Over here in JOE (Jolly Ole’ England), all denominational clergy wear a clerical collar.
I knew that before I came over, and I wasn’t sure what I thought about it. I tend to wear clerical collars only very occasionally—like for a funeral in a funeral home (which they call crematoria over here), or an occasional wedding, or when I have to act in some official capacity at a public event, or very, very occasionally when I go to the hospital, or when I get my driver’s license picture made.
But to come to JOE, I went ahead and bought 2 additional clergy shirts (one black and one grey--both long sleeved). Here, I use them exclusively for Sunday service, going to residential homes (i.e., nursing homes), and other sundry activities.
I’ll have to admit it does tend to make me feel a little more official somehow, like I have on a costume that people recognize the credentials that go with it.
What will I do when I get back? I just am not sure. I like travelling incognito in a lot of ways, yet on the other hand, wearing a clerical collar opens a lot of doors.
I’ll just have to see.