In seminary, there was a group of folks that would bring drums to campus and sit and play when the weather was nice. Before long, they were generally surrounded by a big crowd of impressed on-lookers. I don't know about the rest of the people watching, but I always assumed that drumming was something that only very hip, talented, coordinated types of people could do well.
But then, at the St. Aidan's campout this past weekend, we brought in a woman to lead us in a drum circle. She started us out easy -- tapping our toes, snapping, clapping. Then moved us on to easy rhythm instruments -- sticks, shakers, cow bells. But then we finally got to delve into the dozens of beautiful drums we'd been eyeing. Tall and short, metal and wood, natural and painted. We each got to pick one and she taught us how to make a beat with the flesh of our hand and a tone with our fingers. She taught us how to stay on the beat, how to riff our own rhythms within the beat, how to listen to our neighbors, how to get louder and softer. It was a great reminder that God is in our movement, our dance, our laughter, our noise, our enjoyment. I loved looking around the circle and seeing how much everyone was enjoying themselves. The kids were having a ball -- getting to bang on drums to their hearts content! But the adults were just as happy -- smiling, laughing, caught in the moment, getting over our preconceived notions of ourselves.
Maybe we're all hipper and talented and more coordinated than we'd realized!
But then, at the St. Aidan's campout this past weekend, we brought in a woman to lead us in a drum circle. She started us out easy -- tapping our toes, snapping, clapping. Then moved us on to easy rhythm instruments -- sticks, shakers, cow bells. But then we finally got to delve into the dozens of beautiful drums we'd been eyeing. Tall and short, metal and wood, natural and painted. We each got to pick one and she taught us how to make a beat with the flesh of our hand and a tone with our fingers. She taught us how to stay on the beat, how to riff our own rhythms within the beat, how to listen to our neighbors, how to get louder and softer. It was a great reminder that God is in our movement, our dance, our laughter, our noise, our enjoyment. I loved looking around the circle and seeing how much everyone was enjoying themselves. The kids were having a ball -- getting to bang on drums to their hearts content! But the adults were just as happy -- smiling, laughing, caught in the moment, getting over our preconceived notions of ourselves.
Maybe we're all hipper and talented and more coordinated than we'd realized!
I send you my blessing and success in the holy city - Jerusalem,
ReplyDeleteThe drums have much power to bring peace throughout the world,
Well done
David
Israel