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Wednesday 28 February 2018

Wimmin called to ministry


Canon Anne Dyer at St Andrew's Cathedral in King Street.
Canon Dyer is set to become the first female bishop in Scotland.
Source Press and Journal/Picture by Colin Rennie.

Another 'social worker' is to be enthroned as the first woman bishop in the Scottish Episcopal Church this week. The new Episcopalian Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney has already made it clear she isn’t interested in restricting herself to "prayers, pews and parochial parish life". She is focused on "fighting for social justice, sexual equality".

Responding to critics of her backing for gay marriage, the new bishop said, “The Scottish Episcopal Church officially acknowledges that there is not one view on marriage within our church today. We hold differing views according to our consciences, but also after varied readings of the bible and prayer. Whatever view a person holds, they are welcome. It is the bishop’s role to try to hold diversity together, to enable those who disagree to find common cause and purpose, and see Christ present in every person."

She should have a word with the Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church, the Most Rev'd Mark Strange. There was no common cause when he dismissed objections from traditionalist Anglicans who accused the bishops of having chosen to “ignore the opinion of the Diocesan Synod”. Bishop Strange stated that he, the other electing bishops, and Canon Dyer “fully believe and trust that they have been led by the Holy Spirit”.

The Holy Spirit is having a busy time allegedly supporting all these wimmin who claim to be called to ministry based on controversial readings of the Bible.

Another +selfie: "We literally could not have got another person in the chapel!
Eucharist, fellowship & conversation enjoyed by all." Source: Twitter
In another example, a Church in Wales tweet has been promoting an interview with the bishop of Llandaff by a student who attended a well publicised Cardiff University Chaplaincy event to welcome their new bishop. 

Apparently the event was so well attended that  all 22 students present had to squeeze themselves into the chapel, including some of considerably riper years looking at the +selfie.

Had it not been for the big squeeze in the chapel the event could have provided yet another metaphor for the state of the Church in Wales. 

There are 30,676 students in Cardiff University giving an attendance figure for the welcome visit of 0.07%, somewhat short of the 0.9 % of the population worshipping in Church of Wales congregations on average Sundays - see Church in Wales attendance plummets.

Undeterred bishop June obligingly explains how she had been called to ministry. She had a "developing sense that God was calling [her] to the ministry of the church". Sorry June. That wasn't God. It was synodical voting by feminists and their sympathisers who have independently used Anglican church provinces for political advantage with no regard for the consequences.

A word count of the bishop's interview illustrates the secular approach to ministry by career wimmin. It shows Jesus, along with men and Châteauneuf-du-Pape, had one mention each while sex had six and women eleven.

What they have is a ministry of self-advancement based on 'varied readings' of the bible which appeal to secularists who, in turn, use it as ammunition to attack the church. The consequences are all too evident.

Ministry is about service. It is not a strategy for the advancement of wimmin, casting aside other women and men because they follow Christ's example along with the vast majority of Anglicans and most Christians.

But the saddest result of the feminist mission is that some genuinely faithful women have been misled into thinking that ordained ministry is part of God's plan when the contrary is obvious from any normal reading of the Bible.

Postscript [02.03.2018]

As if to prove my point, an article in the Church Times 'Women in ministry: the next steps' is described as a "response to Women’s History Month" in which Johanna Derry looks at issues faced by women clergy.

A word count shows not one reference to Jesus but 52 to women.

From the article: "I think that no one looks twice now when they see a woman priest — it’s accepted, and most people are very happy with it. It seems normative rather than quirky, and I think we’ve made very quick progress on the way women bishops have been received, too," the Revd Sheridan James, Vicar of St Catherine’s, Hatcham, says. She is the dean of women’s ministry for the Woolwich Area."

That is the same argument being used by clerics promoting gay marriage - people will accept it, they claim, as they have re-marriage after divorce. When the Vicar of St Catherine’s says that 'most people are very happy with it', she must be referring to the few Anglicans remaining who still regularly attend Sunday services. Tens of thousands are not. They have left.

In Wales where no provision has been made for Anglicans who are not swayed by relativism, their church has simply left them. There is no love, no charity, no concern. Just nothing. That is negativity.

If you are not for the revisionist agenda you are labelled a bigot, guilty of sexism, misogyny and all the usual phobias. Alternative views are not permitted even when, as the 1928 Book of Common Prayer put it when I was received into the congregation of Christ’s flock, one manfully fights under His banner against sin, the world, and the devil.

