Worship in Dance
As the Bard once said "What's in a name?". Well, the name is Jubilate and it means Rejoice! And this is what our group is all about - praising the Lord in dance.
The original concept came into being several years ago when Helen Knowles asked for volunteers to form a group to interpret hymns and sacred songs in movement. Movement to music became dance.
Helen is the talent and dedicated force behind Jubilate. She picks the music and choreographs the steps, incorporating many deaf signs into the hand movements. She ensures we each have a printed dance script and audio cassette to practice with, and arranges rehearsal times (usually four one to two hour sessions) before the relevant church service . She listens to any suggestions and will use them if they enhance the performance.
Our varied and colourful costumes have been made by Gillian Evershed from the Deaf Church and Iris and Carol from our congregation. We thank them for using their gifts to help us. We also use such props as flags, candles, and scarves, for example - and, believe me, wielding a four foot flag in the chancel, missing the choir and a brass chandelier, is no mean feat!
At present there are eleven dancing members of Jubilate - and our Val ! She is a valuable asset to the group as she helps Helen choose the music and watches rehearsals offering suggestions and gentle guidance, seeing it from the congregation's point of view. Co-ordination is not always easy, bearing in mind the range of ages - from a gifted teenager to at least one who has attained more than their three score years and ten! However, compromise overcomes most problems. Not only do we find pleasure in the dance, but we have a wonderful fellowship - and lots of fun!
Jubilate has taken part in two Christian musicals - "The Way of Peace" and "Snakes and Ladders" together with the Choir, St Martin's Singers and the church Drama Group - "Smudge". Bill was very supportive of worship in dance and two of our clergy - Olive and Marlene - are actual members of the group, taking part when their other commitments allow. We hope our newly appointed Priest-in-Charge, Mike, will look favourably on our offerings.
We are aware that dance in worship is not to everybody's taste, but together in prayer we always ask for the Lord's presence before each rehearsal and definitely on the morning of the performance. All we can do is to use any gifts we have been given to the best of our ability. In Ecclesiastes 3, we are told "there is a time to dance" and we consider it a privilege to take part in the occasional morning service.
During such festivals as Christmas and Pentecost we have used dance as a form of outreach, performing in the town square before the shopping public. Just think - someone goes out to W.H. Smiths to buy a daily paper and is confronted by several ladies joyfully dancing to the Lord's words! Who knows what these seeds will bring forth - Alleluia!!
Back to the term Jubilate: this was the name of Psalm 100 in the King James version of the bible. It starts "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord." Now if those of us whose voices are not pitch-perfect can sing our songs of praise with gusto, then I'm sure the Lord will accept our dance - warts and all!
Junilate, everybody! (Psalm 150, v.4 )
Barbara Holmes
Note from Helen:
I would like to add a few words to those already written by Barbara, who with her great ability has penned three wonderful dramas for the dance group.
I get a tremendous amount of pleasure setting the dances and taking rehearsals with the happy, lively and talented team that forms Jubilate.
We are a close-knit group who delight in serving God and the church to the best of our ability. We have also had the privilege of leading two morning services - with our members, in addition to dancing, taking the bible readings, the prayers, drama and talks. We are looking forward to taking another service in January. At the moment we are practising dances for Harvest and Christmas. As Barbara has said - we vary greatly in age, shape and size, so if you really have the desire to dance - there are no barriers!!! And you can be sure of a very warm welcome!