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Orlando Unit
Eagan Unit
Omaha Unit
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Founded on a history of the art of clowning in the American Circus and a deep theology of the Cross of Jesus Christ, the Life in Christ Circus reframes life for people to see the love of God and to live well in Christ through the healing power of laughter and play.
The Life In Christ Circus is a clown ministry troupe founded in 1977 in St. Petersburg, FL and led by Dr. Dick Hardel (Dr. H.). There are three performing units of the Life In Christ Circus in the United States: Eagan, Minnesota; Omaha, Nebraska; and Orlando, Florida.
Over the past few years we have established a new unit near Dziegielow, Poland. This has been a wonderful blessing to our ministry.
Traditional circus clowns, at their best, serve up generous portions of the foibles of our own human nature for our amusement. Christ Clowns add a new dimension to the circus clown. They are “fools for Christ: in the best sense of those words of St. Paul (1 Cor. 4: 8-13). With their colorful antics they reveal our human frailties and allow us to laugh at ourselves.
Christ Clowns explode into the humdrum of daily routine with colorful costumes and makeup. They play and laugh with children of all ages. They are tricked and trampled, but never defeated because they stand in the cross of Christ and in the glory of the resurrection.
The Life In Christ Circus has shared the Gospel throughout North America, also in Eastern Europe, Central America, Africa, and Australia.
You will see the Christ Clowns of the Life In Christ Circus bringing this unique ministry to nursing homes, hospitals, children’s hospitals, schools, civic organizations, disaster areas, in congregations, on street corners, in parks or in the malls.
Christ Clowns work with the handicapped, the elderly, and the young—Children of All Ages! They have been on television, in the newspapers, on film, in workshops, at ministry service projects, and countless youth gatherings. They work just as enthusiastically with audiences of two or three as they do with thousands.
Christ Clown College
Christ Clown College was founded by Dr. Dick Hardel in 1977 in St. Petersburg, Florida. The college is designed to train Christian people in the art and theology of clown ministry. Christ Clown College, designed after Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey Clown College, is perhaps, the most formal and longest training available in clown ministry. To receive a diploma, a student must complete 60 hours of class time and over 35 hours of practice and performance time.
Students will study the history of the clown, especially in the American circus, and deepen their faith through the study of the theology of clown ministry. They will develop their own clown character from the inside-out, learn skills in make up, costume design, skit development, staging, props, mime, physical comedy, and more. If you are interested in this exciting ministry and committed to work hard, see the Contact page and email a boss clown for an application and more information. |
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Proprietor of the Life in Christ Circus
Dr. Dick Hardel
4332 Stirrup St.
Eagan, MN 55123
hardelr@comcast.net
Boss Clown of the Twin Cities, MN Unit:
Sid Teske
sidteske94@yahoo.com
For information on future "Life in Christ Clown College" classes being held in the Twin Cities contact Dr. Dick Hardel at rhardel@tyfi.org
Boss Clown of the Omaha, NE Unit:
Tim "Happy"Schutz
schutz27@cox.net
Boss Clown of the Orlando, FL Unit:
Nita Zimmer
nitazimmer@earthlink.net
Clowning Unit from Poland
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A clown’s faith is a clown’s home.
Clowns turn faith inside-out.
Clowns enjoy being attitudes.
Clowns travel places of faith.
Clowns discover they are catechisms.
Clowns hang out with artists of the faith.
Clowns open people to the Bible.
Clowns look deep inside meaning.
Clowns ask, “What does faith look like in you?”
Christ is the center of Christian clowns.
It is the Cross in the Sawdust Circle!
Clowns image the mind of Christ.
Clowns give thanks for faith.
Clowns speak inside-out.
Clowns feel faith.
Clowns think meaning.
Clowns hide and peak.
Clowns speak from heart to head to foot.
Clowns ask, “What do you see?”
Clowns do parables.
Clowns paint pictures.
Clowns scribble ideas.
Clowns dance thoughts.
Clowns reframe life so others can see God’s grace.
Clowns play Tag, You’re It! |
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About.....the Eagan, Minnesota Unit
The Eagan unit originated in 1998 when Dr. Dick Hardel (Dr. H.) brought together recent clown graduates of Christ Clown College and began teaching them some skits. And more skits. And more skits! Dr. H. trained Heather Hultgren (SparkPlug) as Boss Clown and with five other clowns, the Unit's first performance was February 16, 1999 in Hastings, MN for a Boy Scout banquet. The first year together resulted in nine performances, including three in Wisconsin and one at the Minnesota State Fair.
Since 1999, the Eagan Unit has performed in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Nebraska, and South Dakota. From Sunday School programs, to marriage and family retreats, to schools, concerts, nursing homes, stewardship programs, and camps, the Eagan Unit has banked many miles bringing the message of joy to many people.
