Here is a little history on Klara the Klown. She was born at Camp Luther, Mission, B. C. during the summer Bible camps held there in 1980, while I was the head female counselor for the summer.
One very rainy camp, I was to give the campfire Bible study, down at the shore of the lake, but the weather forced us into the camp dinning hall. With a fire in the fireplace and the noisy pre-teen campers waiting for the evening Bible study, Klara came to teach the children. In the silence that followed her entrance, Klara performed a church service in pantomime, with the help of a few signs. The silence was full of messages, with pre-arranged help from the head male counselor and the music director, the children got more from the study than what was first thought. They got the message of the colours on Klara’s face (The style of face has not changed since it was first applied). Even the signs used had a meaning and the children got the message that was hidden in them.
From that very meaningful beginning, Klara has performed in many places across Canada and even in the USA. Klara has even added a wedding reception to the places she has clowned at. Always willing to share the message of God’s love, Klara is always ready.
Are you open to receive God’s message, however, it is sent to you? Never say never, for God will see that, as a challenge to get the message to you. Be prepared.
A clown is an expression of one’s inner self. A vulnerable lover, willing to give even if nothing is given in return. Check your vulnerability, so one loving act, which is intentionally foolish. Communicate a message of love without the use of words. Clowning is a unique medium of expression -- fun.
Christian clowns affirm their beliefs. They are fools for Christ, for He was considered a fool for us, in that He gave up His life so we could have eternal life. Christ communicated the ultimate expression of a vulnerable lover on Calvary. With one foot in reality and the other in fantasy, clowns communicate the love Christ portrayed.
“Putting on a white-face and clown clothes does not make you a clown any more than an academic robe makes you educated or a doctor’s coat permits you to diagnose illness....Real clowns work towards quality: in make-up; costume; “props; and actions.” (Shaffer, 1977, p. 29)
A clown’s mode of communication is make-up and costume. Putting on the face of a clown, amid greasepaint and powder, a person dies and a clown is born. The white-face represents that Klara is dead to the world, but a new creation in Christ. The black line enclosing her face signifies that sin is all around us. Her green nose illustrates as a Christian we are in all ways and always growing. The yellow diamond under her eye symbolizes heaven and that we are more precious than gold or diamonds. The red dot on the chin reflects the shed blood of Christ. The purple costume indicates royalty; as a Christian, even clowns are members of the royal family of God. A true King’s kid. Make-up and costume symbolize messages of God’s love.
Clown’s name too can have a special meaning. Klara’s name, an acronym, is an example of this:
K - ing’s
L - ittle
A - toned
R
- edeemed
A - ngel.
A loving clown, Klara, gives of herself to help others. She performs for churches, vacation Bible schools, conventions, weddings, kindergarden classes and parties. Through her silence she portrays a message of love, even when she teaches small children to roller-skate. Although communicating in mime, the message she shares comes across loud and clear, for some basic mime techniques cannot be replaced by all the words in the world.
The symbolism of clowning challenges the clown to create new and recreate old ideas. Never stationary, a clown continually develops new routines or gigs. While gigs, ideas and props are borrowed, refined, used or discarded, clowns steadily increase their unique repertoire. A clown performs routines to teach, to learn to laugh about.
Large
or small, young or old, the audience is always there for the clown,
even alone and practising, to the clown the responses are in her
mind. Hours of work, practice and prayer are worth more than money,
when a little girl taps you and you turn to hear, ”I love you,
Klara. See you next Saturday.”
A hug given freely, a tear glistening on your cheek, the vulnerable lover inside communicates the enjoyment, the fun the love.
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