Larissa will open the evening by exploring the ways in which an understanding of ourselves as readers can bring a richness to our story-telling. She will discuss the concept of the ‘mash up’ as an approach to reading and writing that facilitates a rich engagement with stories, and will explore the acts of translation implicit in reading and re-telling biblical texts. Julie will follow on with stories she has experienced and devised when telling stories of faith to children. She loves the playfulness and the thoughtfulness of this task. There will be time to bring questions and discuss experiences and resources around the ‘Mash up’ process as well as practical exercises related to the themes explored.
Larissa is an Associate Professor in Language and Literacy Education at the University of Melbourne. Larissa spent her early life in a Uniting Church manse, where her grandfather was the minister. He taught her to read and, as a consequence, literature, concerns about justice and a commitment to the Uniting Church have been linked themes throughout her life. Larissa is interested in the ways contemporary approaches to literacy learning and the study of sacred texts might be mutually generative, and is keen to further explore the connections between reading, story-telling, community and identity.
Julie comes from 25 years as an oral storyteller to her current role at Brunswick Uniting Church as Children and Youth Co coordinator – this sees her frequently devising scripts and stories that re-tell the biblical text.