Our Family Wellness Team offers all of our 8 Dates teaching videos and handouts free to use for parish use.
We are available to support you as you begin to expand the Marriage Ministry in your church. Please contact Pres Pat Tsagalakis –  ptsagalakis@sanfran.goarch.org for more information and to learn about our upcoming 8 Dates “Parish Edition” Ambassador Training sessions. 

TEN STEPS TO MAKING 8 DATES SUCCESSFUL IN YOUR PARISH

TOOLS
1. Speak to your priest and receive a blessing to engage 8 Dates at your parish
2. Contact us ptsagalakis@sanfran.goarch.org  for support and guidance as you begin
3. Order the 8 Dates Book  Link to: “Eight Dates” Book
4. Advertise: Customize your 8 Dates Flyer   Example Bulletin Announcement
5. Childcare – The one element critical to bringing couples together for 8 Dates is to provide childcare. In advance, arrange to find the right people to oversee your child-care. We suggest paying your care-givers well, and inviting all those couples who bring their kids to contribute to the cost.
6. Set Schedule for 8 Dates (We suggest meeting in person every other week, and going on the dates on the off week) 
7. Register couples (collect names and emails)
8. Send a welcome email which includes schedule and handout for first session.
   8 Dates Handouts 
9. Set up room / cue session videos and welcome couples.  
10.  Follow Agenda, Play Teaching Videos, Discussion with Face to Face and Break Out Group Questions, review Small Group Courtesies  and begin your 8 Dates Marriage Ministry! 

EIGHT DATES SESSION VIDEOS & HANDOUTS 

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Session ONE – Eight Dates Introduction, Essential Conversations for a lifetime of love
Presenters: George Papageorge, M.F.T., & Fr. Timothy Pavlatos, M.Div., M.F.T.
• Conversations That Matter
• Your Date Night
• The 4 Skills of intimate Conversation
• The Art of Listening

Session 1 – PARISH EDITION VIDEO – Session 1: INTRODUCTION
Session 1 – Handout
Session 1 – Prayer for Couples Beginning 8 Dates 
Session 1 – Prayer for Marriage (Please print out and give to couples) 
Session 1 – Intro to Eight Dates Video (available to rewatch if missed) 

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Session TWO – Date # 1 – Trust and Commitment LEAN ON ME
Presenters: Fr. Tom, M.F.T, M.Div., and Presvytera Pat Tsagalakis
Trust and Commitment. Trust is cherishing each other and showing your partner that you can be counted on. Choosing commitment means accepting your partner exactly as he or she is, despite their flaws.

Session 2 – PARISH EDITION VIDEO – Session 2: Trust and Commitment 
Session 2 –Handout
Session 2 – Prayer for Trust and Commitment 
Session 2 –Trust and Commitment Video  (available to rewatch if missed) 

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Session THREE – Date # 2: Agree to Disagree “Addressing Conflict”
Presenter: George Papageorge, M.F.T.
Conflict. Conflict happens in every relationship, and it’s a myth to believe that in a happy relationship you’ll get along all the time. Relationship conflict serves a purpose. It’s an opportunity to get to know your partner better and to develop deeper intimacy as you talk about and work through your differences.

Session 3 – PARISH EDITION VIDEO – Conflict 
Session 3 –Handout
Session 3 – Prayer for Spouses experiencing conflict
Session 3 – Conflict Video (available to rewatch if missed) 

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Session FOUR – Date # 3: Sex & Intimacy “Let’s Get it on”
LET’S GET IT ON – Sex and Intimacy
Presenters: Fr. James M.Div., & Pres. Donna Pappas and Fr. Vasili Hillhouse
Sex and Intimacy. Romantic, intimate rituals of connection keep a relationship happy and passionate. Couples who talk about sex have more sex, but talking about sex is difficult for the majority of couples—it gets easier and more comfortable the more you do it.

Session 4 – PARISH EDITION VIDEO “Sex & Intimacy” (opening and closing remarks included)
Session 4 – Handout
Session 4 – Prayer for Love and Intimacy 
Session 4 – Sex & Intimacy Video Presentation (available to rewatch if missed) 

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Session FIVE – Date # 4: Work & Money “The Cost of Love”
Presenter: Joe Borgonia, M.F.T.
Work and Money. Money issues aren’t about money. They’re about what money means to each partner in a relationship. Discovering what money means to both of you will go a long way in resolving the conflicts you may have around money.
Session 5 – PARISH EDITION VIDEO  “Work & Money”
Session 5 – Handout
Session 5 – A Couple’s Prayer for Work and Money
Session 5 – Work & Money Video  (available to rewatch if missed) 

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Session SIX – Date # 5: Family “Room to Grow”
Presenters: Fr. Daniel, M.Div., and Presvytera Michelle Triant
Family. Approximately two-thirds of couples have a sharp drop in relationship satisfaction shortly after a child is born, and this drop gets deeper with each subsequent child. To avoid this drop in relationship happiness, conflict needs to be low and you need to maintain your sexual relationship.
Session 6 – PARISH EDITION VIDEO  Family – “Room to Grow” (all videos and remarks included) 
Session 6 – Handout
Session 6 – Prayer for Family 
Session 6 – Family Video Presentation  (available to rewatch if missed) 

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Session SEVEN – Date # 6: Play “Fun and Adventure”
PLAY WITH ME – Fun and Adventure.
Presenters: Fr. Tom, M.F.T., M.Div., and Presvytera Pat Tsagalakis
Fun and Adventure. Play and adventure are vital components to a successful and joyful relationship. It’s okay if you and your partner have different ideas about what constitutes play and adventure. The key is for you to accept the bids and make efforts to play and adventure together!
Session 7 – Parish Edition Video – Fun and Adventure
Session 7 – Handout
Session 7 – Break Out Group Game Instructions and Questions
Session 7 – Jeopardy Theme song music 
Session 7 –Fun & Adventure Video  (available to rewatch if missed) 

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Session EIGHT – Date # 7: Something to Believe in “Growth and Spirituality”
Presenter: Presvytera Maria  & Fr. Vasili Hillhouse, M.Div. 
Growth and Spirituality. The only constant in a relationship is change. The key is how each person in the relationship accommodates the growth of the other partner. Relationships can be more than just two individuals coming together—they can be stories of transformation and great contribution and meaning to the world.

Session 8 – Parish Edition Video – Growth & Spirituality 
Session Session 8 – Handout
Session 8 – Growth & Spirituality Teaching Video (available to rewatch if missed) 

Following this session – Invite couples to enter the church for 10 minutes together in silence and for self reflection.