They are four evening services over the course of this year that focus on embodied ritual (with movement and enhanced participatory elements), and provide a time to worship in the evening. The services end with snacks and socializing and a DJ’d ecstatic dance to help in integrating what went before.
embodied ritual
Saturday Night MUUvment Services at Neighbourhood
What are Saturday Night MUUvment Services?
Upcoming MUUvment Services
November 15 2025 – A Saturday Night MUUVment Service
“Gathering in Grief and Longing”
Dealing with loss is a “muscle” that we can exercise and when we strengthen this muscle, we have more access to the full range of emotions that help us feel enlivened. During this time of year when the leaves fall and the veil between life and loss is felt to be more permeable, let’s gather and practice being with loss through sound, movement, words, community and ritual. You can move with what emerges for you in the DJ’d dance that follows.
Saturday, November 15, 2025
6:30 pm to 7:00 pm – Gathering
7:00 pm – Movement Warm-up and Ritual
8:30 pm to – DJed Ecstatic Dance
10:00 pm – Closing circle
Service Weaver: Gordon Thorne
Facilitators: Katya Schmied and Kathleen Rea
Music: Comfort Choir
DJ: Ariel LLama
Location:
Neighbourhood Unitarian Universalist Congregation (NUUC)
Rafos Hall
310 Danforth Ave, Toronto, ON M4K 1N6
Main accessible doors on Jackman Ave
Wheelchair accessible
Shoes: indoor shoes, socks or bare feet to keep dance floor clean
Donations:
NUUC is funded entirely by donations. A collection will be made at the end of the ritual. Please be generous. Any amount is welcome.
To keep the floor clean for dancing, we request removal of outdoor shoes before the service. Feel free to bring clean indoor shoes or slippers.
Do you want to help out?
Would you like to help create these services? Contact Natalie Zend (nataliezend (at) gmail.com).
What is ecstatic dance?
Let the music take you on a journey. Move your body freely. There are no specific dance steps, just the invitation to follow your inner promptings and be your unique self. No experience needed! All bodies and abilities welcome. The space is wheelchair accessible.
We dance without words, to help us drop into deeper awareness of our bodies and the space. We prefer to dance barefoot to help us connect to ground, but clean indoor shoes are also welcome for those with physical limitations. We invite you to dance drug- and alcohol-free and to let go of judgements and expectations. Just feel whatever you’re feeling and move through everything that arises.
Is there a cost to attend the MUUVment Services?
Donations are gratefully accepted. Your donation helps to cover honouraria for guest musicians, the AV technician, and/or the DJ, as well as the cost of snacks for that service. Any additional proceeds help Neighbourhood to cover rent and salaries.
A basket will be passed around during the service to collect donations, and during snacks you can use the QR code or basket on the snack table. If you contribute $20 or more and would like a tax receipt, please put your donation in one of the envelopes provided and write your name and contact information on it.
Do I have to pre-register?
No need to pre-register! Everybody welcome. However we do recommend you arrive at least 15 minutes before the service starts to allow time to settle in. Doors open at 6:30 pm for a 7:00 pm start.
What should I wear?
Our congregation has a “come as you are” atmosphere. You will see some dressed up; some dressed casual. We have no expectations for attire.
For the dance/movement at the end of the service, you may wish to dress in or bring some clothes that allow you to move freely and comfortably.
You may also wish to bring some clean indoor shoes or slippers as we ask you to remove your outdoor shoes so we can keep the floor clean for dancing.