Rev. Joyce Chelsley-Hayward has long been involved in the creative arts. With a Masters in Fine Arts and now working on her doctorate, she began looking at different ways to incorporate the arts into Christian ministory.

"How can we use the arts to bring people into the church and bring the church to people," was the question she wanted to answer. "There's so much that God has given us in the arts." The result, the creation of Transforming Arts, a Christian Creative Arts Centre, where all the classes are taught from a Christian perspective.

"It's an association that we've established, offering various classes in the arts," Rev. Hayward explained. The centre is also a registered charity.

"We're trying to help people. There are a lot of things that can enhance the business of the church," she added.

While all the classes incorporate prayer and scripture reading, with the goal of keeping them Biblically-based, they are not for churches, Rev. Hayward emphasised. They are for everyone.

This term begins on September 24 and the class schedule includes Communication Skills, taught by Lorna McGowan and Basic Audio-Visual Media for the Masses taught by Steve Easton, who has more than 15 years of experience in audio-visuals, and runs Just Platinum Recording Studio.

Michelle Doers is teaching the Functional Graphics class, which will allow students to learn how to create flyers, brochures, business cards and PowerPoint presentations, among other things.

The Effective Communication for Churches, Small Business and Community Groups is being taught by Pastor John Woolridge, who is the musical director for the Bermuda Arts Foundation.

Rev. Hayward will also be teaching two classes, including Gospelcise and Marriage Enrichment Through Dance.

The marriage enrichment class was inspired by Rev. Hayward and her husband taking salsa classes themselves.

"We realised that the salsa was tied to marriage," she explained. "The man leads, you have to follow the leader through twists and turns that you have to go through together. There are a lot of skills in dance that apply to marriage."

While some might question Christians dancing, Rev. Hayward shared: "Christians are allowed to have fun. We're supposed to have fun!" In the future, Transforming Arts hopes to add photography, sign language, Pastoring in the Present Age, liturgical dance and Tools for the Modern Church classes.

For more information on classes and to register, call 505-2645 or email transformingarts@gmail.com. You can also visit their website at www.transforming-arts.com.