Store

Here at The Dancing Word Store – you will find resources for prayer, inspiration and embodiment.

All prices include tax and shipping! You can pay by credit card at checkout with Paypal.

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2012 New Release! The Dancing Word: Woman at the Well – $20

Betsey Beckman – renowned liturgical dancer and presenter – and J. Michael Sparough, SJ – retreat master, storyteller and author have been praying, publishing and performing together for over 30 years. Here they invite us into author John Shea’s beloved re-telling of the Woman at the Well for an emotion-filled journey of the thirst, heart-break, humor and healing. With natural settings weaving together Biblical and 21st century images, the liberating message of the Gospel comes to life with refreshing water for our times.

As the story begins, we meet a Samaritan woman heavily burdened and hardened by the wounds of life. In the heat of the day, she approaches the village well and encounters a strange Jewish man. She braces herself, fearing the worst. However, this unknown guest proceeds to break all the cultural codes that would keep both men and women, as well as Samaritans and Jews, worlds apart … he respectfully asks the woman for a drink. With the perfect balance of boldness and gentleness, humor and healing, Jesus gradually peels back layers of deceit and self-defense to reveal the woman’s true need. Soon it is Jesus who is offering spiritual water to a heart broken-open. Now giddy with joy, the woman returns to her village, bubbling over with Jesus’ life-giving water for all!

“Those who have ears to hear, hear this story. Those who have eyes to see, see this scene. Anything can happen at a well!” – John Shea

Advanced Praise for The Dancing Word: Woman at the Well / DVD -

“I’m offering a Women’s Retreat in February and our theme is Joyful Heart, Dancing Spirit. Since we’re in the desert here, the Woman at the Well will be a great companion for our ladies.” - Leota Roesch, Director Faith Formation - Resurrection Catholic Church, Tempe, Arizona

This DVD is being featured at Seattle University’s Search for Meaning Book Festival, 2012!

Note from Betsey: I am so happy to share this new resource, and especially hoping that RCIA teams across the country will be inspired to integrate this resource into their journey with the Catechumenate. It’s also perfect for Lenten reflections and women’s retreats!

Click here to download a pdf for – Woman at the Well Reflections Questions.

$20 each

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The Dancing Word: Mary Magdalene / DVD – $25

New Sale Price – $20!

This 2010 offering in the Dancing Word series offers an inspiring encounter with Mary Magdalene, whom we come to know as one of Jesus’ most courageous and intimate disciples. Filmed in the beauty of the Northwest, this scenic story offers dramatic visuals for the Gospel and gives fresh voice to the oldest truths of our faith.

This DVD was chosen as a featured film in the Los Angeles Religious Education Film Showcase 2011!

DVD includes:

Main Feature: Mary Magdalene - StoryDance (22 minutes)
Artist’s Introduction (7 minutes)
Guided Meditation with Christine Valters Paintner, PhD (18 minutes)
Guided Movement and Scriptural Reflections with Betsey Beckman (40 minutes)

Praise for The Dancing Word: Mary Magdalene / DVD -

“A fabulous resource for prayer, inspiration and participation!” – Linda Haydock, SNJM, Director of the Intercommunity Peace and Justice Center

“Mary Magdalene comes to life in a new, authentic way through the expressive dance of deep emotion and artful ecstatic exuberance.” – Kathy Coffey, author of Women of Mercy, Hidden Women of the Gospels, and The Art of Faith

“This journey deep into the words of John’s Gospel is literally poetry in motion, a visual feast for the eyes and a welcome banquet for the heart.” – Rev. J. Michael Sparough, S.J.

Note from Betsey: I’m really excited about the richness of this publication. What a powerful journey with Mary Magdalene! After viewing the story, the adjunct materials are crafted to support you in individual or communal prayer and participation. Reflect on your own relationship with Mary Magdalene through a contemplative prayer in the tradition of St. Ignatius. Following that, join in an experience of embodied prayer: in the Guided Movement section, the simple and powerful tools of InterPlay are offered as reflective practices to break open the Mary Magdalene story. With this support and encouragement, all are welcome to join in the dance! A wonderful tool for Women’s Groups, parish gatherings, RCIA, sacred dancers, or anyone who wishes to deepen his or her relationship with Mary Magalene as guide, as mentor, as saint, as friend.

$20 New reduced price! 

Click here to view Mary Magdalene Trailer!

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The Dancing Word: Mary Magdalene / Storybook – $15

For young and old alike, the storybook can be a companion to the DVD or stand alone as a resource for prayer and contemplation. In depicting Mary Magdalene’s journey through powerful emotions – from agony and bewilderment to exuberance and ecstasy – the storybook becomes a guide through the reader’s own moments of grief, offering hope for new life.

8.5” x 5.5″ Softcover

$15 each

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The Dancing Word: Miriam and Mary / DVD – $18

The first in the series, this 30 minute DVD offers two Biblical StoryDances:

Miriam of the Dance (18 minutes)
The Annunciation (15 minutes)

“Here is the Bible – and two of its most important women – made powerfully present with an expressive artistry to charge the imagination, soften the heart, and fire the soul with love.” – Rev. J. Michael Sparough, S.J.

$18 each

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Treasures from the Heart: Meditations with Mary, Our Mother of Mercy / 2 CD Set – $18

In 2011, newly re-released on CD!

J. Michael Sparough, S.J. & Betsey Beckman
Music by Bobby Fisher

Through guided imagery, meditation and music, Michael Sparough, S.J. Betsey Beckman and Bobby Fisher present Mary as a healing presence who can bring life to our aching hearts. The trio encourages us through prayer and music to imagine, visualize and experience Christ‘s life-changing love through the gift of his mother.

Fr. Sparough tells personal stories about his childhood devotion to Mary, his gradual lapse from Marian devotions and his reawakening to Mary in the Bethlehem cave. In the first meditation, he leads us to encounter the Christ Child, reminding us that we need to consider feelings, not just images, as we journey to inner healing. In a parallel journey, Betsey Beckman details a time when Mary was not important to her. Through dance therapy and the experience of being a mother, Beckman discovered Mary as a powerful personal presence. In the second meditation, she invites us to experience Mary, Our Mother of Mercy, holding us in our pain.

Both presentations blend relaxed breathing techniques and meditative music composed by bobby Fisher.

Note from Betsey: We are excited to re-release this audio-recording originally produced in the 1980’s!

$18 each 