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eMatrimony.org Supporting, Encouraging, and Challenging the WWME Community |
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| News - Local A Dream Come True - Alaska, One Year Later James & Shaharriet Houchins Alaska Encounter ~ What a Year! Alaska Encounter has presented 3 MEWE in less than a year. CAN YOU BELIEVE IT? Marriage Encounter’s mission is to change the world one couple at a time. Alaska has honored that mission; and we have changed Alaska from one couple’s dream to 49 couples hearing the message in less than a year. It started in 2002 in Boise, Idaho when James & I were members of Snake River Encounter. A request by then Section 13 Leadership, Tom & Kathy Dauer and Fr. John Birk, of us to revitalize Alaska was answered with a simple “yes”, much like “Mary’s yes”. After moving to Alaska less than a year later, we set out on that mission. In January of 2004 we began the legwork, and by the end of February we had Pulpit Talks scheduled. For six weeks we gave Pulpit Talks at every Mass, Saturday and Sunday, at 6 local churches. We mailed brochures and letters of introduction along with a request for Pulpit Talks to every Catholic Church or Mission in Alaska. We were determined not only because we answered “yes”, but driven because we needed ME in the home state in which we would live for the rest of our lives. That drive and determination, along with many prayers, paid off and we collected our first 25 paid registrations. That first Alaska ME Presenting Team of David & Diana Bruce, Jack & Karen Baker, Fred & Anne Jansen and Fr. John Rashford was so dynamic it left Alaska yearning for more. This yearning paved the way for two more sets of MEWE presenting teams to include a return visit from Jack & Karen Baker and Fr. John Rashford along with Brad & Diane Elliot, Fr. John Birk, Tom & Kathy Dauer, Jennifer & Gilberto Pena, and Rob & Heidi Martin. Since our humble beginnings, Alaska Marriage Encounter has grown by leaps and bounds. It has surpassed Section 13 Leaderships expectations. We have grown from one “Northern Love Lights Circle” in Anchorage, to May’s opening of an Eagle River circle yet to be named. We have had four couples say yes to spread the ME message as Alaska Presenting Teams. Three of our teams; James & Shaharriet Houchins, Bill & Sherry Tunilla, and Benjie & Frances Sumulong will be going on the May Deeper weekend with John & Jennifer McKinnon to follow later this year. Ironically, while the three teams are on the May Deeper, Alaska will celebrate the one- year anniversary of the May 21-23 2004 weekend. We have commissioned thirteen couples into leadership positions filling jobs under the ME Pillars. Since that original May, 2004 weekend, Alaska ME had couples and their families walk in the 4th of July parade to raise money for the St. Francis Shelter House. We decorated shopping carts in ME decor and even wore our very own Alaska ME T-shirts designed by Miguel & Olivia Torres. It was an opportunity to give back to the community and gave Alaska ME excellent exposure and free publicity. As Alaska Parents of the Year for 2004, we have taken every opportunity to spread the word of ME in all of our publicity articles and travels even as the keynote speakers at the State and Senate Legislature. In August, we represented Alaska at the Section 12 and 13 convention in Portland Oregon. In September, Alaska ME recognized local priests and our Archbishop Roger L. Schwietz with balloons and certificates for World Priest Day. In October, Alaska ME made its presence known as we showed up wearing ME shirts at Masses and area events to promote our upcoming weekends. By February of 2005, our exposure helped Alaska ME successfully put on our First Annual World Marriage Day/ Inviting/ Renewal of Vows Romantic Dinner Dance. 40 couples had their wedding vows renewed during a special WMD Mass by our Archbishop Roger L. Schwietz. Couples received certificates and photographs to commemorate the evening, which included a full course dinner and entertainment all provided by Alaska ME couples and kid volunteers. This event/fundraiser gave us net revenue of $1,256.26. In March, as we were having a Team meeting, our children decided they would no longer “just hang out waiting for their parents”. Our daughter Cierra, and the Tunilla’s daughter Asia, decided to create a ME Teen and ME Kid Encounter group. So now we consult them on family activities and ideas for keeping our “future ME generation” happy. During April, we secretly romanced couples with cards, balloons, cookies, popcorn, and movie rentals. As we revealed who romanced whom, much laughter occurred as couples shared what they received and the lengths gone to be secretive. We let our couples know their “Couple Love” was important to us! In May we are having our ME Remembrance and Inviting Family Hop. This is an “Inviting Event” open to all ME couples, Past, Present and Future. June is our ME Family BBQ in Wasilla, AK. In July, Alaska ME will return by request to the 4th of July Parade. A few days later, at the National Convention, Fr. John Rashford and Steve & Kathy Somnitz, Section 13 Executives, can proudly tell the entire ME USA that Alaska is finally back on the ME Map, on fire and growing. James & I will represent Alaska for the first time in many, many years. We will represent Section 13 well. We are God's Instruments. August brings us back full circle with the completion of a full year of activities, our First Annual Alaska ME Family Campout, Leadership meeting, and preparing to meet our National Inviting Goal Challenge. Dream Big! We did, and God answered!
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