Hands of Hanoverdale began in March of 2005 as a project for our Jr. High Sunday. One of the mothers of a Jr. High youth had experience in making puppets. She thought that the Jr. High youth would enjoy making and using puppets, and the puppets and skits would add to our upcoming service. She started with a pattern she developed, some felt, cardboard, and stuffing and made the puppet heads. The Jr. High youth met after church in the fellowship hall with tables full of felt, yarn, hair accessories, hats, toddlers’ clothing, bags of stuffing, and two sewing machines. Each of the puppets began to take shape as they were given hair, facial features, and clothing, thus creating the look and personality its puppeteer wanted it to have. We wrote several skits that were prerecorded through the church’s sound system with the help of our sound technician. (Having the words on a recording allows the puppeteer to concentrate on mastering the puppet.) Each of the puppets performed in Jr. High Sunday at the end of April in 2005. We had no idea then what God had in mind for these puppets and this group of youth.
The congregation showed great enthusiasm for the puppets, and a puppet team was formed. We began practicing once a month and doing the children’s story during morning worship once a month. The name “Hands of Hanoverdale” was chosen by the group. In November of 2005, the puppet team attended a Puppet Productions Conference in Lancaster. This helped to improve our puppet skills, and give us new ideas.
Our congregation has given us many opportunities to hone our skills and try new things over the last year. In addition to monthly children’s stories, Hands of Hanoverdale has performed in 2 Community Fests, a Jr. High dinner theater presented for the church and community, the church’s Building Dedication, 2 Jr. High Sundays, weekly Kids’ Klub openings, and a Pastor Appreciation dinner. We have presented an hour long program which has been done at neighboring churches. This program is entitled “Rainy Days and Mondays” and teaches us how God uses trials in our lives to draw us closer to Him. It incorporates many lively songs that the puppets perform as well as several skits written for the program. The puppet team also enjoys singing, some dance, doing worship dramas, and dabbling in magic tricks. We are always looking for new and creative ideas to incorporate into our ministry.
In November of 2006, we participated in a One Way Street Regional Puppet Festival in Lancaster. Besides learning through their various workshops and worship times, we competed in both the song and skit competitions. We received First Place Awards in Best Presentation of the Festival Theme and Most Original, as well as a gold and bronze trophy for overall performance. God challenged and inspired us throughout the weekend which culminated with a special commissioning service of us and our puppets to go out and reach the world for Jesus.
Hands of Hanoverdale enjoys “performing” with the puppets, but our more important goal is to bring the life changing message of Jesus to people of all ages. Puppets are cute and funny, and people enjoy listening to what they have to say. They give the opportunity to witness that teens and adults alike often find difficult. We hope that God will reach out to others through us and our puppets.
Hands of Hanoverdale practices 1 – 3 times per month as needed. It is open to those of Jr. High age who have a desire to work hard and minister to others. If you would like to have Hands of Hanoverdale minister to your group, please contact the church office at 566-8821.
