Doug Bland is pastor of the Community Christian Church of Tempe (CCC) and he has a passion for storytelling. Some of you may have been lucky to see him perform in Tucson at Odyssey Storytelling last year at the Humor for the Holidays show.

In addition to his church duties, he spends his time as adjunct faculty at the Storytelling Institute at South Mountain Community College and produces quarterly storytelling events at the CCC. He writes:

More and more, being known as “the storytelling church” is an identity that we are embracing with enthusiasm.  After all, storytelling is the primary way that Jesus taught, built community and transformed lives.

Winter’s Light is the theme of the upcoming show on Sunday, December 18 at 7 p.m. with an impressive line up of diverse storytellers:

Rabbi Dean Shapiro of Temple Emanuel of Tempe; Rana Singh Sodhi, (see his story about the aftermath of 9/11 at Arizona Storytellers); Karina Bland, Arizona Republic reporter;  Liz Warren, faculty member and cofounder of the Storytelling Institute,; Desert Marigold Waldorf Choir; and Sandi Howlet (see her story about skinny dipping at Arizona Storytellers).

The Community Christian Church is at 1701 S. College Avenue, Tempe, AZ. You can contact them at 480-967-5266 or office@tempeccc.com for more information.

Mark Goldman from The Great Arizona Story Slam has made this generous offer to Tucsonans: a special entry fee of only $3 per person (that’s $4 dollars off the online price and $7 off the door price) to his next Story Slam on Saturday, July 30 at the Doubletree Suites in Phoenix.

Dee Dee Wood, Arizona Music and Entertainment Hall of Famer, who choreographed “Mary Poppins” among other shows you will recognize, will be the celebrity judge. If you want to take advantage of this opportunity to be entertained AND to save money, you will need to call Mark at 602-390-3858 to let him know you are coming.

If you are up Phoenix way and want to enjoy another evening of stories, check out “We Heart Arizona: Stories of the People Places and Things We Love – and That Have Broken Our Hearts” at 7 p.m. on July 28 at Beckett’s Table, 3717 E. Indian School Road.

This event is part of Arizona Storytellers, a very ambitious project sponsored by the Arizona Republic in partnership with Arizona State University and South Mountain Community College. You can watch some of the stories on their website or upload your own.