It's no holds barred when Episcopalians parlay, especially when the head churchmen are friends and die-hard fans of the Cards and the San Francisco Giants.
Christ Church Cathedral in downtown STL is putting up its collection plate against the one passed at St. John's Episcopal Church in Marin County (close to SF, even more expensive).
The wager is the brainchild of Christ Church dean Mike Kinman and St. John's rector, the Rev. Chris Rankin-Williams, longtime friends and ardent fans of their home teams.
Each church will put 10 percent of their loose plate offerings into a pot, and the winning church will get to choose which ministry or charitable organization will get the payout.
Taking it to another level, the bet also requires that on Sunday, Oct. 28, the losing church's rector or dean will have to wear the winning team's hat as they walk in procession, and, AND, say a prayer of thanksgiving for the winning team and its city.
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"We'll raise money for some great ministry, build some relationships between our congregations and have some fun," Kinman said. "Besides, after Friday night, I think you've got to be a little crazy to bet against our Cardinals."