Why a statewide flash mob to celebrate National Food Day? Because I have big dreams, and even if I fail in achieving them, I can be encouraged knowing that I was not afraid to dream big and to go for it. But now, I’m humbled knowing that so many others hold the same dreams, and together we are achieving them.
Making the video of the flash mob choreography was an easier task than I could ever imagine! The groups that helped to put this together were The Cedar in Troy, Steppers With Attitude in Lumberton, Youth Dance Group of New Life Covenant Fellowship in Fayetteville, and UNCG Students in Greensboro. It was wonderful to see groups across the state coming together to celebrate and honor God’s blessing of healthy sustainable food.
These groups came up with the choreography. Yes. These are each group’s particular moves that they put together. I only facilitated when asked. For example, the first group, The Cedar, didn’t have any other reference as to how to come up with the choreography. So on the Tuesday night that they met, I played the song several times, and then asked them to think of dance moves that people with no dance experience could do. I then put all of these dance moves into a sequence, and voilà the first segment of the flash mob choreography was complete. Then we filmed a segment of us teaching the moves to all of you who will be joining us on Oct. 24! (Don’t let the first slide on the video fool you — Oct. 24 is the correct date.)
I let SWA of Lumberton hear the song, gave them an introduction of what was going to happen on Oct. 24. Then, I went to the store to pick up some fruits and vegetables for us to dance with. When I returned, they had the chorus done. I was astounded and excited. I tried to keep up with them but I need a bit more practice!
Members of the Youth Dance Group of New Life Covenant Fellowship were a delight. The young lady who took on this challenge is only about 12. Her mom had full confidence in her abilities in coming up with choreography, and I had a blast doing it with them. We attended Sunday church together, and after the service, we took our shoes off, had a few snacks, and got to work. It was so much fun! That that same Sunday, Pastor Stephen McMillian lead the church in becoming Bronze Certified with Partners in Health & Wholeness, and they are now eligible for a grant of $500 to continue health initiatives.
The UNCG group was birthed through a class assignment to work with students in the process of choreography. It was a delight to eat vegetables, dance, and have fun with pursuing social justice.
I hope that you will join the festivities on Oct. 24 at 12:05 at a location you designate.
–Joy Williams, PHW Regional Consultant
Partners in Health and Wholeness is an initiative of the NC Council of Churches. PHW aims to connect health as a faith issue. Please visit our website to sign your personal pledge to be healthier, and to find out about grant opportunities for churches.
