May I Have This Dance

— an invitation to faithful prayer throughout the year

A Traveler’s Guide to Joining in the Journey

This is a non-traditional sort of book emphasis this year for the women of Westminster. The book itself is rather non-traditional as a book to be used for study, individually or as a group. If you are wondering a bit about how to use the book or to connect with others who are participating, here are some tips and answers to frequently asked questions:

Is it too late to start?
No, each month is self contained – join in at any time. Likewise each month’s activities and many of the other conversations organized around this adventure do not require previous attendance or study. Each is useable by the Holy Spirit in your life no matter at what point you enter.

What is the right way, best way to “do” this book?
Whatever works for you. As many ways to “do” this study as people who pick up the book. And each person will even vary how they “do” the book. So the “right,” the “best” way is the one you do when you pick up the book, close your eyes to pray, stare off into space and reflect, sit still and just be. Trust yourself, trust the Holy Spirit, trust the One who made you and counts every single hair on your head. 

The format of the book is very different then what I am used to. How do I get started?
This is not a how to book concerned mostly with mechanics of prayer. Instead it is an invitation to prayer as relationship, as interaction with, as give and take, ebb and flow of connection with God. It is then, a dance. 

Here are some suggestions on how to approach the book:
After reading the introduction – it is good to leaf through the book to get a feel for how the chapters are each set up. Then for each particular month chapter on whatever point during that month you can try some of the following:

• Start by paging through the chapter.  Notice the sections. Mark the ones which look interesting to you and jot a note about why they look good.

• Mark differently the ones which don’t look interesting and jot a note about that reaction.

• Notice which parts are obviously full of more “stuff” and so are beckoning you to spend more time within them.

• Choose a section and start.

• Work your way slowly. As something grabs your attention focus on it. If it is a word or phrase reflect on what it means to you. If it is Scripture reference look it up and study it. 

• Start reading  fairly quickly through a section until a phrase, a reference, a particular bullet point, a question or some comment grabs your attention. Then spend time with it. As much as you need. This isn’t a race, it is a dance – no extra points for who finishes first.

• Open yourself up to what is written and what it strikes within you.  Do you react to the style in which it is written?  Do you understand the thread of thought?  Do you find yourself within one of the lists  that is written there or not quite, so add your own experience.

Reflect, pray, write notes, journal - whatever fits your style is the best method.

A thought on how to interact with the poetry at the beginning of each month:

• Read the poem all the way through silently

• Read it again underlining phrases that seem to stick out to you.

• Go back through and read the poem by reading only the underlined phrases.

• Reflect or journal on what the phrases mean.

• Read the poem all the way through out loud, emphasizing the underlined phrases.

• Read the poem and the Scripture reference. Notice how they connect.

• Try underline main words/thoughts paring the poetry to its very barest of structure.  

For example:
Another year is coming to an end.
I can feel her tug at my calendar;
I can sense her insistent movement.
I can hear her call to cross over.

Outside my window the trees are empty
And the air has the ripeness of snowfall.
I cast an inward glance to the past
And feel a deep desire to catch its glow.

Another year . . . end.
I . . . feel her tug . . .
I . . . sense . . . insistent movement.
I hear . . .“cross over.”

Outside . . . trees . . . empty
. . . air . . . ripeness . . . snowfall.
I cast . . . inward . . . glance . . . the past
. . . feel deep desire . . . to . . . glow . . .

What if I can’t add any more time to meet for study or other functions?
No problem: you can still connect with others through Westminster’s web site. Read and add to the comments on the Faithful Prayer page; join the online chat any evening from 8 to 10 pm. For more help with online connections, don’t hesi