Seven Quick Takes - February 22

1)  Here's an NPR article about 'champing' (camping overnight in churches), the brainchild of the Churches' Conservation Trust.

There seems to be a little fluttering about this.  And I can understand because...camping in churches?  Is this something we should be encouraging?

On the other hand, and just to offer another side of it, churches throughout the centuries have rarely been JUST places of worship.  They've been all sorts of things.  Schools, hospitals, hiding places, places to crown monarchs, places to learn how to play the piano, places to sleep (we've had people sleep in our church before, when they've needed a warm place to lay their head).  The Churches' Conservation Trust does state in its FAQ section that: "The church building has passed to the care of the Churches Conservation Trust"  So these churches aren't 'working' churches anymore, which I think changes the conversation quite a bit.  The CCT does call the churches "consecrated" but I have a feeling they don't fully understand, or at least differentiate, what that means from "commissioned".  Because no denomination I've ever heard of, once finished with a building, leaves it as a fully commissioned/consecrated holy place and turns it over to a church trust for camping.  I think it's probably safe to assume these churches are decommissioned buildings.  It's actually quite a nice thought to me that these beautiful old places of worship will remain standing and cared for for future generations, and be used in a respectful way.  It's better than turning them into houses.

2)  Here is an article about an Icelandic scholar who came to Lincoln in the 12th century to study at the cathedral.  I'm always surprised at how cosmopolitan the Medieval world was.

3)  Something very true that came across my desk recently.

4)  Look at the cross stitched stockings this woman made for her family!  That's just stunning.

5)  I don't need to make this cake.  But I want to.

6)  I bought two pairs of these leggings because the sales clerk informed me that they were this year's version of the leggings I fell in love with last year.  They are not.  Three washes in and they are already pilling.  I'm disappointed.  Thick, sturdy, winter leggings that are more slim pant than skin tight polyester are not the easiest to find.  Especially if you aren't a size 2.

7)  I just bought a new swimsuit for the summer but now that I've seen this one I want it as well.

There's your weekly glimpse into my mind.