2 022 Read e rs’ Issue How have you incorporated dance and drama into worship during the pandemic?


Our liturgical dancer was able to make a few videos (both of herself and her group) that we used during worship. I was also able to use a clip from a video recording of a concert her group did at our church a number of years ago. The congregation really appreciated these offerings. One of them was a dance to “The 23rd Psalm” by Bobby McFerrin from his Medicine Man album (the music recording was used with permission).


Eileen Johnson El Sobrante UMC El Sobrante, CA


If we do dramas, they tend to be with a few people. We’ve found that narration and music can pull the drama together without the need for lots of memorization and rehearsal time. Reader’s theatre-type dramas also work for us.


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Accompanied the choir virtually – listened to their recording and played to it, then our organist put them together.


Jan Smith Vale UMC Oakton, VA


I took six ringers out for a caroling opportunity in a cool public space in Memphis. Good to be seen and heard by folks outside the sanctuary walls.


Todd Wilson


Germantown UMC Germantown, TN


Karen Booth


Lake Harbor UMC Norton Shores, MI


How have you used handbells in a creative or unique way?


We have accompanied hymns more than we had in the past. In the early days of “back to in-person worship” we rang small ensemble music every week, so that the choir was not singing through the entire service.


Michael Dougherty Hyde Park UMC Tampa, FL


The pastor of the church I attend used them at Children’s Time.


Rev. Dr. Betsy


Schwarzentraub Elk Grove, CA


Shawn Gingrich First UMC Hershey, PA


Two of my ringers (one of whom also plays piano) made a home recording of a solo handbell piece with piano accompaniment. We used it as prelude music for Laity Sunday.


Eileen Johnson El Sobrante UMC El Sobrante, CA


We gave bells to ringers in the congregation and asked them to start ringing them as “Of the Father’s Love Begotten” was sung.


One Sunday I put together a Zoom performance of a short reader’s theatre. It was a bit tricky, but we all enjoyed working on it and I think it went over fairly well.


Pamela Abbey Walnut Creek UMC, Walnut Creek, CA


We now have a screen which helps us present drama, singing, scripture reading, etc., from remote sources.


Sue Klein


Newtown UMC Sandy Hook, CT


We pre-recorded a number of drama videos. Some were done in-person outside (camera operator and performer); others were recorded on Zoom (kind of like The Brady Bunch open- ing credits) and the Zoom recording was used during worship. Others were recorded by the performer (a few are tech-savvy enough to record themselves doing a monologue).


Eileen Johnson El Sobrante UMC El Sobrante, CA


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Continue to trust in the power of prayer, the joy of making music, and the knowledge that God goes with us every step of the way.


Sue Klein


Newtown UMC, Sandy Hook, CT


__________________________________________________________________________________________________ January-February-March 2022 • WorshipArts • UMFellowship.org


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