DANCE CAN BE PRAYER Youth in Oneonta express themselves through movement

Interest in dance began with a 1995 production of the Marty Haugen musical, "Tales of Wonder." Previously, said youth minister Michelle Gardner, the young people "didn't think that [liturgical dance] was something that the community wanted." But when parishioners reacted favorably to the musical, dance was integrated into the youth ministry program.

Ms. Gardner stressed that the troupe's liturgical dance is not a performance, but "a way of praying. It was about giving something that you had and finding your own personal style of prayer."

Signs of faith

While the word "dance" often conjures images of leaps, twists and pirouettes, Ms. Gardner said that such agitated movements do not have a place in the program at St. Mary's. She calls the choreography "minimalist" and said that the teens are concerned about "leaving room for the people to pray."

"We pray as we do the movement, and the movement is our prayer," Kelly asserted. "We give it life."

Link to youth

For teens whose spirituality is centered not in silent prayer but in action and experience, dance can be a prime way to express to God their hopes, prayers, aspirations and devotions. Because liturgical dance requires a different sort of commitment from the body than traditional silent prayer, says Ms. Gardner, it can help young people further involve themselves as active participants in liturgy.

"It makes teens say, 'I can bring all of me here? They don't just want a little part of me?' When they get up there and move, they feel they are a part of it -- not watching it, not hearing it -- but a part of the prayer process," she said.

Involvement

"The dancers 'get it,'" she explained. "They find that the community they are in makes this possible. [The parishioners are] very accepting at St. Mary's and truly celebrate these young people. They welcome a variety of prayer models and liturgies, and celebrate each other's gifts."

Kelly, who has been dancing since the age of five, said that liturgical dance has helped her to feel that she was "actually accomplishing something."

Branching out

Another goal is to keep the program alive, so future teens can connect with the sort of hands-on faith the program advocates.

"Some of the images of prayer that children take into their heads are hard for kids. Sometimes, it appears like prayer is a sad thing," Ms. Gardner said. "But prayer can be a celebration."

(12-12-02) [[In-content Ad]]