Monday, May 7, 2012

Good morning everyone!

Quite a bit of business to take care of here today and so, I hope you will read with patience and focus.

First - let me send a Shout Out to the CYT Dance Ministry for their participation in the Sacred Dance Concert on Saturday, May 5th at Detroit School of Arts! Despite the low attendance and ups and downs of getting there, you did what you were destined to do - Show and share the love you have for God through the dance! Thank you for a job well done! And a special THANK YOU to dance mom, Melissa "Missy" Ross for helping backstage!

Second - on that note, the Children, Youth and Teen Dance Ministry (CYT) is officially on break until July 2, 2012. For the four weeks of July, I will be working with the Teen Dance Ministry members only. They will present on the fifth Sunday in July. There will be a reminder sent out via blog (hopefully email, don't count on text ^_^) at the end of June.

Third - Welcome to our newest Dance Ministry members - Brittany Major, Deja Graham, and Kyndle Saffold!! We look forward to sharing and growing with you. Again, welcome to the family!

Fourth - Adult Dance Ministry is meeting on Monday, May 7, 2012 to discuss our summer sessions and Pastor's Anniversary Presentation. Hope to see you all there ^_^

Fifth - There is a new uniform for the CYT Ministry members. Most of the children have outgrown their old dresses and we have new members. Check the "Movement of Praise Handbook" page for the information regarding these uniforms. Adult Members - your new uniforms will be ready for September's Women's Day Celebration. I will be contacting you individually to confirm sizes and pieces needed. Thank you for your patience and understanding regarding our uniforms.

In order to facilitate payments for uniforms, during the summer break, there will be a PayPal account set up for parents to make payments towards the new uniforms. Please email me at lifewaterdance@gmail.com in order to receive your individual access information. I will not be accepting cash or check payments over the summer break.

Sixth - I want to take this moment to thank each and every member of the dance ministry for this wonderful season. There have been many changes, we've experienced some trying times and plenty of happy times. We've shared tears of joy and sorrow, pain and exuberance, and above it all, we've shared a love for God, Jesus and each other. I am so glad that you have been in my life as I walk this portion of my path. You have accepted me, flaws and all ^_^.  If you don't see me or hear from me frequently, know that you are always in my heart and prayers. Thank you!

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Well well well, what April does bring! Lots of challenges and changes to all things. Here's the update to the calendar!
There is no rehearsal on Monday, April 23, 2012 for the dance ministries. I would like to meet with the CYT Dance Ministry on Saturday, April 28, 2012. We are presenting on Sunday, April 29, 2012 and will definitely need a clean-up practice before presentation. We are presenting "Move" (get the lyrics on our Get The Lyrics page). The children, youth and teens need to have blue or black jeans, Shine T-shirts and bare feet. Please make every effort to be at the Saturday rehearsal. Contact me if you cannot make it for whatever reason ^_^

I've added the Adult Dance Ministry Easter presentation to the Pictures page. You can view it there.

Stay tuned for information regarding the Detroit Public Schools' Second Annual Sacred Dance Concert!!

Monday, April 9, 2012

Good Morning!
Immediate Topic - Adult Dance Rehearsal Cancelled for Monday, April 9, 2012. Children, Youth and Teens will meet this evening as usual 5:30pm - 6:40pm. We are preparing for 5th Sunday of this month, so please make every effort to attend rehearsal.

Shout Out to Tyra, Sharon and Julie H. for an anointed presentation at the 11:00am Easter Celebration Service. I received a text from Pastor J, simply saying "Absolutely Wonderful!!". I can't wait to go back to the LiveStream, so that I can enjoy the presentation as well. Thank you to Yolanda her background support, Lolita, Pauline, Sophie and the Teens who were there to calm us before and after the presentation.

Check out this awesome Christian poetry performance - you have to really listen to these two. Afterward, check out Janette...ikz on YouTube. She delivers a powerful message through her spoken word.

Have a great week! I will see you all next week!

March 27, 2012

Wow, it's seems like forever since I posted last on March 4, 2012. I definitely have to catch up. Here's the highlights of what's been happening:

1) Children and Youth Dance Ministries presented "Ise Oluwa" on the 2nd Sunday of March at the 11:00am service. It was wonderful to see the children and their presentation was well received! (Check out the Photo Gallery page to see some pre-presentation pics of the dancers)

2) March 19th was our Second Dinner with the Dance Ministry. We dined at the "not-so-new-anymore" 1917 American Bistro, just down Livernois from NPMBC. Five of our CYT members and eleven of our Adult members gathered for an evening of fun, laughs and good food! (Photos have been added to the Gallery page)

3) Check the calendar on the left side of the screen for the April calendar!

