CONSIDER YOURSELF INVITED TO JOIN OUR WORK

The Center for Narrative Studies begins its 15th year of work with a commitment to ramp up the activities of the Center to a whole new level. Have a look at our new workshops for April 2009 for instance.

The pioneering work of Kathie Hepler, Harry Riekelman and Paul Costello way back in the mid 1990's continues to grow and bear fruit through the energy of Madelyn Blair and other Golden Fleece graduates of CNS who have now become leaders in the field of narrative practice.

Back in 1995, we created the narrative processes known now as Living Stories and Narrative Room. and every year, we have taught these programs to budding narrative practitioners around the world, and they continue to demonstrate their power to renew and change organizations.

Previously, our international commitments with WIP seriously limited the number of CNS offerings. But after ten years, and with the Northern Ireland Peace process being secured and shifting increasingly into the hands of a new generation, including many WIP alums, we have decided that it was time to get back to the work of Storywise. There is a new urgency in this country for change.  People are hungry for ethical methods of renewal and in search of stories that can build a more sustainable future. Ten years  of work at the crossroads of war and peace in Northern Ireland have shown us that narrative method works to change a story, and to change the future. America might do with some of that right now! 

Hence we believe our methods and approach are ready for a much wider audience. So Madelyn and I invite you to be part of the widening story of CNS and its work of helping more people  become storywise-"shaping the stories that shape us." If you are a graduate of our programs, we would love to hear from you. Catch us up on your story.

IN MEMORIAM

A SAD FAREWELL TO MICHAEL WHITE

Finally, we want to pay a special tribute to the work of Michael White, a friend and mentor of CNS who died very tragically in early April in San Diego. I had the privilege of studying with Michael way back in 1990 and we remained friends ever since. Over the years, he was always interested in where CNS was taking so many of the narrative ideas that he pioneered.

He was always eager for an update on our Irish peace program.  In fact, he hosted some of our Irish alums in 2003 in Liverpool UK, inviting them to speak to an international conference of  therapists and social workers and offer a narrative seminar drawing from the lessons of the program. (Something we are offering July 21-22) 

I have been reading Michael's last and latest book, "Maps of Narrative Practice" and I hear that remarkable voice of compassion and creative intelligence as he shares some of the transcripts of his work with clients. I think regardless of the power of his method, the story of Michael White himself, is his greatest work. His inspiration and ability to engage us in becoming new listeners to our own story and challenging us to refuse to live inside a problem story are the lessons of life that I owe to Michael and though he is no longer with us in the flesh, his spirit abides.

I remember in Toronto, after a seminar, Michael asking me for some ideas about spirituality because he was writing an article. It was thrilling to read the final product and have Michael so generously acknowledge that conversation. As he has taught us in his "giving back practices", I would invite any others who have not had a chance to acknowledge Michael to send us any stories to add to this testimony, so we can keep his stories alive as a living testament to his amazing life.

To all Michael's family and to all his colleagues at the Dulwich Center and around the world, we offer our deep sympathies and re-dedicate ourselves at CNS to continue to honor Michael by keeping his legacy alive through our work.

Paul Costello-Founding Director CNS

Washington DC