Miaraka: A Time to Dance
Is coming to Florida!
PERFORMANCES:
March 3rd and 4th
- St. Gregory's, Boca Raton, FL
March 10th and 11th
- St. Joseph's, Boynton Beach, FL
March 17th and 18th
- St. Mary's, Stuart, FL
A troupe of talented Malagasy and Mauritian performers will come to South Florida this spring for several performance of Miaraka: A Time to Dance, the original musical written by Patsy McGregor and Collette Maurel.
The musical portrays a young woman, Mary, who is caught in the web of poverty, trafficking and prostitution. Crying, lonely and broken, she is hopeless. In desperation and fear of the future, she contemplates suicide. But God’s mercy rains down in the night and He provides hope, freedom, peace and love. Mary escapes entanglement of the web through acting on her own creative gifts; her talents with which she was born. With newfound faith, her inner being finds joy and peace. Mary becomes free and intentionally sets her mind on the things above, turning from the things that ensnare her life on earth. Beginning like a mustard seed, her faith soon begins to grow into a large tree under which other women come and sit together, enjoying laughter, love and relief from the blazing sun. These women are now able to lift their own gifts, times and talents to the Lord. As they begin to enjoy the benefits of living together in community, life becomes a celebration. Through redemption and hope, life is now A Time to Dance.
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How Can I Help?
Attend a performance! Tickets will be available in January! Watch for additional information about ordering tickets.
Donate to help with the expenses:
- $5,000 will underwrite all the expenses for a single performer from Mauritius or Madagascar.
- $2,500 will help to rent lighting and sound equipment for performances.
- $1,000 will pay for transportation for the troupe around Florida
- $500 will support "American experiences" for the performers
- $100 helps with printing expenses for programs
- Every amount helps!
Invite your friends to attend performances.
Pray for those performing and those who will be touched by the story of redemption.
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Donate to the Miaraka production
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Rev. Patsy spreads the word about
Miaraka: a Time to Dance
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Rev. Patsy and members of the Miaraka support team were able to share the news about Miaraka: A Time to Dance musical coming to Southeast Florida in March (see lead article). She also had copies of her recent books Madagascar: Window of my Soul and A Timeless Gift at the convention of the Diocese of Southeast Florida in November.
Rev. Patsy's most recent publication, A Timeless Gift, is a devotional based on the musical Miaraka: A Time to Dance. Church members and friends are encouraged to use the devotional during Lent 2023, along with an accompanying study guide produced by Beth Shires. Look for more information on how you can get your copies!
 
Rev. Patsy with Bishop Curry and some of the Miaraka planning team at the Diocesan Convention. On the right is "A Timeless Gift," a devotional written by Rev. Patsy.
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Bishop Todd with some of the members of his ILI cohort
Never Cross Off a Bucket List Item!
An Update from Bishop Todd
As many of you know, I was raised Roman Catholic and always dreamed of studying at the University of Notre Dame, or at the very least I dreamed of attending a football game there. As time passes, we may forget about our bucket lists until something happens to remind us.
In my case, just a few months after our return to the USA from Madagascar, my wife Patsy mentioned my desire to attend a game to a parishioner at St. Mary’s in Stuart. The next thing we knew, we were on our way to South Bend to attend an Irish football game against USC last October. Someone else put us in contact with Notre Dame graduates (Domers) in Stuart who told us about the Inspired Leadership Initiative (ILI) program. One thing led to another and now, I am living out one of my bucket list items.
Because of living overseas for so many years, I subconsciously crossed off my Notre Dame bucket list item, but God had other plans. Never cross off a bucket list item because it’s part of who God has created you to be. Since mid-August I have been on the campus of the University of Notre Dame, pinching myself as I walk the campus, attending classes and cheering for the Irish at all kinds of sporting events. I’m filled with joy each day as I learn something new. I get to dialogue with the members of my cohort four times a week and interact with students from throughout the world. I attend and participate in classes on poverty, business and social entrepreneurship. I spend time with top professors hearing about their passions, and attend lectures from visiting faculty, listening to inspiring speakers.
