Have a go at our next caption competition (above). Send entries by email only to captioncompetition@churchtimes.co.uk by 9 a.m., Monday 28 July.
We invite readers’ ideas for photos: please provide a credit and confirm that those pictured are happy for the photo to be used.
Here is the winning entry for the previous competition:
SPENCER MULHOLLAND/DIOCESE OF SALISBURYSPENCER MULHOLLAND/DIOCESE OF SALISBURY
Other bishops, with silver and bronze robes, were placed on lower steps of the podium (John Appleby)
A SELECTION of this week’s entries:
“The Bishop opted out of the hokey-cokey as he had spot of heartburn” (Fiona Drinkell); “With the ‘kick me’ sticker applied and the chorister football team processing behind them, it would be a painful day for one bishop” (Philip Lickley); “They seem supportive, but let’s leg it before they change their minds” (John Saxbee); “Oops, I didn’t think that one pair of yellow socks would make that much difference to your washload” (Susan Patel); “When the Bishop had an itch, his assistant was there to oblige” (Bill de Quick); “Old Sarum Harum-Scarum!” (Julian Ashton); “When the sermon hits, the punchline lands, and even the heavens can’t help but laugh” (Jessica Durand); “Tag — you’re it. Your turn to tag someone else; so run” (Jeannie Chamberlain); “Oh, come on, Bishop, you have to admit that the last picture in the exhibition was a bit of a joke!” (Jacky Tivers).
“Welcome, I see you’re wearing the Sarum White” (Richard Hough); “James was trying to keep his bishop moving diagonally, but with difficulty” (Susan Chick); “Come on, let’s be the first to shimmy, shimmy, shimmy” (Ann Fitzpatrick); “Bishop Stephen was OK with Strictly in the cathedral, but was nervous of his pectoral cross doing his partner damage in the tango” (Martin Kettle); “Aren’t we having fun today?” (Barbara Huntley); “I’ve found out how to wind up Bishop Stephen” (Ken Pearce); “Gaviscon should ease the heartburn” (Jonathan Baird); “The bishop had to explain to the candidate that at ordination services it was he who carried out the laying on of hands” (Mervyn Cox); “Clergy shortage? No problem — I control them all by ventriloquism” (Mary Hawkins).
“Come on, Bishop! You do the walk, and I’ll do the talk” (Lynda Sebbage); “It was so difficult to find curates, the Bishop was not letting this one go” (Brian Stevenson); “No, no, Bishop, service first, refreshments afterwards” (Valerie Budd); “Care to tango?” (David Sinclair); “Something about his chaplain’s demeanour made the bishop brace himself for another hilarious practical joke” (Caspar Bush); “The Bishop didn’t seem to like the idea of liturgical dance” (Chris Coupe); “I have found the off switch” (Sharon Hiley); “Well, I thought it funny, my Lord” (Richard Strudwick); “The recessional hymn was ‘Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us’” (Michael Foster).
As ever, the winner receives a prize of Fairtrade chocolate, courtesy of Divine Chocolate.
divinechocolate.com