Keeping Blogging

This blog was started with the intention of regular updates on the C of E and my thoughts and musings, but I have been so busy, there has been so much going on here, that I have barely got anywhere near the blog, let alone done any in-depth articles, I am just rattling off letters and articles in the few short minutes available.

There have been a number of articles this week about the various behaviors of the C of E. The one in Private Eye stood out, their explanation of safeguarding at senior levels, which will come as no surprise to some, it is hard to link to this article so I don't know how long this link will work:

https://www.private-eye.co.uk/in-the-back

Of course, Justin Welby under investigation by his own employees, who have aided him in cover-ups. And he is only under investigation for one of his many crimes. And where usually his every slobbering rant is published far and wide by the unquestioning press, his being under investigation was kept pretty quiet. 

In London, the reality of closure of Parish Churches, the last stand in the credibility of the C of E:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/08/03/church-england-determined-kill-parish-church/

While in Dorset, one alleged complaint by a wide couple has led to the complaints of a whole congregation being ignored so that the pews can be ripped out. It seems that parishioners really are worthless to the church: 

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/08/02/width-restriction-church-pews-lose-position-make-way-human-form/

Apparently the church wants to create more space so that they can have 'messy church' and jumble sales. 'Messy Church' although it is a good description of the C of E, has always been a desperate pitiful joke, an attempt to seduce mothers and their children into church. Jumble sales? Why did Jesus turn the tables in the Temple over in anger? 

Sheffield Cathedral Choir, a strong historical choir, have been thrown away with inane excuses made by the Dean.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/08/02/sheffield-cathedral-dean-criticises-choir-saying-quality-singing/

If it's about diversity, quite simply, anyone of any orientation should already be able to apply as long as they have some ability. The Dean wrote to the Telegraph in a letter agreed universally to be waffle and big words. Do the C of E really think that the common people are fooled by their excuses? 

I wrote to the Dean, and someone pointed out my Freudian slip of 'knave' and said it probably related to the Dean, just keep in mind I'm an 'umble workman and not a scholar: 

30/7/20

Dear Dean, 

I am writing regarding the situation with the choir and the letter in the Telegraph.

You may or may not have read the online comments in response to the digital addition.

It is difficult to see how you are committed to the long term development of the Anglican Choral Tradition when you have just disposed of a whole choir with very little notice. 

People are confused, and becoming more so, over the choir situation, and your letter didn't dispel the confusion. The Anglican Church doesn't seem to realise that extensive use of big words used to be effective in hushing the common people in the old days but doesn't work so well now. 

What appears to have happened is that internal difficulties led to the dispersal of the choir, and an excuse was made over diversity for the sake of PR, as PR is one of the C of E's last remaining safeguards.

It appears that there is an ongoing situation wherein the Church of England try to change the labels on their internal difficulties to make those difficulties into matters of inclusion, equality and community, and it doesn't work very well. At the moment there are a number of outrageous acts occurring in the C of E with flimsy and inadequate excuses being given. 

I am sure that young people, having been relieved of their vocation, will not be accompanying the elderly 'worshipping community', as the worship itself, down in the knave, especially without the choir, is only to the taste of the elderly dignitaries and wealthy who normally attend a Cathedral service. 

You won't regain your wonderful choir, with their dedication, hard work and marvellous singing, they are gone, and they won't all come back to join whatever vague 'inclusion' scheme that you have in mind, because whatever that is, it isn't a choir. Anyone of any creed, colour or orientation, should have been able to join the original choir if they had the commitment and ability. It is unclear how getting rid of the choir and starting again makes any difference, it has been a very cruel thing for the choir, the Cathedral and for the worshipping community. 

You can't put new wine in old skins, and so it sounds a bit ambitious that you think that the choir will be welcomed back to a new leadership and safety. If you have lost 3 or 4 masters of the choristers, how can a culture obviously embedded in the Cathedral be changed?  In the meantime those choristers, if they have sense and self-esteem, will seek other outlets, after all, they need to keep in training between now and autumn 2021 if they want to retain their skill, and you have made no provision for that. Your letter doesn't really cover the poor handling of the matter. 

Sincerely, 

John Carter 

That's it for today, I have so much to do.