Meanwhile, Up in Worcester....!

The 5th Annual Fill-in-the-Gap aerobic dance event was happening in New Jersey this weekend.... and I couldn't go. :-( ..... But meanwhile, up in Worcester,MA, a sweet blessing awaited me. I love weddings, and new babies, and grand openings....'cause I love beginnings! I feel honored at those times when God allows me to be a witness at a "birthing." (Well.... I actually felt PAIN when I was a witness at my children's birthings.. but that's another blog!) I sang, danced, praised and witnessed the birth of yet another liturgical dance concert on Friday night. What a blessing to see what God continues to do, in big and small ways, as He is freeing up and empowering the Body of Christ through the expression of dance!

1st Dance Concert at Christ Tabernacle Apostolic Church!( Worcester, MA) on PhotoPeach

Rhode Island joins the National Liturgical Dance Network!

(Melodie with NLDN staff--Lakeisha Sykes and Sentheia McLeod, and Founding Director, Rev. Eyesha Marable - with daughter, Honor, in tow!)
This month, Rhode Island joined over 20 other states and over 7 countries in becoming a chapter in the National Liturgical Dance Network! Melodie Thompson-Thomas will serve as RI Chapter Chair,under the leadership of founding director, Rev. Eyesha Marable. Founded in 1998, NLDN promotes in-reach and outreach ministry through dance, challenging leaders and ministries world-wide to strive for excellence in their art and in their biblical knowledge. NLDN provides ongoing dance and leadership training to help equip the saints for effective ministry in dance and movement arts. As a NLDN Chapter, we can look forward to expanding opportunities for service to others and growth in our art, all to the glory of God!

"GOD'S PUBLIC DISPLAY of AFFECTION"

As once pointed out by one of my members, GPDA (God's Providence Dance Assembly) could also stand for "God's Public Display of Affection." :-) Perhaps the similarity in acronym is no coincidence. As we enter our 3rd season together, I can definitely testify that I've been blessed by the affection of each of these women of God. They have seen me at my physical lowest (on crutches with fractures shortly before last year's Gospel Dance Concert!)and at emotional low points as well. And they have been there for me- with laughter, hugs, encouragement.... even admonitions (cause,yeah, leaders need this, too, sometime!) Likewise, we have been there for each other. Through tears and joy and fear (Arise, Shoe Warriors!),and celebrations -- we have, indeed, been helpers one to another. And what does all this have to do with Dance Ministry? It has everything to do with dance ministry!God uses our affection for His Direction!
Because we love one another, we are able to appreciate, celebrate and support each other's strengths, weaknesses, differences and similarities. Unlike many other dance ministries, God's Providence Dance Assembly is made up of liturgical dancers from different churches in RI and MA. This aspect of our union adds tremendous richness to our fellowship,and I think it also adds to our appreciation of each other. I was recently talking to Valencia Friend, one of my dear dance sisters. We were talking about how disheartening it is to see some dance ministry members caught up in a spirit of competition, and how this is so contrary to God's purposes. We are all human, so if we say we have never ever looked at the skills of a more highly trained liturgical dancer without a "wee bit" of covetousness,then "the truth is not in us." But, as a former pastor of mine used to say, "You can't stop the birds from flying over your head, but you can stop them from making a nest in your hair!" Fleeting thoughts are just fleeting thoughts. But let our concentration be on affection for one another, as we display God's affection to a needy world!