Today I am doing my impression of a Methodist minister... or, to put it another way, wearing what I wear when I attend the kind of events that say 'clergy to robe'.... my 'not quite bishop coloured' clerical shirt, with my 'I don't have a cassock or robes' suit.  Scarily, I realise that the suit is now getting on for twenty years old (I bought it when I was in Dibley, and I left there nearly 17 years ago) and the shirt probably the better part of a decade.

Today, I am standing in for colleague who is ill, preaching this morning at a joint service of our two churches on the theme of 'Temptations' and in the afternoon at the Civic Service on the theme of 'Inclusion' (as well as being the lead/host minister - the posh programmes were printed well in advance, so my first task is to say who I am not!!).

It is a privilege to be permitted to take part in civic events, and there are times when dressing up is absolutely the right thing to do.  Today we will celebrate the Town Mayor (a devout Methodist) and pray for this town.