“Where Do We Come From? What Are We?” Storytelling Uncovers the Past
Did you ever play the Broken Telephone game with a group of friends? The first person whispers a phrase into the next person’s ear, who in turn has to repeat it to the next person, etc. By the time the words get to the last person who speaks them out loud, they are usually hilariously different from the original phrase – quite comical!
On a more thoughtful note, we can acknowledge that the stories we pass along through the generations can also morph into tales far different from the original event. Historians and genealogists agree that memories of the same event can be as diverse as the people reporting the story. What can we learn from the humanly fallible transmissions of history? What can we learn from the mistakes and triumphs of the past? One of our hymns asks, “Where Do We Come From? What Are We?”
All of these and other questions will be part of a lively and participatory congregational gathering on Saturday, February 11th from 1 to 4 pm. The Reverend Julie Stoneberg and the UUCW Transition Team invite you for storytelling, listening, and more. We will explore UUCW’s history, share memories, and learn from one another.
Some people think talking about history is totally boring à la high school U.S. History, but it can be a motherlode of interesting and valuable lessons to help individuals and organizations strengthen and grow. Says Rev. Julie, “When we understand where we come from, we can better understand where we are, and navigate our way forward.”
To complete an effective interim period, our church is obliged to examine five areas of exploration, one of which is History. The UUA advises that congregations need to examine church history in order to learn and grow toward a healthier future. We need to embrace the lessons from the past and figure out who we are now in order to make a better match with our next called minister.
Whether you’ve been a long-time member or just arrived this year, there is something for all to share and learn! You don’t need to be a historian or genealogist to participate in this gathering and gain a new perspective on church life and find your place in our history. Poet, Civil Rights Activist, and Author Maya Angelou said it aptly, “I have great respect for the past. If you don’t know where you’ve come from, you don’t know where you’re going.”
For more information, contact Karen Engelking, Transition Team member.