Godly Play

Pic St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
161 East Ravine Road
Kingsport, Tennessee 37660

Godly Play is the Christian Education curriculum in Children’s Chapel at St. Paul’s Day School and at 9 a.m. on Sunday mornings at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. This program for pre-school children through Grade 5 tells the core stories of the Christian faith through storytelling using story materials that the children can see, hear, and touch. No matter what a child’s primary learning style – visual, auditory, or kinetic – this curriculum addresses the child’s spiritual life in a way s/he can understand.

Godly Play is a Montessori-related approach to learning which enables children to experience the presence of a loving God and discover how to “speak the language” of their biblical faith. It is a discovery method of learning which enables young children to encounter God by using both of their critical “gates” of knowing the world: play and language. Its intent is not so much to tell about God as it is to invite children to experience God’s presence as real and gracious.

Godly Play is the product of many years of work by The Rev. Dr. Jerome Berryman of the Center for the Theology of Childhood in Houston, Texas. Its primary focus is the moral and spiritual formation of children. Jerome Berryman is an ordained minister and educator and the author of many articles and several books. Much of his work and research was done during his service as Canon Educator at Christ Church Cathedral (Episcopal), in Houston.

Godly Play is currently used in more than 700 churches that range in spiritual sensibility from Pentecostal to Mainline to Quaker. Godly Play is also being used in some hospitals, including Children’s Medical Center in Dallas. It is well established in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the Center has responded to requests from Africa, South America and Mexico.

We live today in a society that is essentially secular. Paradoxically, we also see a renewed hunger for God and a fresh interest in moral and spiritual formation. As we seek effective ways to respond to this hunger, Godly Play will be a powerful, innovative way for people of faith both to share their spiritual tradition with children and to bring people – families as well as children – into God’s graceful presence.

If you have questions or an interest in becoming a Godly Play storyteller or doorperson please contact:

The Rev. Marquita L. Hutchens
Assistant to the Rector
423-245-5187
mlhutchens@gmail.com

Mrs. Glenna Depew, Director
St. Paul’s Day School
423-246-9552
glennamdepew@earthlink.net

Godly Play Schedule