Godly Play at Saint James’

 

New Worship Program for Kids Debuts!


Adults who love God rarely confuse Education with Worship.  When we read a book, or attend a class, we know we are learning: This is Education.  When we take a leisurely walk, or stand to sing a hymn we know we are praising God:  This is Worship.


The distinctions are relatively clear for adults thinking about adult experiences, so why do we get so confused when we think about children and children’s experiences?


So many churches have made the decision that children should not be in church for much or all of the worship service, because those children “won’t understand what is happening”.  What do we do with them, instead?  We send them to Sunday School, of course! 


We substitute Education for Worship, without thinking for a moment that one is no substitute for the other at all.  All in the name of helping the children to understand. 


But do they, really?  Are children really understanding so much better in Sunday School?  And what kind of favors are we doing them when we rob them of an experience of Worship, even if we are substituting Education in its place? 


Education is so much easier to provide.  Worship is special.  It is unique.  Don’t children deserve the opportunity to worship, just as much as adults?


Questions like these have been asked in seminaries and church Worship Committees for many years.  “Parents don’t want their kids next to them,” some say.  “They don’t understand what’s happening,” say others.  “Even I don’t understand what’s happening,” some adults say.  And the discussions go on and on. 


What is a church to do?


We are very excited about the solution we have made a large commitment to at Saint James’ this Fall.  It honors the needs of parents and the needs of children, giving parents time to focus in adult worship while  giving children personalized experiences of worship that don’t involve work or the substitution of Education for Worship.


Our program, called, “Godly Play” uses Montessori methods to give children the opportunity to explore and experience God on their own level, whatever that may be.  They are not told about God; rather they are invited to reverence, to wonderment, to listening, and telling, and sharing -- to their own profound Experience of God as alive and holy. 


Once a month our children are invited to the worship we adults find meaningful.  The rest of the time they attend Worship Centers that involve order, creativity, response and reverence.


Some wonder that children would find such things engaging.  “What do children care about reverence?” They might say.  I wonder if they are the same ones who confuse Education with Worship when it comes to K-5th graders. 


Human beings are made to learn.  Education is so important for us.  Lesser known, and lesser understood, we are also made to worship.  True worship feeds the soul and satisfies like nothing else.  It is true for adults, we know.  It is for children, too. 


To learn more about the Saint James’ Godly Play program contact our Director of Children’s Ministries, Mrs. Sandy Hahn, at sandy@saintjamesgi.net or 676-1727. 


On-line registration for the Fall is already underway!

 

What is godly play?

Saint James’ offers religious education to K-5th graders through the Godly Play curriculum. Godly Play is an innovative Montessori-based curriculum that engages children in learning through storytelling, ritual, and hands-on activity. The children meet for Godly Play classes in the River Room in our main hallway.  You can sign up online  or by contacting Sandy Hahn, our Director of Children’s Ministries at 734-676-1727 or at sandy@saintjamesgi.net.


TELL ME MORE ABOUT GODLY PLAY.

Godly Play is a Montessori-based religious education curriculum developed by Jerome Berryman, an Episcopal priest. The curriculum has been used for over 30 years in churches of different denominational traditions and all over the world. Classes follow the shape of the Eucharist. The children gather in a special space, hear one of God’s stories, and then respond to God’s story through art or an activity of their choice. After this response time, the children pray and feast by enjoying a snack together, and then are dismissed from class. Sometimes parents have questions about Godly Play because it “looks” and feels different from many other curricula out there. We invite you to enjoy the information below and to ask further questions of the Director of Children’s Ministries or of the clergy at any time!


WHY IS THE CURRICULUM CALLED GODLY PLAY--ARE THE CHILDREN JUST PLAYING? 

Playing and praying don’t just sound alike—they are very similar activities. Think of what it’s like to play—for example, we are joyful, we aren’t self-conscious, we become engrossed in what we’re doing, and we feel centered, enriched, and strengthened. Praying can often be thought of as playing with God. In a Godly Play classroom, children are invited to come into the presence of the mystery of God, to hear God’s stories, and to respond out of love.


WHAT PROJECTS WILL THE CHILDREN WORK ON IN CLASS?
In a Godly Play classroom, children respond to the story verbally during wondering time and also respond by working with story objects, creating art, or even caring for the classroom during the response time. Children are not given specific projects to finish; rather, the consistent structure of the classroom space and time allows the children to choose their responses to the biblical stories while being guided by the ritual and routine of the class.


HOW DO I KNOW IF MY CHILD IS LEARNING ANYTHING?

In addition to learning and engaging the stories of the Old and New Testaments, the children learn through the Godly Play classroom how to listen, how to treat sacred space, how to treat one another, and how to begin to be self-directed. Parents report that their children will begin to “wonder” aloud about things, will treat objects with greater reverence, and will include elements like the baby Jesus in their play at home. They may also begin retelling the stories they heard in class on the way home from church or later in the week.


HOW CAN I SUPPORT MY CHILD’S EXPERIENCE IN GODLY PLAY?
It sounds simple, but the most important things parents can do are to bring their children to class regularly, and to bring them on time (10:00 AM). Just as with any class or practice, the more regularly a child attends Sunday school, the more enriching the experience will be! Timeliness is important because in the Godly Play classroom, children are greeted individually at the door and invited into the circle one by one. Building a circle of children who are “ready” and who are not rushed or late, sets the tone for the morning and allows the sacred story to be told without interruption. Likewise, teachers say goodbye to children individually at the door, providing children a happy, secure dismissal.


IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE I CAN DO TO SUPPORT MY CHILD’S EXPERIENCE?
Tell stories at home! Practice using the “I wonder” construction when talking about stories or art. “I wonder what part of the story you liked the most?” Instead of asking, “What did you learn in Sunday school today?” which a child may not be able to articulate, try “What would you like to tell me about Sunday school?” Your child may not have a response at that moment, but you are inviting them to reconsider their experience and your child may have more to share later.


CAN I ATTEND THE GODLY PLAY CLASS WITH MY CHILD?
The Godly Play classroom is a sacred space for children, and parents are asked to say their goodbyes at the door. You’ll notice that all objects are placed at a child’s level in the Godly Play classroom. Even teachers keep a low profile: they are always either seated in a chair or on the floor. Often times a child who is agitated as a parent is leaving will calm down as soon as the parent or relative is out of sight. Of course, in some cases, it is best for the class and for a child if that child’s parent is present to help the child transition into the class. If you think this might be the case, please speak to the Director of Children’s Ministries, Sandy Hahn, so she can let the teachers know.


MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT GODLY PLAY?
Contact the Director of Children’s Ministries, Sandy Hahn, at 734-676-1727 or sandy@saintjamesgi.net.


Thanks to Christ Episcopal Church, Georgetown, for a version of the above.

“Godly Play”

Images from Around the Web

Since we are beginning this program this year, we don’t yet have our own images to share.  But, after doing a bit of research, here are some images of Godly Play materials from around the web!