Sunday School
“Godly Play” the new way we “do” Sunday School
What is Godly Play? In short, it is a Montessori approach for Sunday School to communicate the sacred stories of scripture.
"Godly Play" is a term coined by the Rev. Jerome Berryman, an Episcopal priest, to describe an approach to children's spiritual formation that is based on creating a sacred space in which to present the stories of our faith, wonder about them together, and then allow the children open-ended opportunities, usually with art supplies, to engage the story on their own terms.
The stories are told very simply, with simple props, and without interpretation or moral instruction. After a story is presented, the children and the storyteller wonder together about aspects of the story that draw their interest. For instance, with the parable of the Good Shepherd, they might wonder together how the sheep felt as they followed the shepherd. Or whether the sheep have names. Or how it might feel to be inside the sheepfold.
After a time of exploring the story with wondering, the story is put away, the children choose the art supplies they would like to work with, and they spend some time creating whatever they choose, in response to what they feel is most important in the story, or most interesting.
This is play. It is Godly. It is meeting God along with children rather than teaching them what we adults think they ought to know. Our faith stories are very powerful and offer plenty to think about even without our elaboration on what they "mean." Godly play is often deeply satisfying for the adults who engage the stories along with the children.
Godly Play offers a creative, child-honoring way of entering into and experiencing the biblical story. Children, ages 3 to 8 are invited to come to Burch Hall for “Godly Play” every Sunday at 9:30 in the morning. Following each Sunday’s lesson the children will come into Church to join their parents during the Peace.
In Godly Play, the teachers and children will play with the language of God and God’s People: our sacred stories, parables, liturgical actions and silence. Through this powerful language, through the art of wondering and of gathering the children will be invited into the deepest invitation of all: an invitation to come play with God.
Every Other Wednesday Bible Study
Bible study for adults takes place every other Wednesday in Hemsley Hall beginning at 7:00 pm with a light Supper.
The schedule is as follows:
7:00 pm – Light Dinner and Conversation
7:30 pm – Evening Prayer that will include the Scripture text that will be studied
8:15 pm – Intercessions and Blessing
Beginning on November 11, 2009 the group will focus on the Acts of the Apostles.
Soup & Conversation
Every Wednesday Evening during the season of Lent Parishioners will have the opportunity to gather for homemade soup in Burch Hall and discuss the upcoming Gospel text for Sunday.
Inquirer Class
