We have amended our practice in the light of GDPR legislation, since sharing information which identifies a living individual without their consent amounts to a data breach.
Whatever we think about the legislation, we are not exempt just because we are a church.
Thanks, all, for your comments and advice. I'm now awaiting a call from our Diocesan Safeguarding people. They may tell me not to worry, but at least I'll be reassured.
I may add that, on the edited version of the news-sheet which appears on our website each week, I studiously avoid surnames and personal details of illness or whatever.
I don't know what happens in church, as FatherInCharge often leads the intercessions himself (for lack of volunteers).
Just had a chat with the Safeguarding Officer, who will check to see where the issue should be dealt with - possibly the Area Dean or Archdeacon.
She says I've raised a valid point, so that reassures me. It's being passed upstairs, but I will be kept informed. Meanwhile, the offending news-sheet (next issue due out tomorrow) will be copied to her for information.
Some years ago I had to put up with people saying after church how happy they were that my new medication was working. The minister had been referring to another person with the same first name. I am in favour of never using names.
Some years ago I had to put up with people saying after church how happy they were that my new medication was working. The minister had been referring to another person with the same first name. I am in favour of never using names.
I think it's OK to mention names (no surnames, no other details) by saying (or writing) something like 'Remember before God - who knows the needs of each - those for whom our prayers have been asked: A, B, C. D etc. etc.'.
Two of the 'sick and suffering' children on FInC's list have very distinctive names, and could possibly be fairly easily identified, so I take your point. I simply put on our website 'those families dealing with difficult children', and leave it there. If you believe in the efficacy of intercessory prayer, surely no more need be said.
BTW, I also redact the surnames of those who have recently died, leaving just the initial (as 'Sue G' or 'Bill G'). It's not unknown for Malefactors to trawl church websites, looking for the names of recently-deceased people, with a view to harassing grieving relatives, or burgling the house during the funeral...
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Whatever we think about the legislation, we are not exempt just because we are a church.
I may add that, on the edited version of the news-sheet which appears on our website each week, I studiously avoid surnames and personal details of illness or whatever.
I don't know what happens in church, as FatherInCharge often leads the intercessions himself (for lack of volunteers).
Just had a chat with the Safeguarding Officer, who will check to see where the issue should be dealt with - possibly the Area Dean or Archdeacon.
She says I've raised a valid point, so that reassures me. It's being passed upstairs, but I will be kept informed. Meanwhile, the offending news-sheet (next issue due out tomorrow) will be copied to her for information.
I think it's OK to mention names (no surnames, no other details) by saying (or writing) something like 'Remember before God - who knows the needs of each - those for whom our prayers have been asked: A, B, C. D etc. etc.'.
Two of the 'sick and suffering' children on FInC's list have very distinctive names, and could possibly be fairly easily identified, so I take your point. I simply put on our website 'those families dealing with difficult children', and leave it there. If you believe in the efficacy of intercessory prayer, surely no more need be said.
BTW, I also redact the surnames of those who have recently died, leaving just the initial (as 'Sue G' or 'Bill G'). It's not unknown for Malefactors to trawl church websites, looking for the names of recently-deceased people, with a view to harassing grieving relatives, or burgling the house during the funeral...