Listening and Sharing Our Stories - Responding to Some Issues in Human Sexuality

Most of the deaneries in our diocese have participated in an evening entitled 'Listening and Sharing our Stories'. This is in line with the recommendation from the  House of Bishop's and Lambeth Conference.

The aim of each meeting was to provide an opportunity at deanery level: 
· to listen to the stories of others
· to respond with sensitivity and mutual respect
· to seek to understand the different experience of others

This was not a debate or an occasion for persuading others to change their minds. 

In order to achieve the aim a set of ground rules were proposed. These requested a degree of confidentiality and careful listening. Speakers from two organisations, True Freedom Trust and Changing Attitudes shared their stories. Discussion in small groups with a facilitator provided people with the opportunity to listen and to respond.

People attending the evenings have said that they valued the opportunity to listen and learn particularly from the speaker's stories. Others would have liked more scriptural content. CSR is currently evaluating this model, taking into account the important feedback from those who attended.


Useful links:
True Freedom Trust
0151-653-0773
E-mail:info@truefreedomtrust.co.uk 
Website:www.truefreedomtrust.co.uk

Changing Attitude
www.changingattitude.org
Chester diocese contact:
Irene Pendleton
Tel:  0151 336 5566  E-mail: imp@fish.co.uk