The Office

Here's something from the Toronto Star (I don't know if it's in the print edition) about the turmoil taking place in our office during the past couple of weeks. To me these cuts are signs of the shift from a big national office (modern) to a more dispersed, technologically supported way of doing work (postmodern). But of course that doesn't mean it's not without a lot of pain for all of those involved, especially those who were laid off.

From an article in the Toronto Star:

The United Church of Canada's General Council is undergoing a "refocusing of priorities," resulting in a "net loss" of 10 per cent of its staff, General Council minister Ian Fraser said today.

Funding cuts will also affect "Spirit Connection," the United Church's television program on Vision TV, Fraser said.

The General Council is the governing body of the United Church.

"We're adjusting to reflect the priorities of our general council executive," Fraser said.

The priorities include strengthening ministry leadership and the inter-cultural character of the church, "finding true places" for youth and young adults and "recognizing the healing of our relationship with aboriginal peoples," he said.

"We're working within the context of financial realities, not difficulties," said Fraser.

Fraser said 27 positions are affected, including 19 people who were laid off on Monday. But there are also seven new jobs available, he added.