4) The CYT and Adult Dance Ministries have been invited back to the Detroit Public Schools 2nd Annual Sacred Dance Concert, May 5, 2012 at the Detroit School of Arts (DSA). Stay tuned for more details as they are available.

5) Check out the new Dance Ministry WhatNots page! The first post is a yummy recipe for Cauliflower Crust Pizza!

6) Lyrics have been posted for "Move" the CYT's current HipHop Praise piece! See the lyrics on the 'Get The Lyrics' page!

Okay, so that is what's happening. Remember, no practice, Monday, April 2, 2012 and come support the CYT ministry on the 5th Sunday of April!

Sunday, March 4, 2012

Happy Sunday Everyone!! Blessed Son's Day!!

Here's what happening Monday night -
Children, Youth and Teens Rehearsal from 5:30pm to 7:00pm. I plan for the CYT Dance Ministry to present on Second Sunday this month, so come prepared to review, review, review!! I will be bringing some costume pieces some of the children to try on. White dresses are the uniform for Sunday. We will be presenting the "Amen/Ise Oluwa" Mini Ballet for second Sunday. "Move" will not be presented until the 5th Sunday in April.

Adults will meet from 7:00pm to 8:00pm. I should have music CD's available with the semester's music. I have been given a new idea, so be prepared to finish "I've Been Changed" in this rehearsal.

Please the new calendar is up for March (look on the left side of the page ^_^)

I have tentatively set March 19, 2012 (that's Monday night, y'all) for our next Dinner with the Dance Ministry. It will be at the 1917 American Bistro on Livernois at Outer Drive. (Yes, I heard what you all said about frequenting Detroit establishments). The link for the menu is here  http://www.1917americanbistro.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=362&Itemid=68  I've been to this restaurant several times in the past and have enjoyed the food and the atmosphere. We will gather at 6:15pm, so please join us. Casual attire is just fine. I do need to know how many people plan on attending, so please comment your plans here!! I would also love for the children, youth and teens to join us (they can sit at their own table if there are enough of them). There is a lovely burger selection on the menu.

Okay, that's it for this week. See you Monday!

February 26, 2012

This is a special SHOUT OUT to Sister Sharon for holding down the fort while I calmly (yeah, right) paced the halls at Oakwood Hospital last Monday evening and Tuesday morning, anxiously awaiting the arrival of my very first grandniece!

Ms. Sabrina finally made her appearance on Tuesday afternoon at 4:30pm, weighing in at 7lbs, 8oz. Her mom and dad (my oldest nephew) did a stellar job with this little wonder. And so a new trend begins in this part of the Latten family. My father (of 9 brothers and 3 sisters) had 4 girls, who, between them,  had 9 boys and 1 girl. Now a new generation of girls (my daughter's first will probably be the only boy, lol) is led by the venerable Ms. S.

February 13, 2012

The CYT Dance Ministry is currently working on a series of pieces (a ballet) for presentation on the second Sunday in March. If the piece is completed, it may be presented for Black History Month at the end of February. The piece is based on this Yoruba song "Ise Oluwa". I heard and fell in love with this music when I was younger and watching the epic mini-series "Roots". We will be using the following version, as well as the version by Sweet Honey In The Rock, as well as additional pieces of music, to round out our ballet. Below is the basis of the song and a video that features the beautiful voice of Letta Mbulu, who sang the "Roots' version of the song. Believe and enjoy!

Ise oluwa, kole bajey o.

That which the creator made
can never be destroyed.

West African (Yoruba)

January 30, 2012

Here's what's happening today!!

Children, Youth and Teens have their regular rehearsal this evening from 5:30 until 6:45pm. Adults will meet this evening for Internet 101 and then class. Hope to see all of your bright and shining faces this evening. Peace!

January 9, 2012

We had an awesome returning rehearsal with the CYT Dance Ministry this past week. The youth and teens came ready to learn as we began our newest piece "Sweet In The Morning". I look forward to seeing everyone again this evening. Children, Youth, Teens and Adults, this is also a reminder that next week is our back to dance dinner at Anita's Kitchen. So far I have only heard from two of the adult members. I hope to see most, if not all of us there.

Don't forget to follow the blog by email or RSS feed. I will be sending out an email with this information as well.

Please note on the side bar the calendar for the month of January. February's Calendar will be up on the last Monday of the month. This is, of course, a living document and will be changing as the year progresses. 

I wanted to share this video with each of you - this is my favorite Psalm and I have several versions of it. Bobby's reminds me of contemporary Gregorian Chant.

December 30, 2011

Happy New Year!

from our house

to yours

Here’s to a Peaceful and Joy Filled New Year!!

