What does Godly Play believe?
To
quote the Center for the Theology of Childhood, the parent organization
ofGodly Play, “The goal of Godly Play is to teach children the art of
using religiouslanguage to help them become more fully aware of the
mystery of God’s presenceand direction in their lives. Profoundly
scriptural and traditional, the programnonetheless makes room for
children to seek answers to their own lifequestions.
Visit the Godly play website at www.godlyplay.org
The program embodies deep values that we share:
- Belief that children face the same existential issues that adults do
and struggle to resolve them;
- Respect for the presence of the Holy Spirit in the lives of children;
- The power of God’s Word to define meaning and direction in our lives;
- The essential goodness of the souls of our children;
- The importance of environments for children that clearly
demonstrate our love for them.
The Saturday morning experience
The
morning is divided into three parts: storytelling, “work” or response
time,and the feast. Children are greeted as they enter the room and
prepared to beinvited into deep and reverent play. They then actively
listen to the story presentation.Stories are told in a meditative way,
using wooden figures and otherwooden objects to make the story come
alive. Godly Play stories are based onthe best of modern biblical
scholarship. Children find the stories engaging andmeaningful and
remember them. After the story the teacher leads the class
in“wondering” about it, asking open-ended questions that elicit each
child’s thoughts and opinions.
During the “work” time children are invited to use the enrichment materials of the classroom to
further
explore the story. These include books, maps, and art materials, as
well as the storiesthemselves. During this time, besides having fun,
the children are linkingup the religious language of the story with
their own inner understanding,which helps them understand the story and
makes it come alive. Thismakes sense, because in so doing they are
entering into relationship withGod – opening themselves to grace.
After
work time, children gather for a feast shared as a communal meal.During
the feast time much prayer, laughter, and personal storytelling
isshared.
At the close of class, the storyteller says goodbye to each child individually and the child is releasedto his or her parents.
The Episcopal faith is a liturgical and sacramental faith. Through liturgical actionpresentations
we learn about the sacred work or actions that bring uscloser to the
living presence of God. Liturgical action presentations includeCircle
of the Church Year, Advent, Epiphany, The Mystery of Easter, Holy
Baptism,the Good Shepherd and World Communion, The Circle of the Holy
Eucharist,and Symbols for the Holy Eucharist.
Silence
(The Holy Spirit is here!) Children and teachers are given the
opportunityto engage in serious play with each of these kinds of
religious language as we tell a majorityof these stories each year (and
leave lots of room for silence to emerge).
Those of us who have
been involved as teachers, parents, and students of Godly Play have
foundthe program to be life-changing. We invite you to come to a
classroom on Sundays and learnmore!
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Calendar 
The
Godly Play Sunday School curriculum was developed by Dr. Jerome
Berryman,Episcopal priest, author, and teacher. Berryman received his
theological educationat Princeton Theological Seminary and is a
nationally recognized lecturer, consultant,and workshop leader in
religious education and the pastoral care of children.The Godly Play
curriculum has been tested in classrooms since 1972. It is basedin
Maria Montessori’s educational philosophy and uses hands-on, direct
learningand creative, active participation to engage children with
their own spirituality andthe Episcopal tradition.
