News From The Assembly

Learning Track Helps Explore How Creativity Can Restore Joy And Hope 
July 23, 2007 - Disciples News Service - Fort Worth, Texas

Mona Lisa Garrett emerged from the aftermath of Hurricane Rita the same as many did – no longer physically and emotionally whole. A minister at First Christian Church, Lake Charles, La., she is on sabbatical but attended General Assembly.

 “Stress has done some weird things to me,” she said as she took a break during a Learning Track called “ Embodying Creativity. ” The track, taught by Cynthia Winton- Henry, co-founder of Interplay in Oakland, Calif. - is designed to explore how creativity helps restore the joy and hope people need to deal with the violence and struggles that result as the world around us changes. It involves practices of physical movement designed to help participants discover and embody wholeness of faith and life.
                                                                       
That’s what brought Garrett to this session.

 “ I want to NOT be afraid to do movements, ” Garrett said, noting that this day was the first time she had ventured out without her walking cane. She said the session had helped her.

Garrett also spoke highly of the various divisions in the church that had helped the Disciples churches, their parishioners as well as their ministers the past two years since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

“They are supporting me financially and made my attendance at Assembly possible, ” she said gratefully.

By: John Hotard, freelance writer

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