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!

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 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)

"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.

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!

Women's Day 2011

Sunday, September 25, 2011 at 7:30am and 11:00am services, the Adult Dance Ministry will present. Please arrive at the church at 6:30am or contact me, if you will not be attending either service. Attire is the white dresses. Please wear the appropriate under-layers (white leotard and tights/white unitard/black leotard and tights/or something close to this configuration).