Connecting with children through ventriloquism

By Joan Janzen
joanjanzen@yahoo.com

The Rev. Piotr Strzelecki at St. Paul’s United Church has acquired a unique assistant; Pete the puppet is helping Rev. Piotr connect with children. “Pete was in some way a natural evolution of connecting with children,” Rev. Piotr said.

It all started when Rev. Piotr was given two sock monkeys. Every Sunday, the two monkeys would show up to talk to children and speak into the Reverend’s ear. “When the time came to shift things, we had a goodbye for the monkeys with a surprise of something else coming,” he explained. “Even after the monkeys, there was one puppet, then two, before Pete arrived. I decided a boy would be more appropriate because he is indeed much like my inner child.”

Last year in September, when we returned to in person worship, because of restrictions we were not offering children’s time. So I wondered what can we offer for children. My wife said why not do a puppet?” That’s how “Pete’s 10 at 10” began each Sunday when Pete and Rev. Piotr would have a ten-minute chat beginning at 10 o’clock. The pair tell stories, say a prayer or do a craft. Pete helped Rev. Piotr find a way to communicate with children, something he didn’t feel comfortable doing on his own.

Although Rev. Piotr wasn’t a ventriloquist, he began watching a “how to get started” video on You Tube given by American ventriloquist Jeff Dunham and his puppet Peanut. The Rev.’s endeavours were also influenced by watching the movie “A Beautiful Day in the Neighbourhood,” about the famous Mr. Rogers.

“I keep trying to practice and stay on top of it. It’s easier to do when I’m wearing a mask,” Rev. Piotr joked. He said some of Pete’s body language is borrowed or learned from Jeff Dunham’s puppet Peanut.

Pete has gained quite a following on Facebook and is entertaining people of all ages from near and far. Rev. Piotr said that about half of his chats with Pete are scripted and practiced, but the remaining consists of an impromptu conversation.

While on social media, Rev. Piotr would watch the comments come in. “I would see a hello from one child or another from Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver. It has become a tremendous blessing for the church to connect with people we wouldn’t otherwise connect with,” he said.

Pete began to be the recipient of unexpected gifts. “Pete does have a sizeable wardrobe. Some were gifted to him in the past by children. Some children would send Pete cards, which are on the wall in Pete’s little room,” Rev. Piotr said. Although Pete doesn’t usually dress up, one Sunday, he wore a bow tie and made a personal connection with a child who often comes to Sunday service wearing a bow tie.

Both Rev. Piotr and Pete were part of the Goose Festival parade a few weeks ago. “For the parade, I was wearing a collar and preaching tabs. Because Pete is part of the ministry team, he wanted to get dressed up as a minister,” Rev. Piotr said. “He was complaining he was too hot. It’s a way of engaging with people.”

“One child and his parents gave Pete a toy truck. So Pete had to talk about the truck online,” Rev. Piotr said. Sometimes parents ask Pete to wish their child a “Happy Birthday,” or Pete would visit a child to say “get well.”

Pete took the summer off from his online presence, but he would often make in-person appearances. He would go to the McDonalds drive-thru with Rev. Piotr or tag along on a visit to the Big 10-4 in Leader and strike up conversations. Pete would accompany Rev. Piotr and his wife on their walks and stop to talk to kids.

“When My wife and I go for a walk, I will run into adults and teenagers saying hi to Pete, and I would have no idea who they were. That’s a very humbling experience when the community acknowledges what I do,” Rev. Piotr said. “When kids hear something from Pete, it’s probably more meaningful than hearing from an old geezer like me.”

But we can’t forget that Pete wouldn’t be able to connect with children and adults without the essential help of his partner, Rev. Piotr.

The Rev. Piotr Strzelecki at St. Paul’s United Church in Kindersley has acquired a unique assistant; Pete the puppet. See the full story about how the two are connecting with children.

PHOTO BY KATE WINQUIST