Seeds of Grace: Emerging Ministries Project

GoTell has been awarded an Emerging Ministries Project grant from the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church-one of only two that were given out this year. The project is called Seeds of Grace. It is a ministry of spiritual empowerment with persons directly impacted by the criminal justice system through engagement of biblical stories and advocacy for restorative justice.

The first fruits of the grant are the Sacred Stories program at the local jail and a brochure for distribution to the women. It tells them about the program and its current classes: the stories of Mark 1 Sept-Nov, and “Journey to Bethlehem” stories in Dec, which will use Godly Play materials. The women know they need spiritual support when they get out, so they really appreciated that the brochure also gives them information on outside opportunities.

Click here to download the brochure.

CinDay Ensemble Tellers at Crossing Boundaries

Crossing Boundaries

by Amelia Boomershine

What do Jonah, Elijah, Jesus, and the Good Samaritan all have in common? They all crossed boundaries and cared for people on the other side. Okay, so Jonah wasn’t happy about it but he did finally do as God said and the Ninevites were saved from destruction, at least for the time being.

Amelia telling the Parable of the Good Samaritan

These fellows were also stars in the “Crossing Boundaries” stories told Sept. 28 at Forest Chapel United Methodist Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. The event included personal and secular stories as well as biblical. The ensemble tellers were all members of the CinDay Guild of the Network of Biblical Storytellers including Tom and myself.

Tom telling The Gerasene Demoniac

The Crossing Boundaries theme was inspired by Forest Chapel’s new pastor, the Reverend Dr. J. Kabamba Kiboko, who is originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo. She has crossed many boundaries and cared for many people on all sides. We were blessed by a portion of her amazing story at the conclusion of the event. Her benediction was, “Cross boundaries; it is fun!” Yes, it was indeed.

Click here to download the personal story of “Razor Wire” that I told following my telling of Luke 10:25-37 (The Lawyer Who Tested Jesus and the Parable of the Good Samaritan).

Click here to download the Crossing Boundaries program.