PUPPET MINISTRIES: HAND-DELIVERING GOD'S MESSAGE

Becky Komorech practiced with small puppets called notes that sing to music.

The notes must sing in unison through a black drape during performances, so practice is important.

Churches throughout the region are using puppet ministries to deliver God's messages. These enchanting little creatures appeal to all ages and are fast becoming a sought after special program.

Two of the most active puppet ministries in the area are at Hobbs Chapel United Methodist and First Baptist churches.

Puppeteers take their craft very seriously.

The Hobbs Chapel group practices every Monday for nearly 90 minutes.

"Holding your arm in the air for extended periods of time and learning to move the mouth and arm rods takes a lot of practice," said Joyce McCullough, director of the Hobbs Chapel program.

Hobbs' puppets first appeared almost 15 years ago.

"My sister and I would use handmade puppets and put on a skit," said Brandon McCullough, Joyce's son.

The puppets were launched to stardom when they presented the church's Vision 2000 program. The church decided to fund the puppet ministry program and the group was able to purchase their first professional puppets.

Their stage was built by church members. Ron Kemp, an active member of the group, handles most of the props.

"We just tell him what we want and he comes up with it," said Joyce McCullough. No purchases are made unless the item can be found on sale. Many of the costumes are created by women in the church using yard sale finds.

Some Hobbs Chapel puppeteers have attended the Puppet School in Sikeston. "We were taught about puppet handling, effective stage presentations, props and creating skits," said Ron Kemp.

The puppets deliver their message in a contemporary, up-beat tone. The Hobbs group tries to perform once a month, usually on the second Sunday. The skits last 15 to 20 minutes. The weekly practices are evidence of the group's dedication.

The 30 puppets are handled by puppeteers from the 6th grade and up. All new puppeteers begin with Ralph, the group's mascot. Ralph doesn't talk, which makes him easier to learn to manipulate.

The puppet ministry has also helped Hobbs to build the congregation. Once a member gets involved, the entire family is often drawn in to the puppet ministry.

"We want to get out into the community more," said McCullough. Performances have been given at area nursing homes, during Vacation Bible School and at community events such as Community Day in Perkins. Travel has been made easier with the construction of a new stage that can be assembled in about 15 minutes.

The group performs next week during the 9 a.m. worship service at the church.

When the puppetry group at Hobbs Chapel was just getting started, they received help from the First Baptist team.

"First Baptist came and put on a performance for us so we could see what we were supposed to be doing," said McCullough.

Her son, Brandon, was a member of the First Baptist team before joining the Hobbs group. He is now active with the Wesley House puppet group at Southeast Missouri State University.

First Baptist got its start in the puppet ministry from a St. Louis church who came to perform. The St. Louis church also sponsors a puppet festival which includes competitions and workshops.

The First Baptist team has attended the festival to learn new techniques and to compete with other groups.

First Baptist has two groups in its creative ministries division, which includes the puppet ministry.

"We have a learning group and a more experienced team which both perform," said Donna Komorech, who leads the groups.

Performances by the Old Gospel Quartet, a group of puppets, is especially popular with older members of the congregation.

They really enjoy hearing the old tunes being performed by the puppets," said Komorech.

But performing at the church isn't the only practice the First Baptist group gets. They often perform at nursing homes and hospitals, and will perform for children Friday during a Parents Night Out, which is sponsored by the church.