gathering, inspiring, telling, breathing

Obviously, after Friday, the gathering picked up intensity, and I didn't find any time for blogging.

Saturday was full of stories and insights from Megan, as she took us deep into the Gospel according to John and its chiastic / parallel structure, the centrality of the story of Lazarus and our place with Lazarus as the beloved disciple, and challenged, moved and inspired us with her invitation into story worlds.

Megan's current tour Down Under includes some work in New Zealand - and she has provided some resources that we are also welcome to access from the Catholic Archdiocese of Wellington.

Saturday also included our epic telling of portions from the Gospel according to John, and so together we entered into the story of Jesus through the poetry and imagery of this gospel account.

In between all this, when there were moments to spare, we enjoyed the labyrinth, sweeping lawns, and warm sunshine at Santa Theresa Spirituality Centre, Ormiston, Brisbane.

gathering, hearing, shattering

The gospels hit us like a hammer shattering rock. At a public address in Mt Cravatt Megan told us a story of a baker a rabbi and sharing bread, meeting God in our neighbour. She introduced us anew to the gospel according to Luke, with his focus on food and Jesus' breaking open of cultural boundaries to welcome all and teach the disciples. 

What did we hear? What did we feel? 

The meaning is in the hearing. 

So we heard the story again. 

and how the gospels shatter us with the challenge to share what we have beyond enough ... 

a story to finish reminded us that many of the people who pick the resources that make our food never taste it ... 

the gathering, the beginning

well, folks, the Network of Biblical Storytellers Australia / New Zealand Gathering is kicking off tomorrow (Friday). The board members arrived early and discussed structural and administrative matters, including finishing the meeting not as a board, but as a Network Council! And of course, we enjoyed catching up on our stories, as it's been a while since we were all in the same room together!

The venue is great - a Catholic retreat centre in Brisbane, on the water - stillness, beauty, and gorgeous weather (it's winter down here, and it was cold and rainy last weekend, so fine and mild is very welcome).

We are very much looking forward to embracing old friends, welcoming new friends, sharing the stories, and hearing from Megan McKenna.

In the morning, the people will gather: let the stories begin!

From our keynote speaker, Megan McKenna

Here is what Megan is planning to explore with us at the gathering on the weekend of 5 - 7 July, in Brisbane, Queensland: let her thoughts whet your appetite and inspire your fingers to fill out those registration forms and book those flights for a weekend of immersion in our Sacred Story.

Saturday, I'm thinking of doing John 4 (parts of the chapter) and connections with word / water / scriptures ... and I would hopefully invite the people to experience the connections / relationships between the gospel / Scriptures and storytelling by heart (not memorisation).

I thought for the workshop we could either explore parables – specifically as religious / sacred stories that are meant to 'interrupt' our lives and turn us upside down and inside out ...  or storytelling and scripture – on words  and their power to convert, make peace, do justice, etc.

And then the closing on Sunday morning I thought I would do something on making stories come true – dreaming and telling them into becoming reality and actually happening.

I don't know about you, but I find Megan's thoughts are enticing, and can't wait to explore the Gospels, storytelling, and living into and out of the story with Megan and fellow storytellers. See you there!!