My friend Steve and I performed clown communion for the first time together at his church here in NC last night. It was a rocky start (we did it before his church council before they voted whether or not this should be done for a Maundy Thursday service for the entire congregation), but alls well that ends well.

See, the folks didn't know they were going to see a clown communion: they were blindsided. I didn't agree with that decision, but the pastor made it. We just had to trust in the Lord that it would all come out the way HE wanted it to. The Pastor just told everyone (before we came out) that they were going to witness a very special type of communion and to keep their minds open.

The entire service is done in silence (from the clowns) with very inspiring music cued halfway through. The beginning (when we enter and mug a bit) is supposed to be fun, lighthearted. But no one laughed, and the body language was such I felt I was risking being tarred and feathered. I couldn't even get them to make eye contact.

As the performance got serious and the message came across (It's very powerful and moving) I felt they were with us, and being led by the Spirit. But I was still afraid...until they took a vote afterwards and it was unanimous that we should do it before the church body. They did say that they will promote it as something that smaller children should not see (they will be confused by the clowns and the serious message).

It also was the first time I appeared in public as a clown. Steve and I hope to get our feet wet visiting nursing homes in the near future.
Thanks for reading!:D

Congratulatons Pinky! I know you were nervous but it sounds like once again God wove the tapestry as He wanted and it all worked out.

Nice job, Pinky.

Kudos Pinky.

conrats. and glad it went well

Used by God....What a privilege!

OK. can't say that I've ever seen a clown communion. You have my curiosity up. But I'm very glad all went well. I'd love more info on a "Clown Communion"

Pinky,
Thanks for throwing another idea our way to use our clown ministry for the glory of God. I am so glad that it went well for you and I will
keep you in my prayers, for continued success with your witnessing through your clown ministry.

Thanks so much, Harmony (jenn). The first time I ever witnessed a clown communion myself was on my walk to Emmaus. Our Emmaus conference used to provide that as a part of the worship during the weekend retreat (it no longer does, but I think Chrysalis still uses it). It is done with whiteface clowns, one male and one female. The clown outfit is more subdued (no outlandish costumes, it's more reverent). It is done in complete silence (mime) with music cued halfway thru. I believe if you do a google search you may find a clown communion script (but you will find a lot of hatemongers out there who don't feel that clown communion is holy at all, and you will find links to their sites too). It's not for everyone; when I first heard of it, I thought it was a heresy too. But once I saw it for myself, and saw how moving and powerful it was, I did a 180 on my opinion. I don't have a script for it myself (I was taught by my best friend's husband, another clown) or I'd share it with you.
God bless,
Pinky (Robin)

Glad to hear the service went well. I have never heard of clowns doing communion before.

I think you were right to feel uncomfortable about the congregation being blindsided. IMO, the pastor and council should have told the congregation that clowns would be doing communion. There may have been seniors in the congregation who could have been offended by what you were doing because communion is a very sacred ceremony for many people.

Don't be afraid to speak your mind if you feel strongly against doing something, even if it is to a pastor. That is my opinion.

Darrell

The clown communion I've seen was very moving and touching, and yes approp. more along the lines of what red skelton would do, with one main characture a hobo.

But one thing that does frustrate me is that you find a lot of clown script books [one I purchased last year] that most of them are not clown skits, there written for clowns but the story line is more of a drama, some very good dramas, great for teams to do, but not clowny. I do think that's were some ministry clown make a mistake.

Wow! Clown communion, sounds neat. I very much agree that a heads-up would have been appropriate. I belong to a fairly conservative denomination and many of the members would have been VERY uncomfortable. However, if clowns are "common-place", if the members are used to clowns being involved in the service, I think it would go over well if done properly. I hope the feed-back you recieved was positive, and I'm sure if the congregation opened their hearts they were blessed.

Miss D.

Congratulations Pinky!

We've been doing "all clown" worship services for years and believe it or not, the most requested thing we have from churches IS our clown communion. And.........our services are usually most liked by the seniors of the congregations.

Personally, I believe that a clown worship service, when properly planned should take the congregation through a series of emotions. Through most of the service, they experience laughter and joy causing their endorphins to go crazy. They feel uplifted.....then when you do something like a communion skit, it begins joyful and funny....and along the way takes a very serious turn. The congregation is caught off guard by this change of events. The skills of the clowns carry the moment through crucifixion and there is rarely a dry eye in the place. It's also very draining for us to present because we have to be IN THE MOMENT.

