Have a go at our next caption competition (above). Send entries by email only to captioncompetition@churchtimes.co.uk by 9 a.m., Monday 18 May.

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: 

AlamyAlamy

Although the sermon had lit a fire in their souls, the congregation were not at all sure about experiencing fire on their soles (Hazel Rea)

A SELECTION of this week’s entries:

“And this came hot on the heels of the APCM!” (Julia Norman); “The diocese had introduced some new tests for its prospective bishops” (Patrick Irwin);
“All together now: ‘He’s got the whole world in his hands, and the ash-phalt under his feet, dee dum!’” (Henrietta Cozens); “Asking ChatGPT how to run an Ash Wednesday service proved to be a bad idea” (Philip Lickley). “Man forgets slippers . . . discovers spicy gravel yoga instead” (Mel Baxter); “Ashes to ashes, dust to dust — there go my feet, but have faith, I must!” (Madeline Charlton); “Inspired by the Rev Richard Coals?” (John Appleby); “I did say the sermon should have more warmth” (Sungeeta Toon); “Hallelujah! The floor is lava, but luckily I have divine intervention on my side” (Dagmar Gove); “He’s vicar of ten parishes — hotfooting is what he does” (John Saxbee); “Let us play”; “The curate hadn’t got the hang of presiding at the Ember Day eucharist” (Jonathan Jeffery).

“I’d have thought twice about this sponsored pilgrimage if I’d known I had to do it without shoes” (Jacky Tivers); “Sunday service got a bit . . . heated” (Deborah Clarke); “My next stunt will be walking on water” (Duncan Forbes); “Revd David gave a new meaning to his visual aid for Isaiah 43: ‘When you walk through fire, you shall not be burned’” (Paulette Yallop); “Now the firewalk initiation has become compulsory, no wonder there is a shortage of churchwardens!” (Jo Mash); “Sorry, missed the best angle — can you do it again?” (Valerie Budd); “Fr David felt as if he was treading on eggshells at the PCC meeting” (Nick Baker); “The incumbent decided to swap being in hot water for being on hot coals” (Chris Coupe).

“Revd Luke Firewalker declared: ‘That was nothing compared to chairing the PCC meeting yesterday evening!’” (Michael Foster); “Some like it hot!” (Maree Foster); “Piece of cake. Now for the tricky bit — walking on water” (Derek Wellman); “Some people part seas, I just dodge flames” (Chaz Griffiths); “It was a novel way to test the new underfloor heating system proposed for the cathedral” (Brian Stevenson); “Jesus looked up and sighed: ‘Simon Peter, I said the fish go on the coals; you walk on the water!’” (Philip Ritchie); “This should sort out your cold feet about coming to church. . .” (Jonathan Rhodes); “When you said the sermon needed more fire, this wasn’t what I had in mind” (Andrew Hindley); “Firewalking . . . good for the sole!” (Anne Parmenter); “It’s easier than walking on water” (Brian Davies); “Parishioners: ‘We want a warmer welcome.’ Vicar: ‘Say no more’” (Scott Humm); “He can always walk on water afterwards” (Philip Goggin); “I think I’d better walk on water now” (David Martin).

As ever, the winner receives a prize of Fairtrade chocolate, courtesy of Divine Chocolate.

divinechocolate.com