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Zurich Citizens News, 1973-07-26, Page 11THURSDAY, JULY 26, 1973 ZURICH CITIZENS NEWS PAGE 11 rom my window BY SHIRLEY J. KELLER "The unmarrieds interviewed were all willing to be identif- ied, which in itself, he thought, was a significant change in attitude. He found them happy , and well-balanced and conclud- ed --although he himself is mar- ried --that the rise of the unmar- ried couple is a positive devel- opment." "The couple I know have taught me a good deal, " he writes. "One lesson is that trans- itions in morality need not rend families; they can be opportun- ities for growth." How about that? A powerful church publication is leaving the impression for its readers that while living together com- mon law is not generally accept. ed in the United Church, it is a way of life for many people today and we should not only accept it, but learn from those truly intellectual people who have risen above the old moral codes and have proven that One thing about me. When I get an idea, I can't forget it. Twice I've begun this column this week. Twice I've scrapped it. Thought I'd,use a new idea.. but I know now I must follow my initial desires or die. I'm that sort of creature. The reason for my dilemma is a release which came through the mail the other day from The United Church Observer. From time to time, we receive excerpts from articles which • have appeared in the Observer, Of course, all are for publicat- ion. This one caused me particul- ar concern. It bore the catch - line "Trend towards unmarried couples not an isolated aber- ration"...and right away I was on my ear. I began to read on. The art- icle told me that the new in- crease in "coupling without benefit of clergy" is part of a completely different way young people are looking at many, many issues - -birth control, abortion, religion, wedding rings, all ceremonies, the role of women, child-rearing and family communication. The item continued: "The United Church firmly believes in marriage, for life. So do nearly all its ministers. So do most of its families. But not all their young people accept that ideal. Some see the tradit- ional wedding, with its rituals and symbols, as a Ken and Barbie doll caricature of real marriage. To them, the cere- mony neither makes them mar- ried nor is it seen as a beginn- ing. It only confirms what the couple has found by living to- gether." By this time I'm boiling mad. To my way of thinking, marr- iage is hardly an "ideal." Marriage is the way it must be done according to scriptures and according to the laws of the land. Marriage is the legal way, and the best way. Now hear me right. I'm not pointing a finger at anyone. I'm not going to try to force my views on folks who do not acc- ept the Christian principles I've come to respect. But it is my contention that the church, above all else, must fight to preserve marriage. But listen to what the writer says! McGregor Top Quality BEEF Government Inspected Whole B eef 92c Hoff B eef 93( includes cutting, wrapping & freezing Free Delivery Within 10 Mile Grant McGregor Phone 262-5839 shacking up can be beautiful. If it was Ladies' Home Journal or Cosmopolitan that was push- ing this philosphy, I'd hardly be concerned. But this is a church magazine and somehow it doesn't seem proper for the church to be finding any satis- factory substitute at all for mar- riage. The article concludes with nine guidelines for moms and dads who have children living together without benefit of cler- gy. They include such things as try to understand and don't judge' don't moralize; stay in touch; give birth control advice, if necessary, and some practical gifts like a toaster; and avoid the use of terms like "common law" or "trial marriage." In other words, don't show any disapproval but smile and look at the bright side of things. That's the modern way. Poppycock. Chances are if parents and friends and the church had "disapproved" much, much earlier, the problem (or is it a problem?) wouldn't exist now. I'ni sorry folks. That's how T feel...,right or wrong. Everyone is excited this week over Thursday's field day event with Huron Park. There are seven events planned plus big basketball, baseball and a tug of war. We have been busy with medal and trophy making for the big day. We are hoping to take the younger children on a camping expedition in the near future. Tuesday we took the senior group on an overnight camping trip to Cedar Brook Camp. Thanks go out this week to Ivan Kalbfleisch, Stade's Hardware, Phil's Variety, Gascho's Lucky Dollar, Doerr's Store, Gascho's Dry Goods, the United Church and St. Joseph B.P. IMMIGRA 1 CLIENT SE 'VICE Changes The old open trucks carrying their 25 and 30 pound blocks of sawdustladen ice have disapp- eared from city streets. Inside the kitchens where those blocks used to be delivered stand sparkling wonder mechanisms which protect our food and which produce baskets of ice cubes at the flip of a switch. Fifty years ago, who would have imagined such vast strides of progress? Yet today, electric refrigerators with all their ref- inements are taken for granted. I So it is with many household goods today. Automatic wash- ers, radios, phonographs, clothes dryers and innumerable kitchen gadgets have become part of everyday life. Items once considered luxuries (and that includes washers, dryers and refrigerators) are now almost necessities. This type of progressive up- grading has left Canadians with more time for constructive leis- ure, educational advancement, and economic productivity. The process continues. FOR PERTH & HURON C •UNTIES IS EXPANDING TO SERVE YOU BETTER, THE KITCHENER IMMIGRATION CENTRE WILL HAVE REPRESENTATIVES 'N STRATFOR ON EDN ESD:':YS BEGINNING UGUS'1' 1st 1973 CANADA IMMIGRATI N CE TR 100 ALBERT ST,, STRATFORD, ONT. EACH WEDNESDAY -9:30 A.M. - 3:00 P.M. CANADA IMMIGRATION CENT E 1 5 DUKE ST. EAST, 2nd FLOOR KITCHENER, ONT. 744-4161 744-3309 MONDAY to FRIDAY 8:00 A.M. - 4:15 P.M. I I* Manpower Main- .'Oeuvre and Ing '' igration et I mu «, *I t� >1