WCR relies on the grace of God

By WHO
WCR Staff Writer
Edmonton

Our staff worked hard for months doing their regular jobs and making the transition to altered work quarters possible.

In the middle of it, we were hit, like so many other Albertans, by a minor flood. About the same time, our computers on our local network were downed by a wild outbreak of computer viruses. Our computer whiz, Jay Charland, worked and worked to get rid of the viruses and to get our network up and working again.

When we went for our annual three-week shutdown, our computer problems were far from resolved. But eventually Jay learned that our computer problems and the flood were linked. The "router" which provides the firewall that keeps outside intruders from invading our network had gotten wet during the flood and wasn't working.

We replaced the router and our computers more or less returned to normal. But there are still a few pieces which need to be put back together.

When we came back from our holidays, a new phone system had been put in place. People who had tried to phone us during that time did not get our usual message that our offices were closed for three weeks. Several persistently tried to reach us with no success. We're sorry for that inconvenience.

Through all the chaos of the summer, our staff kept their good humour (well, mostly) and weathered the storm. The WCR got published on time every week, staff were moved into their new offices and new lunchroom, and everybody got a holiday. Things are not quite back to normal, but we're getting there.

This is my 18th September as editor of the WCR. And if memory serves me well, it's the first September of those 18 when we have had exactly the same staff as the year previous. Thank goodness! If we had had to hire a new staff person amidst the turmoil of the summer, things might have finally come unglued.

I suspect few of our readers realized the chaos we were going through this summer. That, I think, speaks volumes about the resilience of our staff. And it says something about God's grace too. I don't think the WCR is unique in the steady guiding hand it receives from Our Lord and Saviour. But we are often abundantly blessed here.

We endeavour to serve our readers with the best quality newspaper we can provide 44 times a year. We also try to serve you by providing our general office services - accounting and circulation especially - in an efficient and courteous manner.

But if someone said there were dark forces trying to throw a monkey wrench into our operations, I would respond that this summer's experiences proved the opposite - that despite the chaos, providence has helped us continue to publish the same award-winning calibre of newspaper that we have been putting out for a long time.

- Glen Argan

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