From Daphne Clifton
Sir, - I was encouraged to see your article on tattoo artists as
the new priesthood (Comment, 10 April).
It made me realise that the Principal of the South East Institute
of Theological Education (SEITE) hadn't completely lost the plot at
our induction weekend last September.
Our teaching about Christian formation led us to consider body
image as individuals and a community. With that in mind, students
were sent to a gym, a beauty parlour, and a tattoo artist to
experience body image and its connectedness with spirituality.
No, I didn't have a Trinitarian tattoo placed strategically
about my person, but I learned more about the importance of
storytelling, in this case through body art.
Formation is going on outside our churches, and I've had some
interesting conversations with people about their tattoo stories in
the intervening months. How encouraging to be studying for
ordination at a college that keeps me connected with reality.
DAPHNE CLIFTON
54 Shearman Road
London SE3 9HX