Godly Play needs you!!!
You may have heard Godly Play mentioned in newsletters or in church and wondered, “Well, what is it?” It’s kind of a strange name, and may conjure up images of puritans in buckle shoes and funny hats. I assure you, it is far from puritanical, and is one of the most exciting programs we offer at St John’s. In fact, Godly Play is what brought my family to St John’s. At the time, Diane Pizey was the teacher, and she welcomed us into the peaceful, beautiful space of the classroom. A few years later, I stepped into the room as a Godly Play teacher myself. Perhaps it is your turn?
Godly Play is a Montessori-inspired religious education program that “values process, openness, discovery, community and relationships. Godly Play models the worship life, stories, symbols and rituals of Christian congregations.” (From https://www.godlyplayfoundation.org/get-started) At St John’s, we offer Godly Play for preschool and kindergarten children, but other churches may extend the program right up through the elementary years.
The lesson follows the pattern of our Sunday morning worship — story, response, prayer, feast, sending. Using specific materials, the teacher tells a story each week, and then invites the children to wonder about the story and about who they are inside that story. There is time for the children to use the materials themselves to tell one of the stories or to respond through art —drawing, painting, playdough sculpture, etc. After we clean up, we pray together and the children serve one another a feast (goldfish crackers and water), and then, it’s time to take what we’ve learned out into the world.
This beautiful program cannot function without teachers. Being a Godly Play teacher is easier than it might look. Every story is fully scripted, and there are videos of master Godly Play teachers you can watch on your own and learn from. There are always two adults in the room, so you are never on your own, and you may find that you are getting as much out of being in the space, and working with the stories of our faith, as the children. Please prayerfully consider whether you might be called to give it a try! If you have questions, feel free to talk to me at church, or email me at sarareneelogan@gmail.com.
