Do you have a comment on the Stepping Toward the Lion film, or on using the discussion guide for it??

We're happy to announce that John Lyden's film, Stepping Toward the Lion, is now complete!! the DVD has been duplicated and packaged, and there have been a couple of local screenings- more to follow.
If you have seen the film, and would like to leave a comment for us, please do so below. We'd love to hear what you think...and comments may even turn into conversations among contributors...and us, too!
Gert Johnson has developed a discussion guide that can be used when the film is shown in a class or other type of educational setting. I don't see a way to attach it here, but if you'd like a copy, please email me at paulabweiss AT gmail.com (substituting "@" for the "AT", of course) and I'll send one to you.
Comments about this discussion guide most welcome, as well.

Looking forward to hearing from you,
Paula

Sharing the Fire Saturday workshop

The Sharing the Fire Saturday workshop about C@W was held in a hotel room- no beds, thankfully, so we had SOME room, not much! This was because of the last minute change of venue for the entire conference. We all had to make do to some extent! C@W tellers Mahrukh, Ilyssa and Rishi rose to the occasion, as usual, and each told their stories beautifully. They joined their moms and Marni and me in answering questions from the audience.
Gert Johnson has been corresponding with some attendees who indicated they'd like to think about starting a youth interfaith storytelling program in their own areas of the world~ this was our intent with the workshop, and we're thrilled to get this started!!

Sharing the Fire Showcase 3/17/12

Ben, Adtiya and Emily wowed the filled ballroom at the Sharing the Fire Northeast Storytelling Conference Sunday morning showcase. Afterwards, they were caught in a mad crush of fans! it was fun for all- we were so proud of them and all they've accomplished. The audiences at Sharing the Fire couldn't have been better.
On Saturday, Mahrukh, Ilyssa and Rishi and their stories were a wonderful addition to a CAW workshop that Marni and I did on the history and future of CAW. Pictures to follow in the next post!
Paula

Sunday, April 3, 2011!

Our 2011 session is underway!

The kids have been meeting each Sunday with storyteller-coaches Mary Murphy, Marni Gillard and Nancy Payne...and storyteller-coaches-in-training Micki Groper and Aviva Rossman...(5! count 'em!! 5! coaches) working on stories to tell at our event, scheduled for April 3, 2 PM, at the beautifuul and historic Christ Church United Methodist in Troy.

Mark your calendars for April 3! This year we'll bring back the ever popular international vegetarian potluck supper after the storytelling- our last one was 2 years ago. Hope to see you there!

What People Are Saying About Children at the Well

Click here to read what students, parents and listeners are saying about Children at the Well.

Interfaith Understanding Conference in Rochester

We want to be sure that everyone on this email list is aware of the groundbreaking interfaith conference happening at Nazareth College in Rochester, starting April 11th. The Interfaith Story Circle and Children at the Well are on the program! We'll be there with two of our young tellers and six adults from the Interfaith Story Circle for the weekend.

But there will also be nationally known presenters, and many very interesting talks. They have lowered the price for attending the entire conference (which includes meals) to only $175. They have also decided to sell tickets to some of the talks, so you can choose to just pay for an event or two.

We're inviting you to join us. Please take a look at the conference links I've pasted in below.
Maybe we'll see some of you in Rochester!

-Paula

https://interfaith2010.naz.edu/

2010 IUC Schedule

4/11 - "The Art of Dialogue: Interfaith Dialogue Across the Generations"
4/11 - "The Divine Feminine: The Foundation of the Abrahamic World"
4/12 - "Acts of Faith: Interfaith Leadership in a Time of Global Religious Crisis"

View the Complete 2010 IUC Conference Schedule

Now Available: Conference Plenary & Special Event Tickets
Tickets to for individual conference plenaries are now available. Place your ticket order and discover the inspirational spirit and wisdom of world-renowned interfaith leaders.
READ MORE


Sr. Joan Chittister - $40.00
The Divine Feminine: The Foundation of the Abrahamic World
April 11, 2010 – starting at 4:00 p.m. in Shults Center,, Gym
This plenary includes the Grand Opening Dinner at 6:30 p.m.
READ MORE

Dr. Eboo Patel - $20.00
Acts of Faith: Interfaith Leadership in a Time of Global Religious Crisis
April 12, 2010 – 8:00 p.m. in Arts Center, Callahan Theateer
READ MORE

Thank You
The 2010 IUC was made possible by generous contributions of the Greater Rochester Area business community leaders under the leadership of Brian and Jean Hickey.

Groundbreaking Interfaith Understanding Conference at Nazareth College Restructures Pricing
Rochester, N.Y. (March 9, 2010) - The 2010 Interfaith Understanding Conference restructures pricing to entice more people, from all generations, from around the country, to attend this event.
READ MORE


IFYC trainers at the 2010 IUC - Sunday, April 11th, 2010 - The Art of Dialogue: Interfaith Dialogue Across the Generations
about 40 days ago from web

2010 Interfaith Understanding Conference on Facebook

Interns' Interfaith Story Circle on 1/13/10

Marni writes about the Interns' Interfaith Story Circle 1/13/10:

On January 13th, our OLDER students from Children at the Well told their tales at the monthly adult Interfaith Story Circle. Well, we TRIED to make it a circle but with the families and the people that the venue drew - St. Helen’s priest did a really good job of promoting it - we had over 50 people and just couldn’t make the circle work chair-wise. But the kids were spectacular! They blew our MINDS; they were the best they’d ever been. I’m so so so grateful for this interfaith work, especially being part of the teen project. If it hadn’t been for Adah Hetko who began coming to the adult group and whose mom, Paula Weiss, said, “Couldn’t we do a youth group?”, we wouldn’t exist.

… We got so caught up in the kids we FORGOT to ask for donations tonight or even pass the email list to get names of the adults who hadn’t come before. What a hoot!
[IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE ON THE EMAIL LIST FOR THE INTERFAITH STORY CIRCLE, PLEASE SEND YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS TO paulabweiss@gmail.com]

But tho we messed up in that area tonight, it didn’t matter. It was so special, and it was all about the kids and the way they told.

Do you know BEN Russell, who is our oldest Jewish student? Well he told a story about the golem (I think Mark Binder wrote it) that was so amazing. Neither Mary nor I had heard it. Brand new, he just learned it on his own, but he was the “last leg of the relay team” - the final teller in a night of 12 teen tellers (took almost the full two hours) and he just WOWED everyone. Mary and I laugh that he is ready for the Catskills! A true comedian, only it’s all about Chelm, and in THIS case about the name of G_D being what created the Golem. I have to thank Mark, too, for this amazing tale.

I don’t think I’m going to get to sleep tonight I’m so full of images. But at the same time it is a sweet calm happiness.

It isn’t just because the kids told well, but these were tales about G_D and values – about the foolishness of greed, the joy of being true to yourself, the lessons learned when you give over to spirit....It was just so moving. And I know the parents and sibs and visitors were wowed too. The stories were a combo of funny and deep, just everything you want in an olio.

AND the kids are making a documentary. One boy, John Lyden, who is home-schooled, has filmed all year long. Other kids have helped too, and Ritam Mehta got up and explained all about that. Who knows, maybe even without asking, people will look us up and contribute. In time that will all work out. Later this year we have two interfaith conferences lined up that we’re hoping to present at or at least send a few kids to. It’s so exciting!

Photos courtesy of Leo Wong