This summer I had the unusual opportunity to discover what it’s like to be green! It’s really not a bad color … in fact, St. Hildegard of Bingen has a whole philosophy of Viriditas – celebrating the inherent greenness of all creation. However, when it comes to skin color, green does leave a bit to be desired … and the Wicked Witch (otherwise known as Elphaba) had to face quite a challenge living life with this particular peculiarity!
But what an amazing journey I had with 8 of my grandnieces/nephews coming up with the Adventures in Oz – our mashup of The Wizard of Oz and Wicked … whose cast members happen to meet up with another surprisingly green character – Kermit the Frog!
Considering the challenges that our country and our world are facing these days, I must admit, it was an incredible balm to enter into a world of imagination with the kids in our family … and to create such a joyous journey together. Somehow it stirs the soul to be able to re-tell a classic story of finding courage, brains & heart to guide us on our life path. And along the way, we discovered we could create a brand new ending for our tale … and it could be our prayer for transformation in our world today!
I hope you might consider receiving our offering … break out the popcorn & settle in for our hour-long production! Make a date with the favorite kids in your life to share the viewing. That would make me smile!
Meanwhile, I have lots of other adventures coming up that I’d love to share with you below… you’ll find an online series, as well as live offerings in Philadelphia & Seattle. Hope we can dance our way into the fall together!
Somatic Spiritual Companionship: Inner Awareness for Deeper Listening
An 8 Week Online Course
Begins Tuesday, September 30, 2025
4-5:30pm Pacific on Zoom!
I am honored to be one of the respected voices to share embodied wisdom on the subject of Somatic Spiritual Companionship … something I have been living through ministry & spiritual direction for many years! The series is hosted by my beloved friend and founder of InterPlay, Cynthia Winton-Henry. So grateful for this chance to share collective wisdom, and hope you can join us!
CLEAR Project – Concert in Philly!
Tuesday Oct. 7th 6:30 p.m.
Woohoo! I get to go to Philadelphia next month to share three dance pieces I created for this beautiful project connecting kids with Creation. Sponsored by Villanova University, I am honored to bring the joy of movement to church & family through this concert event!
SpiritPlay 2025
Do you live in Seattle? Now in our 25th year, we will be offering SpiritPlay Class once again! Come explore the improvisational tools of InterPlay to help unlock the wisdom of your body as instrument of prayer. Discover your sacred stories, songs, and dances, as you embrace your calling in community to be fully alive as part of the Body of Christ. It would be an honor to the journey share with you!
Begins October 14th!
St. Joseph Parish Center / 732 18th Ave. E. Seattle
Cost $25 per class / $175 for the series.
Children’s Liturgy
I’ve discovered that the kids and I have a joyous time exploring and expressing our faith in story and movement! Once a month, I lead the kids in CLOW at St. Joes … and we have a blast. Bring your kids or grandkids! Come take a peek!
In Closing
Baptismal Blessings
While in Michigan with my family, we also had the occasion to celebrate 3 family Baptisms. I loved being able to offer an embodied reading in the same church where Charlie and I were married 37 years ago! In the challenges of these days, may we learn to release our hearts of stone … to be given a heart of flesh instead.
Blessings and Love!
Betsey
Betsey Beckman, MM
