Faith Stories Project
Everything that lives has a story to tell, but not every story has a chance to be told.
Click her to see a video of the 2006 FSP in Guatemala.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
What is the Faith Stories Project About? |
|
| The object of this project is to empower women in the church in Guatemala and in the US by artistically exploring the complexities of how faith affects women's lives. The project will provide a space where women can share their faith stories and participate in the creation of a theatre piece based on their stories. It will provide mutual support and encouragement, build self-esteem, and create a sense of community for women in the church in both countries as we struggle to tear down barriers and explore how we are more alike than different. |
 |
|
|
Project History |
|
| Looking for Lilith's Community Outreach Director, Jennifer Thalman, spent the 2003-2004 season living in a remote village in Guatemala. She worked with women within the Presbyterian Church to help them develop literacy and leadership skills. During her time in this small community, Jennifer was inspired by the women's struggle to find roles of leadership within their churches in a society that values "machismo", and often overlooks the value of the feminine. She began to realize the value that sharing stories had for these women. After returning from Guatemala, Jennifer shared the stories she learned in Guatemala at churches in the US. She was surprised at how many women here identified with the issues facing the Guatemalan women and expressed their own frustrations as women in the church. Looking for Lilith became interested in the common themes among the women from two very different places. They were inspired to create this project, including women from the United States and Guatemala, to facilitate a cross-cultural sharing and a global community of support for all women as they struggle for full participation within their faith communities and within their society. |
|
Progress of Project
In summer 2006 we spent 6 weeks in Guatemala expanding the previous years work, giving more women the opportunity to participate. This trip was funded in part by generous grants from Presbyterian Church (USA) Presbyterian Women's Thank Offering and the Fund for Theological Education.
In summer 2007 we spent 2 weeks in Guatemala refining the skills the women had learned in previous workshops. At their request we began to work with them so that they could become facilitators of their own workshops giving the experience of sharing stories to even more women. It was very exciting to see them take ownership of the project and work on their own to expand it in their own communities.
Throughout 2006 and 2007 we have met with groups of women in the United States to share this project and to encourage groups to participate in retreats and workshops here to learn the same skills that the Guatemalan women are learning.
What is next for the Project?
The Guatemalan women are anxious to continue the project and have invited LFL to return for another series of workshops in 2008. However, we have used all of the money from the earlier grants and both of them were one time only grants. We continue to pursue other grant possiblilites. But grants are not certain and we are seeking donations from other organizations and our generous supporters to help us continue this project.
If you are interested in hosting a workshop or making a donation, please contact the Faith Stories Project Director, Jennifer Thalman Kepler at 540-664-8779 or jennifer@lookingforlilith.org