"I have striven not to laugh at human actions, not to weep at them, not to hate them, but to understand them." Dutch philosopher, Baruch Spinoza, Political Treatise, 1676.
During contentious times, sharing our stories has the power to help us connect across divides of politics and identity. Stories allow for greater understanding of, and empathy with, the "other." Circles allow each participant access to both speaking and listening, being heard and sympathizing more deeply. We hope such circles will help make deeper connections across differences of age, gender, class, identities, backgrounds, personal histories, vocations, missions.
Stories shared can be recalled or invented, history or fantasy as long as they originate with you. They can be spoken, written, sung, shown through a series of pictures, poems, dramatizations. The emphasis will be on sharing, not on performance (more like Story Corps than The Moth), from personal experience rather than popular media posts. Participants can also just listen and watch.
If you would like to help shape or facilitate a story circle, please come to our story-telling orientation on Saturday, October 20, 3:30-5:30 at the Unitarian Church of Montpelier. You can participate in a story circle without attending this orientation. All are welcome. We are all, potentially, story tellers. We are all, certainly, listeners.
We will discuss characteristics of story (character, plot, setting), potential guidelines for circles, (themes, formats, size, structures, schedules, roles, challenges), and possible groupings within our larger community.
"Mind pictures brought feelings, and feeling dragged out dramas from the hollows of her heart." Zora Neal Hurston, Their Eyes Were Watching God.
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Hanukkah Party and Concert: Joanie Leeds at ZenbarnDec 26, 2024, 2 to 4 PM
Winter Bird Count Waterbury/Stowe Area Dec. 27Dec 27, 2024