I’ve mentioned before that I am currently a churchwarden and that, since our Rector moved away in February, we have been advertising for a new priest for our church and the other five in the benefice. A fortnight ago, two people were interviewed for the post. Entirely reasonably, the interviewing panel was asked not to disclose the result, as it is customary for priests planning to leave their parishes not to tell their parishioners they are job-hunting; therefore the news is given to both sets of churchgoers on the same day.
I have just received an email authorising me to tell the congregation, on Sunday, the result of the interviews.
Now, this has been an open secret from the outset because, in fact, it was decided not to appoint any of the candidates.
So what I ask myself, you, or anyone who listens to me, why have we had to wait two weeks and a day to let the news out? It was proper and courteous to tell the candidates first, but that was done the same day. It is surely a different situation from one where a candidate had to decide whether to accept, discuss it with his/her family, talk to the bishop, then choose the most appropriate time to release the news, which could possibly take a couple of weeks.
I have a feeling that it is a symptom of the general self-regard and ‘we know best’ attitude of the church, or rather ‘the Church’ that keeps so many pews empty all over the country. Keeping it secret for the sake of it, pointlessly.
I’ll tell the congregation on Sunday, but I’ll only say what I think if anyone asks me directly – ‘for lying, she knew, was a sin’ as Tom Lehrer put it.
You’ve been so busy, so many pictures! Love the scarecrow pics, excellent stuff.
You had to wait two weeks and a day because that’s how long it took before the congregation, knowing nothing had come of the interviews, finally forgot about them. You are being asked to remind them that it’s all Terribly Exciting and they mustn’t forget about the drama of it all.
Righteous indignation all round.
‘The Church’ certainly wants everyone to know that The Committees haven’t forgotten them – in the absence of any news, tell’em what they know. Reeks of politics.
Should it be this hard? Concentrate on your core values, holy people!
Hi badgerdaddy, busy because I’ve not enough real work to do, perhaps. The scarecrows were great, and the crow’s head and wings moved, which was particularly effective.
D’weeza, I do like a cynic’s approach.
My my – and this is CoE of not RC? Amazing…they are all the same.
Well, it has occurred to me that these kind people wouldn’t want to announce it too soon, as they would wish to leave it open whether the applicants had been refused or had turned down the job. And they are kind people, so that may well be part of it.
But the rest is surely hidebound convention. Don’t throw away the baby with the bathwater, but don’t just let that water fester stagnantly.