What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have the works?
— James 2:14
At Turning Pointe Dance, our mission is not only to develop a dancer’s skills, but to encourage students to use their gifts to bless others in our community. Our dancers go beyond technique to develop important life skills like learning to be respectful and confident, and share their gifts and talents with the city and beyond.
In keeping with the mission, Turning Pointe started the 2018-19 season off right, serving the community in a variety of ways. In addition to shining His light through praise and worship performance at events like the Southern Colorado Children’s Arts Festival and the Wilson Christian Church Trunk or Treat Harvest Festival, students reached beyond dance to serve the city through several outreach initiatives.
On October 6, students of Turning Pointe participated in citywide prayer and park clean up events as part of CityServe, a gospel movement in Colorado Springs, hosted by COS I Love You. Students joined more than 3,000 volunteers who participated in more than 12,000 hours of service in 98 projects around Colorado Springs.
Throughout the month of November, Turning Pointe held a special drive for Springs Rescue Mission, collecting towels and bedding for their newly expanded, 168-bed shelter and resource center. Together, Turning Pointe collected 152 lbs. worth of donations to dress beds for members of the men's addiction recovery program and provide clean towels and washcloths for the showers in the shelter’s resource facility.
To kick off December, members of Fidele and STARZ performance companies came together to donate items and assemble blessing bags. More than 120 bags were packed and prayed over, each one containing bottled water, a healthy lunch and snacks, and items such as clean socks and hand sanitizer, which were distributed to the elderly, homeless and other neighbors in need across Colorado Springs.
Over the holidays, students continued to serve the community by performing Christmas dances and visiting residents at three separate assisted living centers. In addition, students performed and contributed to The Little Yellow Ball Project holiday benefit, which collected toy donations for local children in need.
As we begin a new year and the second half of our dance season, we invite you to join us as we re-center our hearts on Turning Pointe’s mission, reaching beyond technique to serve as our Father’s hands and feet in our community.
Join us at the studio this Saturday, January 12, from 10-11 a.m. We’ll be setting goals for the rest of the dance season and the year ahead, whether they’re related to dance or not. It will be a time of worship and prayer, followed by a prayer walk around the studio (and other locations, if you feel led).
"I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took me in; I needed clothes and you clothed me; I was sick and you cared for me; I was in prison and you visited me. ... Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."
-- Matthew 25:35-26, 40