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Creative Arts Camp Encourages Kids to Lead Worship
SARANAC, MI (August 25, 2005) - Students at a Creative Worship Arts Camp spent
last week learning to integrate various art forms with their faith and
were able to use that experience in worship last Sunday.
The children, ages 9-13, were able to choose two of five options for the
weeklong, half-day camp, says Julia Carr, pastor of worship arts at
Saranac Community Church. Participants could choose from sculpture or
drama in the early session. The second session offered video, music or
drawing.
What the children created was included as part of this Sunday's service,
says Carr. The different classes have been developed around the
Scripture readings for the service – Psalm 104; Exodus 2 in which an
infant Moses is saved; and Roman 12, in which Paul discusses how
different gifts are important to the church.
In celebration of Psalm 104, which praises God for his creation, the
sculpture class traveled to a nearby river to collect items they would
use for their projects. The class also used clay to sculpt and
illustrate different ways in which they can contribute to others.
A skit based on Romans 12 was performed and some of the students helped
lead the congregation in singing. Carr also has been able to use the
class to teach about worship. "They said I was the best teacher ever
because I let them sing into a microphone," Carr says, laughing.
The service also included a video made by the students, who took a field
trip to film nearby waterfalls, rivers, fields and animal life. They
have been editing the video, which eventually will have a voice over of
Psalm 104 and music.
Carr had hoped to offer a class on sacred dance, but only one child
signed up. There may have been some miscommunication, however. "I heard
a lot of kids saying they didn't want to do a scared dance. I wouldn't
want to do a scared dance either."
The camp also served as an outreach, with six of the children never
having attended any church, Carr says. Carr has been at the church since
June and has been excited that the congregation wants to involve
children in the service on a regular basis. "There is so much that
children can do in worship," she says.
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