Nevertheless I welcome different shades of opinion but sadly some interesting comments are lost because they are unsigned and have no pseudonym to separate them from other 'anonymous' comments. Here are two opposing views by way of example.

Anonymous 1 - "I am sick and tired of the comments made on this blog. I am a woman and I object to wimmin being used to describe the females who serve God and His Church. You should look at the past and see how successful men have been. Not. Perhaps God is trying something new and wants to change the attitude that prevails."

Anonymous 2 - "Have you noticed this positive discrimination in the Church of Scotland where they more or less stopped recruiting men in favour of women with the result that they have run out of ministers. Once upon a time the discerning of a call to the ministry was the main role of the hierarchy when they encouraged and supported those with a vocation to listen to the call. Wider society is not turning the church into a minority - the church is doing that job by turning away from the search for true gifts of ministry and mission."

I again urge commentators to observe this rule when comments are submitted for publication.

51 comments:

  1. God forgive us and God help us!
    It is no accident that this new female 'bishop' is a social worker. Despite the Lord's first temptation being rejected by him, the emphasis of the modern Church - every one - is on offering material rather than spiritual bread. That is hardly a crime, yet it is a serious departure from its God-given mission.
    Rob

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  2. I think the could literally have fitted more people into the chapel. But obviously words and facts are secondary to these people who have been called by someone but by their fruits you can deduce who.

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    1. Interesting people perspective in that photo. 'Look at me, me, nice and big in the front', but who's that lonely chap hidden away at the back - NO not the server, the one on the Cross? And they've all turned their backs on HIM. The way of modern Anglicanism?

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  3. Whilst all of this is going on, there's more Songs of Praise trouble brewing in Bangor Cathedral where the choir has been "snubbed" in favour of Cor Glanaethwy, It is interesting to see that the part-time Deaness neatly sidestepped the issue: "We are delighted that Songs of Praise are going to be recording at Bangor Cathedral and that a number of groups from the community are taking part." The BBC say that the Cathedral Choir can always be a part of the congregation.

    What ever would dear Aled Jones make of it?

    http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-43219450

    One young singer described the decision as "disrespectful". Others would describe it as "typical".

    William Shrubsole

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    1. Members of the redundant choir of the redundant cathedral of St Deiniol in Bangarai have the option of leaving and joining the Glanaethwy choir. Simples !

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  4. Grit in the Oyster28 February 2018 at 17:09

    Car Crash Cathy has always been desperate for the oxygen of media exposure - only she will learn sooner or later that you can never have fame on your own terms. That's why Songs of Praise has been invited in at any cost. Unfortunately, the part-time Dean must know that the real cost is a deterioration in relationships with the Cathedral's long-suffering musicians. They are the ones who provide a reason for people to cross the door in the first place (that's when the place is actually open, of course). P**s them off, and you're on a downward spiral a la Llandaff.

    The next thing you know will be Cathy smiling through gritted teeth when stories are appearing in the Daily Post with headlines like 'Cathedral Choir in Dispute with Dean over Dodgy Fees Deal with the Beeb.'

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    1. I've learned that Aled Jones made a surprise visit to be part of the SoP congregation. He had a reserved seat in the stalls, next to the dean.

      Gasping the oxygen of media exposure indeed, Grit in the Oyster. I wonder if Aled, a former member and long time supporter of the cathedral choir, knew of the 'snub' before agreeing to take part in this recording?

      Menai Drudge.

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  5. ADMIN notice: I sometimes receive complaints that comments are not published, usually from commentators who allege that I suppress views contrary to my own. They are rejected because they are unsigned. Commentators must include their name or a pseudonym if they wish to see their comments published. Comments which include personal details of third parties are also rejected.

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  6. Is there any part of the glorious Church in Wales, not tainted by the self serving? Cathedrals are/were places of high musical standards in a modern age, are these standards eroding as litergy becomes less important. PP.

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  7. My spies in the media inform me that the programme makers informed (or was it dictated) the Dean at the outset who they wanted to appear ... and that the choir wasn't up to a high enough standard for SoP! The Welsh language 'Dechrau Canu' ... also calls the tune (!) when inviting themselves to a church or chapel.

