The Hearth was profiled on Immense Possibilities, a local television and online program here in Southern Oregon. The focus of the show is on the power of personal storytelling. You can watch the episode here:
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Deadline for Blues Pilgrimage
Here is information for our upcoming Blues Pilgrimage to Portland, Oregon February 18-20th. The trip will be a mixture of beautiful settings, soulful music, good food, and sharing stories of grief and loss within a safe and compassionate group. We need to book rooms and tickets so if you plan to go YOU MUST SEND AN EMAIL (“I’m going!”) to mark@thehearthcommunity.com by January 30th. Space is limited.
A Lump of Coal, A Father Found, and the Joy of Disco This Thursday Night!
Be prepared to laugh from the belly and cry from the heart at The Hearth Holiday Gathering this Thursday, December 11th from 7:30-9:30pm at Temple Emek Shalom in Ashland. $10 suggested donation, doors open at 7:00pm. It’s our once-a-year fundraiser for The Hearth Community. The evening will include some of our best storytellers including Lorraine Cook, Joshua Boettiger, Mary Landberg, Juliet Grable, Michael Fitzgerald, and Mark Yaconelli with stories on the theme “All in the Family.” Music will be performed by Hearth favorite Wendi Stanek. Other performers include Jeff Stanley, sisters Kate Joss-Bradley and Carly Joss, and Duane Whitcomb.
We encourage you to bring your checkbook and make a tax-deductible gift that night to help us develop a new training program for other communities in Southern Oregon. This will be a great evening to gather with your neighbors and celebrate a year of doing good work for our community through the Hearth. You won’t want to miss it.
“Personal Stories Build Community” by Angela Decker
True South Solar to Sponsor Fall Hearth Event
We are very grateful to Eric Hansen and True South Solar for sponsoring our fall Hearth event on October 30th, from 7 to 9pm at Temple Emek Shalom in Ashland, Oregon. Thanks to True South Solar all proceeds collected at the door for this event will go to Rogue Climate which seeks to bring communities together in Southern Oregon for clean energy and a more stable climate. True South Solar will be present at the October 30th event and will offer a special discount to Hearth participants. Learn more about True South Solar and how you can switch your home or business to clean energy here.
Looking for Male Storyteller
Our upcoming Hearth event is October 30th from 7 to 9pm at Temple Emek Shalom in Ashland. The theme is “Change: True Tales of Transformation.” Unfortunately, we had a storyteller who needed to drop out. We need a male willing to share a story of “change.” If you know someone willing to share a true story, told first person, in 10 minutes or less based on the theme, please email Mark at mark@thehearthcommunity.com.
Volunteer Meeting Tonight!
Our only volunteer meeting until next fall happens tonight (Thursday, October 2nd). Join us for homemade desserts, wine, and creative planning. We need folks to help us run concessions, set up events, and other small tasks. Come join us at the First Congregational Church (717 Siskiyou Blvd in Ashland) from 7 to 8:30pm. See you there.
Upcoming Fall Hearth Events
Here’s the upcoming fall Hearth events:
Change: True Tales of Transformation
October 30, 7:00 to 9:00pm at 1800 E. Main in Ashland (Temple Emek Shalom)
We have a terrific lineup for our fall Hearth event as six local community members share their own true story of transformation. Cost is $5 and proceeds will benefit Rogue Climate. Tellers include Marni Koopman, Catherine Foster, David Young, Glenn Hill, Hannah Sohl, and Eric Hansen.
The Hearth Volunteer Night with Wine and Dessert!
October 2, 7:00 to 8:30pm at 717 Siskiyou Blvd (United Church of Christ) Ashland. Mark Yaconelli will outline our volunteer needs and we’ll make plans for our fall through summer events. This will be our only volunteer meeting of the year! Wine and dessert will be complimentary so come and join your neighbors in helping to support this important community building project! Emal mark@thehearthcommunity.com to RSVP.
Family Storytelling Nights
November 4th and 18th, 7:00 to 8:30pm Location TBA.
Led by Mark Yaconelli, this two-part workshop will help kids and parents learn how to discover, craft, and share stories together. Dessert and refreshments will be available. To sign up email mark@thehearthcommunity.com with subject line: Family Storytelling.
How to Tell a Story
(photo courtesy of Joseph Linaschke at http://www.photojoseph.com)
Storytelling is a hot topic for business leaders. Recent TED talks plus a new article by Harvard Business School advocates the use of story for communicating a key message or mission. Of course, in wisdom traditions storytelling is much more than a means for a message. For traditional cultures, stories are multifaceted; they are worlds to be explored, mirrors for self-reflection, maps that can be useful for charting (or measuring) a life. In The Hearth, stories are often experienced as a kind of medicine used to heal loneliness, build community, reduce shame, and inspire generosity.
The Harvard Business School offers its own tips on How To Tell a Great Story. To see The Hearth’s personal storytelling tips go here.
The Hearth 