No one likes to make a mistake.
When I do in a story, it is there for everyone to see. It leaves me with a terrible feeling, because no matter how much I apologize — always with heartfelt sincerity — it doesn’t make the error go away. And whoever bears the brunt of the mistake troubles me even more.
It happened Thursday.
For reasons I can’t explain, I reported Iola’s First Church of the Nazarene planned to have its centennial celebration this weekend, when in fact it is next weekend.
The interview with the church’s pastor, the Rev. Daren Baldwin, went well on Wednesday. I wrote the story that afternoon and it was in Thursday’s Register.
Then, my paper house came tumbling down, struck by the winds of carelessness.
When the reverend called Thursday afternoon he was nice as he could be to point out mistakes in the story.
I also had mentioned congregants usually number 70 to 80. A little high, Daren said: “That’s what we hope to have for the centennial service,” and isn’t weekly attendance.
Daren even allowed the mistake might lead to a larger crowd at Sunday morning’s service.
We at the Register try very hard not to make mistakes, but they do occur.
We feel lucky we live in such an understanding community.
— Bob Johnson
