What’s your story? Launch of the St Ethelburga’s Guide to Narrative and story-based methods of community building
Written by Sara Yasmin Anwar, volunteer at St Ethelburga's
Roi Gal-or and the Nasheeds Muhammed and MuhsinThis exciting new resource (see the online version here) presents a wide range of tools and methods which use personal narrative and traditional story to help build community. There are over twenty tried and tested methods, each with case studies, points to consider and follow up resources.
The launch event involved workshops, talks, performances and sharing circles illustrating some of the case-studies. Contributors included Roi Gal-or (biographical story for bridge building), Joanna Yates (using story in the workplace and to communicate your vision), The Foundation for Peace (using personal story to rebuild communities after conflict), and Nick Little (how to run a Human Libraries event
The event drew in around 60 people, people from all walks of life and a variety of professions, many of them already using narrative and story in their fields, others coming to learn more. The morning opened with very beautiful yet simple music from a pair of talented guys named Muhsin and Mohammed who jointly sang an Islamic nasheed. The power and the beauty of their voices were enjoyed by everybody.
Later on in the 
day I had a chance to sit in on a workshop. I chose to sit in on the Human Libraries workshop with Nick Little and Martin Etheridge. The Human Libraries idea involves constructing libraries of people who can be borrowed for short periods of time in order to listen to their story. I was unfamiliar with this concept, as I’m sure others were too. After listening to the justification and the results it produces, it is a very instrumental initiative. Human Libraries encourage people to be open about their prejudices, a person can be paired with the person who is the diametric opposite. There are people who claim to be devoid of prejudices but deep down all humans have them. The notion of Human Libraries is designed in a way that taps into peoples prejudices in a benign way so that something constructive may come of it.
Whilst I was in the workshop it occurred to me that the idea is perfectly in line with the teachings of Isla m. In the Quran it states that ‘god made us into tribes and nations, so that we may learn from one another’. Such initiatives are a safe and effecti ve way for us to come together and be honest. In turn we can forge friendships, enlighten ourselves and open our minds. Moreov er, the Quran also speaks of the notion of ‘ihsan’ meaning excellence. The notions of ‘ihsan’ stems from taking all of our inner beliefs and manifesting them in our work and demeanour, so that everything we undertake is done beautifully. St Ethelburga’s is planning to offer a Human Libraries event in the near future. I hope more of my Muslim compatriots will attend.
In the evening, a Jewish storyteller (David Bash) and a Muslim storyteller (Jumana Moon) performed a piece based on the life of Abraham or Ibrahim from the Torah and the Qu'ran, weaving the two stories together and providing a talking point of discussion.