Monday, January 08, 2007
A little present....
I mentioned in the previous post that we had made a trip to pick up my mothers favourite chair and to bring back some clothes, along with other items.
While we were there, the front door was pushed open and in walked the local vicar. He'd brought the Church Magazine for my mother, expecting her to be there with us.
I explained to him that because of her mobility difficulties, she had decided to stay with us and that it would probably be permanent. He then asked if I would give my mother a little present from him, and I said that of course I would.
With that, he went to the sideboard drawer and took out her collection envelopes for the year and passed them to me!
Now why was I not surprised?
While we were there, the front door was pushed open and in walked the local vicar. He'd brought the Church Magazine for my mother, expecting her to be there with us.
I explained to him that because of her mobility difficulties, she had decided to stay with us and that it would probably be permanent. He then asked if I would give my mother a little present from him, and I said that of course I would.
With that, he went to the sideboard drawer and took out her collection envelopes for the year and passed them to me!
Now why was I not surprised?
# posted by LePhare @ 12:07 AM 
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lol I do love this, here they write the items in such a way that most feel as if they must "pay" it doesn't seem a donation....it fact my gram called it her membership fee. Maybe that is why so many think they can buy their way into heaven.
I find this story really, really appalling! That he should do something like that, at such a time, is unforgiveable. How can anyone who is even vaguely human - and especially a clergyman who is meant to show the rest of us how to live our lives in Christian charity - behave in such a way? It really makes my blood boil!
I hope that either you or your mother threw the envelopes straight into the bin!
I hope that either you or your mother threw the envelopes straight into the bin!
You know, I'm not defending the guy, but sometimes people are just not that sensitive to the way their actions are perceived.
For instance, I was mildly annoyed that, some years ago, after I had attended a church for a few weeks and then decided against it, for quite a while I still received financial contribution envelopes. No one called to see how I was, but the envelopes kept coming!
But having gone back a couple of times, its apparent to me that people were genuinely pleased to see me, had felt a little concerned about me but hadn't wanted to intrude, and the envelopes were being posted automatically from a database that hadn't been well maintained.
My guess is that this minister had no thought of just asking her for money - he had a series of errands to run and he knocked off that one quite matter-of-factly.
Insensitive, yes. But not necessarily indicating money-grubbing.
There are a lot of these kinds of insensitivities in churches, unfortunately. For some of us, at least, they can be quite risky places to be. People often mean well, but they don't always act well.
For instance, I was mildly annoyed that, some years ago, after I had attended a church for a few weeks and then decided against it, for quite a while I still received financial contribution envelopes. No one called to see how I was, but the envelopes kept coming!
But having gone back a couple of times, its apparent to me that people were genuinely pleased to see me, had felt a little concerned about me but hadn't wanted to intrude, and the envelopes were being posted automatically from a database that hadn't been well maintained.
My guess is that this minister had no thought of just asking her for money - he had a series of errands to run and he knocked off that one quite matter-of-factly.
Insensitive, yes. But not necessarily indicating money-grubbing.
There are a lot of these kinds of insensitivities in churches, unfortunately. For some of us, at least, they can be quite risky places to be. People often mean well, but they don't always act well.
My mother was treasurer at the church for over thirty years, so she has seen several vicars come and go. Believe me, they are all tared with the same brush as far as money is concerned, and they don't miss a trick!
The one before last, lost a daughter in 9/11. Small world!
The one before last, lost a daughter in 9/11. Small world!
I'm with the appalled group. I mean REALLY!!!!!
Reminded me of this guy I sat next to at the airport in Tokyo yesterday - struck up conversation with me, the usual where are you headed, holiday or business, etc. Told me he's a missionary going into China and then had the f'ing audacity to ask me - Do you know where you're going when you die? I said yes...ashes to ashes and scattered in the wind....he said no I mean do you know, really know if you are going to heaven? I said conversation over mister, you're selling and I'm not buying...and got up and sat elsewhere!!!
And the dude was travelling business class!!!!!!!!!!
Anyway, Ian, am glad you're getting your gals all sorted out :)
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Reminded me of this guy I sat next to at the airport in Tokyo yesterday - struck up conversation with me, the usual where are you headed, holiday or business, etc. Told me he's a missionary going into China and then had the f'ing audacity to ask me - Do you know where you're going when you die? I said yes...ashes to ashes and scattered in the wind....he said no I mean do you know, really know if you are going to heaven? I said conversation over mister, you're selling and I'm not buying...and got up and sat elsewhere!!!
And the dude was travelling business class!!!!!!!!!!
Anyway, Ian, am glad you're getting your gals all sorted out :)
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