March So Far

March so far has been really amazing. Weather wise, the NY/NJ area has got a reverse thing going on...March is coming in like a lamb...does that mean it will go out like a lion?


My cousin just started the Rhode Island Chapter of the National Liturgical Dance Network. We are so proud of her and I am so blessed to have married my husband who has such a cool 1st cousin!!!! Before the workshop was over, Sister Melodie (that's what folks call her but she's Cousin Melodie to us), prayed over the co-founder of NLDN, Rev. Eyesha Marable.

She truly blessed us over the hours that she spent in Rhode Island. We were filled with the word...warmed up and stretched us out (she was just playing...you've got to come to the NJ workshops to get the real deal anyone at Karade's or Elmwood last spring knows what I'm talking about)!!! Then we learned choreography. How she continues to pour out day in and day out from state to state...well...that's just got to be GOD!!!!

Many thanks Rev. Eyesha, her right hand servant of the Lord Sentheia McLeod, and Rev. Eye's precious daughter Honor. And of course GDPA - God's Providence Dance Assembly led by Sister Melodie Thompson-Thomas that made the workshop possible. GPDA were the helping hands that kept it rolling.

I came back from Rhode Island with a renewed desire to walk in purity and obedience before God. Can't wait for the "Purify" Conference at the Greater Allen Cathedral in Jamaica, NY from July 28-August 1, 2010. Start saving now. Working during the day?...the evening sessions are free and open to the public...but we are happy to receive your love offering. When you come, you will see that each conference is a labor of love.

(Pictured L-R) Sentheia, Rev. Eyesha, Honor, Melodie

Let's Hit the Books

I was blessed with this months On-Line Class...you may recall that I enrolled in the National Liturgical Dance Network's on line (tele-conference call) class.
Our last month (Dec 2009) reading assignment was The Levitical Calling by Candace Long. We were also asked to pick 1 more book of our choice. Good books on liturgical dance are not easy to come by and they don't remain in print forever so many people opted to get all three. Those books are the following:
The Theology of Dance by Linda Conrey
The Priesthood of the Dance by Kina Nichols
Order My Steps by Gail Glover Faust
We had the great opportunity to listen to and also interact on the phone with the author Candace Long for our December 27, 2009 class. Looking back on my notes this is one of the things she mentioned...There is a temperament that a dancer has. How should I walk as a creative? We are like a spiritual thermometer (the liturgical dancer), we have like a spiritual antenna built into us. The dancer has a crucial ability to receive spiritual data. The enemy's strategy is to pollute and defile the Levite. Be careful that the door is not open. The dancer has to be particularly careful because we are so sensitive.
If you want to know more of what was said...you have to buy the book or join the class. Please contact Eagle Carmen Curry or Rev. Eyesha Marable of the National Liturgical Dance Network for more information.
For those who have gone through the Eagles Training Institute with Dr. Pamela Hardy or have been in dance ministry much longer than I, have exhaustive libraries. From teaching at Nyack College and my own personal study, here are the books I have specifically geared towards liturgical dance. Some books are really old but bridge the gap that many liturgical dancers are not knowledgeable about...the dance history between the end of the New Testament and the 1960s.
Dancing into the Anointing (see Nyack College syllabus) by Aimee Verduzco Kovacs, Ph.D
The Liturgy as Dance and the Liturgical Dancer by Carolyn Deitering
Introducing Dance in Christian Worship Ronald Gagne, Thomas Kane, Robert VerEecke1984 & 1999 edition
Rejoice: A Biblical Study of the Dance by Debbie Roberts
Dancing in the Spirit by Karen M. Curry
My Body Is the Temple (see Nyack College Syllabus & used as a study at Primitive Christian Church Dance Ministry) by Stephanie Butler
Breathe, Balance and Stretch by Stephanie Butler
Dance![God's Holy Purpose] by Dr. Ann Stevenson haven't read this yet
Rivers of Praise: Worship Through Movement by Rachel L. Moore haven't read this yet either
Happy Reading and let's hit the books and learn all we can to use our gifts for His glory with excellence!!!! And don't forget to mark your calendars for the next Worship and the Word Conference PURIFY! at the Greater Allen Cathedral, Jamaica NY Wed July 28 - Sunday August 1st go to Facebook (National Liturgical Dance Network (and/or) Worship Conference 2010) and get up to date information and get to meet alot of other NLDN members. Get connected dancer!!!!!

