Writing the Church Skit

   The definition of “skit” is a short performance designed to entertain and or inform. Having been asked by a resolute committee at my church that I write a skit for their 175th anniversary celebration, I demurred.  Could I or should I try to capture the history of the church in such a way?  Should I or would I be able to include the names of important benefactors of the parish?  Could I possibly develop in a “short performance” something appropriate for the occasion, which should be celebratory, historic, uplifting, and somewhat spiritual, given that it is, after all, a church.
    But never fear. As a playwright and one who enjoys a writing challenge, I agreed to “think about it.”  After several weeks, I came up with an idea I wasn’t sure would fly, but nevertheless, I started drafting some ideas. I settled on one, with a gentle nod to Charles Schultz’s “Peanuts” comic strip where Lucy sets up her “The Psychiatrist is IN” table. I devised a skit wherein several members of the congregation come by the table and ask questions about the church, its history, and various events that occurred within its walls. To make the skit entertaining, I had to add some quirks and twists, some philosophical musings, some jokes, and some teasing.
    Given that any successful church (if I may term a church successful), has in its congregation characters who fit the following roles:  a busy soloist, manager of the Daycare program, overseer of the kitchen  crew, the person who  “fixes” or keeps the church building in good repair, the disciples who sit in the pews, and on and on.  So, I set these as somewhat stereotypical roles and used names and events indigenous to this particular church.
    I’ve named the skit “Pews, Pies, & Pastors.”  The funny thing about doing this is that I began to see a larger picture. Having to do research dating back to 1844, I learned  some American history. I learned about architecture, money, music, and a whole lot about psychology and people.  I believe the skit will work. I also believe that a church is comprised of people who forgive each other for silly weaknesses, who give their money to support everything from steps to signs, who quarrel about what sorts of rituals and traditions should be maintained or discarded, and who quietly serve.
    The most enjoyable part of the task was the development of dialogue for various characters. I like writing dialogue, and I could “hear” various members of the church pose questions and answers. Their accents are different, the rhythm and inflections of their voices interesting. I could hear the Southern person with southern intonations. I could hear the child questioning why she shouldn't bang the hymnal on her friend’s head, when after all, he was “bugging her" even as the good pastor was preaching about salvation and sin. 
   I’ve had fun thinking about the artistry of the service and the building, the stained glass windows, and the symbolism of various objects.  I learned that when each petal of the rose window was purchased in 1936, each cost $430.00, which today would be approximately eight thousand dollars.  I learned our church organ has 1118 pipes, and that the manse was razed in 1970, and the area converted to a biblical garden. 
     Writing the skit was fun. It will be performed at a much later date. Meanwhile, I’ll be tweaking and cutting, adding, and revising.  I’ll keep you posted.