Everyday is a new experience. Being vulnerable within my cohort is a highlight of the my time here, while attending sporting events and exercising spiritual rhythms are icing on top of the cake. Thank you for your prayers and support of my endeavors. My life is full of joy and I thank the Lord that I never crossed off this bucket list item.
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 Clergy and Spouse Retreat in the Diocese of Mahajanga
Bishop Hall Spears, diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Mahajanga, Madagascar, sends his profound thanks for the generous support of People Reaching People for the week-long retreat for all the clergy and spouses of the diocese. This is the first time that all have gathered for prayer, fellowship, teaching and a time of refreshment. It was a great success! Bishop Hall reports a renewed sense of unity within the diocese as well as a tremendous spark by the Holy Spirit for increased evangelism. Thank you to all who continue to support our efforts financially as well as in prayer!
(Photo: Bishop Todd with Bishop Hall Spears and his wife Sarah at Lambeth 2022)
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How are donations to the SAMS McGregor fund used?
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Since the McGregors have returned to the United States from Madagascar, some may wonder why they still need your support. Ministry, as you all know, needs support both financially and spiritually. Like a spider web, Bishop Todd’s ministry fans out to various mission areas. While Patsy serves as Associate Rector for Spiritual Formation at St. Mary's Church in Stuart, FL, Todd continues his work as a missionary. His mission work requires financial support.
Bishop Todd has been busy with not only his studies at Notre Dame but with reaching out to the younger students. He says, “My classes on Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Poverty, Business and Development, have been stretching my mind toward looking at things from a business perspective. I even gave a pitch in the Social Entrepreneurship class to help set up some kind of business for the parishes in the Diocese of Mahajanga in Madagascar.” A week later, Bp. Todd was interviewed by five students who wanted to know more about this idea, and later decided to do a feasibility study for the Diocese of Mahajanga, Madagascar, including looking at best practices by leveraging what the Diocese of Toliara had previously done. He and the students are planning to do a Zoom meeting with Bp. Hall Spears, Mahajanga’s Diocesan Bishop. They are looking into traveling to the Diocese next summer in order to implement this project. Please keep this project and the students in your prayers. Donations to help fund this project can be sent to:
https://give.samsusa.org/missionary/todd-and-patsy-mcgregor
 Through the McGregors’ SAMS account, Bishop Hall Spears, Diocesan Bishop of the Diocese of Mahajanga, Madagascar, was able to receive generous financial support for a week-long retreat for all the clergy and spouses of his diocese. It sponsored nine days of clergy/spouses training and retreat. This is the first time that the clergy with their spouses have gathered for prayer, fellowship, teaching and a time of refreshment. It was a great success! Bishop Hall (seen in this picture with 2 new deacons on their 3 day retreat) reports a renewed sense of unity within the Diocese as well as a tremendous spark by the Holy Spirit for increased evangelism. The residual funds from the retreat will be used for the Diocese’s ordinands retreat this year. The Diocese has begun to grow and they are seeing new life with new clergy, new churches, and new rectories being added. Your donations to the McGregors’ SAMS account make retreats like this possible.
Since his return to the US, Bishop Todd has been working with SAMS writing a Missionary Discernment Journaling Resource, drawing on his experiences in the mission field. The teachings from Bishop Todd and reflection questions will help you pray through God's leading in your life. Through your financial gifts and prayers, Bishop Todd is able to provide these resources. To view the first chapters of the Journal, click here: https://sams-usa.sharefile.com/share/view/s9c366314a69240b08e4f4775cd93b848/fo39f5e2-7588-46e3-a838-424dedb4b5e8
Thank you to all who continue to support the McGregors’ efforts financially as well as in prayer! You can help the McGregors with their continued outreach, evangelism and economic empowerment to poorest of the poor.
Donate to the McGregor Ministry
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Prayer Requests
- Pray for the Malagasy and Mauritian performers coming to Florida in the Spring to perform Miaraka: A Time to Dance
- Pray for funding for the performers coming from Madagascar and Mauritius
- Pray for those coordinating the logistics of Miaraka
- Pray for all who will be touched by these performances
- Pray for Bishop Todd as he continues his studies at the University of Notre Dame
- Pray for Rev. Patsy and her expanded responsibilities at St. Mary's
- Pray for a blessed Advent
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