Church of Lego

"Oh, great. And, now, on top of everything else, I have to fix the bloody thurible" the priest said to nobody in particular, but she felt uneasy, and her head ached. facebook.com/348627088570100…

Roger, in a most uncharacteristic and unsacristan-like manner abandoned the ironing and deliberately knocked the thurible off the table. The chains that held it together parted, and it clattered noisily to the floor. He walked away without a word. facebook.com/348627088570100…

"No" said Mth Ava, crossing her arms, and giving one of her 'end of conversation' looks. "I've said what I think before and I won't have Our Lady force people into taking 'sides'. We're not getting into it again, and that's final..." facebook.com/348627088570100…

"The elephant in the room" explained Mth Ava "is a lack of Christians in church. That's sod all to do with sex, and everything to do with the distinctiveness of our witness" "But, it's all tied in" fumed Roger, peering through a now unusable purificator. facebook.com/348627088570100…

"I very much doubt people are not being baptised or confirmed cos of the Church's official stance on anything related to sex or marriage..." argued Mother Ava. "But if we were more inclusive" objected Roger, abandoning the ironing and waving a brochure. facebook.com/348627088570100…

"It's unnecessary to draw attention to what the hierarchy prefers to overlook. Better to keep heads down and focus on mission" replied Mth Ava. "But this is linked to mission. Maybe people would come to church if..." attempted Roger, ironing vigorously. facebook.com/348627088570100…

"It won't make a very interesting letter. What am I meant to say?" asked Mth Ava, searching for missing purificators. "That some of the faithful at Our Lady aren't straight and that the blueprint doesn't reflect the character of our life" suggested Roger. facebook.com/348627088570100…

"Maybe you should write letters" Roger said, waving the iron. "Cos it's people like you and me, and Jas, and Spud, and Julian, and Dr V, and Prof Simone, and Pamela who keep the show on the road." Mth Ava looked thoughtful. "And some of those people are..." "Queer" he ended.

"They're worried about..." Roger began. "Oh, don't you think I know?" Mth Ava said crossly. "I'm worried about the parish-share, the safe-guarding, the GDPR and the head-count, but I don't write letters about it all the time, or nothing would get done." facebook.com/348627088570100…

"I dunno if the letter's important" shrugged Roger a bit oddly. "Nobody reads this stuff, except for the people who've created an entire cottage industry out of being offended and outraged. Don't they have parishes to run?" Mother Ava steamrollered on. facebook.com/348627088570100…

"You've not seen this letter before?" Roger checked. "I'm trying to plan Advent, prevent a Christingle fiasco, pay bills, avoid killing the Deacon and answer emails, and now another letter? If it's important, stick it in my to-do pile." Mth Ava replied. facebook.com/348627088570100…

"Yes, another letter in anticipation of the not yet written official document" explained Roger. "I s’pose that’ll come with a letter too" complained Mth Ava perusing a new book. "St Paul wouldn't have started writing if he'd known it would lead to this." facebook.com/348627088570100…

"I mean the National letter from the seven Bishops about the gayz and the GAFFPRONE group" explained Roger patiently, pointing at the text. "What? Who? No. There's been another letter?" yawned Mother Ava, leaning against the table in exhaustion. facebook.com/348627088570100…

"Not the gas bill! The other letter. Evangelical bishops, marriage and sex" Roger said, waving it. "You mean the Bishop’s letter about the head-count... Damn! We forgot it on Sunday" Mth Ava complained, half-listening & checking 3 social media accounts. facebook.com/348627088570100…

"Did you see the latest Church letter?" Roger (the sacristan) asked, somewhat anxiously, whilst ironing the linen. "I asked the Treasurer to pay the gas bill, as they helpfully sent us a bright red version" Mother Ava replied absent-mindedly, holding it. facebook.com/348627088570100…

"Hmm. Another drink?" suggested Father Judith hopefully. "Home!" insisted Mother Ava, dragging the recalcitrant priest, as she vaguely recalled somebody once doing similarly for her. "We're walking each other home." fb.me/1QG5jVifm

"I'd be no fun without drink" laughed Father Judith grabbing a colourful lei from a neighbouring hen party. "You'd be in pain" warned Mother Ava. "Drink, drugs, food, over-work, social media, gambling... Take 'em away, and you have to look at yourself." fb.me/1QG5jVifm

And who keeps on showing up to drag you out of dark corners in dingy bars?" asked Mother Ava. "The Holy Spirit?" guffawed Father Judith. "Well, the Holy Spirit thinks it's time you got sober" argued Mother Ava sternly. "At least in time for Lent!" fb.me/1QG5jVifm

Mother Ava reversed her friend's cloak to hide her collar and dragged her into the night. "Reliable? Nah. But I know a bit about loyalty" she muttered. "It's misplaced" slurred Fr Judith. "Half your trouble. You back the wrong horse & refuse to let go!" fb.me/1QG5jVifm