Dance Ministry
Brenda Ameli
September used to be my favorite time of year---it’s my birthday month----but lately it’s been a tough time of year! Last September we sent Anna Gibbons from the dance troupe off to college, and now in just a couple of weeks we’ll be saying good-bye to Meghan Hudson as she takes the big leap from high school to college at Cal Poly as well.
Meghan has been a true partner with me in this ministry, as we’ve shared teaching, choreography, danced together, and led the ministry together. I have seen her grow from being an incredibly skilled dancer to an incredibly skilled dancer who also has a depth of understanding of how the art of dance wordlessly speaks volumes. How dance can tell about who Jesus is, and what our walk with Him is like. She taught the dance choreography workshop in late August at church, and one thing she told the dancers was not only to look at the message of the song they’re dancing to, but also to search their hearts about the message God is leading them to tell.
All of us in the CCC Dance Troupe are already missing Meghan, knowing how much we will feel her absence.
As with Anna and Amy, however, I do have to remember that they are still a part of our dance troupe! It’s beautiful to think of them coming home on week-ends, holidays, summer and Christmas, to dance with us.
I also would like to welcome Mandi and Elizabeth as they become more involved with the dance troupe. They are both gifted and we are excited to see how God unfolds this new season of dance for us. Bethany, Elise, Marley and Melanie remain the core team, and I am blessed beyond words by these beautiful dancers.
As I take dance classes, lead the CCC Dance Troupe and teach movement and Pilates through The Spirit Moves, I am growing even more in awe of the reality of the body as a temple of the Holy Spirit. Scripture tells us to honor God with our bodies, and I encourage all of us, dancers or not, to explore the possibilities of living that Scripture out!
Brenda Ameli
community@claytoncc.com
September 2006