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...
Good to hear the Safeguarding Officer is taking this seriously @Bishops Finger .
I'm reminded of an incident years ago (before GDPR legislation, when the church concerned used full names in their prayers) arising from my uncommon first name. I am "Wanderer L" but one Sunday at my mother's church prayers for the sick included someone by the name of "Wanderer H". After the service several people approached my mother to ask "and how is your daughter??" She assured them that I was fine and anyway that wasn't my name! She was rather touched that people had asked, she felt that they were friends and acquaintances who knew her well enough to know that she had a daughter called Wanderer who was married, but not enough to know/remember what my married name was. My mother then asked the church secretary who the actual sick person was. There's a C of E primary school in the village and "Wanderer H" was the mother of one of the teachers there. So enough of a connection with the church for prayer to have been requested, but not sufficient for anyone in the congregation to know her.
Comments
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...
I'm reminded of an incident years ago (before GDPR legislation, when the church concerned used full names in their prayers) arising from my uncommon first name. I am "Wanderer L" but one Sunday at my mother's church prayers for the sick included someone by the name of "Wanderer H". After the service several people approached my mother to ask "and how is your daughter??" She assured them that I was fine and anyway that wasn't my name! She was rather touched that people had asked, she felt that they were friends and acquaintances who knew her well enough to know that she had a daughter called Wanderer who was married, but not enough to know/remember what my married name was. My mother then asked the church secretary who the actual sick person was. There's a C of E primary school in the village and "Wanderer H" was the mother of one of the teachers there. So enough of a connection with the church for prayer to have been requested, but not sufficient for anyone in the congregation to know her.