How to tell if someone's been circumcised

Sean and his family are enjoying - I hope - a well-earned break so, last night, he'd left Martin and me to lead the bible study. 'No problem, Sean,' I said. 'We can do that.'

We were continuing to look at Acts and circumcision reared its ugly head again. Last week when Sean covered it, the subject was treated in a orderly and sensible manner; this week we got all the jokes and rude comments.

After the study, Bert wanted us to pray for him so Blossum and I took him aside. Bert is an alcoholic and Blossum knows him well so he began by saying, 'Yes, we'll pray for you but what are you going to do about it?'

As he kept on along these lines I could see Bert, who has a history of violence, getting edgier, so I quietly took a step back and then another: I didn't want to be within arm's reach if he happened to lash out. Blossum's big enough to take care of himself but I'm rather fond of my jaw as it is and didn't fancy a rebuild. I'm a girly Christian not a hero.

After praying we went back out into the coffee bar to find Gerry standing there naked from the waist up.

I put my head in my hands and muttered, 'Come back soon, Sean!'