21 Ways to Survive Even the Dullest of Sermons

Pass a note to the organist asking whether he/she plays requests

See if a yawn really is contagious

Slap your neighbour. See if they turn the other cheek. If not, raise your hand and tell the priest

Devise ways of climbing into the balcony without using the stairs

Listen for your preacher to use a word beginning with 'A' then 'B and so on through the alphabet. You may get stuck on 'Q' unless your preacher is preaching against homosexuality.

Sit in the back row and roll a handful of marbles under the pews ahead of you. After the service, credit yourself with 10 points for every marble that made it to the front

Using church notice-sheets or newcomers cards for raw materials, design, test and modify a collection of paper airplanes.

Start from the back of the church and try to crawl all the way to the front, under the pews, without being noticed.

Raise your hand and ask for permission to go to the lavatory.

Whip out a hankie and blow your nose. Vary the pressure exerted on your nostrils and trumpet out a rendition of your favourite hymn.

If the sermon goes on for more than 15 minutes, start blowing bubbles.

Pretend to be 4 years old

Try to indicate to the minister that his fly is undone

By unobtrusively drawing your arms up into your sleeves, turn you shirt inside out.

Try to raise one eyebrow

Crack your knuckles

Think about your chin for an entire minute

Twiddle your thumbs

Twiddle your neighbours thumbs

Wiggle your ears so that the people behind you will notice

Practice smiling insincerely