Fill in the G.A.P. Dance Conference

I wanted to experience a National Liturgical Dance Network Gospel Aerobics Praise event myself so I went to Cathedral International today in Perth Amboy, NJ. Much to my surprise, it wasn't just a few hours of aerobic movement, but was an entire conference!!!! I had no idea. I missed the workshops, and the teachings but the little teaching moment at the end about the "gates" of our nations, communities, and our own temple was worth the whole day. Are you being decisive about what comes and goes through your gates? And if you couldn't get it in word only through Dr. Pamela Hardy, you learned it through movement led by Rev. Eyesha Marable. My hat is off to Sentheia McLeod and her incredible team that made the conference happen. I look forward to running my own event someday and raise the much needed funds to do that work of ministry to bless others. By the way...it was fun(d) raising...we had a ball...AND...for those who shared their prayer requests with me, you were on my heart as I moved, and marched and clapped. I will look over those text messages and continue to pray.

Bravo to the Artistic Son

Alfred Gallman was called an "artistic son" by Alvin Ailey. He is truly one of jewels in the crown of the city of Newark and the liturgical dance world. A brilliant teacher and choreographer, he formed Gallman's Newark Dance Theatre over 30 years ago.

I have viewed his students in concert, and have seen his church ministry dancers from Kelly Temple dance with a powerful anointing. I have also been blessed to have a few classes with Mr. Gallman and the best part of the class for me is not the technique, but the rich wealth of wisdom in creativity and his understanding of how to go beyond the steps to true worship of the Lord.

Today I witnessed his "Sound the Alarm" Liturgical fundraising Concert. What a blessing! His passion for the children he works with and the importance of sowing into their future is evident in all he does.

I look forward to the great things God will do through this man in the future. I am grateful for those who have taught me technique and or sown into my life with spiritual wisdom: Matt Mattox, Carolyn Clark, Marie Paquet, Iris Cloud, Barbara Duffy, Julia Boynton, Swazette Whitten, Patricia Smargiassi, Sharron Miller, Rev. Eyesha Marable, the list goes on...

And for those moments sitting at the feet of Bro. Alfred and gaining some wisdom...priceless!

Seasons of Purpose in Class

I met Martin 8 years ago when Seasons of Purpose was at its infancy. At the time Martin was enrolled at Alliance Theological Seminary, but he never completed. Martin never gave up on the dream to get that Theological degree (MPS or M.Div) in New York City. Today he begins a new program at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary's Urban Ministry program. O.K. I know you are saying...but isn't that in the Boston area? But of course. However, they just started a new site in New York City at my home church: Primitive Christian Church. The price is so reduced that it would be crazy for him (and not to mention you) to take advantage of this theological training. Classes began tonight with 2 courses and a chapel service in between.

As for me...I'm trying to keep in step with the Lord. I hope to enroll in the National Liturgical Dance Network On-Line Course. I look forward to what God will teach me from this class and how He will use Rev. Eyesha Marable and others to confirm what God has already taught me. This is the year for more boldness so I am sharpening my tools, exacting my aim, strengthening my resolve. We have big plans and are believing for God to provide for our needs, pay for our classes, and provide for greater ministry opportunities for Seasons of Purpose in the future.

Thank you for your prayers and support.

Dancing Children in the Spirit

I celebrate the former students of mine from Nyack that continue to grow and expand their horizons. Even though I have never had my own children, I am excited as I see my "children in the Spirit" in the dance ministry step up to the next level.

When I see my "children" dance, develop their own dance ministries, and choreograph, I'm so happy for them!!! Recently, I looked at pictures from another student's dance ministry. I felt like a spiritual grandmother.

I would like to thank Iris Cloud (Dance for Joy Ministries) for her years of pouring into my life so I can pour into the lives of so many others. In addition, I have been effected and inspired by leaders in dance ministry including Min. Kathleen Turner, Rev. Eyesha Marable, Dr. Pamela Hardy, and Min. Rae.
Today I went to Lea's wedding (see above) and a stranger asked me who I was. I admitted to be her professor in dance and the stranger said I must have had an impact on her life. I'm so glad that God choose me to be part of this legacy, at such a time as this. I am part of the end times servants that will use the arts to mightily showcase the glory of God.