Let me tell you, friends, this was my church for the weekend. Yes, this was an event in which we heard seven minutes stories from seven different preachers across the Southern New England conference, but each of these stories was equally heartbreaking and heartwarming. Each of these stories had a harrowing moment of heartache, and a journey of growth and life that came next. In each of these stories you could sense the presence of God when it was needed most, and beauty that spread from that connection. I was in awe of my fellow preachers, my wonderful colleagues in ministry, and I continue in that awe even today.
This event was modeled on the style of The Moth, which focuses on short stories that are real, organized around a theme for the evening. While these kind of events often require a memorized story, there was more grace for these storytellers, instead placing trust in them and in God that the stories would connect when given enough coaching and practice.
And so I wonder, what would it look like for us to have a time of storytelling at First Parish as well? And what are the stories we have to tell, not just within our church, but in our wider community as well? And how could we offer the space for these stories to be told in a safe and encouraging environment?
I am so interested in more storytelling these days. In fact, it’s the driving force behind my continuing education this year, funded by the Next Generation Leadership Initiative. That’s why I’ve been away at the Wild Goose Festival this past week. Wild Goose is a four-day Spirit, Justice, Music, and Arts festival, held yearly in rural North Carolina. I’ve always wanted to go to Wild Goose since I first heard of it about a decade ago, but I’m drawn to it this year because one of their core commitments is to storytelling. I’ll have plenty more to share after I return from Wild Goose, but I’m already thinking about stories to share because of our gathering at last month’s annual meeting.
If you’d like to be a part of starting a storytelling event or series at First Parish, please give me a call or drop me an email.
Pastor JT
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