Reformed Churchmen

We are Confessional Calvinists and a Prayer Book Church-people. In 2012, we remembered the 350th anniversary of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer; also, we remembered the 450th anniversary of John Jewel's sober, scholarly, and Reformed "An Apology of the Church of England." In 2013, we remembered the publication of the "Heidelberg Catechism" and the influence of Reformed theologians in England, including Heinrich Bullinger's Decades. For 2014: Tyndale's NT translation. For 2015, John Roger, Rowland Taylor and Bishop John Hooper's martyrdom, burned at the stakes. Books of the month. December 2014: Alan Jacob's "Book of Common Prayer" at: http://www.amazon.com/Book-Common-Prayer-Biography-Religious/dp/0691154813/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417814005&sr=8-1&keywords=jacobs+book+of+common+prayer. January 2015: A.F. Pollard's "Thomas Cranmer and the English Reformation: 1489-1556" at: http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Cranmer-English-Reformation-1489-1556/dp/1592448658/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1420055574&sr=8-1&keywords=A.F.+Pollard+Cranmer. February 2015: Jaspar Ridley's "Thomas Cranmer" at: http://www.amazon.com/Thomas-Cranmer-Jasper-Ridley/dp/0198212879/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1422892154&sr=8-1&keywords=jasper+ridley+cranmer&pebp=1422892151110&peasin=198212879

Thursday, March 28, 2013

Museum of Banality: Clown Communion for Your Worship Service

Ya' can't make this stuff up. 
 
 
CLOWN COMMUNION is a method of dramatizing the Communion story and bringing the elements to life. It is done in pantomime by either one or more clowns and is usually accompanied by appropriate music for each scene.

In Synopsis: The clown happily enters the Sanctuary and suddenly notices the crowd sitting there. She then engages in some type of play with members of the audience. Throughout the play, she is led to find a hidden gift wrapped box which is placed on the altar. She shows the audience the gift tag which says: “FROM GOD” --- “TO YOU” !!

Hearing something inside, the clown opens the box to find a swaddled baby. Much emphasis is given to caring for the baby and loving it. The clown may give the baby to someone else to rock, either another clown or perhaps the minister of the church.

While the other person shows love to the baby, the clown returns to find more items in the box, which are removed one by one and placed on the altar. These include: A standing cross, plate, chalice, manger crèche, crown of thorns and a large nail.

Throughout the process, the clown hears from above what significance each item has and finally realizes that God is sending her to get the baby to use them. Reluctantly, the baby is handed over, and unwrapped to reveal an uncut loaf of bread when placed against the cross. The crown of thorns is placed upon the cross and pushed down onto the bread. Then the nail is pierced into the bread, and it becomes broken in half and placed on the plate. The cross is then tipped to pour the blood into the chalice. The plate and chalice are handed over to the ministers who will serve the communion. As the clown signals to the participants to come and receive, she takes her place at the end of the line. With white gloved hands, the clown personally takes each participant’s hand into which she places a small concealed gift as they return to their seats.

The dramatic effect of bringing the elements to life in this way is very emotional for the participants who often leave in tears. Therefore, the clown once again is overwhelmed with joy for what God has given us and leaves the crowd singing and clapping to happy exit music.

CLOWN COMMUNION is used by the Emmaus Community and as part of the youth Chrysalis weekends. It has also been used as the culminating service for confirmation classes, for youth events, and for any special church service.

It is very effective!




No comments: