Workshop has stories to tell about value of story-telling

The power of a story can be profound; and for those who work in parishes, story-telling can be a fresh, creative approach to ministry, according to Gert Johnson.

On March 1, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., she will offer a workshop in story-telling at St. Bernard's Graduate School of Theology and Ministry at the Pastoral Center in Albany.

Mrs. Johnson, a parishioner of St. John the Baptist Church in Schenectady, said the day will be filled with interactive story-telling, listening and other practical skills needed for ministers.

"We all have stories inside us," she told The Evangelist. "We all have natural, unique gifts that God has given us. Effective story-telling is simply a matter of exercising the natural skills that we all have."

Mrs. Johnson, a retired Catholic school teacher, discovered the impact of story-telling when she was studying for her graduate degree at St. Bernard's. She wanted to learn more after she was exposed to the telling of story as a means of teaching and learning. In fact, she was so affected that story-telling became the subject of her thesis.

"It really exercises a power that we don't necessarily recognize, so it's important to use story-telling in certain, effective ways. If we don't, we can easily rob it of its profound power," she noted.

Her workshop will include "lots of stories," ample time for people to listen to stories and share their own (if they choose to), and handouts with tips on story-telling and resources.

"Basically, I hope to engage the group in learning a creative, fresh approach to their ministry," she explained. "We will also learn how to wield story-telling in such a way as to help people make a connection between their faith and everyday life. Hopefully, this will help them strengthen the bond between themselves and those to whom they minister."

(The workshop is offered as part of a required curriculum in the master's programs, but the public is welcome. Participants are encouraged to bring their own lunch. Registration is $30. Contact St. Bernard's School of Theology and Ministry at 453-6760.)

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