The Orthodox
Courtship Experience 2026
Preparing for Marriage
Before & After the Ring
Date: Saturday, July 18, 2026
Time: Doors Open at 9:30am
Location: Debre Ganet Kidus Gabriel
(DGKG) Church
136 S. Main St
Orange, NJ 07050
Tickets: $30
A day for all: women, men, and young adults starting at the age of 16 who are dating, waiting, or wondering how courtship is meant to work within the Church.
*Please Note:
There are no processing fees when purchasing your ticket. Simply set the Givebutter contribution amount to $0 before completing your payment.
Keynote Speaker
Lilyan Andrews
Author, Waiting and Dating: An Orthodox Christian Guide for Navigating Singleness & Godly Relationships
Lilyan opens the day with a keynote on intentional courting, naming the real anxieties of this generation's dating life: unspoken expectations, financial entanglement, and the healing that has to happen before a relationship can be built on solid ground.
"Waiting and Dating" — required reflection before the day, optional to purchase
Why This Day, Why Now
The Church is often present at the wedding — and absent before it.
EMERGE exists to close that gap with early, preventative formation rather than crisis response.
What We're Seeing
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Delayed marriage and prolonged dating without real formation
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High anxiety around courtship, finances, and unspoken expectations
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Cultural tension within interracial and intercultural relationships
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Burnout among caregivers and single parents
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Stigma around mental health, divorce, and second marriages
What This Day Builds
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A normalized space for healing, accountability, and discernment
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Real skills that reduce future marital conflict
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Stronger families as the foundation of parish life
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A trusted, ongoing model — not a one-time event
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A parish resource (the participant workbook) that outlives the day
Your Place at the Table
What's Included
✦ Full-day workshop access to keynote, panels, breakout discernment groups, and the closing service.
✦ Digital participant workbookYours to keep — for continued reflection long after the day ends.
✦ Lunch & refreshments shared together, including the optional Courtship Connection Lab.
✦ Post-event resources for continued reading, prayer guides, and Orthodox counsel for the road ahead.
✦ An invitation to what's next. First access to optional follow-up groups and future formation series.
About
Why This Day Exists
Most formation around marriage happens after the engagement — when the date is already set. We believe the Church can do better than crisis response.
The Rationale
Formation before the ring, not just after it.
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Provide early, preventative formation rather than crisis response
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Address the real-life complexities facing Orthodox adults today
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Normalize healing, accountability, and discernment
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Reduce future marital conflict through education and skills
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Strengthen families as the foundation of parish life
What This Day Builds Beyond the Day
This gathering is also how DGKG invests in its own future — both pastorally and practically.
Primary Goals
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Increase engagement among adults who are dating, waiting, or wondering how courtship is meant to work within the Church.
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Build trust around sensitive pastoral topics
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Identify demand for a follow-up formation series
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Create reusable parish intellectual property — the participant workbook
Secondary Goals
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Support parish programming and ministries
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Invest in marriage and family formation
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Establish a sustainable model for future workshops
Outcomes We're Working Toward
Marital readiness & resilience
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Real preparation, not just a ceremony to plan.
Reduced stigma
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Around mental health, divorce, and help-seeking within our community.
Stronger parish families
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Built on formation, not assumption.
A trusted center for formation
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Positioning DGKG as a place adults return to for this kind of work.
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"More than a social — shaping Orthodox courtship culture."
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
General Information
Q: What is the date and time of the conference?
A: The conference will take place on July 18, 2026. Registration starts at 930am. The event will proceed rain or shine.
Q: What is the location of the conference?
A: The conference will take place at Debre Ganet Kidus Gabriel (DGKG) Church 136 S. Main St Orange, NJ 07050
Q: Who can attend the conference?
A: The conference is open to women, men, and young adults starting at the age of 16 who are dating, waiting, or wondering how courtship is meant to work within the Church.
Q: Are children allowed?
A: No.
Registration
Q: How can I register for the conference?
A: You can register online by clicking the following link https://givebutter.com/c/orthodox-courtship-experience or at the door.
Q: Is there a registration fee?
A: Yes, the registration fee is $30.
Q: Are the tickets refundable?
A: No, the tickets are non-refundable.
Q: What is included in the registration fee?
A: The registration fee includes:
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Admission & Parking
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Full-day workshop access, keynote, panels, breakout discernment groups, and the closing service.
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Digital participant workbookYours to keep — for continued reflection long after the day ends.
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Lunch & refreshments Shared together, including the optional Courtship Connection Lab.
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Post-event resourcesContinued reading, prayer guides, and Orthodox counsel for the road ahead.
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An invitation to what's next. First access to optional follow-up groups and future formation series.
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Keynote address and dynamic panel conversations
Q: What is the purpose of the registration fee?
A: The registration fee helps cover the costs of organizing the conference. Additionally, this event serves as a fundraiser to support the mortgage of the Debre Ganet Kidus Gabriel Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. Your participation and contributions are greatly appreciated in helping us achieve this goal.
Logistics
Q: What should I bring to the conference?
A: Attendees should bring a notepad, pen, and an open heart ready to learn and engage.
Q: Will food be provided?
A: Yes, refreshments will be provided.
Q: Is parking available at the venue?
A: There is free onsite parking.
Support and Contact
Q: How can I get more information or assistance?
A: For more information or assistance, please contact our support team at emerge@dgkg.org or 410-707-9671. We are here to help!
Q: How can I stay updated on conference news and updates?
A: Stay updated by adding your name to our listserv.
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