Bummed

Pinky59 · #1 (**permalink**) 05-02-2008, 03:38 PM

I have been really excited about clown ministry, until today. It's a long story, but to make it short, my attempts to start something like that at my new church have been rejected (we moved to NC last year, and this church is new to us). I mentioned it to the minister, who sounded excited about it. But when I emailed him, he never replied. (I know he got the email because when I asked him in church on Sunday, he said he had). Then I get the church newsletter today and in it there's a picture of HIM in a clown outfit, saying that he entertained the kids at a special event. He never responded to my email, yet goes on to do it without me. So, I know I should put on my big girl panties and deal with it, but it hurts. It's like I gave him the idea and he ran with it. My husband says there's no excuse for him not responding to my email.
Coincidentally, I get this big packet of clown ministry stuff from Sassy Frass today (Thanks! You're a doll). But I'm bummed and feel like just packing all Pinky's stuff in the attic and forgetting the whole thing.

Sorry to vent. I didn't know who else I could unload on who might understand.

pixcoco · #2 (**permalink**) 05-02-2008, 04:07 PM

Hey, don't feel like the lone ranger.

You are dealing with people, and as much as we whould like to think that because these people are clowns, or with the church, everything will be fair and nice...they are still people with their own agandas. I think if we stick it out and be the grown up in the equation it all works out in the end.

Timing is everything. On stage and off. And Gods timing has to be the best. Not ours. Patience is one of those lessons I have had to have a repeat course in.

Smile and be nice. People will know you are the bigger person. Most important you will know. Then somehow it all works out. Sometimes I call it cosmic justice.

Calavera · #3 (**permalink**) 05-02-2008, 04:20 PM

Yeesh, Pinky...that's pretty messed up. The fact that a minister, a supposed man of his god, has done this to you just makes it all the worse. It was a sneaky and underhanded way to inflate his own ego and you have every right to be mad at him and depressed about this situation.

My first thought would be to go and confront him about it in person, but that is just what I'd do. I know I'm not a self-help guru and I do not pretend to be. What might work for me might fail for you.
In the end, do your own thing. Do what you feel comfortable with.

Pinky59 · #4 (**permalink**) 05-02-2008, 04:23 PM

Thanks, y'all. I'm going to church early on sunday (for something else). Maybe I'll seek him out and discuss it with him. By then, I'll have calmed down and had plenty of time to pray on it, and see it with more of a clear and level head. Let's hope!

Pickles · #5 (**permalink**) 05-02-2008, 04:32 PM

The good news is that your pastor obviously thought that your idea of starting a clown ministry was a good one. It's too bad that he didn't include you in his first attempt at clowning, but I wouldn't give up. If this is the church you are going to be attending and this is guy is going to be your pastor, you probably need to swallow your pride and call the guy. Try to be positive and hide the fact that your feelings were hurt.

Tell him you saw his clowny picture in the newsletter and you're so glad he thought the clowning was a good idea. Ask him how it went and sound interested and excited when he tells you about it. Then tell him that you have a few two-clown skits (three-clown if your husband is going to be included) that you'd like to share with him and see if he can meet with you some time to practice them. (Do you have some good Gospel skits? If not, find some.) If he doesn't know how to make balloon hats and animals, maybe you can offer to teach him a couple.

With church clowning, the more the merrier. I've tried to do clown ministry when I'm the only clown in the congregation, and it's very lonely. Hopefully you can convince your pastor that a clown ministry will be much more effective -- and fun -- with a group of clowns.

Pinky59 · #6 (**permalink**) 05-02-2008, 05:40 PM

Thanks, Pickles. That would be the mature and adult way to approach it. Hope I grow up before Sunday, LOL. I will tell him I saw his picture in the newsletter and that I would have loved to help him out that day. I'll try and get him to promise me that he'll call me when an opportunity like that comes along again. By the way, when I emailed him, I did attach a clown (gospel) skit that I thought would be good (maybe that's what inspired him?). That's the email he never responded to. My husband reminded me (after this incident) that we've never really felt "connected" to this church and that maybe we should worship elsewhere. I just wish there was a community of clowns here that I could get in with and learn from and perform with. I'm having a pity party! Anyone want to bring the chips and dip? LOL

Pickles · #7 (**permalink**) 05-02-2008, 05:48 PM

Instead of chips, I'll bring some hummas and pity bread! (sorry, the pun thread is starting to affect my brain.)

Calavera · #8 (**permalink**) 05-02-2008, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pinky59

I'm having a pity party! Anyone want to bring the chips and dip? LOL

Pinky, you're not having a pity party. Just because you get upset over something doesn't mean that you're a insufferable whiner. You're a human, you're not made of stone. You have the right to express displeasure when you have been screwed over.

Pinky59 · #9 (**permalink**) 05-02-2008, 06:03 PM

Thanks, Cal. You all are a wonderful sounding-board, and I'm blessed to have you in my corner.

Duckie · #10 (**permalink**) 05-02-2008, 06:15 PM

I agree with most of what everyone said, except I think you should be honest with the Pastor in letting him know you were hurt. Maybe he didn't think about that part of the situation and I think he should be made aware of how much it really affected you.

You don't need to be whinny as you put it, but I don't think putting it accross in a positive manner would be wrong. Maybe God is using you to bring to his attention that he needs to be more open to letting others help and not to "covet" their good ideas!!!

Quiet your anger and hurt (this is Satan) and listen to God and let him lead you in your role in this matter. If you truly trust God, he will bring you both through this event better for having participated. I truly believe that everything, even in it's smallest measure, is part of God's design. Just because we sometimes can't see it, doesn't mean he's not hard at work!!!!

This may all be about Pastor and not you. You may just be the tool. Wouldn't that be wonderful to think that God would use you to that end? Wow what an honor!!!! Don't let anothers' bad actions cripple your calling to clown for God!!!! After all God is the one that put the clown in you!!!!!!! You go girlfriend!!!!!