NEWS FLASH! BREAKING EXCLUSIVE! The color of the so-called Blue Book revealed!
Three years ago, Seven whole days was privileged to break the news of the so-called Blue Book’s color. Last time, it was crimson. This year, the color will be “salmon pink.” The 7WD news team has learned this from Secretary Gregory Straub, who shared the news at the Province I General Convention orientation in Westborough, MA.
So now we can all sleep a bit better, sure in the knowledge the a salmon-colored book will soon adorn our bookshelves, whether in bits or atoms. Yes, my friends, the so-called Blue Book will be available as a free PDF or an ebook, or as a traditional book, suitable for use in holy processions. At this time, 7WD has not learned if the ebook version will be free. We suspect not.
While I have your attention, let me reiterate what I said here three years ago. Calling a book “blue” when it is not, in fact, blue, is the height of ridiculous insider church-speak. If it’s not blue, let’s not call it blue. Instead, how about report book. Or something. Let your blue be blue, as Jesus (almost) said.
That is all.
UPDATE: The offical color is Pantone 169M. It’s a bit more pink, less orange/salmon than the swatch above. Couldn’t find a good swatch to use as an example here. You’ll just have to buy the book to see it.
Old-timer computer people will talk about their “Green Card” which contained useful information on assembly language on IBM Computers. My first “Green Card” was yellow.
Insiders always use jargon.
What would be helpful is telling me what the blue/salmon book contains or why it is important.
Will I see it in my pew?
Does it contain new hymns, prayers, ways to deal with pesky church-mice or Vestry-calming techniques?
As an legal alien in the US to show you their “green card,” and you won’t find too much green on it.
There are things to get worked up about in the Episcopal Church. I think the calling something the “Blue Book” would go in my “C pile.”
As a CofE type, I too wonder what is carried in procession but is not a Bible (or lectionary)?
And now I have to tell you that in the world of UK securities listing, the old yellow book is now purple. Not because you’ll be interested, but because apparently wih just the first paragraph my comment was too short.
Well, thank God I grew up in a time when the Episcopal Church’s Zebra Book was really zebra…
“Blue” could refer to the content rather than the colour of the book. Although, in this case, I fear I would be disappointed if I was to purchase it based on such an assumption.
I still have a Zebra Book! Along with a Liturgy of the Lord’s Supper and a hard bound Services for Trial Use. I should have a copy of the Draft Proposed Book of Common Prayer (1976) around here somewhere–and the Draft PBCP was blue.
Salmon pink? Ewwwww.
My high school newspaper in Bloomfield, Conn. was the same color and its official name was “The Salmon Sheet.”