Several years ago we were asked to do a "Maundy Thursday" service in a community 100 miles from our home. I felt truly challenged. We prayed plenty over that one because I had no idea how we could do that justice. There were NO people in this congregation under age 70....and I'm being very serious. We worked on that skit....prayed and prayed about it. I had a tentative skit written but was questioning if I had "crossed a line" anywhere. I ran it by Roly Bain (clown high priest in England)....he thought it was GREAT and even gave some suggestions to make it funnier. We've now presented it that last 3 years in churches across our state. We close this service with a Clown Communion. Last year we were even invited to a CATHOLIC Church in a small community. I kept thinking a nun was going to sneak up and crack me with a ruler (ha)....but they loved it. However, with every congregation you have to be sensitive to their beliefs, etc. In the Catholic Church we don't actually "serve" the communion to the congregation. We serve each other and end it in another way.

We have another Christmas Tree Skit that is another emotional roller coaster skit. The downside of doing this very often is it you have use a REAL Christmas Tree and you end up making a bit mess by cutting it all up. Also a Valentines Skit which is really good year-round about "Giving your heart to Jesus."

Would love to exchange Christian skit ideas with anyone. Why reinvent the wheel if you've got something that works.

I think there may be a picture from our clown communion skit on our website: ACTSClownMinistry.org (http://www.actsclownministry.org)

Have a BLESSED day!

Sparky

The first time we "performed" (for lack of a better word) the communion, it was just before the church council (they wanted to preview it and vote on whether the entire church should see it). They gave us the go-ahead, so we did it before the entire congregation on Maundy Thursday. It was even better! There wasn't a dry eye in the house. The Spirit was moving everyone there. What a blessing to share this with the Body of Christ. When the Pastor came back to thank us afterwards, he was crying, as was my 6 ft 3, 260 lb husband. It was amazing. I hope to get the opportunity to continue to share this misunderstood version of the most sacred of rites. Happy Easter, everyone!

Thanks so much, Harmony (jenn). The first time I ever witnessed a clown communion myself was on my walk to Emmaus. Our Emmaus conference used to provide that as a part of the worship during the weekend retreat (it no longer does, but I think Chrysalis still uses it). It is done with whiteface clowns, one male and one female. The clown outfit is more subdued (no outlandish costumes, it's more reverent). It is done in complete silence (mime) with music cued halfway thru. I believe if you do a google search you may find a clown communion script (but you will find a lot of hatemongers out there who don't feel that clown communion is holy at all, and you will find links to their sites too). It's not for everyone; when I first heard of it, I thought it was a heresy too. But once I saw it for myself, and saw how moving and powerful it was, I did a 180 on my opinion. I don't have a script for it myself (I was taught by my best friend's husband, another clown) or I'd share it with you.
God bless,
Pinky (Robin)

Communion is a symbolic act and is largely between the believer and the Lord-nobody has any call to be self righteous because a clown, who loves the lord should be involved in serving or any type of participation.--Lloyd Williams (Walmoe)

Pinky
That is so cool that GOD used you in a mighty way. if you dont mind i want to use the same way of doing communion in my youth service.
this will be a great way to get the youth to realy listen and pay attation. WHAT A GREAT IDEA. I AM RUNNING IT PAST MY PASTOR TOMORROW AND HOPE TO USE IT REAL SOON. Again thanks for the idea and may GOD receive all the BLESSING.

Stubby,
God bless you! I know He will bless your ministry. Just pray that the ones who see the communion keep open hearts and minds, and that the Lord uses you as He sees fit. It will be great!

Pinky,

You sure had a whale of a coming out party. There is no way that my church would accept such a thing, even though there are many in Emmaus. The Pastor could have made it easier by simply explaining that it is reenactment of the Passion of Christ. Most people think of Clown Communion as making light of the celebration, when in fact the opposite is true. Congrats on a job well done, you will do well.

Waldo

Pinky:
I notice you said you've done clown communion before; do you use the music of first part instrumental/second part Behold the Lamb? I'm looking for a better recording of that music than I have, and can't seem to locate it. Thanks.

Great job Pinky! Just think, a couple of weeks ago we were thinking of running your Assoc. Pastor out of town on a rail. Now you're doing Clown Communion! I'm so proud! *sniff* :D

Pinky:
I notice you said you've done clown communion before; do you use the music of first part instrumental/second part Behold the Lamb? I'm looking for a better recording of that music than I have, and can't seem to locate it. Thanks.

Teresa: The CD I use for the communion music was burned by a friend of mine. I do know 3 of the songs he used: Lamb of God (instrumental); Lamb of God (vocal by Twila Paris) and How Beautiful (by Twila Paris, I believe). I think you can download all of them off itunes, and burn a CD that way. Any beautiful music will work. What we did was re-burn (is that a word?) the same songs over and over, so we had a CD with about 30 mins of music on it. No one notices the same song plays over again, because they are distracted by the drama.