Flannelgraph Memories

Sunday School Flannelgraph story time

Awhile back, I was reminded of a very specific art form to the religion of my youth - the flannelgraph. During many a Sunday School, I was riveted to the stories portrayed using this technique, often begging to be allowed to change the scenery and the characters between scenes. I then watched a video while reminiscing, remembering how the stories would deeply connect with me, especially when told by particular ladies of my church.

I recall one person in particular.  She had a soft, engaging voice that drew me in.  Looking back now, I can see that it was also one of my early experiences of ASMR; I got tingles when letting myself immerse into the story, on a combination physical/emotional level through the sounds of the flannel moving across the soft surfaces, the teacher's voice, etc.

Missed Opportunity

Back in the fall of 1977 when I began going to school at NDSU, I was in a room at the Commons with other InterVarsity Christian Fellowship members when a young Arabic man came in, drawn by our singing about God. He began to discuss how he was a Muslim, and as a Muslim, he also respected and loved Jesus. He mentioned some other things and at that time, I was unable to say anything useful or loving, and I have regretted it ever since. But he left us saying as his main message, that we had more in common than we may have realized. I can see now looking back, he was trying to start a discussion, a healthy discussion, but none of us were prepared to engage in such a discussion, which is sad...