title: Clowning-An opportunity for ministry.
abstract: Experiences over five years interacting with patients as the clown Jingles and the experiment and experience of one afternoon as the clown Hairie in a hospital led the authors to reflect on the deeper meaning of clowns, their appearance during the centuries, their impact on people and relation to ministry. The presence of a clown changes the atmosphere and dynamics; clowns touch people in their deep feelings and may free them to laugh, to cry, or to play. Relating to others in lively ways brings up questions about the connections between the clown and God.
authors.affiliation: Philipps University in Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Richter
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Zonner