A Skit to Perform - “Around the World….Around the Year”

Production Notes: This skit can be adapted to be performed with virtually any number of people, from 2-13 or more. One narrator is needed, and – ideally – 12 persons are needed to represent each of the months of the year. However, if fewer persons are available to participate in the skit, one individual can play the part of more than one of the different months.  This is a skit that can be done by all age groups.

About Costuming…The basic idea here is to have each person dressed like the month they are representing. This can be as simple or as elaborate as you like. Let people have fun with it!

For example:

The January person could be…

…a baby New Year.

…a snowman (or woman)

…a wise person (for Epiphany!)

…bundled up in a winter coat, boots, and mittens – perhaps carrying a snow shovel.

…a person dressed normally, with a sign held above

her head that says, “January” and  tossing plastic snow.

The February person could be…

…a giant valentine heart.

…a cupid.

…George Washington.

The March person could be…

…a kite.

…a daffodil or other flower.

…a lion or a lamb.

…a basketball player (for college basketball tournament “March Madness”).

You get the picture! Now, get your imagination going!

Tips for Delivery: Be sure to let the laughter over your costume die down before you transition to your much-more-serious message.

The idea is to use humor to get people’s attention, but then deliver an important message. An extra-special idea: if you have a willing piano player or a good cassette sound system, you may want to play music of the season for each month behind the narration.

Narrator: It’s time, once again, to think about and pray about our commitment to Week of Compassion. But – lest you think we’re talking about a ministry that’s really just a WEEK, think again! Week of Compassion is every month, around the world AND around the year! Well – don’t take it from me – let’s let our months tell you themselves.

JANUARY: January is a time for new beginnings and, for many refugee families from places like Afghanistan, Sudan or Bosnia, Week of Compassion’s work with congregations in refugee services and resettlement provides an important new beginning.

FEBRUARY: Although February is the month of love, in much of our world, war is a year-round reality. Week of Compassion is always on the frontline, lovingly serving victims of war throughout the world with ministries of feeding, healing, sheltering, and re-building.

MARCH: March ushers in spring, but it also ushers in tornado season in many parts of North America. Your gifts through Week of Compassion help this important ministry be ready to respond immediately when and where tornadoes strike next.

APRIL: April not only brings spring showers, it often brings floods. When devastating floods such as the ’03 floods in Ohio and Indiana or the ’02 floods in Europe occur, Week of Compassion is there to provide food, shelter, and re-building assistance.

MAY: Earthquakes can strike at any time, in any part of the world, and immediately devastate thousands of persons. Your gifts to Week of Compassion help our church to be there as soon as earthquake victims can be reached, as well as through longer-term re-building efforts. 

JUNE: June is a favorite month for children – school’s out and a relaxing summer is ahead. But, for many children and infants in North America and abroad, life is hard all year round. Your gifts to Week of Compassion help children and infants who are the victims of hunger, homelessness, abuse, lack of medical care, or some other adversity.

JULY: Our gardens may grow weary from heat and drought in the hottest part of our summer, but in places like southern Africa and central America, drought is a constant, life-threatening problem. Through your giving, Week of Compassion not only provides short-term relief to the victims of drought, it helps create long-term positive change in their lives. Projects such as well-building and agricultural research and assistance in seed development, help to sustain future life in drought-stricken areas.

AUGUST: Human-created disasters, such as the war and violence in Iraq, Afghanistan, Colombia, and Liberia, or school shootings and terrorist acts in the U.S., are a constant concern. Through your giving, Week of Compassion is ready to respond to whatever human-made disaster confronts us next. 

SEPTEMBER: September is back-to-school time. Week of Compassion – through your giving – supports schools in some of the poorest places on earth, helping persons in need, through education, grow and control their own lives and destinies.

Hurricane season begins in some areas of the world as well:;Week of Compassion provides relief for the devastating effects of the winds, rains, and floods.

OCTOBER: Medical ministry throughout North America and around the world is also a year-round concern. Programs of assistance to hospitals, clinics, and medical projects, sponsored by your giving to Week of Compassion, provide health care when and where it is needed most. 

NOVEMBER: November is a month where we especially draw near to home and family. Week of Compassion, partnering through organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and Church World Service,  is helping solve homelessness one family and one home at a time.

DECEMBER: December is when we celebrate the birth of Jesus, who said in the book of Matthew, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” Your giving through Week of Compassion helps our church be present to “the least of these” in the way that Christ taught. First, we love them and feed them. Then, we share the redemptive message of the Gospel.

ALL MONTHS COME OUT AND SAY TOGETHER: Around the World…Around the Year…365 days a year…your Week of Compassion is there.

Please give generously! Compassion is a year-round challenge. Thank you – and God bless you!