Quick Info:
Number of weeks: 3
Price: $85
CEUs: 1.5
Required books?: No
Live video session?: No
Part of a certification or series of courses?: Yes (Lay Servant Ministries)
Try something fun with a lot of new ideas for using biblical storytelling in worship and teaching! This workshop expands on the methods taught in Biblical Storytelling I. It explores a number of storytelling genres as well as telling the Biblical text, including midrash, chancel drama, first-person storytelling, puppetry, and more. The workshop also offers specific ideas for using and not abusing voice and body, enhancing tellings with props, digital media, and more with children and adults. It also suggests ways to deepen your practice of this art as a personal spiritual discipline.
Anyone who is already practicing the art of storytelling, Biblical or secular, is welcome; Biblical Storytelling I is an excellent starting place for those new to the art but is not required. In this three-week workshop you will dive deeper into developing your unique storytelling “voice,” expand your technique and polish your art. Led by Network of Biblical Storytellers International former vice president Rev. Beth Galbreath.
Biblical Storytelling I is not a prerequisite for Biblical Storytelling II, but previous storytelling experience is highly recommended.
This course has been approved by Discipleship Ministries (formerly the General Board of Discipleship) as an advanced course with 10 contact hours in Lay Servant Ministries, and 1.5 CEUs are available.
This course is eligible for 1.5 CEU.
About the Instructor
Beth Galbreath is a United Methodist deacon whose specialty is “digital culture ministry,” which includes everything the Church needs to do to move from the print-literate culture of the last five centuries to the digital-communication culture of the 21st. She is one of the few (but proud!) graduates of the former Lumicon Institute’s certification program in digital culture ministry. “Digital culture ministry” is not just about technology; it includes re-emphasis on spiritual formation practices. To that end she holds a master’s from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in spiritual formation and evangelism. She loves to bring a multimedia, multi-intelligence approach to classes.
Digital culture ministry is also about ancient-future worship arts and education styles, especially an emphasis on story; to that end she is a passionate biblical storyteller and teacher. She is an ambassador of the Network of Biblical Storytellers International and coordinates the NBSI-related Chicago-area Prairie Wind Guild: Tellers of Sacred Stories. She’s taught biblical storytelling abroad in Cameroon, Bolivia, Haiti and the Philippines.
Beth serves the Northern Illinois Conference as co-chair of its Order of Deacons, and is a certified Natural Church Development coach. She also serves on the pastoral leadership team of Compassion UMC in Brookfield, IL, a new church plant. Her ministry includes consulting, teaching, and small group leadership. She is also an activist for solar energy, prison ministry, interfaith understanding, and eco-sustainability. Rev. Galbreath is the author of The Story and the Feast, a digital resource (three CDs of text and slides) of liturgy for Holy Communion, connected to the weekly stories and texts of the lectionary, and including notes for biblical storytellers.
Past Students Said…
“Once again, Reverend Beth Galbreath has opened her “fire hose” of information, suggestions, concrete examples, creative ideas and entirely new concepts for worship! This course provided a host of platforms for students to grow spiritually while trying out new ways to think, new ways to experience scripture, and new ways to worship in a safe, supportive environment.”
“This course was excellent! It was so interesting to learn about the different types of storytelling, and different
ways to deliver scripture and bible stories by heart. Beth is a fantastic instructor; she is a wealth of
knowledge, explains topics clearly and assigns projects that are interesting and thought-provoking, and gives
helpful feedback on assignments. I really enjoyed taking this course, and am inspired to continue telling
scripture by heart!”
“I feel like I’ve been to an “all-you-can-eat” cafeteria and I’m stuffed now! So many great ideas! So many ways to tell Biblical stories! Who woulda thunk it?”
“We have immersed ourselves in one or more stories, considered how to move to tell the story. We’ve placed ourselves in front of a running camera and bravely forged on. We’ve learned the difference between “the M word” and true learning by heart. We’ve made audio tapes and videos. We’ve written first person stories and prayers. We’ve learned about our classmates’ spiritual sides, about their unsuspected talents, their life stories, their personal expressions of ways to see scripture…”
“Through the grace of God, our efforts, the support of our peers, and the patient and enthusiastic feedback from Beth, everyone learned enough to keep on learning, and we have been bitten by the bug of “telling.” What a blessing! I would highly recommend this course to anyone who is interested in not only telling scripture in worship, but also in broadening their personal perspective on conveying the Word.”
“I liked that the course covered a lot of different aspects of storytelling. It gave the participants a chance to see
which style they prefer.”
“I liked that the assignments were thought-provoking, and also allowed for creativity.”
“Man, I loved this course! It kicked my rear, but that’s OK!”
