While familiar to some, Sacred Dance may be new to others in our congregation, so I offer this short history and description to answer any questions or curiosities.
Liturgical Dance has a long history within the Christian Church. Although not always celebrated, as during the times of the Puritans, dance within the walls of organized religion has always been intended as an extension of traditional worship forms and a fulfillment of the creative expression given by God.
The Hebrews knew how to dance. They often used this form of expression in offering praise to God, such as when Miriam danced in joy at the overthrow of Pharaoh (Exodus 15:20) and when the women danced in celebration of David's victory over Philistines (I Sam. 18:6). Dance was often a part of worship in the middle ages as well, and continues today in churches of many denominations.
Traditionally, the dancer has worn white, signifying the purity of Christ, and sometimes is adorned with a stole or scarf of liturgical color of the religious season. The outfits are designed to resemble the simple baptism robes of the early Christians, with modifications to enable the dancer to move freely. Dancers wear white leotards or dance barefoot as the movement and the music are what should be drawing the congregation's attention. All movements in Sacred Dance are designed to interpret the music in a way to draw the viewer's thoughts to God. Arm movements are often sweeping, upward gestures to point the way to heaven. Today dancers are often young women in their early teens, but liturgical dance has been offered by adults of both genders, by young children and by both the able bodied and the disabled.
At its heart, Sacred Dance is a prayer in motion, a celebration of the gift of human creative expression, and a humble offering of that gift back to God.
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