Godly Play is a creative and imaginative approach to Christian nurture which invites listeners to enter into Biblical stories and encourages them to connect those stories with personal experience.
Godly Play is a non-coercive way to encourage children to move into larger dimensions of belief and faith, through wondering questions and open-ended response time.
It is a way of preparing children to join in the worship and life of their congregations as they develop a deeper understanding of stories, symbols and rites.
Although it was originally developed as a resource for children, Godly Play is now being used with a wide range of age groups in a diversity of settings.
Godly Play is one of several variations of the Montessori tradition of religious education and has been developed in the United States by Dr Jerome Berryman.
For full details of Godly Play in the UK, including details of training courses, click here.
Below is a list of Godly Play courses to be offered in 2008 at
(1) the Cambridge Godly Play classroom
(2) the St Nicholas Centre, Newcastle Cathedralbecca Nye or Gill Ambrose
(1) Courses at Cambridge
One day Godly Play study days
Introductory Study Day - Thursday 7th February 2008
A full introduction to the practice and philosophy of Godly Play
Introductory Study Day - Saturday 8th March 2008
A full introduction to the practice and philosophy of Godly Play
Using Godly Play in School RE and Collective Worship - Monday 7th April 2008
An introduction to the many ways in which Godly Play can support the RE curriculum and the Collective Worship programme
Introductory Study Day - Saturday 17th May 2008
A full introduction to the practice and philosophy of Godly Play
Using Godly Play during school visits to churches - Wednesday 11th June 2008
Some ways to make school visits more than just fact finding occasions.
All these day course will run from 10 am to 4 pm and lunch will be supplied.
Cost £25 per person with a reduction of £5 per person where two or more people from the same organisation attend.
In the light of Godly Play
6 evening sessions on aspects of working with children to support their spirituality and help faith to grow
All sessions will be on the second Tuesday of the month at 7.30 pm
Prayer - 8th January 2008
Be still and know that I am God: supporting children in the adventure of the encounter with God.
The theology of childhood - 12th February 2008
Important work has been undertaken in recent years on the theology of childhood which demonstrates that not only is childhood the foundation of a capacity for adult faith, but that the presence of children in faith communities is important to their health.
Using art and craft to support spiritual development 11th March 2008
Children have an innate capacity to be spiritual. This evening session provides an opportunity to learn how we can best use art and craft to support this.
Story - 8th April 2008
An appreciation of the importance and power of story is fundamental to the way we use the Bible. This is an opportunity to learn about the connections and make the best of them in the work we do.
Children’s spirituality - 13th May 2008
Children are not just vessels to be filled. Perhaps they are more like emerging butterflies, waiting to fly free and explore. This is an opportunity to think about releasing them.
Play - 10th June 2008
Enjoy an evening of play and appreciate its place in the capacity to learn.
All sessions will take place in the Godly Playroom in Cambridge. The cost will be £7.50 per evening, or if you book for the whole series, £40.
To download a booking form, click here: Godly Play 2008 Booking Form.doc
(2) Courses at Newcastle
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Session 1: An Introduction
See Godly Play in action and find out what it’s all about.
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Session 2: Get Practical
Have a go at Godly Play yourself and find out where to get resources and how to make your own
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Session 3: Taking it Further
Experience a full Godly Play session and look at setting up a Godly Play room and curriculum
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February 20th
Wednesday
7-9.30pm
Newcastle
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March 12th
Wednesday
7-9.30pm
Newcastle
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May 14th
Wednesday
7-9.30pm
Newcastle
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Plus! Special themed days for teachers, children’s workers, clergy and readers:
‘Godly Play as a resource for Lent and Easter’
January 23rd January 24th
Wednesday Thursday
9.30am-2.30pm 7-9.30pm
Newcastle Durham
‘Godly Play for Pentecost and Baptism’
April 23rd
Wednesday
7-9.30pm
Newcastle
‘Godly Play exploring Baptism’
June 11th
Wednesday
9.30am-2.30pm
Newcastle
‘Godly Play exploring the Eucharist’
June 21st
Saturday
10am–2pm
Newcastle
‘Resource Day for Teachers’
July 5th or 9th Date to be confirmed
Plus! Something New! ‘Make & Do’ Sessions:
For most of the above sessions we are running associated ‘Make & Do’ sessions in Newcastle. Here’s a chance to come and make your own materials for these stories and then have a go at telling them. All cost of the materials will be included in the session price.
‘Make & Do’ Lent
January 26th
Saturday
10am–2pm
‘Make & Do’ Pentecost & Baptism
April 26th
Saturday
10am-2pm
‘Make & Do’ Parables
July 12th
Saturday
10am-2pm
For further details or to make a booking (whole day sessions cost £30 per person (inc lunch), evening sessions are £20 per person (inc refreshments), ‘Make & Do sessions – (price still to be confirmed as it will depend on materials provided but will include lunch and all materials), please contact:
Michelle Dalliston
26 Mitchell Avenue
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE2 3LA
0191 281 6554
mitchACD@aol.com
