FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 25, 2016
PRESS CONTACT: Monica Bardier
monica@mypingpr.com

MANCHESTER, N.H. – PCS is pleased to present two half day seminars focused on the Introduction to Narrative Leadership on Friday, April 8, 2016 at the Puritan Conference Center in Manchester, N.H. Rev. Kelli Walker-Jones is the presenter.

According to PCS Executive Director, Dr. David Reynolds, the seminar is for Consultants, Clergy Group, Judicatory Leaders, Parish, Chaplain, or any Specialized Ministry. “There are few places where we can tell and explore the unedited stories of our work and life,” said Reynolds. “Narrative peer groups invite such reflection. These groups cultivate an environment of trust, curiosity and relentless optimism through practices of curious questions, seeking an alternative narrative and utilizing engaged listeners. Attendees will be engaged through this interactive seminar.” Reynolds adds that attendees will be invited to tell stories and practice the elements of a narrative clergy group. They will also learn the narrative case presentation model.

“We understand ourselves and our world by means of story. Our personal story holds together the past, present, and future,” said Kelli Walker-Jones. “Our memories come to us in stories. What effective clergy leaders know is their own story-and they lead from it. One way to access and gather your story is with a peer group. Participants will practice asking curious questions, and from there, explore how leadership can embody sharing our stories with others. Narrative leadership makes us curious about the stories of congregations, individuals, and families.”

Date: Friday – April 8, 2016 

Morning Session 9:00am – 12:00pm for Consultants, Clergy Group, and Judicatory leaders
Afternoon Session 1:00pm-4:00pm for Clergy, Parish, Chaplain, or Any Specialized Ministry
For more information or to register visit: www.pcs-nh.org or call PCS at 603.627.2702 extension: 110. The seminar will be held at the Puritan Conference Center at 245 Hooksett Road, Manchester, N.H. 03104. Cost for either session is $35.

About the Presenter

Kelli Walker-Jones is the director of Triangle Pastoral Counseling (TPC) in Raleigh North Carolina. She is an ordained United Methodist minister and a member of the North Carolina Annual Conference. Her academic academic preparations include: B.A., Rhodes College, Memphis, TN (1979) and M.Div., the Divinity School, Duke University (1983). A minister for over 30 years, her experience includes rural church ministry, large church staff ministry and serving on the staff at Duke Divinity School where she worked extensively with ministerial students in recruitment, supervision, and field placement.

Prior to becoming Center Director, Kelli and Dick Hester co-directed two Lilly Grants on Sustaining Pastoral Excellence.  She continues to lead clergy groups, do narrative leadership facilitation training and individual mentoring. Kelli leads out of a narrative model that invites story gathering and deep listening. Publications include: Know Your Story and Lead with It: The Power of Narrative in Clergy Leadership. Blue Ridge Summit, PA: Rowman and Littlefield, 2009. “Tilling Our Stories,” in So Much Better: How Thousands of Pastors Helped Each Other Thrive. St. Louis:  Chalice Press, 2013

About Pastoral Counseling Services

Pastoral Counseling Services (PCS) was founded in 1979 is celebrating 35 years and provides the best psychotherapeutic techniques while respecting the natural connection between the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual dimensions in the psychotherapy process. PCS is an agency in which clients Feel Heard, Feel Cared for and Feel Better. In addition to our counseling services, PCS impacts the vitality of the community by partnering with other non-profit organizations to help underserved & at risk populations with stress management techniques. PCS also honors those who pursue extraordinary measures to strengthen communities and improve life in New Hampshire with the Good Samaritan Awards, an annual tradition since 1996.