Network Newsletters: June & July 2017

Every month, our Network Newsletter focuses on one ICDF network. Each newsletter is different. Discover photos, reflections, updates, prayer requests, and contributions from network coordinators and members from across the world.

June newsletter: Network for Dance Teachers

Whether you think of yourself as a Dance Teacher or not, we are sure you will find something of interest in this Network Newsletter. If you do teach dance, please consider joining ICDF’s Network for Dance Teachers.

Read June’s Network Newsletter for insights into the world of teaching dance and the vision at the heart of this network.

‘When our students come to realise how unique and special they are to God it can help them not to compare themselves to others in a negative way…’

To read June’s newsletter, follow the link below:

• Go to: ICDF Network Newsletters

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July newsletter: Creative Arts and Social Concern Network

Hear the heart of the Network Coordinator, Andrew Park, as he introduces us to the aims of ICDF’s Creative Arts and Social Concern Network. Share in the fun of “Hoola for Happiness,” an international organisation that uses hula hoops to share the love, joy and hope that can be found in Jesus to those who are hurting; and have the opportunity to read about “African Dance and Social Integration” in a paper by Dr Sylvanus Kwashie Kuwor.

Read July’s Network Newsletter and be challenged to consider how our art (dance or otherwise) can reach out with a message on behalf of and inclusive of  “the marginalised, disenfranchised, and otherwise privilege-denied!”

‘We need to be thinking as dance artists who we can support, and to be with Jesus in his social justice transformation mission…’

To read July’s newsletter, follow the link below:

• Go to: ICDF Network Newsletters

Network Newsletter: May 2017

Every month, our Network Newsletter focuses on one ICDF network. Each newsletter is different. Discover photos, reflections, updates, prayer requests, and contributions from network coordinators and members from across the world.

This month: Dance for Children Network (featuring Youth Dance Network)

Children and young people are more than just ‘the church of tomorrow’ — they have an important and irreplaceable role in the church of today.

ICDF’s Dance for Children and Youth Dance networks are here to support young dancers and those who work with them. Read this month’s Network Newsletter for reflections on Scripture, recent events, and best practice tips.

‘God wants to use children. He wants us to release and allow and encourage them to be dynamic little instruments in His Hands.’

To read more, follow the link below:

• Go to: ICDF Network Newsletters

New Network for Youth Dance

A new ICDF network for youth has been launched!

Network coordinator, Steven Turner, writes:

I am excited to announce that the International Christian Dance Fellowship has recently appointed me as the Youth Dance Network Coordinator. Some of you know may know that I have been working with the Christian Dance Fellowship of Britain for a few years now as National Youth Coordinator and I am excited to be able to expand this to start engaging with young people all over the world.

I see the Youth Dance Network as an opportunity for teenagers and young adults to connect with each other and share ideas together. Enabling youth across the globe to keep creating new innovative dances in the name of Jesus.

In my experience it can be difficult developing as a young dancer with a Christian faith. Sometimes you have dance teachers asking you to take on roles in pieces that are not necessarily spiritually edifying. On the other hand, there are parts of the Christian family that do not understand why dance and movement is relevant to faith. I love the idea of building an international network for young dancers that is able to encourage one another and share together ideas and prayer requests. Building up the next generation of dancers as they step into their identity as children of God and become part of the church of today as well as the church of tomorrow.

One of the quotes that I think is really powerful is from Bill Johnson and says,

You are God’s idea, and He longs to see the treasure that is in your heart. As we learn to dream with God we become co-labourers with Him.

God has given us all different gifts and skills. One of the things that really excites me is seeing people reach their potential. Bill’s quote reminds us how when someone learns to see their lives through their Heavenly Father’s eyes and can dream with Him, then they get to co-labour with Him and reach new heights.

— Steven Turner

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Find out more:

• Youth Dance network on the ICDF website

Network Newsletter: April 2017

Every month, our Network Newsletter focuses on one ICDF network. Each newsletter is different. Discover photos, reflections, updates, prayer requests, and contributions from network coordinators and members from across the world.

This month: Academics, Writers & Researchers (AWARe) Network

Within ICDF, we have many members who write – poets, students, bloggers, researchers, and more. You will meet some of them in the pages of April’s Network Newsletter, produced by the AWARe Network.

Peek inside for poetry, tips on starting a new writing project, and an article on how the experience of dance and movement can shape academic research.

‘An art-maker may ‘think’ in the medium of her art-making. As a dancer, my thoughts are often experienced in my mind as movements, rather than as words.’

To read more, follow the link below:

• Go to: ICDF Network Newsletters

Network Newsletter: March 2017

Every month, our Network Newsletter focuses on one ICDF network. Each newsletter is different. Discover photos, reflections, updates, prayer requests, and contributions from network coordinators and members from across the world.

This month: Flags & Banners Network

For the March 2017 Network Newsletter, the ICDF Flags and Banners Network have kindly shared a newsletter full of articles, photos, and reflections originally distributed among the ICDF Flags and Banners Network members.

‘…another year filled with dance, flag worship and LIFE itself.’

To read more, follow the link below:

• Go to: ICDF Network Newsletters

Network Newsletter: Feb 2017

Every month, our Network Newsletter focuses on one ICDF network. Each newsletter is different. Discover photos, reflections, updates, prayer requests, and contributions from network coordinators and members from across the world.

This month: Men in Dance

The February 2017 Network Newsletter features the ICDF Men in Dance Network. Network coordinator Andy Raine shares his vision with the Men in Dance ‘Manifesto.’

‘This network is for men, not about men.’

To read more, follow the link below:

• Go to: ICDF Network Newsletters

Network Newsletter launched

This month, we have launched the Network Newsletter — a new way to keep updated with your ICDF networks!

Each Network Newsletter will focus on one network, with contributions from network coordinators and others. Through the newsletter, networks will have a chance to showcase their latest news and events, as well as share their vision with everyone in the wider ICDF community.

Network Newsletters will be produced alongside the Networks Blog, so you’ll still get articles and updates right here (or straight to your inbox if you’re a blog subscriber).

This month: Fitness, Well-being & Movement Meditation

The January 2017 Network Newsletter features the Fitness, Well-being and Movement Meditation Network. Take a look to find out what a Christian fitness class is like, what makes faith-based fitness and movement meditation distinctive, and how the network is using social media to grow an online community.

We are all about fitness classes that bless us completely – body, soul and spirit!

• Go to: ICDF Network Newsletters