Godly Play

Godly Play is a Montessori-based, multi-sensory, hands-on approach to Christian formation and education. The children are introduced to and enter into the religious language by: hearing the stories of God, wondering and responding to the stories, praying, and feasting. The Godly Play classrooms provide a threshold of sacredness, safety, and wonder. The children are encouraged to enter into the presence of God through discovery and play. This is one place where our children's ideas, opinions, and gifts are deeply respected.  Not only do our children learn the stories of God, but they also are encouraged to explore their spirituality through prayer and theological reflection.

The Godly Play rooms contain shelves full of objects for the children to use-objects that make the images of our religious language come alive. The children sit in a circle on the  floor with a storyteller, literally surrounded by our religious language. The multi-sensory materials (wooden figures, beautifully created materials) used to help in telling the Bible story of the day can then be placed in the center of the circle, symbolizing the fact that God can be present and accessible to everyone-both the students and the teacher. Working in a circle also helps us emphasize many aspects of being together in a Christian community. The worship-education center holds a variety of art supplies for the children to use as they respond to the stories they hear. There is also another adult in the classroom called the doorperson. The doorperson helps and supports the children during the classroom experience.

Godly Play was founded by the Rev. Jerome Berryman, an Episcopal priest, in the early 1970s, and the curriculum has evolved into one of the most innovative and successful Christian formation/education programs available. Since 1991, training sessions have been held for teachers and trainers all over the world. The storytelling techniques, Montessori method, classroom set-up, and worship order are all unique features of this special program. Lynne Turner is a Godly Play trainer and has been involved in the Godly Play program since 1991.

In addition to Godly Play, we also enhance our Sunday morning children's program with Children's Worship. Using worship techniques that speak to all children's learning styles and needs, such as sign language, music and special worship times, we give children an opportunity to enter into the presence of God on their own levels. Godly Play teaches reliance upon God, who is accessible and full of grace in all the mystery of life. Godly Play teaches the classic rhythm for living modeled in the Bible, a balance of action and reflection, engagement and prayer. Godly Play helps children and teachers build a spiritual rule of life. Godly Play helps children know God and not just know about God. Godly Play teaches that everything in God's creation is charged with the possibility of holiness, including each one of us, and that we are in relationship with everything in creation. Godly Play is a discovery teaching method engaging the whole child: heart, minds, hands, senses, and intuition.