A Therfield pastor has taken the plunge and got his first tattoo – and it will feature in an upcoming sermon.

Royston Crow: The tattoo is for a sermon he will be giving later in the year on redeeming time.The tattoo is for a sermon he will be giving later in the year on redeeming time. (Image: Archant)

Rev Joshua Jones, who became minister of Therfield Chapel in April, got an hourglass inked on his forearm at Royston Ink in the town’s High Street on Thursday.

“I’ve wanted to get a tattoo for some time,” said Rev Jones, 37.

“This seemed like the perfect opportunity. I’ll be using it as an illustration in an sermon on redeeming time.

“In the Bible it says God has a tattoo.

“Hundreds of years before Jesus came to Earth, the people of Israel were scared that God had left them. So God sent Isaiah the prophet to tell them, ‘Can a woman forget her nursing child? Even if these forget, yet I will not forget you. Look, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands’ (Isaiah 49.16).

“Apparently God has a hand tat – your name. That’s how much he loves you.”

The tattoo on Rev Jones’ left forearm took 30 minutes, and he is anticipating a mixed reaction from his congregation – but he hopes his flock will come around once he has explained it.

Originally from Virginia in the USA, Rev Jones lived in Nottingham for 10 years before moving to Therfield with his wife Irdi and four children.

“The people of Therfield have been warm and welcoming,” he said.

“The people I pastor at the chapel have been supportive and open to whatever change God may have for them.”

Tattooist Issy Thompson was more than a little surprised when she found out the line of work her latest customer was in.

She said: “I was surprised, I thought it was a bit different.

“He was really nice and chatty, he was interested in what we do and how everything worked.

“He’s definitely up there with my most memorable people that I’ve tattooed.”

The sermon, in which Rev Jones will preach from St Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, takes place at the chapel on Sunday, October 30 – all are welcome to come along.