Dancing in the streets

what worshipping, dancing, and praying with 1,000 women taught me about joy and hope

Welcome to Walk & Talk, my monthly newsletter to share stories, inspiration, and hope. I’m Kim Knowle-Zeller, mama, pastor, and writer. I’ve lived in West Africa and one summer hiked 500 miles across Spain, and now I call Cole Camp, MO home with my husband, two children, and dog. I love to walk, talk, and share stories. Thanks for being here!

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Picture this: the glow of the setting sun behind a cascade of mountains on the horizon. A barricaded road with tables and chairs scattered in the middle of the street. JUST LOVE signs as photo backdrops and signs declaring “Phoenix Welcomes You.” A DJ and a dance floor. 

Picture this: women from across the US and the world sitting together over snacks. Fancy hats and matching t-shirts. Music booming down the street. And finally, that first note of the Electric Slide calling people to dance. 

And soon, a crowd of women, dancing. 

It’s this dance scene I can’t get out of my mind from the first night of the Women of the ELCA Triennial Gathering. Due to the pandemic, it had been six years since this gathering last took place. It’s a chance for women in the Lutheran church to come together for the shared experience of worship, prayer, learning, service, and inspiration. It’s almost four days of God’s abiding presence at work in the world, and the celebrations of how we are called to be God’s hands and feet. 

(Photo Credit: WELCA)

And on top of all that, it’s simply a lot of fun. 

I’m still in awe that I got to be at this gathering leading a writing workshop with my friend, Erin. Tell Your Story: A Writing Workshop for Women. Plus I presided at the closing worship. 

Yet, it’s this dance scene that keeps coming to my mind. 

Full disclosure, I didn’t dance that first night, but I did watch and smile and sway to the beats. I marveled that a group of women from all over the world could meet on the dance floor, wave their arms, and declare: God is good. God is here. Join us in the celebration. 

A few days later, one of the main speakers, Dr. Jacqueline Bussie, shared her story of grief, loss, and reclaiming hope. She talked about dancing in the midst of death as a way of summoning God to show up. She proclaimed that “the first step in making all things new is dancing as if they already are.” 

Isn’t that where we find ourselves most days — holding grief and joy, doubt and belief, happiness and sorrow, longing and contentment — but called to dance anyway? 

It’s a new month and if you’re like many people I talk to, you’re still reeling from all the things that keep you busy and your schedules full. With the start of school, work commitments, or medical appointments, there’s always something to do and somewhere to be. 

But there’s also moments to keep dancing and to claim joy: the first taste of hot coffee, the sun rising again, the morning light streaming through your home, the bed head of your children, the delight in books, a walk around town, the baby sleeping in your arms, singing your favorite hymn, a phone call from a friend. 

We are here.
And the music is playing.
Here’s to calling forth God’s presence and dancing to the tune of hope and joy.

I keep finding myself with the women. Women get it. They know the healing power of soup after a loved one dies. They know ice cream, cookies and lots of chocolate can help heal a broken heart. They know the magic of coffee for the bleary-eyed mom of a newborn. They know the perfect book to recommend, which laugh-out-loud meme to share, and the random text to send to remind a friend she or he is not alone.

P.S. I have a new series, The Walking Diaries, where I’ll be sharing words from friends of mine about their own walks. Stay tuned this month for the first post.

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My Favorite Things

“I want my children to feel passion and wonder as they’re learning stories of faith. I want the stories of God’s people to dwell deep in their bones.” Read more from my Growing Together column for Living Lutheran on what my children’s elementary school taught me.

My friend Fay writes a beautiful piece The Remodel reflecting on breast cancer, surrender, and living in our bodies.

As October begins, may blank spaces bless your calendar.
May you let your hustle for worthiness die alongside the leaves,
making room for a softer, simpler, more s p a c i o u s season.
Love this benediction and blessing from

Kelsey Beebe

.

“I do not think I would have seen and experienced a fraction of the natural world I’ve encountered in the past decade without my children pulling me gently and curiously along.” YES, I feel this gift of journey and exploration that my kids take me on. Thank you

Attention and Astonishment

for this reminder.

“God reminds me over and over that there is hope to be found even when things feel hopeless. That small kindnesses make a big impact. That His love is alive and well, and all I have to do is keep an eye out for it.” Love this reminder from

Kayse Pratt

.

A few other favorite reads from this past month include my friend

Writing from Jenna

on settling in to her life in Germany and

Coffee + Crumbs

Between Mothers and Sons.

Favorite Books to Read with Kids

• Remarkable Rose by Ellie Roscher.

• Sparrow’s Prayer by Roger Hutchinson.

• Ivy and Bean by Annie Barrows.

What I’m Reading

• Love and Saffron by Kim Fay. A delightful and moving novel written through letters.

• Every Season Sacred: Reflections, Prayers, and Invitations to Nourish Your Soul and Nurture Your Family Throughout the Year by Kayla Craig.

• I also love this reading list of books with which to pray from

  Prayer Threads
  .

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That you may know your life
as a sacred text.
That God will lead you
to read your story anew.
That you may see how the holy
inhabits each line
and breathes across
every page.
-Jan Richardson, In the Sanctuary of Women

So grateful for you, friend! I’ll be back in your inboxes the first Wednesday in November!

P.S. I have a favor for those of you who have read The Beauty of Motherhood. Would you be willing to write an Amazon review? They are so helpful for getting others to know about our book! Anyone can review on Amazon whether you’ve bought the book from them or not. Thank you!