Think its bad in some Catholic churches? It could be worse!

New York City church
holds 'Clown Eucharist'

The Layman Online
Tuesday, May 31, 2005

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Looking like refugees from Clown Alley at Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus, ministers and many parishioners participated in a "Clown Eucharist" at an Episcopal church in New York City.

Earlier, the rector of Trinity Church-St. Paul's Chapel Trinity Church, the Rev. Dr. James Herbert Cooper, encouraged the parish family to come to church "in clown dress, big hats, floppy shoes or some sort of foolish garb. Those watching on the Internet might even be foolish enough to put on some white face or a big grease-paint smile as we worship God and learn about the structure of the Eucharist by being the circus which came to town and to church on that day."

The Rev. Dr. James Herbert Cooper breaks the bread during communion at Trinity Church in New York City during a 'Clown Eucharist' service.

The church bulletin's order of worship for May 22 states:

"The Procession-Entry of the Gladiators arrangement by Owen Burdick: The Ring Master, Choir, Acolytes, and Clergy enter the Church."

Someone mimed the Old Testament reading, and three people mimed the Gospel reading. Then, the bulletin states, "The Ringmaster directs the Sacred Ministers to the front of the altar."

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