July 13thWhat is a Story?
In late 2020, MCA’s Community Building and Program committee began gathering a series of congregational reflections, posted on the MCA website as Our Stories. They invited each of our 12 congregations to submit a story, one per month. The result was eight stories with continuing hope for more.
Sometimes the response from the congregational contact was uncertainty. What could be a story from our congregation that would be of interest to others? Our response was “almost anything. We don’t know you.” Or at least “we don’t know you well.” But still, some hesitated.
Some asked what is a story? For those, I offer this simple definition, from the website The Wrap. “A story is the telling of an event, either true or fictional, in such a way that the listener experiences or learns something just by the fact that he heard the story. A story is a means of transferring information, experience, attitude or point of view. Every story has a teller and a listener.”
Some stories are pure fiction, the events did not happen in any form. Others, the kinds of stories we are hoping to showcase for our MCA family, are true. The events did happen. All stories, however, are interpretations of events. Some are clouded by memory -- and that can be okay. Most of the time, the actual precise details aren’t what matters. There is truth in metaphor and allegory, after all. What we are hoping for when we ask for congregational stories, is that you, a writer in your congregation, can help us, the readers of the MCA Communiqué and the MCA website, experience a bit of what it’s like to be part of your congregation. We want to get to know you! We are your listeners.
As part of my work as MCA Communications, I have been gathering stories from Camp Valaqua’s past hoping to find a theme so these stories can be woven into an article. I too have had a few similar responses along the lines of “yes, I was involved years ago but I’m not sure I have a story.” I don’t believe that. We all have stories of how places, spaces, and people have impacted our lives.
When we ask for congregational stories, a good starting point is always “How have I seen God at work among us?” Simply begin by writing out: What happened? Where and when did this happen? Who was there? And most importantly, how did this event shape the life and mission of our church? Is there a glimpse of a bigger picture? Did we experience the presence of God?
For some of us, storytelling is easy, almost part of our DNA. My late father was a great storyteller. Getting away from him when he was in storytelling mode could be difficult! I fall into the same pattern. If you struggle to write your congregational story – call me, or call Steven, our Church Engagement Minister. Speak it and one of us will write it. But let us join together -- almost as if we’re sitting by a communal fire and telling each other our stories.