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Garments of Praise

Dancing Silks Online Booklet

HIS BANNER OVER ME IS LOVE

(Song of Solomon 2:4)

Banners in the Bible

Billowing in a canopy formation

I think we are all familiar with the first mention of banners in the bible, Exodus 17:15, "and Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah Nissi", The Lord is my banner."

Another well known verse, Isaiah 11:10, speaks of Messiah as an ensign, "And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse which shall stand for an ensign of the people." It is also translated "standard" in Jeremiah 51:27, "Set ye up a standard in the land." In Numbers 2 we see that each tribe had it's own standards, and one of my favorite verses speaking of standards is The Song of Solomon 6:4 and 10. "Thou art beautiful, O my love, as Tirzah, comely as Jerusalem, terrible (majestic, awe inspiring) as an army of banners".

How We Began

CanopyThree members of our dance team, Pam Stott, Hannah Simpson and myself returned from the 1991 Feast stirred in our spirits. Upon seeing Randall Bane ministering with the silks he had commissioned Efrocine Auebach to create for the Feast, God placed a new desire in our hearts. We longed to incorporate the silks into our dance. Yet we knew that the places we usually minister wouldn't accommodate the hanging of such long pieces of material. Our dance troupe, Benote Tzion, was ministering mostly in circle dance using Israeli folk dance as our base. So, we knew we needed something a little different. We weren't sure just what that would be; but felt the urging of the Holy Spirit to begin, and so we did. After purchasing some yardage of fabric, we called our group together to begin banner dances under the direction of the Holy Spirit. It's amazing what happens when those banners begin to move! There is such peace, joy, healing and creativity under there. The wind of the Spirit is truly felt. The Holy Spirit breathed through those banners that day, and we rejoice in what He has done! Our beginning movements were very simple, just billowing, walking in the Seed Thrower and Canopy movements. But soon the Holy Spirit began giving us new movements, which became intercession, as you can see by the names we have given the movements.

Seed Thrower

NEW MOVEMENTS AND MINISTRIES

Thresher Movement

Over the past years, God has been birthing new movements to manifest what He is saying in certain areas. These banners and movements are truly visual intercession. For example, when we participated in a parade in a local town, the Holy Spirit had us doing the Birthing movement and Thresher all the way along the route. In the spirit, I felt we were a huge piece of machinery boring through a mountain and preparing the way for the King to come! The Holy Spirit showed us that these banners would bring healing to marriages and lives, as husband and wife teams flow together using music and color in visual intercession. In E.W. Bullinger's book, "Number in Scripture," a reference is made to color having sound and being related to the notes of the scale. So depending on the colors chose, different melodies may be heard in the heavenlies! Wow! What a thought! How wonderful are God's works.

Birth

You will find these banners are bridges into churches and lives that are fearful of the movement ministries. They are so gentle and acceptable. Many who feel that they could never dance, will readily take the edge of a banner and begin to gently wave them. What a joy to see their faces light up with excitement as they rejoice in a wider worship experience.

These are also wonderful for nursing homes. Where else is the gentle breeze of the Spirit more needed. The residents love to take the end of a banner (especially if it is offered by a child) and billow with us. Comments from them always include words such as peaceful, gentle, sweet and precious.

Billowing with patients at the nursing home

OUR FIRST SILKS

In 1993, Kathy Wilder-Brown batiked our first silks picturing the furniture of the Tabernacle. Up to this point, we were using a polyester fabric called Silk Essence. Silk Essence is a wonderful fabric. It works well for practice and is especially appropriate for working with children. However, silk banners are so much more graceful and flowing as they move. There is a sense of energy and light expressed about the Silks that is not felt with the polyester. Yet Silk Essence has served us well, and we rejoice that the Father has supplied us with this very versatile fabric at a fraction of the cost. Most of our garments and all of the practice pieces are made of Silk Essence.

As we began praying about the colors and designs for our silks, we felt directed to the Tabernacle in the wilderness. Soon the colors of the rainbow and the Tabernacle furniture began weaving together a visual of God's presence. As we set the tabernacle up, by arranging the banners in rainbow order, we advance from the Outer Court right into the Holy of Holies. How awesome is our God! How mighty are His plans for stirring hearts and drawing all men unto Him!

