Miriam led dancing, singing and praise in Exodus; David danced before the Ark of the Lord in 2 Samuel; and the Psalms say to praise God with dancing.
At Countryside United Methodist Church, children from kindergarten through high school have taken that idea to heart and its liturgical dance program is blossoming.
"Liturgical dance is one way in which we at Countryside United Methodist Church express joyous celebration that is inclusive and glorifies God," said Caren Loper, associate minister at the church.
No experience is required for aspiring liturgical dancers at Countryside.
"We promote that all are encouraged to praise God and help spread the Christian message of hope and love through dance," she said. "We learn and share dances to enhance worship, with the focus on developing as Christians and sharing our love for God."
Linquist's daughter, Katherine Linquist, 15, is the choreographer for 22 dancers who enrich church services and programs with graceful, colorful interpretations of Christian music.
Katherine Linquist has been dancing since she was 3. She also has had several years of liturgical dance training, has watched productions of professional Christian dance companies and has been to summer training programs with two of those companies.
Besides liturgical, she is trained in classical ballet and pointe, modern, jazz, tap, Irish step and some neo-classical ballet.
Last year's dancers toured for a week and performed at two schools, a retirement community and a multichurch women's fellowship gathering. In August, they danced at two other churches. Several of the dancers also are involved in other arts activities at Countryside, such as choirs and bells.
Four kindergartners — bundles of energy each — make up the youngest group of dancers called the Holy Sparks. Nine grade-schoolers with even more energy comprise the group In His Web. Holy Flame consists of nine older girls, including Katherine Linquist.
Lea Heryford, 13, said being in the troupe has made her faith stronger, and she joined because it sounded like fun.
And fun, it is. The energy is infectious when the dancers gather to practice at the church on Wednesday evenings. The floor vibrates as the dancers, which include one boy, separate into groups and begin working on moves, including leaps, circles, waves, skips and spins.
"I wanted to praise God through dance," said Heryford, who had tap, jazz and ballet lessons for five years before joining the troupe.
Katherine Linquist, like Heryford, said the experiences have strengthened her spirituality.
"Sometimes when I'm really dancing, I feel something whole. That's it. I feel like it's just me and God. It's really peaceful, and you just feel so connected," she said.
As each practice ends, the dancers join hands in a circle for group prayer. Each child has the option of adding an individual addition to the prayer. Most of them do, as they count their blessings.
Becky Linquist and Loper said the arts are alive and well at Countryside, where youth bells, a youth choir and a youth puppet program are also in full swing this fall. Children's and adult choirs and bells, an orchestra and youth praise band also take place.
"The congregation has been deeply moved and touched with liturgical dance that embodies the word in this visual art form," Loper said.
"You just don't know all the comments I hear," Becky Linquist told the troupe at a recent practice. "You are touching hearts, and you are inspiring people when you dance."
Julie K. Buzbee is a freelance writer in Topeka. She can be reached at jbuzbee59@yahoo.com.