| Dancing for God a growing trend in area churches By Barbara CowardUMConnection Correspondent  Across the conference, liturgical dance is springing up all over in new and older churches, traditional and contemporary services, small and large congregations. Liturgical dance is a growing trend that many participants say enhances the worship experience for all involved.
The story behind how the liturgical dance groups get started is often an unusual and unexpected one. Some of the liturgical dance troupes and their distinguishing characteristics are launched through serendipity rather than a strategic plan.  At West Baltimore UMC, the Holy Rollers began two years ago, after one of the high school students was late for a youth meeting and skated right from home into church on his roller blades. This inspired the pastor, the Rev. Anne La Prade, to add roller skates to the groups repertoire. The dancers range in age from 12-16 years old, and perform on special occasions such as Good Friday and Pentecost.
While the West Baltimore UMC is an older church with a traditional service, new churches are also leaping into the liturgical dance movement. Living Springs Christian Fellowship in Bowie, which was formed in July 2000, included liturgical dance in its worship service right from the very start. Donna Young, wife of the pastor, is the founder of the churchs liturgical dance group, Living Springs Dance Troupe. When her husband, the Rev. Evan Young, was called to set up a new church in Bowie, she invited the dance ministry from St. Paul UMC church to participate in the first worship service held on Easter Sunday, 2000. One of the youngest members in the congregation was so moved that she asked if she could also participate. So Young, without any experience in dance, embarked on a mission to make that happen. Young attended a liturgical dance workshop to help her get started. A consultant was brought to Living Springs to help train the emerging group. Together, they developed a mission - a strategic plan, if you will for launching a liturgical dance ministry program. Young believes that liturgical dance adds immensely to the service since the congregation experiences the word of God through the dancers movements, which she thinks it is especially meaningful for those who are more visual. Recently, the Living Springs troupe was asked to dance at the opening worship service at the 2004 General Conference. Meanwhile, the group is developing an outreach dance ministry to perform at nursing homes, hospitals and community centers. Collette Kokinos, who along with Carol Angelozzi formed a liturgical dance group at Mays Chapel UMC, sees liturgical dancing as another expression of worship, bringing a new dimension to the service. Liturgical dancing allows the congregation to see things differently; and it fits in well with the more progressive nature of our church. Many have joined from other churches and denominations, and are open to new experiences, Kokinos said. One of the biggest outreach dance ministry programs in the conference can be found at the Casa Del Pueblo UMC in Washington, D.C. Faye Chandler, one of the pastors at the church, has more than 16 years of experience in liturgical dancing. Her Praise Dancers collaborate with other churches in the community to dance at Saving Stations, an outdoor street ministry program held in the summer. As part of the evening worship services, the Praise Dancers parade around the area in the hope of drawing people in from the streets. The dancers form a diverse group of about 150 people, including African-Americans, Koreans and Latinos. These combined forces allow the group to minister beyond the walls of its own church, and according to Chandler, have demonstrated results by attracting new members. According to Chandler, the reason why liturgical dance is so important in outreach ministry is because it is an effective way to communicate Gods message, allowing people from all different cultures and backgrounds to understand Gods word in a relevant way. Dance ministry, said Chandler, allows people to connect. Furthermore, its a growing trend. But has there ever been resistance to liturgical dance as an acceptable and appropriate form of worship? On the contrary, says Chandler, who claims that liturgical dance is a natural aspect of worship. Throughout history, Chandler said, dance was an integral part of mans commitment to God. Dance was always part of celebration and ritual. The 150th Psalm praises dance. Scriptures reference dance as a way to worship and celebrate God. Liturgical dance is a way to reveal Gods message. Dancing, she said, is a way of caring about and loving one another. | 
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