Tapestry of Praise

        Our ministry began as a small group of people attending church together. We realized our mutual love for worshipping the Lord through dance. There was not one of us who had any dance or choreography experience. We relied wholly on the Lord to give us the movements to each song. Our little group was made up of people from all age groups from ones in their preteens to others in their 60's whose hearts were knit together in one purpose.

        After a time, we disbanded for awhile for several reasons, one of which was that people left to go to other churches.

        In the summer of 2005, a number of us felt the Lord was calling us back together. This time we wanted to go outside the walls of the church to bring the Good News of the Gospel without being labeled as any "one" denomination. We began meeting at the director's home to pray and see what new thing the Lord had for us as a group.  Practice was held on the front lawn since we didn't really have a certain place to call "home" anymore.

        We began praying about a new name for the group. There was a vision given by the Lord of a beautiful tapestry woven together. It was many different colors all knit together to portray a lovely picture. Thus the name "Tapestry of Praise" came into being. This is not something we do to entertain or to just "look pretty." We believe that every movement to each song has meaning in the spiritual realm to accomplish the purposes of the Lord.

        Presently, our dancers represent six different churches. Our unity comes from our love for Jesus, His people and our love for one another. Our deepest desire is to break down the walls that divide us as Christians.

        We hope to go into schools, nursing homes, churches, out in the streets or anywhere the Lord leads. If you would like to arrange for Tapestry of Praise to dance at an event or church service, please contact our director, Dayle Eckenrode, Interpretive Dance Ministry, Johnstown PA 15904.

Click here to view a video about Tapestry of Praise

Dayle Eckenrode, Johnstown

Nicole Balzer, Colver

Janet Buck, Northern Cambria

Linda Dreese, Tyrone

Barb Keim, Elton

Sharon Mintmier, Johnstown

Ruth Rice, Johnstown

Pamela Sickles, Johnstown

Linda Smith, Hollidaysburg

Debbie Walling, Davidsville

Barb Walters, Johnstown

Verdean Zimmerman, Friedens