Project Summary

Bachmeyer Press co-guided storytelling efforts with the Beloved Community team for The Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio. We met bi-weekly for story strategy sessions with key members of the leadership team and created a series of films using Zoom during COVID. Later, we collaborated to find and film impact stories on-location during their retreat. This included scripting and filming an anthem film for their Becoming Beloved Community campaign. The story films we produced were shared two years in a row during their Annual Convention.

Desire

For members of their church community to witness and share stories during a time of racial reckoning as a way to bring healing to this moment, restore collective identity with the scriptures, and preserve hope in future generations.

Motivation

By naming and reckoning with the inherent systemic bias and racism in our society and church communities, we might create a culture for all people to feel welcome.

Roadblock

The impact of storytelling can become negative and retraumatizing if not captured with a mindful, curious, and informed lens.