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!!!!!

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.