‘This is my story’

Urban Mission to host an evening of storytelling July 18

STEUBENVILLE -- "True stories. Real people.

"We can learn so much when we listen."

So notes the promotional description of a first-time event Urban Mission Ministries will be staging with "This Is My Story."

The special event during the mission's 60th anniversary will be held July 18 at the War Memorial Building, 423 North St., beginning at 6 p.m.

It is free and open to the public.

"We're real excited," said the Rev. Ashley Steele, the mission's executive director, in explaining the potential for the event and how it came to be.

"Our inspiration for this just came as a result of us listening to the community and the folks we serve and realizing that everybody has a story, and not just the people that we serve, but the people we interact with in our community as a whole," Steele said.

"Oftentimes we don't get to hear those stories, so we wanted to create the platform for those stories to be heard, an experience for people to come to," Steele said, likening it to "a 10 talk" where people get up on stage and share something about themselves or an experience they had, a revelation made within the framework of a 10-minute forum.

"We just think it's really helpful for people to hear from others and to have that time," Steele said.

"Part of the tagline of Urban Mission is 'Listening with compassion and serving with love,' and we have been playing off 'Love Works' this year and realize that listening is important, too, so this is a way to put both of those together."

In keeping with the 60th anniversary observance, the storytellers night theme will be "Love Works."

Tiffany Beckwith is the mission's community engagement director who is coordinating the informal event.

And, like Steele, she, too, is excited about the opportunity "to hear from the hearts of those who have a story to tell."

"Stories have always fascinated me, and it is amazing to hear some of the things people have gone through," Beckwith said.

"These stories not only provide insight, but also have a way of inspiring, of creating a dream, of stirring up something in us that says, if they can make it, so can I," she said.

"I am hoping that this event tells a story of how 'Love Works,' but also inspires each of us to go out and put love to work in our own lives. From what I have heard so far, we have quite a lineup of stories. You won't want to miss it," Beckwith said.

The event is expected to involve at least six speakers.

"Each person will have about seven to 10 minutes to tell their story with an intermission with a musical selection and refreshments," Beckwith said.

Among those sharing will be Pastor Gary Lilly of the Restoration Church of Steubenville, offering "a story of family;" Stephanie Bissett, "a story of recovery;" and Michelle Thomas, "a chance meeting."

Others are Alex Dutton and Katie Forsythe.

Steele cited a goal of the evening as realizing that listening is an important tool, and so, too, creating the space to have it happen.

"I think sometimes we don't take advantage of that opportunity to have a conversation and listen to each other, and when we do, we start to see similarities, and it might break down barriers that perhaps were up whether intentional or unintentional, but by listening and being in the same space, by being face to face with somebody, that breaks down anything that would have prohibited them from being together in the first place," Steele said.

"It's free to the public, and we would love to have a crowd of people come," Steele said. "It's an uplifting event, something I think is a positive for the community," Steele said.

For information, contact Beckwith by phone at (740) 282-8010 or by e-mail at tbeckwith@urbanmission.org.

(Kiaski can be contacted at jkiaski@heraldstaronline.com.)