His Handmaids

When I was a freshman in college in 1970 I enrolled in liturgical dance for a P.E. credit. We learned to dance to The Lord’s Prayer (Malotte version) and some other songs. We visited churches to perform. I loved it! Worshipful. Great exercise. Expressive. Dance as a corps.

When our third child was in elementary school, she danced in a group at our church called ‘His Handmaids’. The corps wore white dresses with wreaths of flowers on their heads and satin ribbons hanging down their backs. They danced barefoot, because they danced on holy ground. The name was taken from Mary’s response to Gabriel upon the announcement of her state as Mother of God,  “I am the handmaid of the Lord” (Luke 1:38). I started a similar group at our next church, where my husband was pastor. We visited the nursing homes in our community. The elderly were a good audience.  I found some pictures of those girls. They are grown up and in their twenties today:

It was 1992 when I was first introduced to the ministry of His Handmaids. Today the ministry debuted at our church! Several grandmothers made the dresses and a mom made the headpieces. The girls have practiced every week. They learned their parts well and only complained a little that the headpieces were itchy. No one can deny that children bring a special and pure quality to the worship experience.  This particular song, His Eye is on the Sparrow, is choreographed with American Sign Language.

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14