We enjoy introducing new events into our programme. Sometimes it's hard to guess what something will be like in advance. That's how core member Mandy felt when she took part in a weekend entitled "Clowning Around". Here are some of her thoughts afterwards.

What a revelation it was! Taking part in Clowning Around was a spur-of-the-moment decision. But what was it about? Would I have to make people laugh? Wear 15-inch shoes and a red nose?

Well, the red nose bit was right, but it didn't take me long to realise that this sort of clowning (Sacred Clowning) was more about allowing my own hidden creativity and originality to surface than "being silly" or having to do anything.

Richard Dunkerley (who describes himself as a serious clown) led us gently and safely into unknown territory. We tried different ways of expressing ourselves without words (so liberating in our word-hungry world); through hand-mime, facial expression, posture, movement. I loved the bit where he gave us all a red nose and we had to ‘discover' it, silently and suspending all pre-conceived notions of what it might be.

The best part was, you can't get it wrong. You are invited to respond with authenticity and playfulness, as a child would. Yes, I found it challenging because it involved trusting myself and going with the flow -  sharing a space with others, face-to-face and responding from the heart can be pretty scary. But primarily, clowning is about finding joy in just being yourself - what a precious experience.

So thank you Richard for a rich and eye-opening weekend.

We hope to offer more of the same in future. Will you give it a try when we do?

(Incidentally, Sacred Clowning in this sense is quite distinct from the clowning-for-worship-and-evangelism approach - of which Othona also has experience - as practised by the Holy Fools organisation.)

.