For many people, some stories are life-shaping images of hope. To tell them is a special form of care. To tell them in such a way that they touch people existentially is an art that is honed through training.
The offer is aimed at everyone who wants to engage more deeply with the liberating message of the Bible, especially those who work with children, pupils, the sick, the elderly, or in the church, for example.
The certificate requires participation in the following units:
- Two times three study days in the mountain monastery
- three regional individual days closely supervised by mutual observation
- three publicly told stories
- Participation in the Bible Storytelling Night
New Course 2026
Monday, 02/02/2026, 10:00 to Wednesday, 04/02/2026, 18:00
and
Thursday, 05/11, 10:00 AM to Saturday, 07/11/2026, 10:00 PM
Conclusion with the Bible story night on Saturday, 07/11/2026 from 20:00 to 22:00, followed by the presentation of certificates.
In addition, there are three regional days (intervision), the dates and locations of which you will arrange with the group. In total, the training therefore comprises 9 days.
CostsCourse fee €370.00
Upgrade Day
Sunday 8 November 2026, 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Advanced Course for Trained Bible Storytellers
Bible stories for people with dementia
People with dementia experience a frightening confusion in the brain: atrophy and resources, despair and numbness, restlessness and high tension, longing for closeness and defence against any contact.
Telling Bible stories encourages and inspires us to open ourselves up to a life of surprises, disappointments, problems, conflicts, miracles, and adversities by remembering. Telling Bible stories activates effective inner images that are anchored in the brain. We will explore together in this advanced course how this can be achieved successfully and what needs to be considered when telling Bible stories to people with dementia.
Course fee €100, including lunch and all-day coffee/tea with pastries
Contact person: Sr. Maria Ignatia Langela SMMP
Course 2025
Part II
Thursday, 20.11., 10:00 AM to Saturday, 22.11.2025, 10:00 PM
Bible Story Night on Sat., 22.11.2025, 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Leader: Pastor Dirk Schliephake, Bible teacher, theologian
Dr Brigitte Saviano, Bible storytelling trainer, theologian
Management:
Pastor Dirk Schliephake, born 1962, studied theology and diaconal studies, experience as a parish pastor, religious teacher, district diaconal officer and deputy superintendent, activity in further training of social education professionals.
Appointed for Children's Church in the Evangelical Lutheran State Church of Hanover since 2006, a trained Bible storyteller.
Dr Brigitte Saviano, born 1974, studied Theology and German studies, with experience in Latin America and France, in pastoral care for schools and as a policy advisor for Adveniat. Lecturer in Caritas pastoral theology, mediator, systemic consultant, spiritual director, Bible storytelling trainer
Sr. M. Ignatia Langela SMMP, Born 1945, 40 years as a grammar school teacher of mathematics and physics, including 20 years as headteacher in Kassel and Halle (Saale). Since 2010, educational consultant at the mountain monastery.
| Overnight stay with Breakfast buffet at the Bergkloster Bestwig | Overnight stay per person/night, Sunday evening until Friday morning (incl. VAT) | Overnight stay per person/night, Friday evening until Sunday morning (incl. VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| House of encounter (shower, WC, free WLAN) | ||
| Single room | 71,00 € | 83,00 € |
| Double room | 52,00 € | 56,00 € |
| Multi-bed room up to max. 4 persons (bunk beds) | 49,00 € | 51,50 € |
| Guest house (shower, WC, TV, seating area, free WLAN) | ||
| Large single room (approx. 30 square metres) | 84,00 € | 94,50 € |
| Double room (approx. 30 square metres) | 67,00 € | 78,00 € |
| We charge a short-term surcharge of € 5.00 per person and night for just one overnight stay. Reduction on accommodation From the third overnight stay we grant a 2 Euro discount per person/night). Reduction for children on accommodation 0-3 years free, 4-10 years 50 %, 11-13 years 25 %, from 14 years 0% |
||
| Meals at the Bergkloster Bestwig | Daily rate per person (incl. VAT) |
|---|---|
| Lunch buffet (also vegetarian) incl. table drink | 19,90 € |
| Coffee & cake | 7,50 € |
| Evening meal incl. table drink | 15,20 € |
| Stand-up coffee with pastries (for groups) | 6,50 € |
Sign in
Sr Maria Ignatia Langela SMMP, Bestwig
Telephone: 02904 808-339, sr.ignatia(at)smmp.de
or at the gate of the mountain monastery:
Telephone: 02904 808-294, pforte(at)smmp.de
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