I'm letting go.

Dance Workshop Footage
Saturday, May 31, 2008

Even as the testimonies/reflections are coming in, let me post some pictures to mark down the wonderful time we had. I encourage everyone to write their reflections as it really makes one sit down and think through about the experience, instead of letting it pass us by without seeming to leave any trace in our lives.

Dancers are indeed united when we congregate together. But let us not neglect our spiritual aspect. During the study of Ephesians, I came across the verse:

Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

II Corinthians 4:16

In order to be renewed day by day, we need to spend time with Christ. It is then that the Holy Spirit that is dwelling in us can be strengthened and awakened. Just that 2 hours on Saturdays and another 2 hours on Sundays. It doesn't cut back your time for your work! (: Hope to see everyone of you next week!

Day 1.

Shauna OH. the leader of the troop.

May Eleanor.

Annette.

Joel.

Timothy.

Seth.

prayer groups!

how bimbotic dancers are.

FLAG-TWIRLING.

practising hard!

how beautiful.
they ended up with blisters.

Day 3.

lunch after service. BOON TONG KEE CHICKEN RICE.

look at the smiles.

Introduction to Drama.
impromptu roles.
Sebestian - the Teh Tarik Man.

Quanxiang - the Floormat.
Annette - the House
Cass - the Table

Teresa - the Dustbin
Shauna - the Customer

Timothy - the boy who vandalizes the table

look at Shauna's unglam pose. HAH!

Teresa the ballerina.

THE WORKSHOP HAS COME TO AN END!

I'm the ringleader. Look at the ring around me. (:

On 10:33 PM, a child of God speaks.
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dance workshop reflection

my first time using blogger! hahaha okay. okay. reflections/testimony:

This workshop has really taught me many things and has shown me how the ministry has come together. One thing I learnt was how to just worship God with your heart. Actually it was when Cass cried because she was stressed out from remembering the lyrical jazz steps, and after we ran through the part, Shantelle told her it was beautiful because she danced with her heart. I realised that it doesn't have to be about being talented in dance or being able to do pirouettes and splits, but it's about having the heart to dance it for God.

♥,
Candice

On 8:57 PM, a child of God speaks.
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dance workshop testimony/reflection

"I can do everything through him who gives me strength."
Philippians 4:13

The dance workshop was quite fun and exciting(although i missed the 1st day of it).
I learnt a lot too....not only the different type of dances like flag twirling etc...but also the real purpose for dancing..
Also, no matter how tough and tired the dance practices are, at the end of the day,
i realised that its the strength from God that can only keep me going through it all.

Patricia

"For the sake of the call..."

I often find myself thinking and dreaming… and one of the things that I like to think about and dream of is the dance ministry. I have this dance notebook which some of you have seen it and even fiddled with it. I was flipping it through last week and I came across one of the things that I wrote down in 2006 was "organise dance workshop". I thank God that that lil’ dream of mine has finally been realised!

As I looked back over the years and events that had happened, I do see God moving us in the direction He wants us to take. To me, this is another affirmation from God that we are indeed His chosen ministry and He has great plans for us to fulfill.

The last 3 days of workshop were rather fruitful to me, however, my takeaway from this workshop is not about the skills that I have acquired, but it is my conviction of the existence of this ministry that grew significantly.

While preparing for the devotion that we had on Friday, I felt so encouraged by the Lord. This was quite a 180 degree change as I was feeling rather discouraged and helpless when I think about the ministry. It’s been 2 years but we are still not a strong ministry. We are all scattered, missing in action in church and that is not what we hope to achieve. But after choosing the devotion and doing some reading on my own, I believed that there’s going to be a change. The topic on how to be a disciplined worship dancer really tells all. It was like a revelation on how it’ll be like when we truly worship God with dance and what we must all have to make a dance a spiritual dance. I was excited. After Shantelle’s sharing on how powerful dance can be, I was even more ready for this change to take place in our ministry. On top of all these, Sunday’s sermon was so appropriate, throughout the sermon I just kept thinking of the song “For the sake of the call”. And each time Pastor Derrick mentions arise and build, I know it has to start with us. Somehow, it was this vision or dream that had just birth the last few days promising a revival that is coming that excites me… and we are going to be a part of the many agents of change. It’s going to come…

