Godly Play
Godly Play
December 2009 Update
Get Involved with Godly Play
The St. Andrew’s Godly Play program is off to an exciting start, with an overflowing room of kids participating each week. As we continue through the year, we’ll be adding to the materials used in telling the Bible stories. Ideally, this process of building the classroom becomes a parish-wide activity, with parishioners contributing their talents in sewing, woodworking, painting, etc., or purchasing the materials for a particular story. Well be posting a display in the atrium with our “wish list’ and photos of story materials that will be needed in the coming months, in hopes that some of you will be inspired to contribute.
We also extend an invitation to all parishioners to participate as storytellers or doorkeepers. For instance, you might like the opportunity to be the storyteller or door person for the story you help to create or purchase. Or perhaps you’d like to be involved longer term in the rewarding experience ot leading Godly Play. Training is available, and we are in need of more leaders to share the schedule.
There is a video online which briefly describes the philosophy of Godly Play and shows sessions in progress. I hope you’ll be able to watch it, as it is beautifully done and offers a view of how the materials are used first in storytelling, and afterwards by the children. The video can be found here: Godly Play Video.
For information on how to get involved, you can contact Linda Blanchard at 380-2768 or lindamaine@mac.com, talk to Lili Pugh or Jean McAlice, or see our display in the atrium.
Fall 2009 Update
We’re delighted to be bringing Godly Play to St. Andrew’s church school this fall for children ages three to twelve. Developed by theologian, author and educator the Rev. Dr. Jerome Berryman, Godly Play is an approach based on Montessori principles – we respond to the child’s request to ‘help me do it by myself.’ As Berryman writes, “In most religious education children are told who God is. In Godly Play children discover who God is.”
Modeled on the pattern of our worship service, each Godly Play session includes time to:
• Get ready to approach God, by singing, prayer, giving our offerings.
• Hear a Bible story, told using hands-on materials
• Explore the story with open questions and discussion, then individually respond with a choice of arts and crafts, silence, play, writing, etc.
• Enjoy a simple feast and sharing
• Receive a personal “Good word” and goodbye from the leader
Children experience the creation of sacred space, working in community, and taking time to experience God in their own way. Godly Play draws deeply on the rhythms of the Eucharistic liturgy and a Benedictine rule of life.
There are usually two adults present, each with a carefully distinguished role. The ’story-teller’ leads group time, tells the story and focuses on the presentation of God’s word. The ‘door-person’ helps in more practical ways like an usher or deacon assistant, including the very important duty of greeting the children individually as they begin the session and helping them ‘collect themselves’ in order to begin.
Godly Play started with the proposition that children have a natural sense of God, and that what they lack is the appropriate language to help them identify and express it, so it can be explored and strengthened. Godly Play teaches children the art of using Christian language—parable, sacred story, silence and liturgical action—helping them become more fully aware of the mystery of God’s presence in their lives.
Thank you to the many adults who are helping with our Godly Play program, as leaders, advisors, and creators of beautiful handcrafted materials: Amelia Hagen, Lili Pugh, Liza Hall, Jean McAlice, Tanya Albert, Fran Kinney, Liza Keene, Jenny Begin, Kate Newell, Linda Sandefur, Peter Asche, George Shaw, Richard Francis, John Blanchard, Frazier Meade, and Bruce Babb. If you’d like to contribute time or talent, or for more information on Godly Play at St. Andrew’s, contact Linda Blanchard at 380-2768 or lindamaine@mac.com.