Instructor: Marilyn McEntyre, PhD
Description: This workshop (the first of a six-part series) will be an opportunity to reinvigorate our own language habits and to equip each other with words that will help us navigate the confusions and challenges of this historical moment.
“Our times are in God’s hands.” And also in ours—the rich, wild internet, the water crisis, widespread warfare, climate change, a polarized economy—these are the conditions in which we are to work out our salvation together. We need to learn new ways to speak peace. We need to find words that comfort and sustain courage in the face of large and looming threats.
We'll consider how to sustain life-giving conversations as more and more words turn into “triggers,” as lies go unchallenged and honesty goes unrewarded—or is punished. We'll identify a number of strategies for maintaining clarity, integrity, and authenticity in word work, drawing examples from contemporary writers and speakers from whom we can learn.
We'll be addressing two topics each week, drawn from Speaking Peace in a Climate of Conflict. Sessions will include brief writing exercises, so come equipped with laptop or pen and paper.
General tuition: $25 / “Living Lightly Tuition” $10 / Student Tuition $0
Location: Online/zoom
About Marilyn McEntyre: Dr. McEntyre, a longtime professor of literature and medical humanities, teaches for New College Berkeley and Westmont College, and is on the faculty of Western Seminary’s “Sacred Art of Writing” doctor of ministry program as well as the “Forest Dwelling” program at the Oblate School of Theology. She offers spiritual retreats and writing workshops and continues to write about spirituality, language, healthcare and earth care. She also works as a writing coach. Her recent books include When Poets Pray, Speaking Peace in a Climate of Conflict, and a collection of lenten readings, Where the Eye Alights.
Other Workshops in the Speaking Peace series (register separately here: https://buytickets.at/newcollegeberkeley)
October 17th: Defining Terms on Our Terms & Unmasking Euphemisms (#1)
October 31st: Telling Truth Slant; Practicing Poetry (#3)
November 7th: Owning your Outrage & Ferreting Out Facts (#4)
November 14th: Minding your Metaphors & Complicating Matters (#5)
November 21st: Laugh When You Can & Quit Trying to Win (#6)