Jerusalema Dance Challenge

Saturday, April 10, 2021, 12:00 PM

The Jerusalema Dance Challenge has hit The Diocese of Missouri!

Leaders at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in Webster Groves are inviting everyone in the diocese to have a little fun with this video sensation during the Easter season.

"We've had a lot thrown at us in the past year," says Donna Erickson, senior warden at Emmanuel. "Let's leave some of that behind us while we laugh and dance our way to a brighter season!"

The Jerusalema Dance Challenge has gone viral around the world. It began as a gospel-influenced song by South African producer Master KG, performed by singer-songwriter Nomcebo. People began dancing in the streets to the music, and then posting videos of the dance and challenging others to do the same. Police officers in France, flight attendants and pilots in Austria, and several groups of nuns are taking part in this challenge!

Members at Emmanuel will be creating their own video for the Jerusalema Challenge to use in their Pentecost celebration. They're bringing in dance instructors to teach everyone the dance. Several outdoor rehearsals (meeting in the parking lot) are scheduled. You're invited to come to as many as you'd like!

The rehearsal times are:

• Saturday, April 10: Noon -1 p.m.
• Sunday, April 11: 2-3 p.m.
• Sunday, April 18: 4-5 p.m.
• Saturday, April 24: 11 a.m. - noon

Emmanuel will be recording their video on Saturday, May 1 (time to be determined). You are welcome to join that recording, or create your own.

Emmanuel challenges all faith communities in our diocese to create your own video! Send your completed videos to the diocese ([email protected]) before Pentecost. We'll post the videos on our YouTube channel. There are no prizes -- just have fun!

Watch the story of the Jerusalema Dance Challenge, followed by a mix of videos from around the globe, and finally, one of several videos featuring nuns doing the Jerusalema dance: