Letter: Servants of the Lord and supper guests

Sir: With reference to today's leading article 'Can there be servants in a classless society?', the Church is certainly hierarchical but it is mistaken to link it with those institutions where the tradition of employing servants survives - unless of course your leader writer means Deacons.

Those who serve in this episcopal household are my wife, my son and myself. We were happy to entertain 35 clergy and lay people yesterday evening for supper, which was prepared by my wife. We shared the joy of waiting on our guests and afterwards helped our son finish the washing up.

Yours faithfully,

JOHN READING

Sonning, Berkshire

20 May