I think the church shot themselves in the foot

[ex-shep]

I must say I am doing pretty well if I have had only one major gripe. My wife and I, to keep food on the table, had to take a temp assignment which would not get off until 1700 Christmas Eve. Since it is in a retail setting, there is no way we can get off early.

At first I thought the Temp Agency was being unbending. When we got into training the client explained everything that is going on. For my wife, it may be a foot in the door for something she enjoys doing.

My wife and I driving around town noticed the evening schedules of Christmas Eve services being well into the evening. Our church decided to schedule the last service at 1700. They had a major evangelistic campaign to invite everyone to church; the only problem is nobody factored in those who work that day until 1800. I could not invite anybody to church because they were working. I did fire off an email expressing my feelings on the topic to the pastor and a prominent staff person.

It is a thankfully rare example of how Tammy's group will micromanage a solution. My wife and I are upset that we are going to have to somewhere else to go on Christmas Eve. The group managed to shoot themselves in the foot. I pray that they do not make that decision again. Thankfully the church is big enough that I can bow out of any holiday proceedings.

[Carmen]

Sorry to hear you have to look elsewhere on Christmas Eve, ex-shep.

I used to like going, had to have the eucharist at least at Christmas, but have gotten used to not going on Christmas Eve, though we did with the kids for a while. After all of the preparations and Christmas carols in the stores I am happy not to have to go anywhere on Christmas Eve. If I went to a church with really, really nice people though, that might make a difference in the way I feel. I don't think that Jesus would take it personally if we didn't show up, he never commanded us to celebrate his birthday and isn't expecting lots of presents. I often thank God that he is consistent and is just himself, human through Christ, but not humanly flawed. Unfortunately my in-laws are more strict than God is, all birthdays have to be at least congratulated, and there must be presents at Christmas. Any deviation is taken most personally. By the time Christmas arrives I am exhausted, as I am now.

It could be that the pastors are burned out too by that time, and would like to make an early evening out of it. Partly, I'd say, it would be considerate if they would at least ask the congregation ahead of time when the best time for services would be; partly I can't blame them for wanting to go home early.

[ex-shep]

The good news is the pastor realized he and the planning committe were a little off on this one. I was quick to forgive. Actually the temp assignment is literally next door to a church. We can go either before or after work.