Op-Ed: Story Share Connects, More Connection Coming Up in July from We the People Warwick
Op-Ed: Story Share Connects, More Connection Coming Up in July from We the People Warwick
Each person had five minutes to describe a pivotal memory at Story Share.
By Geoff Howard
On May 30, We The People Warwick (WTPW) presented Warwick Story Share (WSS) 5 at the Buckbee Center and once again a packed house of Warwickians got to hear an incredible variety of five-minute “story nuggets” — brief accounts of real things that happened to the story tellers and left a mark, a memory, that is still with them.
There were stories of all kinds — about funny, quirky coincidences, about big secrets and little white lies, about eye-opening journeys and heart-opening experiences, about childhood turning points, and more. As each brief story unfolded, the listeners who might have known each other for years or been complete strangers, found that the simple humanity of the stories was drawing them together.
These stories and more kept the audience’s attention from start to finish. Allen Clarkson, one of the evening’s storytellers, may have summed things up best when he thanked WTPW "for creating such an atmosphere of community. The feeling of being together and appreciating each other was palpable.” There were many other comments as well: “I love hearing about people I know, but don’t know very well;” “Cried!! Stories so moving! Great connection to community.”
As these comments show, the theme of community, the Warwick community, ran throughout the evening. It started with the stories and then continued as storytellers and listeners mingled over drinks and dessert. After five WSS events, this is a proven formula and WTPW will be presenting Warwick Story Share #6 in the fall and twice a year after that until Warwick runs out of stories.
In the meantime, learn how We the People Warwick invites a different sort of story in the upcoming Dialogue Series where participants share their experiences, views and ideas and listen deeply to one another, cultivating meaningful and respectful dialogue. The four-session series will be offered this summer on Mondays July 1, 8, 15 and 22 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. online via Zoom to allow participants the flexibility to commit to joining even amidst travel and other activities. Go to wethepeoplewarwick.org/dialogue-series to learn more and sign up.
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