Before there was an ink-and-paper Bible there was the breath-and-sound story. Current biblical scholarship is discovering that the oral culture from which the Bible emerged entailed a different kind of thinking from literate culture. Today, as new forms of communication are changing our world, we find that these ancient traditions are enjoying a lively resurgence.

Biblical storytelling revives this most basic language of Israel and early Christianity--the telling of the sacred stories, the narratives that make present God's saving deeds and grace.

Biblical storytelling invites the audience/congregation to enter into a story, which they experience as though hearing it for the very first time.

Learning these stories by heart equips us to look at our own stories differently and provides us with tools for ministries in education, liturgy, spiritual growth, leadership and caring.

The basic workshop is three hours. The more in-depth seminar version is offered in a one-day or overnight format. Both the workshop and the seminar teach the participants how to do exegesis "from inside out," and how to tell them in ways that let their life shine. Participants will actually learn and tell a story from one of the gospels.

Retreat in Sacred Story Spirituality

Dennis Dewey's retreat experience explores the connections between the individual's lifestory and the sacred story tradition of Israel and the Church.

Through a careful process of prayer and reflection, small group discussion and plenary activities, participants will bring intentionality to the re-formation of their personal stories and will select a scripture story in which they will live and move and have their being for the duration of the retreat.