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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1990-07-25, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 1990. From the Minister's Study Sunday shopping threatens quality of family life BY JAMES H. CARNE, PASTOR THE MISSIONARY CHURCH AUBURN It’s a wonder that the Civil Liberties Union or some other minority group does not sue the government of Ontario for impos­ ing a speed limit on provincial highways. That limit must be offensive to some, according to the number of people that are fined for exceeding it. Any law that limits the liberty of even a few in our land seems to contravene the Charter of Rights and Freedom and constitutes a challenge for libertarians to con­ test. Even more of a wonder is the fact that the Supreme; Court would probably find in favour of those contesting such a law. The fact is, however, that an endeavour to champion the rights of all and sundry results often in a restriction of the rights of the majority. Every time the law is relaxed in favour of those who demand the convenience of unre­ stricted liquor outlets and extended hours of service, for instance, the rights of the average citizen, regarding the safety of his person and his property, are diminished. The recent decision of the Su­ preme Court that allows for Sunday shopping is another case in point. It may not appear at first to be a threat to the rights of the many; there are those who advocate a “live and let live’’ policy, (let those who wish to shop on Sunday do so, while dissenters simply refrain), but the fact is that the seculariza­ tion and commercialization of Sun­ day affects and threatens the quality of life of Canadians in general. It erodes further the foundations of family life; I heard a teacher say recently that, of 26 students in his class, six, only, came from homes headed by the original father and mother. Our traditional Canadian values and morals are being undermined by this insidious incursion of secularism and commercialism. In deference to tourists who laud our “unspoiled” country we are adopt­ ing the same attitudes and princi­ ples that result in social conditions from which they come here to escape! Crime is beginning to predominate in our cities and terror stalks our streets; Los Angeles and New York are coming home to us! I know that righteousness cannot be legislated, but this concern about Sunday is not a matter of ; forcing upon others the values that are important to me; it is rather a matter of protecting the values that have been mine, traditionally, as a Canadian and as a Christian. I applaud, therefore, the spontane­ ous action of many who are concerned about the preservation of Canadian and Christian rights and values and are protesting Sunday openings by refusing to shop in such places, not only on Sunday, but on every other day of the week as well, and by indicating to those stores that refuse to open Sundays that they can count exclus­ ively on their business. If the initiative for opening Sundays is a monetary one then let the battle be fought on that ground! Unless Christians protest the efforts of secular humanists to reduce the values of our society to a common denominator that will satisfy the demands of every minority in our country, they will discover that their freedoms of religion have been sacrificed to those who insist on freedom from religion. Laurie and Dwayne Raynard Couple weds in Listowel RAYMOND - FISCHER Laurie Jeanne Fischer and Dwayne Thomas Raynard were united in marriage on June 2, 1990 at 3 p.m. at Knox Presbyterian Church, Listowel. Rev. Vern Tozer officiated. Laurie is the daughter of Don and Jeanne Fischer of Listowel and Dwayne is the son of Joe and Beatrice Raynard of RR 2, Blue­ vale. An ensemble composed of Laurie’s aunts and uncles, Murray Fischer, Rae Fischer, Mary Anne Denney and Nancy Whitty, provid­ ed the music. They were accom­ panied beautifully by Pat Sharp­ less. “O Perfect Love”, “The Gift of Love”, and “Reflection of Your Love”, were the pieces sung. Laurie wore a floor-length gown of white silk with a fitted bodice accented with pearls a sequins. Roses decorated the short puffy sleeves. The cathedral train con­ tained ruffles, lace, sequins and was accented by a bow at the back. Laurie’s bouquet contained peach roses, white lillies, stephanotis, ivy and pearls. Dwayne wore a morn­ ing suit and his boutonniere was a peach rose and stephanotis. Julie Fischer, Laurie’s cousin, was maid of honour. Sandra Gedcke and Shelly Young, Laurie’s friends, and Darlene Hayden, Dwayne’s sister were bridemaids. They wore cocktail-length dresses of peach moire taffeta with a sweetheart neckline, scoop back and ruffled skirt with a bow. Their bouquets were nosegays of peach roses, white carnations edged with teal, baby’s breath and teal ribbon. Tara Perason, Laurie’s cousin, was flower girl. She wore an ankle­ length dress of white polished cotton accented with layers of eyelet, puffy elbow length sleeves and a peach sash. She carried a basket of flowers similar to the bridesmaids. Murray Keffer, Dwayne’s friend was best man. Glen Miners and Stanley Gulutzen, both Dwayne’s friends, and Steven Fischer were ushers. Laurie’s mother wore an egg­ shell two-piece ensemble with or­ ganza sleeves. Her corsage consis­ ted of peach roses and tulle. A dinner and reception was held at the Elma Memorial Community Centre. Don Pearson, Laurie’s uncle, was master of ceremonies. Special guests were Laurie ’s V grandparents, Hartley and Mary Fischer and George and Isabel Pearson and Dwayne’s grand­ parents Stan and Helen Alexander. After a honeymoon cottaging on Lake Huron, Dwayne and Laurie Raynard reside in Brussels. Newlyweds reside in Mitchell RATHWELL - PRIOR Brussels United Church was the setting of the June 16, 1990 wedding of Debbie Prior and Steve Rathwell both from Brussels. The groom is the son of Doug and Wilma Rathwell and the bride is the daughter of Hope and Wayne Lowe and Jim and Isabell Prior. Rev. Cameron McMillan officiat­ ed. Maid of honour was Sandy Huether. Bridesmaids were Donna Prior, Barb Rathwell, Debbie O’Rourke, and Sandy Rathwell. The flowergirls were Melissa O’Rourke, and Laurie Prior. The best man was Bill Patterson. Ushers were Gerald Rathwell, Tim Prior, Brad Horan, and Brian McEwen. A reception was held at the Brussels, Morris and Grey Com­ munity Centre. The couple honey­ mooned in a resort in Orillia. The couple will reside in Mitchell. ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA REV. DAVID FULLER, B.A., M. DIV. July 29 Blyth 9:30 a.m. MORNING PRAYER Pentecost 8 Brussels 11:15 a.m. HURON CHAPEL MISSIONARY CHURCH AUBURN PASTOR JAMES H. CARNE 526-7515 10:00 a.m. - Sunday School 11:00 a.m. - Morning Service 8:00 p.m. - Evening Service Wednesday - Discipleship Training Friday - 7:30 - Youth s Debbie and Steve Rathwell Melville Presbyterian Church BRUSSELS Rev. Carolyn McAvoy For the month of July worship with the Brussels United Church at11:00a.m. We welcome you to come and worship with us! 1 BLYTH CHRISTIAN ZJS REFORMEDCHURCH HIGHWAY4,BLYTH Rev. W.H. Lammers Sunday at 10a.m. and 7:30 p.m. SundaySchool 11:00a.m. The Church of the “Back to God Hour” and “Faith 2Q” Back to God Hour 10:30 a.m. CKNX, Sunday Faith 20 5:00 a.m. weekdays, Global T.V. ALL VISITORS WELCOME