for the week of March 29th     

 

"In the Beginning was the Story ... A Storytelling Concert" kicks off the two-day event. Scheduled for Friday, April 16 from 7-8:30 p.m., Barbara McBride-Smith will make you laugh, cry, reminisce, and sit back in awe - all at the same time. Known for her down-home, Texas-style take on Bible stories, Greek myths, and the mythic figures from her childhood in Waco, Texas, McBride-Smith is a regular performer at the annual National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, Tennessee.
 
On Saturday, April 17, Dennis Smith will join Barbara in presenting "Story Matters: What Do Abraham, Sarah, Baucis, Philemon, Jesus, and Paul Have in Common?" from 9-11:30 a.m.

  

 

"Sometimes we relegate Bible stories to the category of children's literature, as if to indicate they are less important. But the Bible itself utilized stories for conveying very complex theological ideas," said Dennis. "In this workshop, we will explore a set of stories from both the Bible and its culture that gave birth to the core Christian concept of grace. The presentation will feature a performance of "Baucis and Philemon" by Barbara," he added.

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Your congregation is a people that is called to be a welcoming community.  In Romans we read, "Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.  May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."  Romans 15:7, 13.  Welcome embraces the involvement of everyone, including people who have been touched by or have experienced a mental illness/brain disorder and/or a disability, apparent or unapparent.  The purposes of this Conference are:
 
     i.     to educate about mental illnesses/brain disorders and disabilities;
    ii.     to learn how to develop Mental Health Ministries and A2A Covenants 

              in your congregation;
   iii.     to share best practices by telling stories; 
   iv.     to network, staying in touch with each other and learn from each other;
    v.     to offer spiritual support group experiences;
   vi.     to worship and offer devotions; 
  vii.     to wrestle the words and actions for the UCC MIN Covenant; 

 viii.     to plan activities around UCC Synod, including the Covenant; and
   ix.     to work toward encouraging every UCC congregation to be committed to

              compassionate action and widening the welcome for all. 
 
This National Gathering will be hosted by the UCC Mental Illness Network (MIN) and UCC Disabilities Ministries (DM).  This Conference will be held Thursday, September 23-Sunday, September 26, 2010.  It will be in St. Louis. This gathering is for clergy, consumers, laity, families, and mental health professionals.
 
So far the speakers include Dr. Nancy Kehoe, a nun and a clinical instructor at Harvard Medical School, author of "Wrestling with our Inner Angels: Faith, Mental Illness, and the Journey to Wholeness," Dr. David Greenhaw, President of Eden Theological Seminary, the Rev. Jane Fisler-Hoffman and the Rev. Bob Molsberry, UCC Conference Ministers, the Rev. Jeanne Tyler with the UCC DM, Mr. Jeffrey Pollack Esq., Attorney in Cleveland, the Rev. Dr. Craig Rennebohm, author of "Souls in the Hands of a Tender God," and the Rev. Alan Johnson, author of "Encounters at the Counter: What Congregations can learn about Hospitality from Business."
 
For more details and information, email Alan Johnson, Chair of the UCC MIN, revalan2004@comcast.net