The Creative Workshop, Jamaica

The Nineteen (19) delegates from NECA (North Eastern Caribbean and Aruba) arrive in Antigua on the 9th August 2006. We had a brief orientation some words of encouragement Father Cassius. The delegation was lead by Collin Willock and we left Antigua the following day Thursday for Jamaica.

In Jamaica we stayed at Jesuit Youth Centre, St Georges College, Kingston, and was joined by the delegates from the Diocese of Jamaica on Friday evening for the opening ceremony.

The creative arts workshop was organized by the Education and Youth Department of the Diocese of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. Rev. Father Michael Allen was the director and Mrs. Sasha Wright, a member of the Steering Committee.

The Art Sessions which began on Saturday was divided into two sessions, Drama & Dance and Visual Arts & Music. These sessions ran all day from 8a.m to 8.30pm. There was Holy Eucharist, Midday Prayer, and Evening Prayer daily.

During the two and a half weeks we learnt about “Understanding the Spiritual Flow of the Liturgical Year” and in the session we learn about the different seasons in the churches year and the length of time they last, Specifically Lent, Pentecost, Christmas, Easter, Epiphany, Advent, Trinity and Ascension. We also talk about the Liturgy year which has A, B, C and Year 1 and 2. We were taught how to find the readings for the different lectionary which would be at the back of the prayer book, such as the Sunday Eucharist, Daily Office, Holy Days and Week Days Eucharist.

The Creative Arts in worship focused mainly at the Eucharist. The different types of Art can be use to enhance the service, for example, instead of having the Priest presenting the sermon it can be dramatized or in the form of a dance or story telling. We were told that the visual arts already exist in the church such as the vestments worn by the priest and the east window. The readings along with the Psalms came also be dramatized.

In the dance sessions we learn sign languages. We learn the alphabet, numbers and the Our Father Prayer in sign. Sign language is very interesting. We had a session on flags. There were different colours and they all represented something. We also were taught about the different sounds effects that a tambarind has. Tambarind was use a long time ago for praising God and also in time of wars. We had various dance teachers with different movement. Most of the moves were original and we had to create our own movements. We attended to one of the dance theatre in Jamaica.

In drama class we had to dramatize the readings, we were place into groups where some had to do Part Reading, Story Telling, Choral Speaking and Skit. On Thursday the day before the workshop closed we had a concert where the dancers dance, the drama class dramatize and the music and visual arts perform their piece.

On Friday the last day of the workshop we had morning Eucharist. We visited historical sites of Fort Charles Port Royal, University of the West Indies Mona Campus, New Kingston and Bob Marley Museum. There was an evaluation of the workshop at the end.

Overall for the past two and a half weeks the group leaned a great deal and was a rewarding experience. We all hope given the opportunity we can put what we have learnt into practice to enhance the worship in my church. We were all grateful for been chosen and given the opportunity to experience new horizons.

Alicia Nicholls