Godly Play Ministry with Children: Core Training

Godly Play is a creative and imaginative approach to faith formation with children. Symbols, beautifully crafted materials, rituals, and silence as well as stories are used to convey biblical traditions and practices of the Christian church.

Godly Play recognizes that children already know and experience God but may not have the language or opportunity to talk about and explore their experiences, thoughts, questions, and feelings. Godly Play provides children an occasion not just to learn about God’s love, but to discover God’s love in the midst of a supportive community and environment. It helps children learn Bible stories and religious language and to use them to make meaning.

During this workshop you will:

• experience Godly Play stories and wondering questions.
• learn about the values inherent in Godly Play.
• discover how Godly Play is used with children.
• have the opportunity to work with the story materials and practice storytelling.

A “Godly Play Certificate of Accreditation” will be awarded upon completion. You must attend the entire training to be accredited.

Leadership:
Amy Crawford is the Team Leader for the Communities in Mission Unit with The United Church of Canada. She fell in love with Godly Play the first time she sat on a floor listening to Jerome Berryman tell his stories. Amy was accredited as a Teacher Trainer in August 2007. The parables are her favourite genre and she always looks forward to what happens when people knock on the lid and come inside.

Maya Landell has diverse experience with children and youth within the United Church of Canada. For many years Maya has been using Godly Play in a variety of settings, including worship. She brings a deep spirituality and sense of play to everything she does. Maya currently serves as the Minister at Inner Kip-Eastwood Pastoral Charge.

For more information on Godly Play visit: http://www.godlyplayfoundation.org/newsite/Main.php

For a printable flyer for this program, click here.