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  8. Songs of Praise has been unwatchable for years. Once upon a time it featured ordinary people gathered in a church or chapel to sing hymns, with some of the people being interviewed in the gaps between them. The last time I saw it it had apparently been taken over by the special effects department, multiple lighted candles and stagey spotlights providing 'atmosphere' - of what, it was difficult to determine - and much of the singing being done by showy choral groups rather than local church choirs. And didn't it used to end with a prayer and the blessing, suggesting that it was an act of worship rather than an entertainment?

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    1. Alas S of P has indeed become an entertainment rather than worship. I agree those coloured lights on the ancient pillars are TERRIBLE!

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  9. Gwyn from Gwalchmai1 March 2018 at 09:32

    What a pity Part-Time Cathy didn't show some moral leadership, and tell the production company now producing Songs of praise for the BBC "Sorry, but we're not prepared to collude with a contrived confection that doesn't ring true to our context, and we want to affirm the vital role our musicians play in the overall mission of the Cathedral. Either you include them or you don't come here."

    Unfortunately, 'moral' and 'leadership' are not two words that connect well in her thought processes. 'Anything' and 'Any Price' and 'Contrived' come more naturally.

    By the way, I wonder whether the Dean is getting a bit jittery now that there's another 'senior' woman looming on the horizon - and one that has barely concealed ambitions for the apex of the pyramid?

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    1. 'senior' woman - do tell me more .... can't wait ..

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    2. Gwyn from Gwalchmai1 March 2018 at 12:20

      The new Archdeacon of the Bro-Ynys-Mon-Bro-Caergybi Misery Area, of course!

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    3. Aha, of course - as in Jan 2018 statement The Bishop of Bangor – the Right Reverend Andy John – is announcing the creation of two new archdeaconries, the Archdeaconry of Bangor and the Archdeaconry of Anglesey. The two archdeaconries were previously one archdeaconry. A new Archdeacon will be appointed to each Archdeaconry.

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    4. Gwyn Gwalchmai must keep in mind that news from Bangor takes time to reach Geraint in these his, twilight years.

      Dafydd Dothan

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    5. Twilight - No boio! Truelight now that I am post- Anglican!

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  10. Ah, I'm back at last on your increasingly negative blog. It's very easy to criticise and carp from the sidelines but if many of the young people who engage with the Anglican chaplaincy actually read this blogpost they would never darken the door of our Church again. What a pity that you bring such negativity to what was a very enjoyable evening with our new Bishop. Dydd Gwyl Dewi Hapus!

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    1. Not many young people in that chaplaincy selfie from the broom cupboard.

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    2. I can recall a different age when the Anglican Chaplaincy was one of the most prominent of the Cardiff student societies. Ancient Briton, didn't you once publish a photograph from those glorious days?

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    3. You are correct Capella but credit must go to Anglican Misfit who adds a woman's perspective in her entry "If this is what Sisters are like I’m glad I haven’t got one."

      AB added the photo in a postscript to 'Feeding Islam and ripping the Church apart'
      https://ancientbritonpetros.blogspot.co.uk/2016/02/feeding-islam-and-ripping-church-apart.html

      Delete
    4. Just spotted a tweet from the Cardiff Chaplaincy that due to the red alert yesterday that they cancelled all of their St David's Day celebrations. Ironic that in the same tweet it misquotes St David. In fact, he said, 'Do the little things, the small things you've see me doing.' I wonder whether St David ever cancelled the liturgy because of a spot of snow? What would he have made of a red alert?

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    5. I am positive about a lot of things. The trouble is, on this particular blog, there isn't much to be positive about. I don't know what the people in the diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney have done to deserve their new bishop, but it's hard to find anything positive to say about her. Apart from the fact that she was a Social Worker not a Theologian her own words condemn her. She's not going to "restrict herself to prayers, pews and parochial parish life." That's probably just as well as I suspect there weren't be many of those tough, resilient islanders in the pews to hear her soft option prayers and from all I've heard and read they already have an enthusiastic and vibrant social life. Bishop Anne is naturally much more interested in "social justice and sexual equality."
      I am coming to the conclusion that few bishops these days know much theology so they feel much more comfortable appointing people who know even less than they do, but tick all the right boxes when it comes to secular, popular culture. It's impossible to feel anything but negative in those circumstances.
      Anglican Misfit

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  11. I said on another post some months ago on this blog that the CiW doesn't need more theologians rather evangelists and leaders who can direct their congregations into effective mission. I have to say now I was wrong about that, I ignorantly thought that there were more than enough theologians to influence the church but as it turns out there are hardly any.

