I realised recently that the last time I bought any 'vicar shirts' was a decade (or maybe a little more) ago, when I got the pale blue that I quite often wear for weddings.  I decided it was high time I bought a couple of new ones, not least as I do more frequently end up wearing them these days.

The company I used to buy from has long since ceased trading, so it was entertaining researching just what's out there - ranging from clergy dresses I could never imagine wearing, via long and short sleeve blouses in all sorts of colours and fabrics, to bib stocks (things that look like a clerical shirt under a jacket or jumper but are actually bibs with (in my view complex) strings to hold them in place).

These two arrived today - long sleeved because that's substantially cheaper then short sleeved (they take a long sleeved one and charge you to cut off and hem the sleeves) - and in colours chosen just because they are bright and fun.

Cerise (it's NOT pink unlike the one I already own which is Barbie pink) which looks almost episcopal, and teal, which I chose purely and simply because it's one of the colours I love, and is almost liturgical (not quite green but not a million miles away).

They won't get that many outings, but whether they'll do me for another decade is yet to be seen!  I probably need to think about getting a new black one as mine is starting to fade - but then it is quite elderly as such attire goes!

Alright so I *may* have done some of these characters myself (things like zimmer frames and wheelchairs can be quite intimidating to create from fabric/sewing) but we do now have a complete 'base layer' of figures on our banner.

I'm looking forward to seeing what sewing lies ahead of me in the next week... it seems a fair exchange if others design and cut out the characters and then I (and maybe others who enjoy a bit of hand-sewing) stitch them in place.

The clip-art on which the banner is based has another seven figures, so plenty to keep us all occupied over the rest of the summer, and I am genuinely intrigued and excited at the prospect of the completed article.

Between last night's insomnia, and an unplanned, but welcome, reading slot this afternoon, I read Vicky Beeching's memoir (her description) cover to cover in less than a day. 

It is a courageous, gracious, generous, honest, vulnerable, taboo-breaking book.  It is largely autobiography/memoir but with a generous dollop of theology, church history and Bible study along the way.  It straddles to cultures - British (or English) and North American, and this is reflected in the choice of idiom.

I started to write quite a long post about what had struck me - then deleted it all because whatever I wrote felt self-indulgent... Instead, I'd encourage you, whatever your faith, whatever your theology, whatever your sexuality, whatever your whatever, to read this book with an open mind and an open heart.  Parts of it are heartbreaking and shocking; parts of it a heartwarming and encouraging - above all it is a story that needs to be listened to, reflected on and allowed to challenge and change the hearts and minds of those who read it.

Summer is usually the time I manage to do some reading, or at least reading that's not explicitly or directly linked to some form of worship prep.

This summer I have set myself the challenge of reading three books...

Growing Young by Kara Powell, Jake Mulder and Brad Griffin aims to help churches to engage, empower and enable younger people... although from a US context, it comes recommended from UK 'next generation' specialists, so I am hoping it will be helpful... the couple of chapters I've read (but need to re-read) seem very promising.

Find Your Strongest Life  by Marcus Buckingham, is also from US context, and again comes highly recommended by those who have read it and whose opinions I value.  The subtitle, what the happiest and most successful women do differently, sounds like one of those utterly annoying motivational guides (and the cover design complete with man with cheesy smile doesn't help) but again, having skimmed my way through the first part (I need to read it properly) again it has promise, and the personality types quiz it uses proved surprisingly insightful.

Undivided by Vicky Beeching, subtitled coming out, becoming whole and living free from shame, is something of a 'must read' for anyone seeking to learn more about the Vicky's story and the wider topic of LGBTQI people and Christianity.  I need to read this to learn and understand, and quite possibly to repent.

A curious set of titles, but three books that promise much.  Having stated here that I'll read them, I make myself, in some small measure, accountable for so-doing.

As a 'way in' to our service, we had a little quiz, undertaken in groups where we sat, on the life of Joseph. It proved very interesting (and I think it went down OK).  No Bibles or smart phones were allowed, but as I'm not going to post the answers, you, gentle reader, are free to look in a Bilbe or online!. (Apologies for formatting having fun and games with this platform!)

Joseph ben Israel – A Quiz

1. Who were Joseph’s father and mother?

2. The Bible tells us that Joseph had eleven brothers and one (named) sister, listed here in alphabetical order. It would be a bit mean to ask you to sort the siblings into age order from oldest to youngest, but can you identify the first, eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth?

Asher

Benjamin

Dan

Dinah (sister)

Gad

Issachar

Joseph

Judah

Levi

Naphtali

Reuben

Simeon

Zebulun

3. How old does the Bible tell us Joseph was when he had the dreams that so angered his brothers?

4. After Potiphar’s wife had Joseph thrown into prison, whose dreams did he interpret?

5. How old does the Bible tell us Joseph was when entered the service of Pharaoh?

6. What dreams did Joseph interpret for Pharaoh?

7. In whose luggage did Joseph hide a silver cup, and why?
8. What characteristics do you think Joseph had, both good and bad?