I can’t quite put it into words but I know that within me…it’s a feeling of excitement, hope and assurance. This is the ministry He has called me to, just like how He has called each and every one of you too. I will answer the call… and abandon it all for the sake of the call. I hope you will join me.
No ministry can survive on its own… Unity is strength.

shauna

On 1:39 PM, a child of God speaks.
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Dance Workshop Testimony/Reflection
Monday, May 26, 2008

Let me start the ball rolling. one of my traits (flaw or otherwise) is to depend on myself for everything. I like things to be in my control. It took me quite some time to learn how to rely on God. More oft than not, I will seek God only when I cannot cope. When Shauna first invited me to join dance, I was hesitant. I can't dance. I'm not someone who likes to move my muscles. I prefer writing or reading. But she said to give it a try. (This is vague. Since it happened like 2 years ago.) I think it's a trap. Once I'm in it, I have to stick to it. Because there's commitment. Especially if you have a role in the committee. But in addition to that, I also have a sense of belonging to this group of dancers. They are my friends in church. They are the ones who helped me when I'm struggling with my steps. I still remember Candice coming to church to recap steps with me for one of the performances. The unity amongst the dancers are palpable.

However, when the going gets tough, quitting comes to mind. Thoughts like, maybe God didn't give you the talent to dance. Maybe God intends for you to do something else. The same thoughts appeared before this workshop. With Shauna's description about Shantelle, I was getting cold feet before the workshop. I prayed. I realised that, joining the Dance Ministry made me learn how to rely on God. Because it is in my area of weakness that God is strong. I have no talent in dancing. But because God is so real, my limbs can actually move somewhat - with some semblance of a dance.

My greatest hindrance when it comes to dancing is, I can't remember the steps. It's like my psychomotor coordination is under-developed. I may see someone doing the dance, but my body can't seem to follow what I see. Then I dance like a duck, because I constantly have to look at someone. I cried on the 2nd day as I was so stressed that I could not catch up. I see everyone dancing so beautifully but I can't catch up! It was during moments like these that I felt so alone. You know, it sucks when you aren't good at something and you know it.

But God used my fumble. Suddenly, the dancers seemed to loose their tension. They came around me. They comforted and encouraged me. They tried to make me laugh. With Candice producing her Donald Duck sound. We did the hands thing. (what do you all that? like, teams usually do before a game.) And then, I don't feel so alone anymore.

I love the Drama Sessions as well. Even though I may not understand the purpose of some stuff initially, I like the bonding. Especially when we did the numbers/alphabets thing. (For those who don't know: In no fixed order, we have to say A-Z. If 2 person says the same alphabet simultaneously, we have to restart.) We had to be in tune with one another. And the sense of accomplishment overwhelms you when one round is completed. (A-Z) Oh, how I love the reaction when I say 'L' after 'H'.

I thank God that it is such a good session of bonding and learning. I pray that God will continue to use me in miraculous ways. I love the dancers! (:

The choreographed dance demands practice, sacrifice and willingness to work in unity so the Body of Christ can be edified. It takes a disciplined worship-dancer to bring forth this kind of dance, and it takes sacrifice to be disciplined.

Lastly, let me end of with these verses that I have come to love.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

- I Corinthians 9:25-27

Love,

Cass

On 11:08 AM, a child of God speaks.
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Serve the Lord with Your Talent
Friday, May 09, 2008

an update to spice up the blog. (:
some pictures maybe?

THE LATEST BUZZ.

the dancers serve in Kids' Worship on Sunday 27th Apr.

Seth on the drums.

Joel. the George to be.
you know, like set up all the AV equipment.
this wire goes into that hole. that wire goes into this hole.

Uncle Shuoxian.
showing his gentle side on the piano.

Ryan, emo-ing with the guitar.

Weijie. The Honorary Member of Dance Ministry.
what a long title.
always ready to strike a pose.
his duty for the day; co-worship leader cum clown.

there; another one who loves to strike a pose for the shot.
that's why I love them.
her duty; to lead worship.

yes indeed.
I typed that.
Shauna's slides are so boring. tsk tsk.
I added that; COME TO WORSHIP WITH A SMILE! (:
look at those words and you inevitably break into a smile right?