St. Luke's United Methodist Church reintroduces its youth dance group

WEST ORANGE — St. Luke’s United Methodist Church is hoping to get more kids and youth involved in church activities this year — even those who are not members of the church or do not attend regularly — by offering programs that relate to their interests.

Each Wednesday this school year, from 3 to 8 p.m., students in kindergarten through 12th grade can go to St. Luke’s for Thrive: an after-school program where they can participate activities such as choir, homework sessions, youth group and shared meals. Another key part of Thrive for middle- and high-school students is sacred dance.

The church has had an adult sacred dance ensemble for many years. A youth ensemble had previously existed, but recently has been inactive. The youth ensemble will be starting up again this year, led by Kristin Allgire, who participated in the youth ensemble when she was in high school.

“The arts are important to the church,” Allgire said. “It’s a great opportunity for girls and guys to meet with their peers, learn dance, and they perform during Sunday services.”

The first meeting for the youth ensemble is next Wednesday, Sept. 9. If dancers are unable to start attending regularly until later, they are allowed to join the ensemble at any point during the year, though they might not be able to perform until they have been attending for a while.

The choreography and music will be a mix of contemporary and traditional styles, so that everyone in the congregation can relate when they see the dancers perform in church. Most dances will have a central message to make them more meaningful for both the dancers and the audience.

Allgire said some of the benefits for church-goers are the potential for the dance to spiritually inspire them, and the joy of seeing young people participating and giving back to their church.

Allgire grew up dancing, and she taught dance when she was in high school and again for a few years after college. Some of the relationships she formed with her students then are still going strong.

“I just love working with kids … and for me, it’s an opportunity not just to teach dance, but for me to be a mentor,” Allgire said. “Dance is just the avenue to get people to create a safe place for them to be.

“I think everyone is given gifts, and whether you’re given the gift of dance or you just love it, it’s a great way to show your praise and give of yourself in a way that is faith-based,” Allgire said.

Contact Catherine Sinclair at [email protected].

FIRST MEETING

The first meeting and rehearsal for the dance ensemble will be from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 9. All middle- and high-school students are welcome; they do not need to be regular attendees at St. Luke’s.