Promoting Marriage

On the catwalk

Have spent much of the day at the Scottish Weddings Show promoting marriage and particularly the idea of getting married in church. Parts of the day were a blast and it was fantastic to meet so many people.

The impetus for this came from the stall that the Scottish Episcopal Church had last year at the Christian Resources Exhibition (aka Nexus) when I was heard to say repeatedly, “This is a waste of time – we are trying to promote the church at an event where everyone already goes to other churches, we need to be at the Weddings Show promoting church weddings, or the Ideal Homes Exhibition promoting spirituality.”

Anyhoo, so it came to pass. Not content with simply meeting and greeting, there was also an exciting press call involving two stunning models, a glamorous (some would say shameless) provost and a catwalk. When in such a situation, you just need to have the words of the Apostle going around your head: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” (That’s from the first chapter of Romans, you know). He knew a thing or two about press-calls did Paul of Tarsus, if you ask me.

My kind of religion all round.

Tomorrow, it is back for more, amidst lots of liturgy and the Radio 4 broadcast at 0810. There are good times to be had by all.

Oh, and by the way, there is going to be the most gorgeous evensong on Sunday evening – all the music has been chosen by Organist Emeritus Bernard Porter who happens to be 80 (or so people say) this weekend. Kickoff is at 1830 and it will be fantastic. All welcome.