    It needs theologians very badly as well as evangelists and gifted spiritual leaders. Some writing on the difference between radical invitation to all contrasted with radical inclusion of all would be a good start.

    In regard to Scotland and Canon Dyer, I'm sorry to say, from what I have read not just on here, will be an absolute disaster for the diocese of Aberdeen and Orkney. Forcing a liberal bishop on a conservative diocese not only is mean spirited, crass and theologically illiterate but from a pragmatic point of view only going to cause decline.

    So much for mutual flourishing.



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    1. It is good to read that both you and Misfit are positive concerning most things.Nevertheless, the CiW will simply be amused with most contributors as they only skirt around the most sensitive of issues. I would therefore implore that you consider getting your teeth into the real problem which embroils the CiW. It is the one of conflict of interest.

      Do consider comments and points raised by Episkopos and the Enforcer some 3 posts back. This entire blog avoids these important issues to its detriment.

      Whilst Episkops lists a catalogue of disturbing financial facts, the Enforcer directs the readers attention to the taking of oaths. The issue of conflict of interest, or even fraud, appears to have reached high water mark. Ecclesiastical law ceased to be law in Wales in 1920. Regardless in what it is robed, fraud is a matter of putting your hand in the till. Perhaps recent Church of England case law suggests that Lord Carlile QC might be your man on this one? (Guardian on Welby and Bell.) Although I suspect a D.I.Y might be more effective and cost cutting here. Hands up those who want coffee?

      Delete
    2. I understand your frustration Enforcer but the purpose of this blog is to comment on topical news/events. Commentators frequently use entries to air grievances leading to criticism of the blog owner. It is not my intention to take sides in other people's battles.

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    3. Thank you for your reply Ancient Briton and sincerely regret if you felt the comment to be critical of the 'blog owner'.I do believe, and I quote, "most contributors skirt around the most sensitive of issues". There is no suggestion of fault or weakness anywhere else at present

      Most of us subscribe to this blog because of the 'issues' not 'grievances'. I have often pointed out that the use of oath as means of accountability at various levels within the Church in Wales does lead to a conflict of interest regardless of rank or profession. This is particularly the case with certain civil servants having sworn allegiance to the Crown might also take an oath of Canonical obedience to a bishop, the Constitution, decisions, courts ect ect of the Welsh church. Oaths, as suggested on this blog are sometimes broken, even by bishops.In Wales there is no legal recourse where "canon law ceased to be law", "Lex Injustica Non Est Lex". I realize that this may be unknown territory - but so was the promise land. It seems that bishops do receive the brunt of criticism here AB. With regards.

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    4. Llandaff Pewster4 March 2018 at 09:10

      No-one expects or requires you to take sides AB.
      But what has happened to
      "An ancient Briton's thoughts on topical news/events, occasionally with a hint of irony, with special reference to politics, society and religion, particularly if oddities or injustices are apparent."
      Is documentary evidence of "oddities or injustices" of no more interest to you?

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    5. Oddities yes LP, injustices I don't know. Others claim that after thorough investigations there is no case to answer on the Llandaff question but 'troublemakers will not let the matter rest'.
      I am not in a position to adjudicate but I am well aware that too many clerics have scant regard for rules and process resulting in own goals.
      You may achieve the coverage you desire if your group starts its own blog.

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    6. In which case I have an 'Odditie' to share as well Ancient Briton.I have just been informed that Andy Crap has a 'cunning plan' following the Provincial Selection Panel's decision not to recommend Queenie for ordination.

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    7. The ongoings at Bangor are likely to keep us all agog for some time to come.

      For a start, I recently heard that a significant trust fund held in Bangor for works to Pre-Reformation churches (not Cathedrals) is not for the exclusive use of Bangor. In fact I hear that the wording of the deed of this trust indicates that this fund may be applied beyond the boundaries of the Diocese of Bangor.

      Who will ask? Should we form a disorderly queue?

      Menai Drudge

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    8. Are you being serious Ancient Briton?

      "after thorough investigations"?

      Thorough?

      In Llandaff?

      By who?
      Peggy the Pilate?
      Kirk, Masson, Smith?

