Have I told you how much PeaceBang LOVES a man in a grey suit?
Here’s actor Jon Hamm, who won’t be preaching anywhere soon, I imagine, but he’s nice to look at [click the image to enlarge]:
And here’s one of my favorite people in the world, the Rev. Thomas Schade also rocking the grey at a recent conference:
And finally, in the coup de grey, is this stunning image of the Rev. Michael Tino in his Easter stole, a grey suit, and gorgeous shirt and tie. Groomed to perfection, warm and inviting smile, and general fabulosity on parade:
THAT is how it’s done, gents.
Love the tie on Tino that matches his stole. This did not happen by accident. Way to go, Michael!
I do like the purple-on-purple of Rev. Tino.
In one of my rare moments of liturgical nitpickery, that’s probably more accurately called a Lenten stole. It’s Abiding Spirit’s “River of Life” stole: even with the skittles rainbow on top, the major color panel is purple. They also provide one in white, which would be an Easter stole. (I have one in green for Ordinary Time.)
Other than that, I do agree it’s a very nice look, especially with gray! [But being UU, he’s lucky to be wearing a stole at all, as you know… – PB]
Poor Jon Hamm. It must be hard to be so homely. [I KNOW. All that constant rejection. – PB]
I don’t think the dear Rev Tino’ look EVER leaves anything to chance ;-D
Thanks, PB! As one of your devoted followers, I take how I look on Sunday mornings very seriously.
I will count this as the one and only time I’ve ever been mentioned favorably in the same breath as Jon Hamm when referring to looks. *blushes*
Dearest Pigeons of Peacebang, the way I look on Sundays is never an accident, nor is the fact that my stole and tie always coordinate. It took me an age to find a tie with the exact same color purple as this lovely Abiding Spirit stole. Thanks for noticing!
with love,
Michael
And what does PeaceBang think of wearing a stole over a suit jacket? Always seemed weird to me. Vestment lite. I say, either robe up or don’t. I even saw someone (nameless, of course) wear a stole over a white shirt and forgetable tie. You might as well put a nice scarf on and call it a day…. [PeaceBang has pretty much given up on this particular fight, knowing too many beloved UU colleagues who are devoted to the practice. I don’t blame them, I blame the congregations that ardently object to their clergy looking like… *gulp*…RELIGIOUS LEADERS. You know what I say? “You don’t want to be a religious organization? Fine, then start paying taxes on your property like everyone else. Harumph. – PB]
Come to think, the term should be ‘coup de grise,’ right? [Yes it should, you clever bean, you. – PB]
Before anyone dismisses a colleague’s choice of dress as “vestment lite” (which is seriously offensive, by the way, but I’m assuming best intentions), please think about the meaning and theology of different vestments. It should be noted that my choice of worship garments is done on purpose, and not as a way to avoid religious clothing.
The stole as a symbol of ministry is meant to signify our yoke to God. As a UU minister, I interpret that as being the symbol of my ministerial authority, as vested in me by the community that has elected me their minister. Therefore, wearing a stole is a symbol of my relationship with the congregation I serve, and is appropriate to wear leading worship every week.
The robe as a symbol in the UU ministry signifies the learned ministry. It is properly an academic robe of one’s highest terminal degree. Therefore, the robe I wear most often is a big, heavy, Duke blue (a color that it is very hard to coordinate stoles with) Ph.D. robe. It should be noted that academics only wear robes for special occasions. Thus, I choose to save my robe for special occasions as well.
So, I won’t assume you have a self-important need to remind your congregation that you have a degree they don’t if you won’t denigrate my theology of ministry. Deal?
The purple was especially wonderful that day. I can attest that the ‘nothing left to chance’ is a both/and. Michael is always color coordinated. And what’s left to chance is whether it color coordinates with colleagues on the chancel. Amazingly the coordination almost always happens. Do other colleagues have this phenomena happen?