wannabepriest

This afternoon I attended the ‘Leaving do’ for all those who’ve been made redundant at Church House Publishing. I’d call it a ‘closing down’ party but, of course, the plan is that the publishing will continue under the new outsourcing arrangements so that’s not technically correct. It just felt like it… sort of.

At the same time, it has been confirmed by the CofE that the outsourcing deal is now signed. Just as well really since if it wasn’t, they’d have a problem staffing the place since everyone just got released.

The piccy is not from the party but from the more select gathering of employees and former employees who went for a meal afterwards.

I hope I’m wrong and that this isn’t a horrible mistake.The general feeling in most of the room from all sorts of people both inside the Church and outside was that they’re going to live to regret this.

I hope my prophecies don’t come true as my questions about the SSG takeover of SPCK proved to be, but regardless of all that doom and wrangling, today my thoughts and prayers are with my friends looking for work. Thankfully, most have done quite well out of their redundancies and have the time and space to think about their next steps. For more recent employees, the future isn’t so bright without any real cushion coming their way. Their situation is particularly tough.

Anyway, they all deserve great futures and I’m praying that each one finds a good new home that can utilise their talents.

It was a strange moment for me. I walked down Victoria Street in London this afternoon towards Church House and the party realising it was just over ten years that I made that journey for the first time as a fresh-faced and eager employee. A great deal has happened in that time and I take with me some incredible memories. It truly is the end of an era.