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Out of the question: Sidesmen (inclusive)
Write, if you have any answers to the questions listed at the end of this section, or would like to add to the answers below. Your answers What more inclusive terms have people found instead of “sidesman”? Instead of “sidesman” (a title probably derived from “synodman”), several inclusive terms are becoming customary. In the section of Church of England Canon Law that covers lay officers of the Church, Canon E2 is entitled “Of Sidesmen or Assistants to the Churchwardens”. This alternative name is not only inclusive, but is also an apt description of their office in a parish church. In addition to “assistants to churchwardens”, the unmistakably inclusive term “sidesperson” is increasingly used — although, as in the title of the Canon, “sidesmen” is retained in a non-exclusive sense. Diligent performance of the duties of this honourable lay office have always included that of welcoming worshippers and visitors and, if necessary, escorting them into church. This ministry of welcome is important, and when it is done well it helps to “promote the cause of true religion in the parish” (Canon E2). What better name, therefore, could there be for a sidesman than the inclusive title of “welcomer”? (Canon) Terry PalmerMagor, Monmouthshire Macmorran and Briden’s Handbook for Churchwardens . . . offers “sidesmen (and sideswomen)”. But it is cumbersome, and why should the women be in brackets? For many years, the term “sidespersons” has been adopted in my parish as the unquestioned norm. Christopher Haffner (Reader) East Molesey, Surrey Many US churches have “meeters and greeters”, who do the job done by sidesmen in the UK. In my parish, they are known as the welcome party; so perhaps “welcomers” would be a suggestion. David Memmott (Pastoral Worker,St Peter’s, Greenhill) Greenhill, Sheffield Your questions The Bishop of Lebombo, the Rt Revd Dinis Sengulane, is attending his fourth Lambeth Conference. Is this a record? S. M. G. C. Address: Out of the Question, Church Times, 13-17 Long Lane, London EC1A 9PN. questions@churchtimes.co.uk |
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