“Listen, and you will realise that we are made not from cells or from atoms. We are made from stories.” Author, Mia Couto
Churches Together in England and the Council of Lutheran Churches are delighted to offer a series of events exploring the art of storytelling in the contemporary church.
We’ll discuss three different aspects in three webinars and will offer an additional in-person workshop with award-winning storyteller Pastor Flemming Kloster Poulsen.
There is no cost to attend any of these events.
Webinars
The art of storytelling with Pastor Flemming Kloster Poulsen – Thursday 2 February 12.30 – 2pm on zoom
Flemming will share how to create and tell compelling stories.
Flemming Kloster Poulsen is a pastor at the Danish church in London. He is a twice winner of StorySLAM at The Moth, London. For many years he’s been a storyteller, performing in Denmark and England. He has published four books on stories and storytelling, the latest came out in September 2022 in English: Look up and love the world – stories of life, loss and faith.
The art of spoken word with Bishop Mike Royal and Pastor Paul Faulkner – Thursday 9 February 12.30 – 2pm on zoom
Mike and Paul will share how to use this powerful form of expression in your church.
Bishop Mike Royal is the General Secretary of Churches Together in England and the Apostolic Pastoral Congress’s diocesan bishop for the Inner Birmingham Diocese and bishop for Social Engagement Strategies. He has been in ordained ministry since 1993. Before joining CTE, Mike was the Co-Chief Executive of the Cinnamon Network. He is a founding Trustee and former National Director of award-winning charity Transforming Lives for Good (TLG) which works with children and young people at risk of exclusion from school.
Pastor Paul Faulkner is a spoken word artist who has regularly been writing and performing for the last 12 years. He has written, performed and led workshops for conferences, local churches and schools. He lives in Blackpool where he works as a social worker and is currently writing his Masters dissertation on spirituality and mental health.
The art of media engagement with PR expert Marcia Dixon MBE and the Religion Media Centre’s Michael Wakelin – Thursday 16 February 12.30 – 2pm on zoom
Marcia and Michael will share their knowledge on how to get both the religious and secular press interested in stories from your church or Churches Together group. This will include focusing on practical tools like press releases and social media and also on relationship building.
Marcia Dixon MBE is one of the most well-known PR specialists within Britain’s black church community. She is a columnist with The Voice, Britain’s best-selling black newspaper and Keep The Faith, Britain’s leading magazine about the black faith community. In October 2020 Marcia was listed in the Queen’s Birthday Honour’s List and awarded an MBE for services to Inter-Faith Relations.
Michael Wakelin is the Executive Chair of the Religion Media Centre and an Executive Producer with TBI Media where he looks after Pause for Thought on Radio 2 amongst other projects. He was formerly Head of Religious Broadcasting at the BBC where he worked for 23 years. He spends much of his time as a consultant in interfaith, religious literacy and media activities as well as training various faith leaders in understanding the media.
Workshop
Award-winning storyteller and author Pastor Flemming Kloster Poulsen will focus on the key elements necessary to both create and tell a compelling story:
- Using stories to deliver a message
- Connecting with your audience through storytelling
- Structuring a story
- Using body language and vocal variety
Thursday 2 February, 2 to 6pm at the Council of Lutheran Churches, Ground Floor, Trident House, 46–48 Webber Street, London, SE1 8QW.
Limited to 25 places.
Please note: When you book for the workshop you are also booking for The art of storytelling webinar from 12.30 to 2 pm. This webinar is an introduction to the in-person workshop. You do not need to make a separate booking for the webinar.