See you all on Monday, January 2, 2012!!

Children, Youth & Teens 5:30pm

Adults 6:45pm

December 16, 2011

 Happy Holidays

from our house

to yours

Wishing each and every one of you a joyous holiday season!!

An Evening Family Prayer

Lord, behold our family here assembled.
We thank you for this place in which we dwell,
for the love that unites us,
for the peace accorded to us this day,
for the hope with which we expect the morrow;
for the health, the work, the food and the bright skies
that make our lives delightful;
for our friends in all parts of the earth. Amen.

--- Robert Louis Stevenson

Thank you for a worship-full 2011 and I look forward to a blessed 2012!

"Celebrating Music With A Message"

New Whitestone Presentation Information

Thank you everyone who has agreed to participate this Saturday, October 8, 2011 in the New Whitestone Missionary Baptist Church's Gospel Concert. The church is located at 13323 Fenkell St (at Littlefield) in Detroit, MI. We need to arrive at 4:45pm. The concert begins at 6:00pm. Because we all have time constraints on Saturday, we will meet at New Whitestone. The Adults are wearing the white/red & white dresses from Women's Day and the Quartet will be wearing Shine Shirts and black jeans. If you have any questions, please contact me.

Upcoming Presentation Opportunity

The NPMBC Dance Ministry has been invited to participate in the New Whitestone Missionary Baptist Church's Gospel Celebration on Saturday, October 8, 2011 at 5:00pm. Two groups have the opportunity to present for this occasion - the Teen/Youth Quartet "Chariots" and the Adult Dance Ministry "The Lord's Prayer". If you are available for this presentation, please comment below. For more information, please comment below and I will contact you accordingly.

A Wonderful Experience

On Saturday, September 24, 2011, 8 members of the Dance Ministries worked with the Trustees Ministry to host the monthly birthday party for the children at Interim House - the joyful Project Cotton Candy.

What a rewarding and enriching experience. We all left from the church in good spirits, a little unsure about what to expect, but ready for anything. We arrived a little late (5 minutes), but everyone jumped right in, unloading the supplies and prepping the activities and food. There were only a couple of little faces waiting when we first came through the doors, but then "the announcement" was made and children came from everywhere! There were crafts and games and toys and bingo. Shouts of "Bingo", "Pass the glue", "I can't get that funny bone", "How do you play this game?" "Where's the cotton candy?" ringing throughout. I don't think it got quieter when it was time to eat, I believe the talking and laughing just moved into another space as hot dogs, chips and drinks were distributed by the Kitchen Team (great job, ladies and gentlemen). One of our dance members, I won't mention any names (Sis Yolanda), was such a blessing to a little one, she wanted to go with us as we were saying our goodbyes.

Two short hours and it was all over, but we left full of the Spirit and the Joy of Giving Gracefully. Several of the September 24th group have made arrangements to return to Interim House and continue to share the love in various ways.

Thank you, NPMBC, for bringing this wonderous event into our lives.

The Lord's Prayer - Angie Winans

Children, Youth and Teen Dance Ministry Rehearsals Begin!

This Friday, September 30, 2011  marks the first rehearsal of the new season for the Children, Youth and Teen Dance Ministry members. We are still accepting members, so pass the word to friends and families who would like to join the CYT Dance Ministry.

Rehearsal is from 6:00pm - 8:00pm on Friday, September 30, 2011. Our first presentation for the new season will be Fifth (5th) Sunday. October 30, 2011 at 7:00am and 11:00am services. Please make every effort to attend the first rehearsal.

Don't forget to follow this blog and check back often for updates. Also read the Handbook page for pertinent information regarding rehearsals, etc. The calendar should be available before our first rehearsal.

Praises to the Adult Dance Ministry

Congratulations to the Adult Dance Ministry Sisters on a wonderful presentation today at the 7:30am and 11:00am Women's Day Services. You came together as one and let GOD have His way with you!

A special shout out to our newest presenting members - Ernestine, Betty, Debra, Elizabeth, Brittany and Tiffani! Great job, ladies!

Thank you, Sharon, Tyra and Julie H. - your assistance in rehearsals was un-endingly (is that a word?) appreciated!

Thank you, Barbara - for extending your home for extra rehearsals.

Thank you, Yolanda and Liz - for getting me to and from rehearsals.

Thank you, Adult Dance Sisters - you are all the "wind beneath my wings"! Thank you for the surprise, the extra surprise and for just being!

After much arm twisting and emotional bribery (lol), I have agreed to a TWO-WEEK BREAK for the Adult Dance Ministry. We will resume rehearsals on Monday, October 10, 2011 at 6:45pm.

Enjoy your time off - watch the blog for updates - see you soon!