The campus of Hickory Neck Episcopal Church. From left to right: the historic 1744 chapel, the new church consecrated in 2006, and the parish house.       
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2010 Annual Blessing of the Clowns
  • Kolonial Klowns of Williamsburg Clowns of America International - Alley #357 and the congregation of Hickory Neck Episcopal Church invite clowns, their family and friends to participate in:
  • The 9th Annual Blessing of the Clowns In recognition of International Clown Week Sunday, August 1st 2009 – 9:00 AM Service
  • Hickory Neck Episcopal Church 8300 Richmond Road Toano, Virginia 23168
  • Services to be held in The New Chapel
  • DETAILS
  • The clown blessing will be a part of the 9:00AM service. Please arrive no later than 8:50 AM. For those arriving early, you may wait in the Wilkinson Center (parish house) until time to enter the church.
  • Please note Hickory Neck will be holding an 8:00 AM worship service that is scheduled to conclude approximately at 8:50 AM. This is a separate service from the Blessing.
  • ** Clowns are asked to attend in full make up and costume. **
  • Immediately following the worship service, clowns (plain clothes and in costume) are asked to remain in the Nave for photographs.
  • The New Chapel has central air conditioning and seating capacity is 200+, double that of the Historic Chapel that we have used in the past. Please feel free to bring your family and friends.
  • Immediately following the service 9:00 AM service, refreshments will be served in the Parish Hall (located across the parking lot from the New Chapel). All are welcome to participate. Food and drink will be provided by the Kolonial Klowns of Williamsburg – Alley #357.
  • For additional information, please contact Tim SAWDUST Laynor, President of Kolonial Klowns, by e-mail: madewooden@hotmail.com
  • PLEASE NOTE: Any form of news media that wishes to attend the Blessing of the Clowns is asked to contact Hickory Neck Church prior to Sunday, August 1st, reference their policy on photography and video recording during the worship service. PHOTOGRAPHY IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED DURING COMMUNION. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.



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Blessing the Clowns
Why in the world do we have clowns in church? The first week in August is International Clown Week, as proclaimed by Richard Nixon, and Public Law 91-443 passed by the 91st Congress. Clowns are invited to Hickory Neck as part of the Clown Week celebration and to receive a blessing for their ministry.

Clowns with the Very Reverend Michael Delk, 2009.

Clowns from central Virginia, Virginia Beach and locations in between gathered on Sunday, August 2nd, 2009 at Hickory Neck Episcopal Church for the 9th Annual Blessing of the Clowns. Hosted by Kolonial Klowns of Williamsburg - Alley #357 and the congregation of Hickory Neck Church, clowns received a special Blessing from The Reverend Michael L. Delk. Immediatley following the service, Kolonial Klowns hosted a reception in the Parish Hall. Clowns and parishioners enjoyed food and fellowship. See more photos

Most of the clowns present are liturgical clowns, and they have a tradition of being silent. There are others who are birthday party clowns, face-painting clowns, and hospital clowns, and they do not have a tradition of silence, but of making joyful noises!

The clown is as old as humanity and exists in all cultures. They serve by embodying both the vulnerability and the hopefulness of human life. Liturgical clowns have a long and proud tradition from the early church, dating back to St.Symeon of Emesis, in the years of Justinian, St.Andreas of Constantinople (9th-10th century), St.Thomas the Fool-for-Christ (11th century), up to St.Ivan of Moscow (16th century).

Liturgical clowns pantomimed the Bible stories and also served as "divine interrupters." As the institutional Church became more formal the clowns disappeared from the services. In recent years liturgical clowning has made a comeback, due in part to an increasing need to reconnect to our past. Today liturgical clowns help the Church restore an atmosphere of festivity and celebration to worship. They are childlike servants within our worship. These clowns symbolize for us the joy, love, hope and servanthood of a life in Jesus Christ.

The white face of the liturgical clown is a symbol of death; it can be considered the death of the clown's "plain clothes" personality. The vibrant colors applied over the white show the certainty of resurrection; a new personality is born, a clown personality. Besides the white base, and the make-up to highlight and exaggerate facial features, liturgical clowns traditionally wear a solitary red mark somewhere on their face. This represents the kiss of the Holy Spirit, or, for some, the blood of Christ who died for us.

When liturgical clowns begin applying make-up, they give away the power to speak. By doing this, they become vulnerable. Yet the silent clowns continue to convey God's love in a nonverbal way.

St. Paul challenges us to be "fools for Christ's sake." As fools we allow ourselves to become vulnerable enough to risk rejection but continue to love unconditionally. Weak and bumbling clowns lift other persons to positions of worth. Their silent, child-like behavior offers new images of God. The clown affects a world without logic where problems and burdens are exchanged for liberation and joy. God - through clowns - can bring His healing grace.

A Clown Blessing
"O blessed Lord, guide your servants in their practice of clowning, that each may be a vessel of your love. Endow them with our Spirit to persevere in exposing your Truth in ways accessible to all. Empower them to establish mercy by being fools for Christ. And the blessing of God Almighty: the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit, be with you and dwell iwth you always. Amen." - The Very Reverend Michael L. Delk

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