A Congregational Dance

This article describes four patterns of congregational dance that are relatively easy for people of all ages to learn.

A child is in each person, and each child is a person. There really is no basic generation gap. Too often in our churches we have segmented our member into children, youth, women's guilds, laymen's fellowships, and senior citizens. There is a very simple art of communication that spans these divisions. It is found in exploring the joy of dramatic dance or symbolic movement, in moving together with expressive gestures and simple patterns of group designs. Everyone can participate in the patterns of standing (even if in pews), circling (the basic pattern used through all the centuries), walking together in processionals (with gestures during refrains), and cluster groups gathered to express dramatic moods (as in a sculpted composite). These four patterns will be illustrated here. In order to involve a group of people of various ages and abilities, movements must be simple and somewhat repetitive. Also, the symbolism must be clear and genuine. Then everyone can join in the joy of moving together in meaningful designs. 1. While standing in rows of pews, informally in a room, or outdoors, we can relate to each other as we sing "Shalom," the greeting of peace. This Hebrew folk song ("Shalom, Shalom") should be learned by the groups before movement is added. (It is found in many of our songbooks.) Shalom, my friend, Shalom, my friend: Everyone joins hands with the ones on either side. Hands will remain joined. Shalom: Look up and raise hands high (aware of the peace of God). Shalom: Look down and lower hands (aware that God's peace is here among us). May peace be with you. Look around at others and smile. May peace be with you. Look at others in another direction. Shalom: Look up and raise joined hands. Shalom: Lower hands and smile at one another. Now repeat this design. No one needs to worry about what to do next. The joined hands and repeated words make it easy for everyone. If the group is in rows or pews, have them turn toward the center aisle so those on the two sides are facing each other. Then repeat the same pattern, this time with hands reaching out to those in the adjacent pews. This time, during "May peace be with you," everyone looks across at those who are on the opposite side, and the smiles carry the dimension of caring about them. 2. If we are in a circle or in concentric circles, we can add more movement: Shalom, my friend. Shalom, my friend: The same gesture patterns as used with a group standing in rows. May peace be with you, May peace be with you: All circle to the right while looking around at each other. Shalom, Shalom: All stand and use the upward and then downward gestures. Another variation involves two concentric circles. Those in the inner circle turn to face those in the outer circle. Hands are joined, arms out to the sides with elbows bent as in a folk dance. Shalom, Shalom: Stand still to raise and lower arms as in previous patterns. May peace by with you, May peace be with you: Groups circle to their right while greeting each other with smiles. Shalom: All stand and reach up. This time release hands for high stretch. Shalom: Lower hands outstretched to touch the hands of those opposite, while looking at each other. Usually there are fewer in the inner circle, so the hands that touch may not be evenly matched. This design can be repeated a number of times because each time there will be some new persons to greet with outstretched hands in the closing "Shalom." As you see, this folk song may be danced in many ways, and your group may create other patterns. 3. Processionals provide an active participation for all ages. "Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart" has the lines, "Bright youth and snow-crowned age," and "From youth to age, by night and day, in gladness and in woe," with the refrain. "Rejoice, rejoice, rejoice, give thanks and sing." How natural to have persons of all ages process through the aisles with upward swings of their arms during these joyous refrains! Hymnals can be a burden during these processionals, so one remedy is to have 5 x 7 cards with the words of the stanza. Curve the card over your wrist and hold it here with one or two elastic bands. In this way, those processing can sing the stanzas and still be free for movements during the refrains. Some churches project the hymns high on a wall or screen. In this way, everyone is free from holding hymnals. "Praise the Lord, his glories show, Alleluia" has the repetition of an "Alleluia" at the close of each line. As young and old process through the aisles they can be like antiphonal choir members, responding with a strong upward swing of the arms held high, heads uplifted, joyously singing, "Alleluia." As the congregation sings the lines from their hymnals, those in procession continue walking with arms lowered by anticipating the next "Alleluia." The congregation will respond with increased vitality, for they will catch the mood of this processional hymn and won't be burying their heads in their hymnals. Enjoy exploring processionals with your people. You will find many songs and hymns with refrains or repeated phrases that lend themselves to symbolic movement. They will enliven and deepen the moods of each season of the church year. 4. Cluster group designs evolve surprisingly with a sequence of "Amens." The refrain of the "Amen" spiritual folksong is a good musical background, but other fivefold "Amens" can be used if preferred. An "Amen" should be portrayed with conviction, for it is a strong personal affirmation that people use as a response. The build-up of five "Amens" will evolve into a living sculpture of strong affirmations. Everyone gets into a group of five persons, perhaps in the aisles or before the chancel, in a room, or out on the grass. Within each group the people, standing in a circle, number off in sequence. As everyone sings, each person in turn takes and holds a strong position that has meaning to him or her. Number one takes a position while the first "Amen" is sung; number two takes another position as the second "Amen" is sung, and as they take their statuelike positions they stand close to each other. Numbers one, two, and three take any posture that instantly occurs to them; perhaps a contrite kneeling, or an upward thrust of seeking or exaltation, or reaching out in angular confusion. Numbers four and five now are responsible to use a gesture related to one or more of the first three persons. Four and five bring the others into a sculptural whole. At the end of this sequence, have all the groups remain frozen in their clusters while one or two groups are chosen for the others to observe. When repeating this sequence, have each of the people in the groups renumber themselves so that each person has an opportunity to start as number one, but also the challenge to be a closing relating number. Children, youths, and adults contribute a variety of gestures as they throw themselves totally into dramatic stances. Amazing living sculptures happen each time. Diversity and community are found in each cluster.