In Memory of Joanne Connelly

Joanne Connelly, long-time leader of the worship dance ministry at Beth Israel Messianic Center, Wayne, NJ, went to be with the Lord this week. Joanne was diagnosed with leukemia more than 20 years ago. The Lord granted her a long remission from the disease and Joanne spent those years worshipping Him with astonishing grace through dancing and leading the ministry of dance at our congregation.

I searched and searched, but was unable to find a video or photograph of Joanne, but hope you will "see" her in the words of my poem. It is my loving tribute to her memory.

Image credit: theimpact757.com

KODESH L'ADONAI

Holy Unto The Lord

In Memory of Joanne Connelly

Dance

      dance    dance   

           Dance

Joanne's snowy garlanded hair

and white gown

     flow

with music

movement and grace

Her gestures      Holy

The Spirit

         internal

Arms raised high in praise

her tambourine

     tinkles

its streaming

silvery ribbon strands

     glisten

          in the Sanctuary

She leaps     she bows

visage, enraptured

her eyes seem to see

what her heart

sees            Wondrous

her Bridegroom

Yeshua…

"Once I danced

for The Lord," she says

"I could no longer dance

in a secular manner"

so we watch, prayerful

She whirls

     she worships

        in the     Dance Sacred

the dance         dance

        Dance

             Dance…

Maude Carolan