9:38am Wednesday 20th January 2010
By Ian Mason
She has been asked for help, guidance and forgiveness but never before has this reverend been asked for a pint and a packet of pork scratchings.
However, that is about to change, as Reverend Derath Durkin, from St Faith’s, in Brentford, prepares to swap jobs for a day with the town’s Lord Nelson pub landlord, Lee Bartlett.
Mr Bartlett admitted he was “terrified” by the prospect of taking on a 15-minute service in church but said it would be a good way to meet new faces.
Rev Durkin revealed she was in the dark as to what hours she would be working, but did know one thing for sure: “I have no idea how to pull a pint.”
Mr Bartlett joked: “I am absolutely terrified by the prospect she will smash an awful lot of glasses behind the bar - and I hope I’m not going to upset anyone in her church.”
Rev Durkin, who has been with the Windmill Road church for three and a half years, concocted the idea a few months ago.
She pitched the job exchange concept to a sceptical Mr Bartlett as a way of showing the community that, aside from the obvious differences between the services, they offered similar benefits.
Mr Bartlett was won over when he realised that both reverends and landlords offered people a friendly ear, a haven from worries and concerns and often acted in the public interest.
He said: “They are not really jobs, they are life choices. Without even knowing it I do give a sympathetic ear to people and I do give advice.
“It’s made me think a lot more about what I do - and I think I should pay myself a lot more.”
Mr Bartlett said, joking aside, the pair would be helping each other all the way - and claimed that pub-goers might be in for a surprise if they try and trip Rev Durkin up.
He teased: “Everyone who thinks they are going to belittle her by ordering a Snowball will get a shock.”
Despite the promise of being a competent pint-puller, Rev Durkin added: “I don’t think that’s my calling, I’ve definitely been called into the church.”
Rev Durkin will be serving drinks in the evening of January 30 in the Enfield Road watering hole while Mr Bartlett talks at the 10am service on February 7.
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