Magik Quilter

magikquilter March 26th, 2008

Yesterday had an interesting dialogue via email with Justin Whelan the Chairperson of the Uniting Church Paddington’s Church council. Earlier yesterday Justin left a comment on my blog post on the party in the church. I can confirm that the party was held in the church not the hall or other venues and that the church council is as outraged as I was at this occurrence. The church council was not approached or informed of either the intent or content of this product launch. They are currently investigating matters and especially to see how it happened and if any staff were involved.

My impression is that the church community is deeply saddened by this event and will not let this matter rest until they have pursued it thoroughly and have put procedures in place that will ensure nothing like this happens again. I know a lot of people have felt outraged by this attack on our faith at our most precious time of year but just imagine how the congregation of this church must feel. It is such a pity as they have a strong outreach program to the community and definitely appear to be a church where deeds not just words are important.

Words however can deeply hurt and I can well imagine that they are now on the receiving end of a lot peoples displeasure. They shall probably come under serious scrutiny in the future from the public. The politics within church hierarchies are no different to those outside the church, some people have ambitions and jealousies and past hurts and the only difference I have seen is that often in churches the people involved in these things are too nice [read cowardly, past experience talking] to speak to the people involved in the issue they often find a way around problems rather than facing up to and addressing these issues. I did not get this impression from Justin, he actively sought to comment on my blog after I would assume trying to find what was being said about the debacle. Now that in itself is what has really impressed me about this matter, the way the church is being up front about their outrage and using all means to communicate this to the public. They have a statement on their website for all to read about their take on this and it is powerful.

I believe as I said before the main fault here lay with the people behind the product launch who knowingly subverted a church as a means to make money at the time of year that would get them the most press coverage. Then we have the Sun Herald for not considering that Amy Cooper and her coverage of the party of the week, which was featured on Easter Sunday would be morally offensive to the public and to the many Christians who in attempting to honour their faith in this age of materialism have not chosen an easy path.

Finally one strange thing to come out of this is that I have been outed as a Christian online. Not that I was keeping it a secret for sinister reasons but because I believe in deeds being more important than words. Not that I am above using words when they are needed…. look 590 words!!! There are a few things that I will take a stand over however and this type of thing is one of them. I recently said no to a friends daughter’s 21st birthday party invitation as it was a devils in angels clothing costume party, obviously a fifty plus woman would look ridiculous and also just could not do it, it went directly to my interior monitor of what I will do as a Christian.

Oh by the way Justin pointed out that Vodka O is spelled with capitals so there was nothing sinister in their use but I think it was the way they were used that was offensive, in the context of the Lord’s Prayer etc.

Tags: Easter, materialism, Paddington Uniting Chuch, the press, Update, Vodka O

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