From Mrs Rosemary Matthews
Sir, — It has come to my notice that the position of Administrative Officer for Readers at Church House is to be axed at the end of the year, with minimal notice and no consultation with the Central Readers’ Council. This decision is a critical one, as the Officer’s work covers all administration for conferences, secretarial support for the Hon. Secretary, and the continuous extensive work of administrating the circulation of the excellent magazine The Reader.
As I occupied the position of CRC Administrative Officer for The Reader for 15 years, I have first-hand knowledge of the dedication of the successive Hon. Secretaries, from Jim Ball to the present, in supporting and extending Reader ministry, and overseeing an efficient office administration on behalf of Readers. At present, there are more than 10,000 well-trained lay men and women in the unpaid Reader ministry.
As Readers are an accredited part of the Church of England’s preaching and teaching ministry, it seems to me quite unbelievable that the salary of the one Administrative Officer cannot be sustained. Without this Officer in post, there will be no paid employee to administer Reader ministry centrally in Church House daily.
Is there not a strong case for reversing this decision?
ROSEMARY MATTHEWS
93 Kings Head Hill
London E4 7JG