Happy New Year! And happy 9th Day of Christmas! As we move towards the feast of Epiphany I love this magical time of light birthed in the darkness, when life slows down and we pause to we enter the new year, reflecting on all that was, and all that is to come.
This season, I once again had the opportunity to work with the youth for Christmas Eve Mass, which gives me special joy. As they dance about the sanctuary embodying the ancient images, the story awakens and I feel myself as one of the glorious angels announcing the beauty of birth. Then I blink and find myself bumbling about like one of the playful shepherds on their way to the manger. Each one of us has our own style of dancing with the light!
I must say that I am so grateful for all the opportunities of 2023. One of my cherished highlights was the opportunity to dance at Carnegie Hall in February. I am still in awe that I got to share the light in such a radiant way! Also, traveling with my new community of St. Joseph Church has brought some challenges, but also new invitations to grow and to be an agent of grace in blending communities. You can read below about our upcoming production about the life of Thea Bowman that I am working hard on producing with St. Joes. I hope you can join us for some of our joyous offerings in the new year!
Sacred Dance Guild presents: Sacred Sunday Evening Hour with Betsey Beckman
Birthing the Holy: Dancing with Mary and the Sacred Feminine – on Zoom!
January 21st 4:30 -5:30pm Pacific
Did you miss our Abbey of the Arts release party in Advent? Come explore our newest offering of dances honoring Mary & the Sacred Feminine, sponsored by the Sacred Dance Guild!
At this zoom gathering, you are invited to meet Mary for the first time or deepen your connection to her as potent sister-guide through the gift of dance. Learn some simple choreography, and dance along with a handful of prayers that transport you to beautiful sacred spaces that honor Mary!
To register for Jan. 21st, Click here!
To view the trailer or enjoy the whole collection, Click here!
Save the Date! March 1-2 in Seattle – Thea Bowman Musical!
Speaking of courageous women who give birth to the light, I would like to introduce you to Sr. Thea Bowman! Sr. Thea was an amazingly dynamic Black Catholic nun who is now on her journey to sainthood.
To tell her story, I bring you my friend, ValLimar Jansen, who invited me to dance at Carnegie Hall in February a year ago. ValLimar is not only a gifted singer, but also a playwright with a call to create community through the arts. She has written this musical about Thea Bowman, and with the help of various communities, I’m arranging to bring the show to Seattle!
In the play, we follow Thea’s journey from Canton, Mississippi, to the all-white community of La Crosse, Wisconsin, where she became a nun and eventually a world-renowned pioneer of intercultural awareness, unity and acceptance.
ValLimar plays Sr. Thea, and the musical includes 14 beloved Spirituals, four classic Gregorian Chants, with a talented cast bringing to life the story of Sr. Thea.
Tickets available in a couple weeks!
Also, if you feel called to join our team to help host the play in Seattle, I need lots of help! Please let me know! 🙂
To get acquainted with the gifted ValLimar Jansen, here is a little story we shared during the Christmas season together. Enjoy this collaboration as a foretaste of what’s to come in March!
Retreat for the New Year!
Join Abbey of the Arts for our upcoming retreat
The Love of Thousands: Honoring Angels, Saints and Ancestors – A Companion Retreat to the Book
January 15 – April 29, 2024 (Online)
with Christine Valters Paintner and an awesome assembly of guest teachers for the season!
I am so proud of our latest collection! Join this retreat to explore the beautiful connection to those loved ones who are so close to us on the other side of the veil. Journey with our Abbey of the Arts community, and experience our newest offering … with new dances hot off the press!
More info & register here.
Listen to the CD here.
In Closing
Raven & Seagull
At the last minute, Dcn. Steve at St. Joes came up with an idea of sharing a Native American story as part of the Christmas Eve homily for the kids … and he invited me to jump in to help – yay! I had the distinct joy of embodying both Seagull and Raven in this engaging Creation story. I hope you will enjoy this little reminder to share your light!
Love and blessings for the new year!
Betsey
Betsey Beckman, MM
