I am applying for school places for DD. I am a committed Christian and have attended church, both c of e and baptist for most of my life and just to give you examples of my commitment regularly attend my local church, I guess three out of four weeks with my family. I also go to the family events e. G toddler groups.both of.my children attend Sunday school etc. I am keen for my eldest child to go to our local c of e Church and my vicar kindly completed the relevant forms for making an application via faith criteria.
Someone who lives down the road and who just attends toddler group at the same church and occasionally our Messy Church which is held every month (she goes every few months, I guess) so we know and chat casually has also told me that she has applied under faith criteria, and has also her form signed by the vicar. This has upset me. I know I am wrong to be upset because it isn't a competition in faith etc and yet I feel hard done by and very unchristian thoughts. I should also point out it is very competitive admissions for aforementioned school and in the event of not enough places, places will be prioritised under distance and the other lady is more likely to get a place.
I would be very grateful if someone who has been in any similar situation could 'hand me a grip' or help me come to terms and help explain the church's thinking when signing these additional forms. Just to emphasise, I know I am being ridiculous, I appreciate on an intellectual basis that attendance etc is not the whole sign of someone's faith commitment and this is not a post about whether c of e schools are justified etc but any thoughts on how I can accept on an emotional level how the church determines whether people are committed Christians would be really helpful. Thank you