2018 Festival Gathering—
’18 FG brochure
Ya’ll come!
See that graphic at the top of the Facebook group page for the Network of Biblical Storytellers, International (NBSI)? It was taken a couple of years ago at a Festival Gathering (FG) while we were sharing communion.
The annual “NBSI FG” is coming up in early August. This year it’s being held in GoTell’s home town, better known as “the birthplace of aviation.” That would be Dayton, Ohio. Wherever it’s held, the FG is always an inspiring, fun, and educational event with some of the most interesting people in the world. It brings joy and hope.
Join us! Click here for details and to register…
Concerning the Name of God:
What do you do?
I recently came across an especially interesting discussion thread on the Facebook group for the Network of Biblical Storytellers concerning the name of God. Suzanne Tyler Stock got the ball rolling as she recounted the “annual dilemma” which she encounters in telling Isaiah 40. Below is her post, followed by a few of the many replies listed in chronological order, including one from GoTell’s Tom Boomershine.
Suzanne Tyler Stock Help me with an annual dilemma concerning the name of God: To avoid patriarchal language, some in my church prefer to use The Inclusive Bible translation which I do not like. For the past few years, I have been doing the prophet stories during advent. To avoid using “the Lord”, last year I used Hashem. The Inclusive Bible has YHWH and my pastor says Yahweh, which I’m uncomfortable with. The Isaiah 40 piece I am currently working on has “The Lord” about a million times. I’m leaning toward sticking to it. My second choice would be to use Hashem, again, but it really sticks out when it is said a million times. What do you do?
Janet Steele It’s personal preference, but I preface any storytelling by reminding the hearers of the limitations of our language. That no human language can adequately express the wonder, mystery, awe of the Holy One-in-Three, Three-in-One. And I use “Lord” when telling Isaiah — hard to step back from it after all these years in church settings. But for newcomers, I also explain that “Lord of Lords” was Caesar’s title, and to call Jesus “Lord” was a subversive act. That prompts some great conversations around the coffee pot after the telling. Keep posting how you choose to solve your dilemma.
Robert Béla Wilhelm Try saying “The Name, Blessed Be The Name of The Holy One”
Tom Boomershine Great question and responses. A congruence between my experience, the Bible and the direction of the discussion is many names for God other than YHWH. Options not yet named above are Jesus’ name: Abba. Zechariah’s: the Lord God of Israel. I sometimes use “the Beloved” after Isaiah’s “my Beloved.” I have also followed Sam Terrien’s lead, “the present One.” The parent names: Father, Mother, Father/Mother. I think then a panoply of names, as those named above, picked for the context: the Holy One, the Holy and Blessed One, Adonai, the Lord, the Lord God, the Lord God of Israel, the Present One, God, Abba, the Beloved One, the Beloved, my Beloved, the One in Three. Then there are Jesus’ names for the Paraclete that are also Divine names: the Counselor, the Advocate, the Holy Spirit. On reflection, I have used virtually all of these at some point. And I like Bob’s many-worded name above. Thanks to everyone.
Richard Swanson My own translational practice these days is to respond to the rabbis’ insight that YHWH is used when it is the Mercy Attribute of God that is active, and Elohim is used to name the Justice Attribute. So I translate the Divine Name as “God whose Name is Mercy”
Suzanne posted her query in late November last year (11/27/17), and the discussion has been on-going ever since. So it’s not too late to weigh in with your answer. Join the group and voice your opinion.
Telling the Story in West Africa
Enjoy this report from our friend Benjamin Michael who organized another biblical storytelling program in the West African country of The Gambia. The event was held on June 10 during Sunday morning worship at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Fajara. We met Benjamin ten years ago when the Network of Biblical Storytellers, International (NBSI) led an event in the Gambia under the leadership of Juliana Rowe.
Greetings in Christ Friends!
I like to inform you that the scheduled Bible Storytelling program yesterday at St. Paul’s Anglican Church was successfully held to the glory of God! Thanks so much for your kind prayers and support. We told the “Passion of Christ” from St. Mark’s Gospel chapters 14 through to 16. In all, thirteen Tellers participated; the same names that featured in our previous event at the Assemblies of God.
We were warmly received by the local church leaders led by Mother Matilda Cole who gave up the time for the sermon in order to accommodate us. I had the great opportunity to also publicize the work of NBS [Network of Biblical Storytellers] and to invite interested persons to come join our Team. The atmosphere was sublime and inspirational as our Tellers performed wonderfully! Worshippers were blessed given their kind words of appreciation after the service. One person at least said he’s strongly thinking to join us in the future, which is welcomed.
I had a short meeting with Mother Matilda Cole and we agreed to work together in the future to set up a Guild of Storytellers at the parish. I also promised her that we shall certainly be back to perform again at the Church. We were entertained with snacks and soft drinks at the end. Now, we set our eyes to next event soon to be decided.
May God bless you all for your continued support and prayers.
Benjamin
Tell the Story,
Amelia