This past Sunday, I had the pleasure of preaching at my church, Oakhurst Presbyterian in Decatur, Georgia. Our transitional pastor, Katie Ricks, asked me to do the sermon because this past Sunday was Holy Humor Sunday.

Holy Humor Sunday, also known as Bright Sunday, is a day that originated in the tradition to celebrate joy and laughter.  It is observed on the Sunday following Easter and serves as a time to reflect on the idea of celebrating laughter and joy. This tradition, although new to me, is a delightful one.  The goal is to infuse worship services with elements of humor, laughter, and playfulness, creating an atmosphere of pure joy.

I focused on how clowning, in many ways, parallels faith. It offers an opportunity to share a sense of joy, a sense of connection, and, more importantly, a connection with people that can transcend the sum of its parts. This connection, this shared understanding, is what makes clowning and faith so powerful. It’s about reaching out and touching someone’s heart, regardless of the tools we use.

Clowns can uniquely connect with people of all ages, transcending language and cultural barriers. One of the first steps to connecting with your audience as a clown is understanding who they are. Our audience might not speak the same language we speak, or they might have an irrational fear of clowns. We have to read the room, pay close attention to them, and observe how they react to everything we do. By observing and interacting with our audience, we can gauge their reactions and adjust our performance accordingly.

To truly connect with our audience, we must be authentic and vulnerable. We must allow ourselves to be in the moment, embracing spontaneity and genuine emotions. Our audience will not only appreciate this authenticity but also feel respected and valued, creating a deeper and more meaningful connection. By showing vulnerability, we invite our audience to empathize with us and engage more personally.

As a performing artist, I always want to bring quality skills to what I do. That said, by being vulnerable and open, I can share more. By sharing laughter with our audience, we entertain them and build a sense of camaraderie and connection. Laughter can uplift spirits.

This connection with clowning and  Holy Humor Sunday makes me think about a quote from the writer Maya Angelou. She said, “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Bring the smiles