Katie Connelly sings with the Junior Choir during Silly Sunday on June 13.

A Sunday without tradition

To celebrate the end of the Sunday School year, the Cape Elizabeth United Methodist Church held a Silly Sunday service on June 13, breaking with tradition in every possible way.

There were silly hats, silly shirts, kazoos, jokes, skits, and much more as a light way of welcoming summer while worshipping God with a sense of humor and lightness of spirit.

“Why did Jesus spend 40 days and nights in the desert?” was one of the thought-provoking questions asked during the service. And the answer: “Because he was a man and he wouldn’t ask for directions.”

“How many animals did Moses take on the Ark?” was another. And the answer: “None, it was Noah.”

“Where is the first math problem in the Bible?” was a question asked of the congregation by Katie Connelly. The answer: “When God told Adam and Eve to go forth and multiply.”

And so it went in a most-unusal service, in large part choreographed by our children and often carried out by our children at heart. There were funny stories and rekindled moments by Bill Wadman, Stephen Bither, Judith Hill and Faith York. Steve Hill relayed some “unusual moments” members of the congregation might have missed on the web site — and perhaps for a good reason.

It was a morning that provided everyone with a break from being too serious, too traditional and too predictable. When the service began with “I wiggle, wiggle, wiggle and praise the Lord,” you had to expect that most everything else would be unexpected.

And you were right!

A church picnic followed the Silly Sunday service at the parsonage. Photos from the picnic will be this web site on Monday.

Here are some highlights from Silly Sunday:

Jasper Fontana got himself in the mood for Silly Sunday before marching into the sanctuary with the Junior Choir.

How do we know that Jesus raised vegetables? Because he said, “Peas be upon you.”

Megan Connelly, Kelsey Kennedy and Katie Connelly had plenty of opportunities to be silly.

Which animal in Noah’s Ark had the highest level of intelligence? The giraffe.

Rev. Ruth Morrison donned an appropriate hat to greet members of the congregation on Silly Sunday.

 Why did Cinderella’s soccer team always lose? Because her coach was a pumpkin.

Many members of the congregation came dressed for Silly Sunday, including Linda Wakefield.

Why did Cinderella’s coach sit her on the bench? Because she ran away from the ball.

The Junior Choir, directed by Gail Parker and assisted by Carol Hubbard and Beth Austin, provided three hymns with a few silly twists.

Why do elephants paint their toenails red? So they can hide in the strawberry patch.

What has 6 legs, 3 ears, 4 tusks, and 2 trunks? An elephant with spare parts.

The regular choir had their own approaches to being silly . . .

What do elephants do for laughs? Tell people jokes.

. . . including playing kazoos during the offertory . . .

What do lazy dogs do for fun? Chase parked cars.

. . . and blowing bubbles whenever the spirit moved them.

What building has the most stories? The library.

Students from Sunday School performed a skit, narrated by Mirah Higley . . .

Why was the baby ant confused? Because all his uncles were ants.

. . . pondering the question "Why are church services so long and how do we stay awake?"

What 7 letters did Old Mother Hubbard say when she opened the cupboard? OICURMT

Jokes, riddles, funny stories and even some limericks were filtered throughout the service, delivered by . . .

Bill Wadman . . .

Stephen Bither . . .

and Faith York.

It was a Silly Sunday, enjoyed by all . . . and even Jesus must be laughing!