IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH
Studies have repeatedly demonstrated that two major contributors to improved health are being social and doing nice things for others. It is sort of a win-win behavior. You interact with others, they enjoy it, you enjoy it, and the result is you are healthier. It gets better. Most of us have an innate spark of generosity within us. Sometimes it has been buried pretty deep because of some painful experiences, but it is still there. So, when you act with kindness and generosity towards another person or group, they benefit but so do you. You are healthier for those actions and the world is a better place.
THE PRESBYTERIAN WRITERS GUILD HEALTH CLINIC
Out of a deep compassion for all writers but especially those who have a spiritual inclination, the Presbyterian Writers Guild wants to offer you a prescription that can improve your health. They offer you the opportunity, indeed the enticing invitation to participate in a Progressive Feast in Parabolic Story Telling. Those who choose to participate will choose from one of six themes—How the church:
- Responds to racial or sexual diversity,
- Can be a peacemaker in a violence prone society,
- Discerns God’s call for a particular church.
- Supports pastoral integrity in a guilt laden society,
- Chooses loyalty to Christ when tempted to split the church,
- Understands the possible tension between being called and being hired.
Then, to improve each person’s health, participants will participate in an online critique group in which they will both build relationships and contribute to the improvement of each other’s stories.
PARABLES THAT SPEAK THE TRUTH
This process will take place over about an eight-month period. During each phase of the process, authors will both receive and offer constructive feedback to each other. The result will be a series of polished stories (modern parables) that contribute to a healthy conversation within the larger church.
We live in a society that often finds it easier to speak past each other than to converse with each other. A good story, as did the parables of Jesus, engages the readers in thinking from fresh perspectives.
BECOME A WINNER BY SHARING YOURSELF
If you are interested, go to www.presbyterianwritersguild.org and read about the whole process and how to participate. Anyone can join the Presbyterian Writers Guild ($25) and then all you do is submit an entry fee ($20) and discover the joy of sharing with other writers around the country (or perhaps the world).
A good story can lift the spirits and expand the insight of those who read it. By doing that for others, you will contribute to your own health as a writer. ACT NOW, DON’T HESITATE. The deadline for entries is SEPTEMBER 30. Then the healthy fun begins.
