By May Oon
(Editor, MOSAIC Team)

On 11 October, Laity Sunday, six ladies from the Filipino Fellowship (FF) performed a dance to the worship song, Take My Life, which was proposed by Sarah Gan, the Lay Ministry Staff for Worship, Prayer & Filipino Fellowship. Our Filipino sisters have been dancing for God since 2012, usually performing during FF anniversary services.

It is interesting to note that none of them have any sort of experience nor training. Dancing was not something that came naturally for them. In the beginning, they were rather self-conscious performing on stage, but they took strength and courage from reminding themselves that they were dancing for God, and not just for the congregation.

Johanna Cario, the team leader, said that they had a dance instructor in 2015, who choreographed their performances, but for only two years. Since then, Johanna and Mary Ann Dalafu have been creating their own movements. They also profess to sourcing ideas on liturgical dances from Youtube.

For this Laity Sunday dance, they started practising since mid-June 2026, every fourth Sunday for one and a half hours. The ladies share what being in the dance ministry means to them:

Mary Ann Dalafu:

*I used to be a loner, but now I can mingle easily with my sisters.*

Johanna Cario:

*It’s my way to express gratitude to God and also gives me opportunity to choreograph.*

Flordelyn Vicente:

*I never knew how to dance, but now I can do it!*

Jennelyn Eledia:

*I learnt that worship can be expressed through dance.*

Rovelyn Clarin:

*It taught me to be responsible and committed to a project.*

The FF has come a long way since it started in 2009, to provide a safe and conducive environment for our Filipino sisters, and a place where they can feel at home and find support among their fellow sisters. Our Filipino sisters are now actively involved in church life, attending Prayer & Worship Nights, church camps and the annual Life Group Conventions, whenever possible. Indeed, they have become an integral part of church ministry and service as they sing in the choir, are part of the hospitality team - ushering on Sundays, and serving as teaching assistants in the Children Ministry, to name a few.

*Choir performance; Sports with families*

Currently about 25 Filipino sisters participate regularly in the after-service FF programmes, which include Sports with families, Life group and prayer meetings, choir or dance rehearsals and outreach to the neighbourhood and to newcomers.

*Christmas Celebrations; Easter Sunday craft*

Outreach events like outings, Easter and Christmas gatherings serve to strengthen the bonds amongst the sisters, and also create opportunities to invite unchurched Filipino sisters to participate, in casual and non-threatening environments. It's a lot of fun and every event will always point to God and focus on deepening the sisters’ relationship with God and with each other.

*Rejoicing and worshipping together at “Celebration of Hope".*

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