Encouraging Christian Social Dancing around the World
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In The Shadow of the Steeple   Etta James died Friday at Riverside Community Hospital from complications of leukemia, with her husband and sons at her side. She was 73 years old. It's a sad day for The Church. A time for painful remembrance and hope that lessons have been learned. To most she was a legendary soul singer. To me she was a legendary contemporary Christian singer. Etta James preformed several Swing tunes that we play at Christian Social Dance Association (CSDA) dances, they include Oh Happy Day, I saw the Light, Down by the River Side, Swing Low Sweet Chariot, and This Little Light of Mine. She was truly a pioneer for Contemporary Christian Music. At the Portland/Tigard CSDA dance tonight, (Saturday, January 21) we will play these songs in memory of a legend just a little ahead of her time.   Although Etta James was rarely accepted to sing her music in The Church, she sang it wherever she could. Unfortunately, ‘wherever she could’ led her into temptations she couldn't bear alone. Her church family wasn't there for her support. In the 50's and 60's The Church despised her and mocked her. The Church ignored her as she painfully drew further and further from God's plan into drug addiction and other sins. Rejection became all too common place for Etta James; she was even rejected by President Obama to sing her song "At Last" at his inauguration. Beyonce was chosen to imitate her. It is my hope that we will see her in Heaven and can hear once again the voice that God gave her.   In His Spirit Always, Tim Veach Christian Social Dance Association

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