February 19, 2009

NEWS BRIEFS

‘How to Parent as a Team When You are No Longer a Couple’

Almaden Valley Counseling Service is now accepting registrations for its spring session of the “Cooperative Parenting & Divorce” classes. These classes are for parents who are either divorced or in the process of divorcing. The class focuses on reducing parental conflict, support for the parent, valuable tools on how to be an effective co-parent, and most importantly, how to help their child through this difficult process.

The classes have five goals:

- Assist parents in shifting their roles from former spouses to co-parents

- Educate parents about children’s issues in divorce

- Educate parents regarding the impact of parental conflict on their children’s development

- Teach parents anger management, communication and conflict-resolution skills

- Group format provides support and information for parents going through this difficult time

This eight-week course will be held on Tuesday evenings from 7:15 – 9:15 starting Tuesday, March 3. There will be no class on April 14. The fee is $145 and the class is limited to one parent from a co-parenting family.

If you are interested in attending this session, or would like to be included on the mailing list for future sessions, contact AVCS at (408) 997-0200 or staff@avcounseling.org. Registration forms are available on the Web site at www.avcounseling.org. The group is located at 6529 Crown Blvd., Suite D, San Jose, CA 95120.

Venture Christian Church to host national marriage simulcast

Focus on the Family's first national marriage simulcast event will be hosted by Venture Christian Church on Feb. 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The "Focus on Marriage " conference, made possible via satellite technology, is expected to reach as many as 50,000 couples and will offer strengthening tools and compelling insights for marriages at all stages.

The conference, broadcast from Focus on the Family headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colo., will feature speakers Beth Moore, Dr. Gary Smalley, Gary Thomas, John Trent and Del Tackett along with popular Christian musician Jeremy Camp. Speakers will discuss marriage as it relates to Christ and the church, the Trinity, and everyday changes that can be made to strengthen the relationship between a husband and wife.

Venture Christian Church is located at 16845 Hicks Road, Los Gatos. Conference fees are: couples ($69) and individuals ($40). For more information or to register, contact Karen Gentrup (408) 997-4604 or kgentrup@venturechristian.org) or visit www.focusonmarriage.com.