      "no case to answer" in the Parish that failed to keep accounts and a separate bank account for the largest appeal launched in its history?
      "troublemakers will not let the matter rest"?

      So have "subversives" now been relabelled "troublemakers"?

      Is one to now assume that (following his statement to the Friends of Llandaff Cathedral of 27th June 2015 concerning a missing £3/4 million and his letter to the Dean & Chapter of 21st August 2015 concerning a missing £735k) that the Capon and Caiaphas have had the balls to publicly label His --Darkness a "troublemaker"?

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  12. http://www.liverpool.anglican.org/Installation-of-the-8th-Dean-of-Liverpool---May-5th-2018

    Meanwhile in England: how many of Cyanide Sue’s former colleagues will be rushing to share in her installation as Dean of Liverpool, I wonder?

    Menai Drudge

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    1. Should be quite a party after the service - drinks etc (and Travel Lodge, if needed) on the house for everyone after the substantial payout by CinW !!!

      Delete
  13. "Church in Wales attendance plummets"
    I wonder why - surely the decline cannot wholly be the responsibility of the recent snows causing St. David's Day to become a White-Out. Sadly, with recent innovations, the Church in Wales has become more of a Wipe-Out!

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  14. The SEC have allowed themselves to be taken over by C of E same sex supporting clergy, who now have 5/7 Anglican Bishops with 2 more vacancies to go. Scottish Episcopalians know that their traditions are slowly but surely being eliminated. What is the real motive behind all this??
    The affable Primus is taciturn on these serious matters.
    During an interview with the local press pre-Consecration, Ms Dyer showed, that one of her qualities was not humility and demonstrated a complete lack of awareness of Scots' social conscience.
    2017 saw a prestigious Jacobite Exhibition in Edinburgh with the SEC faith at the forefront of many of the exhibits. Memorable were the swords with the motto: 'For Scotland and NO Union'.
    Mhairi MacInnes, trying to remain a Scottish Episcopalian.

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  15. Yesterday, recording began in Bangor for the highly publicised Song of Praise for Easter (see last Sunday's Telegraph page 3 for additional fallout). I am interested by the fact that it all seems to centre around the use of Cor Glanaethwy instead of the Cathedral Choir. Not only did the choir come third in a rather substandard BBC talent competition (beaten to third position by a performing dog and a disabled conjurer, no less); but who is that I spy on the back row of the choir? Looks like a familiar face, I thought. Is it? No, it can't be. Yes, it is. It's none other than... Bob the Builder!

    So, just to be clear, the BBC roll into town to record Songs of Praise. The Cathedral choir is pushed out of the way to make room for another choir who have no formal connection to Bangor Cathedral and its worship. This is the choir that will receive a fee for its appearance (plus repeats). And it just so happens that one of the choir's members is none other than the Media and Communications officer for the Diocese of Bangor. No conflict of interest there then? Drain the Swamp.

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  16. I have heard that Glanaethwy choir will lead Queenie's ordination service procession and at the reception which follows in Jacks Place.Is that what the Enforcer meant as a cunning plan Iolo Goch?

    Petula

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  17. Is it true that theBangor Cathedral organist was recently ‘joined’ by a Master of Music / Choir master - which will double the music staff, and costs? And then

    sidelined completely in the Song of Praise debacle?

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    1. Sounds like a Monkey Music franchise might be opening up in Bangor very soon then.

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    2. No Geraint ap Iorwerth,

      The current choir master/director of music has been in post since the last one left under Cyanide Sue’s tender ministrations.

      The choir is stronger than it has ever been - regardless of the lack of any investment of time or money from the Dean and Chapter.

      It should also be pointed out that this is the largest, most loyal, youth group in the diocese and the children have objected to the fact that the Dean and Chapter chose to take the £800 venue hire fee rather than stand up and support their ministry area youth.

      I understand that this is just a small part of this sorry tale, so please feel free to ask about anything else that needs to be clarified.

      Baffled of Bangor

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    3. Thanks - many 'concerned' inhabitants of Bangor asked me to find clarification - so, Diolch yn fawr iawn. Will pass on.

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    4. The Bangor Cathedral Directors of Music recently were: 1972 to 2009 Andrew Goodwin, then 2009 to 2014 Graham Eccles. They were also the Cathedral Organist.
      In 2014, Martin Brown, the assistant Organist from 1990, was promoted to Cathedral Organist.
      In 2014, Paul Booth became the Cathedral’s Director of Music.