Tabernacle Furniture Silks

The Dancing Silks, batiked with the Tabernacle furniture, were finished the very day we left for Jerusalem to participate in the 1993 Feast, "Preparing The Way." Our Dancing Silks had their debut in Jerusalem to Jonathan Settel singing, "Ram V-Nesa HaMashiach" (High and Lifted up is the Messiah. He is clothed in Glory and Majesty. Here in my heart dwells the Messiah in His temple). I do believe every piece of Tabernacle furniture speaks of Messiah, and so do the colors of the rainbow.

The Lord gave us a new movement while we were in Jerusalem that year. As we were laboring at the Baptist house, the Jerusalem Kiss was birthed. How awesome is our God!

Four Living Creatures

In 1995, God gave us two more new banners. Pictured on them are the four living creatures of Ezekiel 1 and 10, another creation by Kathy Wilder-Brown. Also, Kathy has created the Zechariah 4 Dancing Silks; which have the vision of the golden candlestick and the two olive trees.

The Lord continues to bring forth new banners, or Dancing Silks, (as we now call them) as they are needed for specific purposes. The Father has also sent us Spencer and RhuNelle Williams, who are talented and professional artists. RhuNelle created the Beloved Dancing Silk, which is based on the Song of Solomon. This banner is a beautiful addition to a wedding ceremony or reception dance.

Mediterranean Silk

In 2001, the Lord birthed through RhuNelle the Mediterranean Dancing Silk for the For Zions Sake Children's Dance Tour to Israel that year. This Silk was used for a special presentation in honor of Hannah Senesh.

In 2004, RhuNelle painted the beautiful 15 ft. square New Jerusalem silk. We use it when we present the old gospel song "Bound for the Promised Land" and to the song "O, Jerusalem", sung by our recording artist friends, Barry and Batya Segal. It has hundreds of angels painted on it, along with the 12 gates of the New Jerusalem, with the symbol for each tribe over the gate and the names of the tribes in Hebrew, three in each corner. The Shekinah glory and God's name in Hebrew is shining from the center. This silk is large enough to have a dozen people dance, walk or gather under it at one time!

In 2008, while preparing to participate in the Passion Play's "Jerusalem Experience", God gave us a several new moves using a 15 ft. square silk. You can view these on our Bezalel YouTube Channel.

Making the Banners

We use 9-12 feet silk essence (type of fabric) banners for the little ones. A good size for most age groups is 15 feet. Our performance Dancing Silks are 15 feet long, which gives more movement and a larger billow. For practice and children, 12 feet of Silk Essence is best. It washes, dries, and travels wonderfully. JoAnne's Fabric stores are the best place to find Silk Essence. They are located all around the USA. If you would like to purchase Silk Essence banners already made, contact me at the address below. Spencer and RhuNelle Williams may be contacted regarding the silk banners. They can create anything that you can conceive.

Washing and Care of Banners

Silk essence fabric can be washed and dried in machines. If they are removed from the dryer and promptly folded, they do not usually need to be ironed. One caution, don't use dryer sheets as they will stain the fabric. We use fabric softener in the rinse water to control static. Real and handpainted silks need to be dry-cleaned. They require extra care and should not be folded. We usually use a long styrofoam tube (light-weight) to roll them gently up and then make a fabric sleeve in which to store/carry them. When traveling, the sleeves are put into a golf bag, along with all our worship tools, for easy transportation on airplanes, to and from venues, etc.

Banner "Moves"

All the following moves can be taught at our dance workshops:

Jerusalem kiss Jerusalem kiss at its height Jerusalem kiss ending

I hope this booklet will be helpful for instruction in banner dancing. We would love to hear from you as to how the Holy Spirit is directing visual intercession in your area. Please let us know of any new movements, healings and miracles that may take place.

We would like to thank Randall Bane and Efrocine Auerbach for the fertile seed bed from which these Dancing Silks have sprung. One person plants and another waters and the garden of the Lord continues to produce.

CONTACT:

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