Ribbons in church

Lucy Moore

What?

Ribbons attached to a short handle can be used during worship. They can look very beautiful in movement.

How do I make them?

You'll need:

• some dowelling from the DIY woodwork section, sawn into lengths of 20-30cm (any longer and you'll have eyes poked out).
• Lengths of ribbon - try out different lengths, but anything between 1-3 metres works.
• Swivels from angling shops - they'll know what you mean
• Size 8 Coloured sticky tape Needle and thread

1. Trim the ends of your ribbon so it doesn't fray.
2. Sew one end of the ribbon onto the little loop at one end of your swivel.
3. Tape the other end of the swivel firmly to the end of your dowelling rod.
4. Decorate the rod if you want, with more coloured tape.

Getting going with ribbons

You may like to give children free rein to use the ribbons in worship whenever they feel it is appropriate in church, lifting the worship with their movement and water / wind / flame-like qualities. However, you might be concerned that children will tear round the church brandishing their new weapons aloft, rather than using them to worship. This could, admittedly, alienate some members of the church. To avoid this, you could try one or more of these ideas before offering the children the run of the ribbon collection:

1. Work out a simple ribbon dance to a song and use it in a church service after practising it in your children's group

2. Invite a local dancer or gymnast in to lead a workshop and inspire you all, adults and children alike

3. Get an adult or teenager to use them in worship before the children do, so that they see the ribbons being treated with respect

4. Make a set with the same or complementary colours for a special festival service, e.g. white and gold for Christmas or flame colours for Pentecost

5. Make sure someone is responsible for putting the ribbons away tidily or you'll have nothing but a depressing tangle that will inspire no-one nest time you want to dance. Storing them hanging up with the ribbons dangling is ideal, but you could roll them round the handles

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