Lifestory Writing Group

For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb…. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. – Psalm 139:13,16

Contact: Nancy Taylor

Lifestory writing classes at Redeemer began in 2007. Each group of 12–14 writers meets twice a month, with each session lasting for 8 classes. Each person shares a written true story from his or her own life that is no longer than 5 minutes when read aloud.

In addition to the rich experience of sharing the stories of our lives, we encourage each other in the refinement of our writing techniques. Writing skills and community flourish as we hear stories that inspire, surprise, and bless us. Each writer is provided with suggestions for future stories at the close of each meeting.

We use, with permission, the work of Dr. Michelle Sierpina, Director of Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UTMB Galveston, where Alison Barker, our long-time facilitator, was trained. Alison continues to lead Lifestory writing classes in Galveston.