One Nebraska community is trying to increase the odds for couples planning to tie the knot. In Sanders County, officials say 60 percent of marriages end in divorce, about 10 percent higher than the national average. That's why the community of Ashland is taking steps to cut the divorce rate within the city.

Religious leaders in Ashland have united and come up with way to help make marriages in their town last a lifetime.

"These are simple tools that can be learned- so communication skills, problem solving, and things that generally fall under marriage education," said Father Gary Counter of the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Ashland.

The clergy members have all signed a covenant which requires couples they marry to have at least four months of marriage preparation.

"The couples invest so much time and effort in planning a ceremony," said Counter. "We just want them to put some time and effort into planning their lifelong marriage as well."

Married church members will guide young couples through their engagements to better prepare them for matrimony.

"You're not there to tell them how to do it, but to help them understand what they're going through. What you've gone through that maybe can help them," said St. Mary's member Bridget Peas. She plans to tell couples what worked to make her marriage span 3 decades and counting.

"Don't focus so much on the material things in the wedding," said Peas. "Concentrate more on what you're really doing here. And what you can do to prepare for the future of your marriage, not just the ceremony."

Some critics said the required classes just make it more difficult to get married in Ashland, but Counter said a little time spent on preparation now is worth it.

"We're trying to help," Counter said. "We're all on the same side here. We're not trying to make it harder for couples to get married. We're just trying to help them have better marriages."

And to help make the couple that trains together stay together.

The Marriage Savers conference will be in Ashland this Valentine's Day weekend to train couples and clergy from all faiths and denominations on the Marriage Savers program. Training is from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Fri., Feb. 13 evening and 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sat., Feb. 14. For more information or to register, call the Rev. Gary Counter of the Ashland Ministerial Association at (402) 944-3554 or e-mail ashlandministerial@windstream.net.