In Surrey, a local church finds itself at the center of a heated debate after the dismissal of its long-serving organist, Dr. Fraser, an accomplished musician with a degree from Yale.
Since 2010, Dr. Fraser dedicated her talents to St. Mary and St. Peter Church in Staines, but in 2020, church leaders made the difficult decision to let her go as part of a cost-cutting initiative.
Pressure and Exclusion
Throughout her tenure, Dr. Fraser encountered intense pressure to step down.
She was often excluded from various church events and faced discouragement regarding her performance of music that celebrated British patriotism, largely due to her American background.
Her duties included not only playing the organ but also coordinating choir practices and overseeing a handbell group.
The church justified her dismissal by labeling her position as redundant, attributing the decision to ongoing financial difficulties.
They ignored an offer from an anonymous donor willing to fund her salary, stating that Dr. Fraser’s compensation was notably high, although they did not reveal the exact amount.
Church officials expressed doubt about their capacity to afford a musician of her caliber given their financial situation.
Tribunal Ruling
An employment tribunal later ruled that Dr. Fraser’s dismissal was “manifestly unfair” and executed in a manner deemed “irregular.” Although the tribunal found no evidence to support claims of discrimination, it highlighted the lack of fairness during the termination process.
This fallout seems to have affected church attendance, which has reportedly declined.
Observers suggest that this reduction might be linked to the diminished musical offerings and Dr. Fraser’s adverse treatment.
Despite the tribunal’s dismissal of a direct link between her American heritage and her firing, Employment Judge Judith George noted that many supporters believed in the necessity of preserving the church’s musical legacy.
They worried that a shift away from employing a professional musician could lead congregants to withhold their support for the church.
The judge mentioned receiving community letters that echoed these concerns, emphasizing the crucial role of the music director.
Impact on Attendance
Following Dr. Fraser’s departure, attendance at St. Peter’s Church reportedly diminished more sharply than at St. Mary’s, suggesting that factors beyond the pandemic might be at play.
However, the tribunal concluded that, had a proper dismissal procedure been followed, there existed a 40 percent chance that Dr. Fraser would have been laid off anyway due to redundancy.
Consequently, they decided to reduce her compensation by that same percentage, accounting for the possibility of her dismissal in a fair process.
Source: Premierchristian.news
