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The Art of Godly Play
The Godly Play classroom is a unique space especially
for children. Every element of the classroom and the flow of the hour on
Sunday have been carefully considered to encourage the children to feel
comfortable and to make the class their own. The hour has its own flow
from the welcoming to the going out.
Welcoming
The door person welcomes the children by name
at the door and helps them to quiet themselves before entering the circle.
The storyteller is already seated on the floor ready to welcome children
into the circle.
Hearing the Word of God
The storyteller invites the children to ready
themselves to hear the Word of God. The storyteller with props and her
own voice makes the story come alive for the children. After the story,
the children are invited to wonder. Typical wondering questions include:
I wonder which part of this story you liked best? I wonder which part of
this story you are in or is about you? I wonder which is the most important
part of the story?
Response to the Word through Work
Children choose their own work, an artistic,
creative response in paint, play, markers or crayon to the story that has
been told. Children may also choose to retell the day’s story or the story
of a previous week.
Sharing a Holy Feast
Children put away their work and gather to share
a feast. While it is only juice and cookies, the feast symbolizes the Last
Supper of Jesus and introduces children to the idea of communion. Before
the feast the children may share their joys and concerns in prayer.
Going Out
When the children leave, they are bid goodbye
individually. The teachers tell them what wonderful work they have done
and what a pleasure it was to have them as part of the community of children
that day.
Our Godly Play Teachers
Become Certified
Marylu Bunting, Becky Linton, and Kathy Parks, our
three Godly Play teachers this year, became fully certified by Godly Play
when they attended three day intensive training workshop in October. They
received instruction about the theology of childhood, the Godly Play classroom
environment, getting started with Godly Play, classroom management, and
making Godly Play more useful with older children. Each participant practiced
three stories in the course of the weekend and presented one story to their
larger group, receiving detailed feedback about presentation from peers
and an accredited Godly Play trainer. Participants came from Minnesota,
Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Massachusetts for this officially
accredited Godly Play teacher training event.
Update: Surekha Elia
Our Sponsor Child
LUMC has been sponsoring Surekha for several years.
She lives at the Methodist Girls’ Home in Moinabad, India. She is currently
in the ninth grade. Last year she had a “B” average and expressed a special
interest in science and art, but need to work harder on math. Her hobbies
are drawing and singing. In the month of November, the Christian Education
Committee will be collecting Christmas gifts for Surekha. Watch the bulletin
for more details.
High School Youth are still welcome to join the Disciple Bible Study class
that meets with BU School of Theology Student Erin Beary from 11:00 to
noon on Sunday Mornings. See your friends and make new friends as you read
through the Bible and focus on becoming Disciples of Christ. Youth are
asked to contribute $15 towards the cost of the Disciple Bible Study workbook.
April Mission Trip for Sr. High
Youth in the Planning Stages
Senior High Youth from the Holy Club Cluster (Arlington, Belmont, Winchester,
Woburn, and Lexington) met on Sunday night, October 14th, at LUMC for their
first meeting of the season. Getting-acquainted games, pizza, and
discussion of possible mission sites filled the evening. The Cluster
Youth will meet monthly as they plan their mission trip. |
