FLM hosts Valentine’s Day dinner for inner-city couples
MORE than 100 couples from the Corporate Area and sections of St Catherine were feted by the Family Life Ministries (FLM) on Friday as part of efforts by the organisation to help build strong family units in Jamaica.
The couples, who came from 13 inner-city communities, were treated to a Valentine’s Day dinner on the lawns of FLM’s Cecelio Avenue headquarters. This is the third such staging of the event, which took place under the distinguished patronage of Governor General Sir Patrick Allen and his wife Lady Allen. In his address to the group, the governor general impressed upon the couples that it was possible to fix what’s wrong with Jamaica by utilising what’s right with the country.
Founder of the FLM and noted family psychologist, Dr Barry Davidson had first introduced the event as a way to reduce common-law unions in favour of traditional marriages to improve the stability of families.
“The evening’s festivities were aimed at providing an opportunity for couples to enjoy a romantic evening outside of their usual environments. It also provided the opportunity for the attendees to engage in meaningful fellowship while accessing tools which will enable them to build strong family units,” he said.
The couples were presented with a copy of Answers to Questions Parents Ask, which is co-authored by Dr Davidson and Dr Faith Linton. A professional photographer was also on hand to capture the occasion with prom-style photos of each couple that were presented to them as tangible memento of the occasion.
Entertainment was provided by ‘human’ saxophonist Claude Morris, and the couples were also given an opportunity to compete for prizes. In addition to these on-the-spot prizes, the first couple to get married after successfully completing marriage counselling will also be getting a one-week honeymoon trip to the north coast. The FLM has also decided to offer free pre-marital counselling to those who has expressed a desire to make a more permanent commitment to marry.
The Valentine’s Day dinner was sponsored by several corporate companies, medical practitioners and individuals.