      Point 1: At a time when parish clergy were in decline and parish funds diminishing, the Cathedral finds funds in 2014 to double its top music staff at what cost?

      Point 2: If Paul Booth was appointed to a new post of Director of Music in 2014, should he have been sidelined / excluded from Songs of Praise?

      Delete
    5. I don't understand your question Geraint but in fact Paul Booth was appointed as Director of Music and then he was part of the panel that subsequently appointed Martin Brown as organist. The organist job title is actually something of a mis-representation and Mr Brown's role is still primarily to accompany the cathedral choirs during weekly worship - a role that would be undertaken by an assistant organist in other cathedrals. He does not attend all of the weekly choir rehearsals, accompany the Sunday morning Welsh Eucharist or do any of the admin associated with running the choir.

      I think if you were to check your facts you'd find that Paul Booth is paid exactly what Graham Eccles was paid but has responsibility for both choirs, whereas Mr Eccles was only ever responsible for the boys' choir.

      What we have is two staff doing what was previously 2.5 jobs, and still not earning a stipend between them. Irrespective of their current job titles, I'd call that good value: so what point are you actually trying to make?

      Baffled of Bangor




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  18. Thank you, Baffled of Bangor, I would like to ask one very simple question. How much is Cor Glanaethwy getting for their appearance on Songs of Praise - and what was the process by which an outside choir (back row member, one R. Townsend, member of the Cathedral Chapter) was engaged in preference to the Cathedral choir?

    As you say, the Cathedral Choir is missing out on badly needed funds that would support the ONLY youth organisation in an Anglican church in the city of Bangor. This episode is really going to inspire these young people in their Christian discipleship, isn't it?

    Well done, again, Cathy. Your slow-motion car crashes are getting better every time, and more than justify your nom-de-plume!

    By the way, will we also be subjected to a barrage of lightweight tosh such as we we were treated to by Joanna on last Sunday's offering from St Davids? It was like hearing from the organising member of the Mothers' Union or the co-ordinator of the food bank. Utterly undistinguished. The apotheosis being (when talking about St Non's Well) "I think people still come here on pilgrimage." If the Diocesan bishop doesn't know, and can't speak with gravitas about the value of pilgrimage, what hope for the rest of us?

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  19. Mother’s Union members and food bank staff make an excellent contribution to the lives of churches. Don’t undervalue their passion, commitment and integrity by comparing them to members of our senior staff!

    Baffled of Bangor

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  20. I totally agree, Baffled. As a food bank volunteer myself, I know only too well what's involved and the commitment demanded. I confess didn't express myself very well. What I should have said is that neither person in that category would be expected to articulate a distinctive *theological* angle in a TV interview, such as a Bishop. Instead, all we got from Joanna was a demonstration of how theologically hollow she is.

    Meanwhile, any news on the fees and the process by which Bob the Builder's choir supplanted the Cathedral choir? I think it's a legitimate question given the clear conflict of interest and the amount of money changing hands. I am surprised, really, because Car Crash Cathy is well attuned to this kind of thing (just ask her about cars park at Betws y Coed!).

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    1. In the words of Fawlty Tower's Manuel, 'I know nothing!' but the choir's issue wasn't about money, it was about their being supplanted by another choir. I hear the dean has subsequently telephoned each family (with the exception of two) to smooth things over and assure herself that no-one is really upset by this nonsense.

      Aled Jones was there for the Bangor recording too. He was seated at the right hand of the dean. I wonder how much they paid him?

      Baffled of Bangor

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  21. I appreciate it's not about the money, Baffled. But as I imagine the choir is not exactly over-resourced in the Cathedral's annual budget, the fee would have been useful - if only to provide the choristers with an outing to thank them for all their hard work. What stinks in this episode is the Dean's collusion in the sidelining of the Cathedral choir, and allowing Bob the Builder and his mates to take center stage, knowing perfectly well there was a conflict of interest.

    I can imagine her on the telephone to the parents, dishing-out tea and sympathy, ducking any responsibility, and compounding the deception that everything is okay. This is going to leave a bad taste for a long while, and I have no doubt that the goodwill of the choir, and the choir parents in particular, has been completely wiped out.

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  22. Conflict of interest? You ain't seen nothing yet buddy.

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