson Cunningham ;  Commonwealth Counseling

• Mr. Eric Gregory ;  Virginia Asst. Attorney General

• Bishop Daryl Husband ;  Mt. Olivet Baptist Church

• Ms. Elizabeth Gilkeson King ;  University of Richmond

• Dr. Craig Sherouse ;  Second Baptist Church

• Bob Ruthazer, CFLE; Executive Director (part time) St Giles Marriage & Family Educator; 5200 Grove Ave Richmond, VA 23226-1633  (o)288-3431(ext13); (h)272-4471; (f)282-6519;  bob @ FirstThingsRichmond.org   

• If you have a passion for Building Strong Marriages and Families and are willing to be on our Board,  please contact one of the above.

Former

• Mr John Robinson(Chairman 06), Co-owner Equity Concepts

•  Dan Scott, Treasurer, Treasurer Family Policy Council

• Ms. Robin Jones, Chesterfield Prevention Services

• Ellen Robertson, City Council

• Doug Anderson:  Non-Profit CEO, Retired

• Janet Broadway, Anderson, Marks & Miller

• Sherylle Bates, The Mobile Solution

• Glenda Baul, Dominion

• Jane Talley, Richmond Senior Social Worker

• Rev. Cecil Chambers

• Rev. Hunter R. Hill VIPCare

• Rev. Owen Cardwell; former Chairman 05; Pastor New Canaan International Church. 

• Dr. Wayne Mancari Pastor Cornerstone Assembly Of God 

• Steve Mapp. First Market Bank, Senior VP

• Mrs Jane Talley Families First, Richmond City Health Dept EDI.

• Rev. Dennis Thomas  Pastor, First African Baptist Church

• Mrs. Loraine Tracy Coordinator, Christian Marriage Formation; Catholic Diocese of Richmond  

• Rev. John Peters  Pastor, Trinity United Methodist Church

• Rev Bill Queen  Associate Rector, All Saints Episcopal Church;  

• Dr. Scott Daniels, VCU Center for Public Policy

• Rev. Raymond Luster  Pastor Revealing Christ’s Love International Church

• Nedra Voorhies, Richmond Hill & Lifeline Counseling

• Rev Neal Siler, First Shiloh Baptist Church, Mechanicsville.

• Loraine Tracy, Richmond diocese

• Rev Dennis Thomas, First African Baptist

Basic Training for Couples Curriculum is one excellent program available as is ProSAAM below.

ProSAAM Curriculum:  program for Strong African American Marriages is available for loan to FTF Marriage Enrichment Coalition Member Congregations. This is a Teach out of the Box program to be used  Contact Bob at 804-288-3431 ext 13 for details.  

ProSAAM is a five-year intervention study designed to find the best ways for African American couples to keep their relationships strong and to reach the goals they have set for themselves. The curriculum for the educational program is based on the Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP). PREP is one of the most comprehensive and well respected divorce-prevention/marriage enhancing programs in the world. PREP is a skills and principles-building curriculum designed to help partners say what they need to say, get to the heart of problems, and increase their connection with each other. The program has been in existence for over 30 years.

First Things First has collaborative relationships with Richmond Health Dept, Henrico County Social Services and Chesterfield Prevention services and many other agencies.  Contact FTF for current list.