Host a Shared Mountain Session

Dear Pastor and Ministry Leadership Team,

My name is Dr. Sherry-Ann Brown, MD, PhD, FACC, FAHA. I am a cardiologist, cardio-oncologist, physician scientist, innovator, entrepreneur, mentor, author, and Christian who is preparing a national series of community gatherings during an American Field Year.

The gatherings are based on my forthcoming book, The Breath That Claimed the Mountain: Preserved Breath, Shared Strength, and a Calling Larger Than One Life. The book begins with my birth, when my umbilical cord was wrapped around my neck and other hands made room for my first breath. It follows the ways that preserved breath later became medicine, science, mentorship, innovation, prayer, and service. It also speaks candidly about human limitation, directness, blind spots, mistakes, repair, and our dependence upon God and one another.

I am seeking established churches that may wish to host a ninety minute Shared Mountain Session consisting of a book reading, Scripture centered reflection, guided workshop, community conversation, and book signing. Participants will explore the breath or opportunity entrusted to them, the mountain before them, the people required for the climb, and the next faithful movement.

An ideal host would provide an accessible meeting space, a named local coordinator, an on site safety lead, basic audiovisual support, several event volunteers, and assistance sharing the gathering with the surrounding community. Churches situated on or near an ocean, bay, lake, river, harbor, or other waterfront are of particular interest because water is a recurring theme throughout the Field Year.

Thank you for considering whether this gathering may serve your congregation and surrounding community. I would be honored to explore the possibility through a brief introductory conversation with your leadership team.

With appreciation, Sherry-Ann Brown, MD, PhD, FACC, FAHA

Dear Library Programming Team,

I am Dr. Sherry-Ann Brown, MD, PhD, FACC, FAHA, a cardiologist, cardio-oncologist, physician scientist, innovator, entrepreneur, mentor, and author planning a national series of literary and community gatherings during an American Field Year.

The proposed program is based on my forthcoming book, The Breath That Claimed the Mountain: Preserved Breath, Shared Strength, and a Calling Larger Than One Life. The memoir begins with my first breath being preserved at birth and follows the evolution of that breath into medicine, scientific investigation, writing, mentorship, innovation, community service, and a multifaceted public calling. It also examines directness, blind spots, mistakes, repair, human limitation, and the relationships that make meaningful work possible.

The proposed ninety minute program combines an author reading, moderated conversation, guided personal reflection, a community workshop, and a concluding book signing. Participants identify an experience or opportunity that has preserved something meaningful in them, a mountain they are approaching, and the people whose wisdom and support belong in the journey.

The program is designed for adult readers, emerging professionals, students, community leaders, health professionals, entrepreneurs, writers, and people discerning a new season of purpose. Faith appears as part of the author's lived story, while the workshop remains welcoming and accessible to the broader public.

I would be grateful for the opportunity to discuss your meeting room policies, programming calendar, capacity, accessibility, audiovisual resources, promotional process, security procedures, and book sales requirements.

With appreciation, Sherry-Ann Brown, MD, PhD, FACC, FAHA