There are many strange perceptions out there about what a CU Staff Worker might do.I do not do this [HT: Fearners] I'm not aware that anyone does think I do that, but just to set the record straight.
There's nothing like a good communications strategy...
CU member: Who are you?
étrangère: I'm the new Andy Weatherly, only shorter, blonder, more Northern Irish, and female.
CU member: Nothing like Andy then.
étrangère: Well, no, not really.
So why not let the CU members define the job?
CU member: Who are you then?
étrangère: I'm the CU Staff Worker :-)
CU member: Oh, you're the one who takes them for coffee? [With a nod towards the 2 leaders]
étrangère: Something like that [2 leaders smile brightly]
Or the university multi-faith centre chaplains?
étrangère: Hi...
Friendly Chaplain: Yes, I know you!
étrangère: Em, I don't think so...
[FC has a moment of insisting he knows me, followed by the realisation that he doesn't. Then...]
FC: Good to meet you - you'll know all about me! [Aside to students:] They get briefed on Chaplains, you see. [Back to me:] Andy will have sent you all my emails!
étrangère: Er...
Well, why don't we see what non-Christians think?
Orchestra member: So what do you do?
étrangère: I help students study the Bible to check out who Jesus is and what they're going to do about it.
[After a while, he calls me back, indicating the lady beside him]
Orchestra member: She's a vicar's wife!
'Vicar's wife': Hi. He says you're 'some sort of Christian' & that you do Bible studies?
Driving instructor: What's your job?
étrangère [concentrating hard and going into 3rd gear]: I work with students...
Driving instructor: We'll be turning right at the next junction
étrangère: ...I help them [check mirrors, signal] investigate the Bible, and [mirrors, slow down] who Jesus is, so [down into 2nd] that they'll trust in him...
Driving instructor: SLOW DOWN - how much of the road can you see?
étrangère: [slow down, take corner]
Driving instructor: Well done.
étrangère: ...and know how to follow him.
Driving instructor: Ah, ok. ... Well I won't be asking you any more questions as you clearly can't concentrate on the road at the same time.
I gather the explanation doesn't get any easier as time goes on. There's something on it here, but there's only so much you can...
4 comments:
Surely easier than describing what a Relay worker is, though?
Best bit is when you say you don't earn any money.
mama says when asked what Daughter no.2 is doing (by ppl who wouldn't know uccf from a newly-liberated soviet province), "she works with Christian students, encouraging them in their Christian life at uni and helping them share their faith with other students."
I thought for a moment that you had been speaking with people from a newly liberated soviet province, and wondered, and then realised what you'd meant.
Just different Mike - with Relay people are incredulous that you'd do it for no money; with CUSW people are incredulous that people will pay you to do it.
The Soviet Union liberated some provinces? That's great news!
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