Register for The Certificate in Community Storytelling

The Hearth is offering an intensive certification program in community storytelling for those interested in the transformational power of stories. The Certificate in Community Storytelling offers a variety of experiential exercises, individual skill-building, practical teaching, online discussion groups, and written and online resources. Individuals who complete the certification course will:

• Understand how stories function in our personal and public lives.
• Learn how to create transformative events that deepen relationships within a local community or organization.
• Explore narrative practices that promote individual growth, social awareness, and community action.
• Learn how to create a variety of public story-sharing platforms that engender trust and vulnerability.
• Gain concrete skills for community storytelling including story recruitment, event promotion, audience building, public participation, media integration, and fundraising.
• Learn how to craft personal stories for speaking, teaching, and facilitation.
• Increase skills for coaching groups and individuals in personal storytelling.
• Discover methods for amplifying the voice of marginalized populations.
• Learn how to apply storytelling techniques within personal, professional, and community settings.

The Hearth Certificate Program is a one week concentrated intensive held April 19-24, 2020. Six months of additional teaching and coaching with Mark Yaconelli is available from May through October 2020 for an additional fee. You can register here.

Learn how to use story and story facilitation to bring more compassion, connection, and beauty into your life, your family, and your community.-Lucinda Moeglein 2019 participant

Whether you do this course for personal or professional reasons, it will give you hope for humanity.–Khaliqa Baqi 2019 participant

You will be empowered to impact and love others through the practice and power of storytelling.–Ted Hammett 2019 participant

 

The Power and Practice of Personal Storytelling: A Public Workshop in Seattle

Some people thing we’re made of flesh and blood and bones. Scientists say we’re made of atoms. But I think we’re made of stories. When we die, that’s what people remember, the stories of our lives and the stories that we told.–Ruth Stotter

Join the SPU School of Theology, Office of University Ministries, and Pivot NW in a morning training in personal storytelling with Mark Yaconelli.

This morning training will be an exploration of personal storytelling in ministry. Through presentation, contemplative exercises, theological reflection, and a variety of narrative practices, participants will encounter the power of personal storytelling for spiritual formation, outreach, social justice, and other ministries. The workshop will give participants practical skills for telling stories, creating narrative events, and assisting others in “giving testimony” to the work of the Spirit in their lives.

-Coffee and light pastries will be served.
-Child care can be provided upon request by February 1st to martinjimenez@spu.edu or leave a message at 206-281-2654
-Proceeds from the event will be used to support storytelling events for local churches.
-Parking will be free on streets or on lots as there is space. Passes will be emailed out to ticketholders the week of the event.

REGISTER HERE.

Mark Yaconelli Launches The Certificate in Community Storytelling

Personal storytelling is one of the most intimate forms of communication. Telling our story in community has the potential to bridge divides, cultivate trust, and inspire action by inviting those gathered to better understand what others have lived, suffered, and overcome. All human divisions could be healed if we would only take the time to listen to one another’s stories.

The Hearth, led by founder Mark Yaconelli, is pioneering a seven-month certification program in community storytelling for those interested in the transformational power of stories. The Certificate in Community Storytelling offers a variety of experiential exercises, individual skill-building, practical teaching, online discussion groups, and written and online resources. Individuals who complete the certification course will:

• Understand how stories function in our personal and public lives.
• Learn how to create transformative events that deepen relationships within a local community or organization.
• Explore narrative practices that promote individual growth, social awareness, and community action.
• Learn how to create a variety of public story-sharing platforms that engender trust and vulnerability.
• Gain concrete skills for community storytelling including story recruitment, event promotion, audience building, public participation, media integration, and fundraising.
• Learn how to craft personal stories for speaking, teaching, and facilitation.
• Increase skills for coaching groups and individuals in personal storytelling.
• Discover methods for amplifying the voice of marginalized populations.
• Learn how to apply storytelling techniques within families, friendships, and other informal gatherings.

The Certificate in Community Storytelling is ideal for pastors, nonprofit staff, social entrepreneurs, government officials, teachers, parents, journalists, social justice activists, and anyone seeking to strengthen families, local communities, or charitable organizations. The training program begins with a three-day intensive March 20-23, 2019, and ends with a closing intensive October 23-26, 2019. Both intensives will take place in retreat-like settings in Ashland, Oregon. Between the spring and fall workshops, participants will gather online for training, troubleshooting, and discussion with The Hearth founder, Mark Yaconelli. For more information go here.

Storytelling and the Soul

I have many secular friends who carry a strong critique of Christianity and religion in general. I agree with most of their criticisms. I have many Christian friends who carry a strong critique of secular, non-religious life. I agree with most of their criticisms as well. All of us are trying to figure it out and there is no easy answer. I did a long interview with Nomad Podcast in the U.K. They talked with me about my present work, the life of the soul, and the dark night. This is one person’s attempt to talk about the spiritual life with integrity. You can listen to the podcast here.

An American in Wales

I have been interviewed on BBC Wales, BBC Wales (in Welsh), BBC Wales Television, and now BBC4 (the program for the whole U.K.). There is great interest as to why an American would move to Wales for 6 months. Here is an article from the Anglican News Service on what’s happening here.

Yaconellis Move to Wales

 

The Diocese of St. Asaph within the Church in Wales has invited me to be a Teacher in Residence beginning February 15, 2016 through August 15, 2016. I will work to help train and establish a number of community storytelling projects similar to The Hearth here in the United States. In addition to the community storytelling training I will work to help develop a youth ministry training program and do some spiritual formation work with local priests. I am grateful for this new adventure and eager to learn from the Welsh people who have a rich and diverse bardic and Christian tradition.

 

 

Under The Moon and Stars

Old family friend, writer and artist Jim Hancock made a wee video of a story I told about a rite of passage I went through at the age of thirteen. Take a look. You can purchase it for $2. Link is here.

 

 

The Power of Personal Storytelling in Charlotte, N.C. and St. Paul, MN

Two upcoming opportunities to explore The Power of Personal Storytelling for ministry, professional development, and community activism. Based on Mark Yaconelli’s work with The Hearth Community, these two full-day workshops will assist participants in understanding how to use a variety of narrative projects and processes for building community, addressing healing individual suffering, and inspiring social action. Information below:

November 20, 2015: Charolotte, NC. Sponsored by Union Theological Seminary, Selwyn Presbyterian Church. Info is here.

December 5, 2015: Saint Paul, MN. Sponsored by the Lutheran Synod of Saint Paul Information is here. 

 

 

 

 

The Hearth and The Power of Personal Storytelling

The Hearth was profiled on Immense Possibilities, a local television and online program here in Southern Oregon. The focus of the show is on the power of personal storytelling. You can watch the episode here:

http://vimeo.com/115383849

 

 

 

 

 

The Best of The Hearth Holiday Gathering

If you are anywhere near Southern Oregon you will want to attend the best holiday event of the season. We’ve collected six of our best storytellers to share true tales around the theme “All in the Family” for our once-a-year fundraiser for The Hearth. Tellers include Joshua Boettiger, Mary Landberg, Juliet Grable, Lorraine Cook, Michael Fitzgerald, and Mark Yaconelli. We have special music with Wendi Stanek, Duane Whitcomb and an incredible backup band. Hosted by Mark Yaconelli. Mulled wine, spiced cider, and homemade holiday treats. Cost is $10, all proceeds benefit The Hearth. Location is 1800 E. Main in Ashland, Oregon (Temple Emek Shalom). Doors open at 7pm, program begins at 7:30. Get there early to find a seat.