In three interactiave sessions we will discover how story, simple or complex, enables us to find our way through life. On Friday evening, Rolling Ridge staff will introduce story as a medium through which humans regularly interpret meaning in experiences, drawing on the writings of Mark Turner in the Literary Mind, and on a case study which illuminates the fact that personal identities consist of fragments of stories from both first and third-person perspectives.
On Saturday morning, Paul Costello will demonstrate the functions of story in discovering prefereed and wholesome futures. Paul is Director of Research at the Center for Narrative Studies in Washington and applies his skills in narrative therapy to assist persons and groups in several countries to move from difficult circumstances to a choiceworthy future. Paul's previous visit to Rolling Ridge was received with much enthusiasm.
On Saturday afternoon Phil Bufithis, a professor of literature at Shepherd College, will enable us to recognize two narratives, one Greek, the other Hebrew, culturally distinctive ways of telling a story and how these reflect differing understanding of what a person is, what a narrator is is, and what divinity is. Thus,w e see the fact that culture shapeshow we tell our stories.
The retreat will conclude with dinner. The retreat fee is $50. For more information or registration, call Vivian at 304-725-4172 or email Vivian at vvatrr@juno.com