During this time of pandemic, once our church of 30-ish reopened, I've been blessed with the opportunity to do a routine every other Suday for our congregation. With this, some outdoor shows, and now chapel services at my reopened Christian Academy, I've been maintaining an almost normal performing schedule. The specials for my church are usually one routine, not a full show, which has had some interesting effects.
First, it has allowed me to focus on doing one routine very well. Last week I did a series of illusions with salt and candles to look at the words of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount: "You are the salt of the earth; you are the light of the world." It's not a routine I do often, but the chance to really rehearse it and develop it turned it into a really strong presentation. The service two weeks prior was a brand new routine involving fire and a live dove. I hd never gotten it right in practice, but nailed it in church. It's a keeper now.
Furthermore, it's been uncanny how often my routine connects directly to what Pastor Garrett preaches about. We do not plan together, but the Holy Spirit ties things together nicely.
Also, it has allowed our congregation to really get a taste for what I do. We have been at Casco Alliance for three years. My ministry really grew up during the 23 years my family worshipped at a different church, but, not having walked with me for those growing up years, Casco Alliance hasn't been as aware of what the Supreme Court Jester is really all about. Now they're seeing it.
So I will be doing another routine in a couple weekends, and again I will be perfecting it during the time leading up to that Sunday morning. While the performing I've been doing during covid is different from what I normally do, I am pleased with how God has continued to let me continue in my craft.