Have a go at our next caption competition (above). Send entries by email only to captioncompetition@churchtimes.co.uk by 9 a.m, Monday 6 May
Here is the winning entry for the previous competition:
Bradford CathedralBradford Cathedral
It was time to play the new preferment game: Dean or no Dean (John Radford)
TRINITY SUNDAY is not for a few weeks, but one can never plan too early for a sermon illustration that will explain the doctrine, especially to children: “The visual aid for Trinity Sunday was almost finished” (Michael Doe); “The Vicar spent hours puzzling over possible new illustrations for Trinity Sunday” (Martin Kettle); “Father was toying with new ideas to illustrate his sermon on Trinity Sunday” (Philip Deane); “The Reverend had found a novel way of explaining the Trinity and, as a bonus, had also found a perfect storage solution for the communion wafers” (Fiona Drinkell); “I’ll just put these away until the family service on 26 May. They should amuse the children when I’m talking about the Trinity” (Daphne Foster); “Bricks from Lego Church were repurposed to help celebrate the patronal festival of Holy Trinity” (Paul MacDermott).
Perhaps best to proceed with caution, however: “The sacristan had suggested this novel way of illustrating the doctrine of the Trinity for the children, but the Vicar had doubts” (Richard Hough); “The sermon on the Trinity was not going well” (Valerie Budd); “The congregation were not sure whether this was an illustration of the Trinity or a demonstration of a conjuring trick” (Michael Foster); “‘Three Persons, One Hat’ — does this help our Trinitarian (or our ‘millinarian’) understanding?” (Gaynor Sanders).
Lego has a surprising depth of spiritual meaning, if you look for it: “This week, my sermon will be about how we should all Lego and let God” (Steve Pond); “Lego of your sins; don’t lose your head” (Joanna Smith); “It’s time to Le-go and Le-God!” (Mark Cook); “To illustrate his sermon on the evils of gambling, the Vicar wanted to reference the three-card trick using the heads of Legopeople, but some naughty child had stolen two of the craniums” (Robin Morgan).
Membership of the Magic Circle remains on hold: “He had perfected the magic trick, and the Bible was in the middle head, as practised” (Abby May); “And for my next trick. . .” (Pearl Davison); “Unaware that the service had begun, the priest continued to practise his classic ‘cups-and-balls’ trick!” (Mark Parry); “Jeremy thought the three-cups-and-a-ball trick sounded easier than it was proving to be” (Vicky Deasley); “Fr O’Leary had devised a new teaching aid called ‘Find Our Lady’, very loosely based on the old card game ‘Three Card Trick’, but with no betting allowed!” (Mervyn Cox); “Which cup is the bean under?” (Margaret Andrews); “Now, what did Tommy Cooper tell me to do next?” (Bill de Quick); “Come back Tommy Cooper, all is forgiven” (Richard Strudwick).
Some other entries for readers’ amusement: “He tried, but he just couldn’t ‘Lego!’” (Rebecca MacBain); “At least he’s kept his head while all about are losing theirs” (John Saxbee); “So, which joker in the choir has hidden my sermon?” (Jeannie Chamberlain); “After checking the contents of each bowl, he finally decided which one would have a cover” (Eunice Owens); “The Lego build-your-own-congregation set was proving tricky to assemble” (Gavin Williams); “The old collection plates had been replaced” (Brian Stevenson); “If the food thief doesn`t own up by tomorrow, I will spill the beans on him” (Ken Wilkinson); “The Vicar chose to show the congregation the new containers for tea, coffee, and sugar” (Chris Coupe); “All my years of training, and I am back to playing with Lego” (Emma Vigor); “Potty training and baptism combined” (Robert Shooter); “Appointments adviser checks for signs of ‘theological depth’ in the latest episcopal vacancy shortlist” (Alexander Crawford); “It’s no good, Vicar — you can’t keep a lid on things these days” (Nigel Harris); “‘Oh, I’m happy,’ David sang, as he lifted the lid on the post-service bring-and-share lunch contributions” (Sue Chick); “Building Blocks of Faith” (Claire Russell); “The Lord knows what his servant is looking for. . . So does his observant congregation” (Pauline Maria); “The Vicar was sure there was an intersection between Lego, faith, and cookery. His time on BBC2 would come” (Matthew Williams); “Pot 1 is too hot, pot 3 is too cold, pot 2 is just right” (Amy Bennett); “I knew I left my sermon somewhere” (Rena Plumridge); “Robin takes ‘God be in my head and in my understanding’ to a new dimension” (Isla Skinner); “He was transported back to childhood, and could hear his Mum saying, ‘Tidy up that Lego, young man, it’s time for bed’” (Lesley Cope).
As ever, the winner receives a prize of Fairtrade chocolate, courtesy of Divine Chocolate.
divinechocolate.com