I have had the privilege of leading an amazing group of women in dance at our church, 12Stone, for over 10 years now. It is an essential part of my life, leading and being led by this exquisite community of women. We meet most every week and pray, study the scriptures, and dance. We laugh and we cry,we huddle around each other when we are hurting, and throw flower petals when we are celebrating.
I have always felt ill-equipped for this task. I took my first dance class at 26, when Annie was 3. I always wanted to be a dancer, but it never worked out for me to have lessons growing up. When I saw dance in worship for the Lord for the first time,my heart swooned. I knew I somehow had to be part of this. So, I went out and took a class. God’s path eventually led me here, to this place of community and blessing on Monday nights.
The above photo is of the room where we meet and rehearse on a weekly basis. It was especially decorated that night because we were celebrating one of our dancers who was getting engaged to her forever man. We prayed, danced , and threw flower petals over her to signify blessings over her life.
We later blind folded her and took her to where her Steven was waiting to surprise her.
A beautiful night, and we were all honored to be let in on such a precious moment in her life.
We like to throw flowers. Well, I do. I am pretty sure I started it. It just seems appropriate to lavish flower petals on someone to symbolize our prayers, God’s extravagant love and blessings, and the glory of being a woman. We just love it somehow, and we do it as often as we can find an excuse for it.
Below are some photos of a flower petal-throwing session we had with Rebecca, who was leaving for a long-term missions trip. This was our goodbye, or aloha, as she was heading to Hawaii for her training and then going to China from there.
And we also dance. At 12Stone, we have the freedom and joy of being able to do all kinds of dancing. Below are some from our decades series last year, where we danced to J’ai Ho. Those girls can do anything. 🙂
These women love each other, and laughter is so essential to what we do and who we are.
Of course, our most important job is that of worship in the Body of Christ. It is our favorite place to be, our calling and joy. Below are just a few images of that magic.
Love this team. Thought you might like peek into the wonderful world I get to be a part of every week of my life. 🙂
9 Comments
I love this! That is so wonderful that you have the opportunity to worship in such a wonderfully soulful way. Keep throwing flowers! =)
Wow. Just wow. Seeing some of those images brought tears to my eyes. I love to dance and I miss it. You captured the joy and abandon of the dance so well.
And I think I spotted Ms. Selena in one of the images… she was our son’s pre-K teacher!
This was such a pure blessing to glimpse into your world and how you see things to bring to life in your photos. The moon, friends dancing, and your wonderful husband. So glad Dustin put this on Facebook. Will look forward to sneak a peek into your life. Thank you for allowing this and God s blessing on your life and art. ps Dustin was youth pastor @ our church here in Virginia, we so love and miss him. Thank you, Debbie Fitzwater
Debbie,
Thank you so much for stopping by! I am honored that you spent a little time here on my blog, and thank you for your kind comments. Blessings to you!
Mary Anne
Wow .. this is Amazing. So Beautiful and I agree , “We should Dance for the Lord.” Actually, I used to dance at home all by myself listening to his Worship Music… …. sort of in Balett Mode!!! I never have been to a church where you can dance Unto the Lord , until I came to 12stone.. I Love it !!!! Music is my passion,a gift from God !! I love singing, & dancing, My mom & dad also played piano, accordian and guitar. That is why I am so glad to be in the Choir!! As long as I’m able to breathe I want to sing for him!!! You have truly Blessed me with this Project!!! Blessings !!!
[…] now lead an amazing team of dancers at 12 Stone Church. It is such a privilege. They are a group of amazing young women with beautiful […]
This is so beautiful, I wish I had a group of women like these xx
[…] dance ministry has done this for years. Each time a dancer is to be married, we set aside time to pray and bless. We read scripture, we […]
This is beautiful! Wish I had a group like this to share with… May God continue to bless your ministry!