Sunday School (Godly Play)
The Epiphany Youth Choir
Godly Play is a method of Christian education and spiritual direction for children ages 3-l 2 that allows children to discover God, their world, and their faith in a playful yet meaningful way. The goal of Godly Play is to leach children the art of using religious language to help them become more fully aware of the mystery of God’s presence in their lives. One of the cornerstones of the Godly Play approach is creation of a safe place for children—a place where their ideas, opinions, and gifts are deeply respected.
Godly Play’s way of “wondering” and responding to the Bible’s sacred stories gives children the opportunity to “meditate” in an artistic and kinesthetic way. Most of the wondering questions are the same for each story: “I wonder what part of the story is most important? I wonder where you are in the story or what part of the story is about you? I wonder what part of the story we can take away and still have all of the story we need?”
The Rev. Jerome Berryman, creator of Godly Play, says "children can sense when wonder is in the air. When the storyteller wonders and is involved in discovering new and fundamental things about life, the children begin to play. Play is the way children learn how to do things, from the use of language to opening and closing doors. They will also play the ultimate game of knowing when they sense that they are in a safe place and have the appropriate tools and both the competence and permission to use them."
Godly Play helps children know God—not just know about God or the Bible.
Godly Play, as developed over the past 25 years by Dr. Berryman, is widely used in churches of many denominations here and abroad.
The best way to experience Godly Play is to come and see! In brief, Godly Pay is a method of sharing Bible stories and liturgical lessons using objects that help children see, touch and experience the story. Children and adults are invited to connect to stories with personal experience and deepen their faith through "wondering questions" and open-ended art responses.
Godly Play lessons use three-dimensional objects that engage the children's senses and draw them into the sacred stories, parables, and liturgical action of the Christian people.
Since 1998, we have been enjoying splendid new space, in Epiphany's new Children's Center. Children and teachers are grateful for the love and support of the congregation in providing this place of light, air and warmth for us to learn together the teachings and love of Christ.
Epiphany Children's CenterWhen children enter a Godly Play classroom at Epiphany, they immediately join a circle that is forming around the teacher, getting ready to hear one of God's stories as is seen here in the preschool through second grade class and
the third through fifth grade class.
