This is the time of year when lots of people have weddings. This article, in the Christian Century is timely.
"Pay attention: These are our values." That's what we're saying when we make decisions about spending money or ask others to spend money on our behalf. For an engaged couple, it all starts with the wedding. Brides magazine reports that the average cost of a wedding today exceeds $19,000. That amount includes more than $4,000 for rings, $7,500 for a reception, $1,500 for flowers and—much lower on the budget list—$250 for clergy.
The article goes on to suggest that perhaps couples might consider reducing expenses by, for example, asking family members to take photographs, rather than professional photographers. Perhaps, author James Wall suggests, people could register for charitable gifts rather than material goods.
An economically pared-down wedding and something equivalent to sheep and goats and medical aid to Iraqi children on the registry list may not guarantee a long and joyous marriage. But it's a good beginning.
I recommend the Christian Century as a source of religious news and inspiration. You could subscribe here.
I use the organization called HEFIER to give Christmas and Birthday gifts. It's a gift that keeps on giving. The family who receives an animial must then give the first female born to another family and it never stops giving. Check them out at
ReplyDeletewww.heifer.org