SR. THEA BOWMAN INSTITUTE of Sacred Movement
June 14-15, 2022

Purpose
A gathering for ministers of sacred movement to enhance the intent, purpose, history and nature of this liturgical arts ministry that is so pivotal in the life of the church. This art form is rooted in the Black cultural tradition as well as in the church’s ritual and liturgical heritage.

Who
Dancers, Sacred Movement Instructors and Liturgical Ministry Directors that provide ritual emphasis to worship celebrations in the Black Catholic Community. Participants will be grounded in the rich expressive arts that flow from the words we speak, the songs we sing and the spirit that rises within us.

Why
Honoring the legacy of Sr. Thea Bowman, a contemporary of Archbishop James Lyke and Fr. Clarence Rivers, this movement institute will ensure that participants heighten celebrations where honoring God in prayer, petition and praise is revealed and receives the worshippers’ solid AMEN.

Components of the day: Prayer experiences, talks by instructor, movement instruction and rehearsals. Please bring exercise apparel and liturgical movement attire.

The Sr. Thea Bowman Institute of Sacred Movement celebrates and encapsulates the heart of liturgical arts ministry. Sr. Thea’s love for scripture, theology, history, culture, and advocacy translates how liturgical artistry should be approached: with purpose and intent for transformation. To carry on the spirit of Sr. Thea, the Institute is designed to allow participants discover and/or rediscover their vocation as ministers of the arts through sacred movement and resource assemblies with invigorating ways to incorporate movement within their unique places of worship. To accomplish this, the workshop, Power and Purpose of Liturgical Movement, will run concurrently throughout the Archbishop Lyke Conference. Participants will:

1.) Explore and put into practice theological frameworks of sacred movement.
2.) Examine and put into practice the purpose of movement during liturgy.
3.) Examine and reflect individual vocational goals through sacred movement.

Dance experience is not required; however, Institute attendees should be prepared to move as well as participate in the specified liturgies that will be held throughout the Archbishop Lyke Conference. Workshop attendees should also come prepared with dance garments to include: white and black unitard; white and black loose-fitting bottoms (i.e., palazzo pants or skirts) and African tops.