Bling: a term in hiphop culture referring to flashy or elaborate jewelry and ornamented accessories that are carried, worn, or installed.
At a recent gathering of clergy–where I wore long, dangly earrings and a colleague wore his uniform as Chief Fire Department Chaplain–a female colleague said she was glad we were wearing our “bling.”
She especially appreciated my earrings, because, she said, she was tired of women clergy being criticized for wearing big or dangly earrings. She felt supported by me.
When I was much younger, clergy–who were only male–wore black or grey. I still wear that, but also blue, red, and purple. I’d like to wear a teal clergy shirt, if I could find it.
Someday, I may be able to have my own clergy shirts made, or perhaps some other clothing that expresses my enjoyment of color and simple design.
Even clergy can be fashi0nable.
