Photo by Emma Donohew of Molly the Hound
In May, 2018, Boldly Went hosted their first-ever Bellingham-based storytelling event. It turned out to be an important occasion for Emma, as she would meet another storyteller, Charis, the person who started Echoes (the funky, experimental church that hosts the blog you’re reading right now) and whom she would eventually get to share in leadership with!
Emma’s Side of Things (You can read Charis’ side here!)
One of the reasons I moved back to Bellingham, was to be closer to my home mountains, the Cascades.
I missed the proximity to this land, these trees and the paths that wind their way through them. Returning back to Bellingham 10 years later was not without its joys and challenges. Reconnecting with old friends, making new and finding your way, always takes some time. So I was grateful to find out that someone who I had been connected with in Seattle, had also moved to Bellingham and invited me to the Boldly Went Podcast when it came through town!
I love storytelling podcasts, so to get to hear stories, particularly ones about adventure from diverse backgrounds and experiences seemed like the perfect way to spend an evening.
I wasn’t sure if I was really ready to tell a personal adventure story. Particularly this story that had not been told to anyone yet. A story about hiking up in the Cascades with my hound dog Molly, and finding a couple in need of very particular skills, ones that I just happened to have.
So I sat with my notes in hand, and little slip of paper, trying to figure out if now was the time and place to unleash this story onto the world. I love telling stories, but the first time you tell anything, a little bit of fear creeps in. You wonder will people even want to hear this story?
Then I recalled the words of Adventure writer, Cheryl Strayed.
“Hello, fear. Thank you for being here. You’re my indication that I’m doing what I need to do.”
So I said hello to fear, and wrote my name down and put it into the proverbial hat.
Well, fear once greeted, isn’t easily dismissed, so once my name was called, I had to summon the courage once again to walk up and put that storytelling microphone around my neck.
But stories, like life, are better when shared. So as I looked out on these faces of people who also had unique stories to tell, the words came (along with a few jokes too). Telling a story to a Boldly Went audience felt not only comfortable, but also truly authentic.
While, I didn’t climb a really tall mountain, or encounter a bear (at least on this hike), my story was full of adventure too. An adventure of encountering my authentic self, and being reminded once more that you can never escape your calling. I hope you’ll take a listen here.
I loved getting to hear the other stories told that evening, So when i had to leave early to attend the finals for my Bowling League, I was sorry to miss the last few. I specifically recall a wonderful person making a point to tell me that she appreciated my story on the way out. That person happened to be Charis, someone whose story also appears on the Boldly Went podcast and is the faithful founder and leader of Echoes. I am deeply grateful that I was able to hear her story on the podcast and appreciate her awesomeness too!
i hope you’ll listen to her story here!
When you gather to tell & hear stories you never know who you might meet or what connections might be forged! Boldly Went helped connect me to Charis and ultimately to Echoes, this funky community seeking to REdefine church. When Charis asked me months later to meet for coffee because she had heard me share a story on an adventure podcast, I was overwhelmed with gratitude that I had shared my story. So when Charis asked me if I was interested in helping to pastor a funky Church that appreciates people, community, the outdoors & stories, I immediately said yes! By sharing a story, I was able to find a community where stories are being shared week in and week out.
So do come and hear some stories, but better yet say hello to fear and share a story! Maybe one you’ve told before, but maybe one that is just waiting for an authentic place to be shared.
THIS WEEK, on Thursday, Nov. 14th, from 7-9pm, Boldly Went is hosting their second storytelling event in Bellingham! Tickets are $5-$15, and the sales go toward producing the podcast. Any additional contributions during their tour will go toward the Youth Experiential Training Institute, the recipient of the Great Outdoors Youth Advocacy Award from Bellingham’s own Recreation Northwest! Location is the ever-popular Boundary Bay Brewery, specifically in the Mountain Room. Get your tickets and either work on a story to tell, or support others who will share boldly.
Tickets can be purchased here! https://www.boldlywentadventures.com/buy-tickets.html