There are several clown ministry trainers in our group. Over the years we have had students graduate from Christ Clown College, and our Clown Ministry Intensives. We have taught at workshops, retreats, classes, both in the U.S. and overseas.
Turnip and Dr. H. have been training student clowns in Poland since 2002. Turnip is in his 4th year being a “resident clown” in Poland and has trained 18 young people to share clown ministry with the people of Poland and Latvia.
This website connects the clowns with you and the rest of the world. The Life in Christ Circus Coloring Book has been published and is available for sale (click on “Resources” for more details).
If the Eagan, MN Unit can assist or enhance your ministry in any way, email Heather Hultgren hhultgren@lifeinchristcircus.org
The Life in Christ Circus Presents Great Clown Ministry Resources
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The Cross in the Sawdust Circle by Dr. Dick Hardel (2002)
One of the best books ever written on the theology of clown ministry. In over 200 pages, which include full-color pictures, Dr. H takes the clown deep into the cross of Jesus Christ. It clearly and concisely connects the history and traditions of the circus with the history and traditions of the Christian Church. It is not the clown in the sawdust circle. Clown ministry is always the cross in the sawdust circle. The theology of clown types connects the circus to the depth of historical Christian liturgy. The clowns take us on a journey from Ash Wednesday to Good Friday, to the Easter Vigil and Festival of the Resurrection, to Epiphany and live out Pentecost. This book includes a clown worship service, a fun glossary of circus and church terms, and a tremendous bibliography of books, tapes, videos, and web sites. $15.00 |
| Click on the link to order - |
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http://www.youthandfamilyinstitute.org/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=Y&Product_Code=saw1 |
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Welcome to the Sawdust Circle Part 2 by Dr. Dick Hardel**Limited suppply
This book is a wonderful companion to The Cross in the Sawdust Circle. The 108 pages contain thirty, 2-hour lesson plans for learning and teaching the art of clown ministry. It also contains a full retreat and some clown ministry routines. Through a complete set of lesson plans, numerous examples, and resources, it shows the reader how to bring the concept of a clown ministry to life in a parish or community. More than merely a teacher’s handbook, Welcome to the Sawdust Circle shares the laughter, the tears, and the hard work that go into the making of a successful sawdust community. $8.50 This item is not available online. |
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LIMITED SPECIAL OFFER: Save $5.00 Call the toll-free number 1-877-239-2492 (The Youth & Family Institute) and order both books together, The Cross in the Sawdust Circle and Welcome to the Sawdust Circle Part 2 for a total of $18.50. Special offer will close when the limited supply of Welcome to the Sawdust Circle Part 2 is sold out. This special is not available online. |
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Tag, You’re It! by Herb Brokering, Dick Hardel, and Penne Sewall
Contains 53 clown routines on the six chief parts of faith: Ten Commandments, Apostles’ Creed, Lord’s Prayer, Baptism, Holy Communion, and Confession/Forgiveness. Also includes 53 of Herb Brokering’s parables, and over 200 activities for the home. Through the clown routines the clowns create word pictures for others to see the extraordinary grace of God in the ordinary of each day. $13.95
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http://www.youthandfamilyinstitute.org/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code-Y&Product_Code=nfh_8 |
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Clown, Cross, and Healing DVD written, directed, and produced by Dr. Dick Hardel
There is more to healing in clown ministry than laughter produces endorphins or pain blockers in the lives of people. Through two clown dramas on this cutting edge clown ministry DVD, Dr. Hardel takes clown ministry deeper into the cross of Jesus Christ and the healing power of the Gospel. “Making our Burdens an Altar” uses an interpretive dancer representing the Holy Spirit who works with four clowns trapped in their own dis-ease and depression. The DVD shows what it looks like that Jesus said He would send the Comforter and would be with us always. This is the God who is Emmanuel, “with us” even when we are in the pits of despair. This is the God who wipes away our tears, takes away our fears, picks us up when we fall, and calls us to live well even if the disease does not go away. This is not about cure, but rather about healing and the responsibility to live as well. The first sign of healing is a sigh, given our burdens to God. $18.00 |
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http://www.youthandfamilyinstitute.org/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=Y&Product_Code=CCAH |
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Life in Christ Coloring Book by Heather Hultgren
Heather Hultgren is not only an artist but also the boss clown of the Eagan, MN unit of The Life In Christ Circus. Her drawings of various clowns of the Life In Christ Circus are caricatures of their personalities and their routines. This is a wonderful way to help children learn of the joy and love of Jesus in a clown. It helps children and adults talk about grace, faith, and love. $2.00 This item is not available online.
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