‘Tis the season to choose your Christmas plays! “Christmas in July” is a reality for those involved in choosing a Christmas script. Though we’re all in summer mode at the moment, it isn’t too soon to give some thought to the inevitable Christmas play rehearsals of autumn. Here are some new offerings and some of our most popular children’s plays, pageants, and musicals for the holiday season:

Have you heard the term “human video” and wondered what exactly it is? This emerging new art form is spreading across the country in churches of many different denominations. Kimberlee Mendoza, author of The Human Video Handbook, says, “Human video … combines music, choreography, and drama.” She adds, “The point behind a human video is to portray a strong Christian message using multiple senses.”  The term was coined from its similarity to televised music videos. The live performance is the reason for the “human.” The impact of music combined with the artistry of movement makes human video a powerful experience for both performer and audience.

We are an increasingly visual people – human video speaks volumes to a country accustomed to televisions and computers. Why not introduce human video to your congregation? Those who feel more comfortable performing without the pressure of memorizing lines would take very readily to this expressive art form. There’s a tremendous amount of wonderful Christian music in many styles out there, so the possibilities are endless. From traditional to contemporary, ballads to rock, there are hundreds of human videos waiting to be created that are just right for your church, no matter what your worship style. Discover it for yourself!

Now that Mother’s Day has passed, I’m curious: Did your congregation hold any special events for the women in your church? Many churches plan a Mother-Daughter banquet or retreat. My church plans an annual tea with a theme, and the guys graciously volunteer as the servers. This year was “The Asian Experience,” complete with sushi and parasols. I’ve been taking my daughter since she was tiny, and now she’s taller than I am!

Over the years, I’ve watched our moms and daughters get totally engrossed in a special drama just for them. They’ve laughed themselves silly some years (Paris, S.D. Festival of Fashion, Chick Flicks) and teared up other years (Mother and Child). On my to-do list for future Mother-Daughter Teas are: Church Ladies, Spring Cleaning, No Makeup Required, All in the Life of a Woman, and The Prodigal Daughter Plus Five.

Don’t miss an opportunity to honor and pamper the women of your congregation with a special mother-daughter event! It’s a tradition they’ll eagerly anticipate year after year.