Storytelling Club returns to Elmhurst church

On Wednesday, Aug. 29, at 7 p.m., Story Club returns to Bethel United Church of Christ in Elmhurst. Story Club is a storytelling event with true stories told live featuring a mix of experienced storytellers, with an open mic opportunity for anyone.

Its manifesto is simple: "We gather because we are hungry and desperate for the feelings that come from a well-told, true tale: the feeling of understanding, the feeling of learning about the world and, most of all, the feeling of deep and honest connection."

Dana Norris, founder of Story Club, wrote this, "When you hear a story your brain changes. Your neurons begin to mirror those of the teller. You are affected. You become more than you. Stories are our primary mode of constructing our identity and sharing it with others. Stories are how we make sense of the chaos of the world."

It is in this spirit that Bethel's program series, "Elmhurst Speaks," welcomes Story Club to the Welcome Center, joining Story Club events on both the North and South sides of Chicago and in Minneapolis and Boston.

Here's how Story Club works: you can attend as an audience member and have the experience of hearing real stories told live. Or, you can join in the storytelling by preparing an eight-minute story to share. The theme for the evening is "Pride."

Story Club is geared toward ages 14 or older. There will be a freewill donation of $10 to support DuPage PADS, one of Bethel's Human Concerns mission partners.

Bethel UCC is at 315 E. St. Charles Road in Elmhurst. Church facilities are fully accessible and parking is available behind the church; use the St. Charles Road entrance or Huntington Lane off Poplar.

For information, contact the church at office@bethel-ucc.org or (630) 279-4040.