In the month of May we’re exploring what is means to be a people of story. Stories are a way that we make meaning in our lives. Stories shape how we understand our past, our present and our future, both individually and collectively. Soul Matters describes the practice of being a people of story as living by narratives of our own making, reclaiming memory, and re-membering ourselves. Join us as we explore and deepen our faith together.

Reflections on Story:

Practice listening beyond, or beneath, opinions. Opinions are only the thinnest surface sitting on top of the deep stories that we all carry.
Rev. Rod Richards

As I considered it, the truth of the matter was that we were living within an old story; and a new story needed to be told, but we didn’t have the language for it. The old story was of victimization, marginalization, oppression, oppressors; and the new story would see all of us evolving, self-expanding, and finding a new place in this wonderful cosmology that is a reality we have not paid attention to. So, in order to get to that point—and here is where my transformation begins—I had to reconsider what I thought about people, because I had hardened my view of others and who they were and what they meant. I had spent my time raising two little African American boys who had to be taught how to survive in society. In doing that, I taught them to view the world in only one way; and I myself was hardened into a position that either you were with me or you were against me or us.
Barbara Holmes

Your heartache is someone else’s hope. If you make it through, somebody else is going to make it through. Tell your story.
Kim McManus

Focus: 

The practice of living by narratives of our own making.
The practice of reclaiming memory and re-membering ourselves.

Spiritual Practice:

Imagine the Story Re-Written

This exercise is meditative. It’s an invitation to spend the month wrestling with a juicy question. Here it is:
If you could erase one event from the world’s history, which would it be and why?
Most of us will likely enjoy reflecting on it on our own, maybe journaling about it over a week or two. But what about hauling the question around with you and asking it of friends and family? You might also want to check out this online conversation about it: https://www.reddit.com/r/AskReddit/comments/a88p2d/if_you_could_erase_one_event_from_the_worlds/
Also spend some time thinking about what the question has to teach you. It a fun exercise, but more likely than not, you will also find a challenge in it. Or hope?

Taking It Home:  Ideas for All Ages

Become a Crayon Activist

We are reminded that there are things we can do to alter and interrupt hurtful stories by changing people’s minds, perspectives and ways of treating each other. Here’s one story about how a girl used a hurtful instance of her classmate asking her to pass the “skin colored” crayon to transform crayons in a way that everyone can feel included.
Read the story about the “Crayon Activist” and show the 4 min. Video describing her “More than Peach” Project.
A Color for Everyone; Bellen Woodard’s crayons help kids feel included while celebrating their differences. AUGUST 31, 2020
https://sn4.scholastic.com/issues/2020-21/083120/a-color-for-everyone.html#On%20Level

Musical Connection:

We create two different playlists for each of our monthly themes: one in Spotify and another in YouTube. We organize these lists as a journey of sorts. So consider listening from beginning to end and using the lists as musical meditations. Follow the links below to connect with this month’s “story songs.”

Click here for the Spotify playlist on Story.
Click here for all Spotify playlists.
Click here for the YouTube playlist on Story.
Click here for all the YouTube playlists.

Join us to deepen our faith together:

  • Explore resources related to the monthly theme (links above)
  • Attend Sunday worship
  • Request a copy of Soulful Home (thematic resources for families)
  • Join our Parent Group (to discuss the themes in relation to parenting)