How could we have a site focused on any form of faith formation, and not talk about believing? But how do we talk about belief on a site that seeks to be open to multiple faith traditions? Some websites solve this problem by seeking to be so generic that no one is offended. We’d like to support a different approach. We want people to speak as clearly as they can, and as specifically as they can. We hope for very particular stories. Think of a poem, which might describe an utterly unique experience but do so with language that resonates far beyond the specific moment. We hope to provide access to ideas and tools that generate engagement and conversation. Our primary value for this site is precisely that: open and respectful engagement across differences in the pursuit of faithful and faith-filled truth.
Digital storytelling is a wonderful tool to use in support of this value, because it promotes clarity and care in the telling of stories while at the same time providing a mechanism by which they can be widely shared. In this section of the website we will point to a variety of stories, and also post items that might be of theological interest.
- September update 18 September 2024Wow — the semester is underway and I am swamped. I promise to say more about my project — keep looking for new videos posted at storyingfaith.org. But in the meantime, here is a link to the recent ELCA congregation pulse survey on caring for creation. It’s an interesting example of diversity across the churches ...
- Third places 13 September 2024There is a lot of scholarship about the importance of “third places” (spaces that are separate from home and work, and invite conversation). But this is the first time I’ve seen someone curate a playlist of scenes from various tv shows and movies that depict the discussion about third places!
- REA presentation 30 August 2024I offered a brief presentation on this current research project to the July 2024 REA meeting, and you can find the video of that presentation here (see below). You might also be interested in the handout (which includes the citations to this session). Hess4Proceedings2024Download https://youtu.be/MMW0z0l9q20
- June update 27 June 2024I can’t believe it is June already — and towards the end of the month at that! The formal sabbatical portion of this project ends on July 1st, but I’m enjoying these workshops and retreats so much that I will be continuing to do this work into the foreseeable future. A brief overview of this project to ...
- May project update 29 May 2024So much energy these past weeks is being drawn forth into caring for Creation! Earth Day every year brings much more awareness, and I believe draws more people into refreshing and re-energizing their commitments to the Earth. I’ve been traveling a fair amount lately– to Sioux Falls, SD, to Aberdeen, SD, to Missoula, MT — learning ...
- April update 18 April 2024Welcome to the April update of the Stories and the Earth project! This has been a busy month, as Earth Day is right around the corner (April 22) and all sorts of churches and other organizations have been hard at work producing resources and creating celebrations. Since last I wrote an update, I’ve enjoyed learning with people ...
- March update 27 March 2024A brief update this month, as Lent and Holy Week have placed heavy demands on my life and work, and I have prayed and learned with others who are praying through Ramadan. Such a busy and holy season this is! My project held a two-part version of the workshop at St. Francis Cabrini in Minneapolis this ...
- February update 28 February 2024It’s nearly the last day of February . I have to note that I have been so busy this month on this project that my communication has fallen behind. I think that’s probably a good thing? But I will seek to do better next month. In any case, workshops in Oshkosh, WI and St. Paul, MN ...
- January update 26 January 2024The first thing I have to share is that this project went on a major “pause” during January, as I caught my first bout of COVID and spent most of the month isolated in our attic, fighting the disease. My gosh I’m glad to be through it, and even more grateful that isolation kept my ...
- December update 22 December 2023Dear friends, it is the shortest day of the year here in North America as I write this note. Darkness has been taking up more and more of each day. Now, however, the days will begin to turn again towards spring, and light will begin to creep into more and more of my awareness. Usually this ...