Anyone walking into the Scarborough Blue Point Congregational Church on the day of the church’s clown ministry might have thought they had stepped into a circus by mistake.

On that day, pink curly wigs, oversized striped shirts, floppy shoes, red noses and balloons replaced the usual sights of the typical church service.

However, these clowns didn’t come to church to pack into small cars or perform practical jokes, but to tell stories from Bible. All in mime, of course.

Rev. Carol Kerr was intrigued by what she read and heard about the concept of the clown ministry. Originally popular in the 1970s, the idea is to teach and minister by using clowns.

“It’s a way of telling the story of Jesus that is funny, whimsical but also it can be very profound,” said Kerr.

Recently, children joined Kerr and the organist Nancy Landsman to dress up like clowns and put on skits for the congregation. In one, they tell the story of the Good Samaritan and in another they clown around about their love of God.

“It’s about being so hopeful about the world when there doesn’t seem to be much hopeful about the world,” said Kerr.

Church member Sara Salisbury was a little leery of the clown ministry when Kerr first mentioned it, but when she saw the kids get involved she was convinced.

“It was a hoot,” Salisbury said. “The kids really responded to it. It was great to watch their reactions. It really brought some stories to life for them.”

Kerr said that everyone had so much fun and learned so many new things that the church plans on extending the clown ministry. There are plans to take the show on the road to nursing homes in the area, but the one solid idea is to have a summer clown Bible camp.

For three half-days from Aug. 22 to 24, the Blue Point Church will host the camp. For now only the dates have been decided, but Kerr thinks that the hours will begin in the morning and end in the early afternoon.

Kerr said that the clowning came natural to the children, but that the adults were equally as impressed.

“It crosses all lines,” said Kerr. “The people in Scarborough really get this clown thing.”

Members of Blue Point Congreational Church and the Clown Ministry. Standing from left to right are Ian Kerr, Andrew Rinkus and Noah Nygen. Sitting from left to right are Tom Zub and Will Zub, Ashley Briggs, Sam Nygen, Rebecca Zub, Lily Nygen and Maddison Rinkus.