Hi everyone. For those that know me you know that I haven't ever really done the ministry side of clowning but I would like to start & learned some things through my wonderful stay at TNT clown camp this year.

However, I don't know much & I had a church contact me regarding doing an Easter presentation. I am not good at illusions but I love doing balloons. I bought one of Ralph Dewey's balloons gospel skit books & one of Bubba Sikes solo skit books so when I have time to look through those I think that will give me a good start. I just need some simple, effective & inexpensive ideas to go along with the resurrection story.

I will also search the old messages, as I am sure this has been discussed before :) Thanks guys!

I can't recall who actually wrote the skit, but a different version was printed in "the cross and The Clown" mag, on Burdens, I've seen this done several way, and we do it as a group, but you could do it solo. I tried to look it up to see if I could find it, but basically it is a non verbal skit, in which burdens are written on six boxes, with the alternate on the other side ex Hate/ Love. You build a cross. I'll try to explain how we do it: In our area contempory music is not used as much as the older type gosple music, so we ues this skit as a closing skit when performing for a whole church or older group, and we use the song "Burden's are LIfted at Calvary". 1's clown enters carring sign which has the word burden written on it [the other side has Jesus but that is not reveled at this time]. A clown enters from varous places in the church each carring a burden and acting it our [ie fear, hate, saddness etc] each weighs almost to much to carry, once they are gathered one clowns has the idea to turn them over to Jesus so a cross is build from the boxes placing the burden sign which has now been reveled to show Jesus as support for the top 4 boxes. We pray then turn the cross to revel that the burdens have been lifted and now instead of Hate, theres love, saddness- joy etc. Early before our presentation/show we've passed out posted notes and pencils and asked people to write a prayer request or burden on the note. When we've finished with this skit, we turn it back over to the pastor who then encourages the congregration [sp?] to participate by coming up and placing their burdens on the cross and turning them over to Jesus. He may also felt lead to do an alter call. We've gotten good responses and fee back from this skit, but like I stated earlier it's for more mature audiences, if I was just doing children's church it is not one I'd do..

Wow that is great Sue! You are soooo talented! I hope one day to even have half the talents of some of the people on here! I dont quite understand all of what you posted but I am sure if I read it several times I could probably figure it out. Thanks!

sorry it seems confusing, I'll try and write it out better, later, with the lables for the six boxes

How was the cross built?

I like that idea Sue, thank you. Bubba Sikes did one with a pretty present from God that he didn't wanna open but when he did it is a cross. I may try to figure out the way to cut & decorate the box. Since that is simple it might get the kids attention better.

This whole "skit" thing makes me nervous but not as much in front of children. I have tons of time to practice so I would think that by then I could build up my confidence and be ok.

I also would like to know how the cross was built.

The cross is made by stacking the six boxes two on the bottom, them place the sign with burdens on one side and Jesus on the other side to support the last 4 boxes.http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3485/4027847691_bd389c46ec_m.jpg Boxes are labled, Love -Hate; Saddness - Joy, I know anger, worry, fear, greed, give me a couple of days those props I keep in storage because we use large versions, and let me make sure what pairs with what. In the single version I read, It was only one clown who carried a suitcase with a large sign that had burdens on one side and on the other was Jesus, and the suitcase was demonstrated to be extremely heavy, and as the clown opened and it and pulled out each box he went through the emotions of fear, hate etc. and build a cross from small boxes on a table. We do this as a group, with 2' x 2' boxes so our cross is about 6'x8' when finished.

Thanks so much Sue!!!

Flutterz,
Definitely read Ralph's and Bubba's books...they have some great routines in them. I will look at home tonight in my ministry alley's book of skits and see if I have anything that can work for single clowns.....most of our ministry skits I've written to include more than one clown, but I might be able to adjust a couple of them. Janet "Jelly Bean" Tucker also has a book of ministry skits, which might help. I think you can purchase it on "Clown Antics" and don't think it was that expensive, and she explains how to make some of the props so it doesn't get expensive.

You'll do great, I know! The biggest tip I can give you about confidence on stage is to stay in character. If they love you one on one as a clown, then they will love you on stage as a clown if you are the same in both places. Just be yourself and you'll be fine....oh, and I LOVE the new turquoise wig on you...it looks great!

I'll check tonight for some skit/routine ideas! Keep in touch!

Q.T./KanDee
aka Angie

also check www.clown-ministry.com (http://www.clown-ministry.com) they have skits also

is it specifically skits they want or is it they want a show??

Check out Brenda Marshall's "SHARING GOD'S LOVE THROUGH LAUGHTER"
(A guide to Christian Clowning) Brenda (Flower) Marshall is a real master of the art and I am SURE you will glean from her book...I think it's runs 10.00-12.00. I like the silent skit "We are an offering" POWERFUL! There's a wealth of instruction out there. Try "CLOWN Ministry" By Floyd Shaffer an Penne Sewall (A how-to manual and dozens of skits for service and worship). Dewey's Solo Clown Ministry is another (don't know if this is the one you were referring to earlier). You might even Google Caring Clown or Easter Clown?? Not sure what you might come up with but it's worth a shot! Hope this helps! God Bless You as you embark on a new journey especially for HIM.

The cross is made by stacking the six boxes two on the bottom, them place the sign with burdens on one side and Jesus on the other side to support the last 4 boxes.http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3485/4027847691_bd389c46ec_m.jpg Boxes are labled, Love -Hate; Saddness - Joy, I know anger, worry, fear, greed, give me a couple of days those props I keep in storage because we use large versions, and let me make sure what pairs with what. In the single version I read, It was only one clown who carried a suitcase with a large sign that had burdens on one side and on the other was Jesus, and the suitcase was demonstrated to be extremely heavy, and as the clown opened and it and pulled out each box he went through the emotions of fear, hate etc. and build a cross from small boxes on a table. We do this as a group, with 2' x 2' boxes so our cross is about 6'x8' when finished.
THANKS SUE! We are using this one Saturday! It was in the line-up all along! I didn't realize it b cause it was so far from my skits! LOL Thanks Again!!!

that's great. let us know how it goes. My lasted ministry event was this past Thur. and I was doing a 10 min. routine for a senoir group's annually birthday party. 2 hr. long program, I only had 10min, but it was well receive, just got to share --one man was 106 and still drives, another lady was 102. and 5-6 were over 80. It was a great fun group.