How does Godly Play work?

The Godly Play session is from 10:00 – 11:00 am on nearly every Sunday from mid-August to the end of May.

​Please leave time to take your child to the toilet immediately before class.  Class will be begin at 10:00 am, and it is important that everyone begins together at that time. Late arrivals are disruptive to the Godly Play session!
 

​Before class, children will gather in the Great Hall outside the classroom. Once the Shepherd is present about 9:45 am, you may say goodbye and head into worship.
 

​The Godly Play session consists of: crossing the threshold, building the circle, presenting the story, wondering, response, feast, and saying goodbye. 
 

​The controlled environment of a Godly Play classroom provides children with a deep sense of both freedom and security. Children remain with the class for the entire Godly Play session. Likewise, please do not enter the classroom during class. The Shepherd will be watching the door. If a disturbance is necessary, please knock softly or quietly open the door to get the Shepherd’s attention.
 

​When the Godly Play session is over, the Shepherd will open the door, and children will be excused one at a time. Please form a line in the Great Hall near the door as children are dismissed. We try our best to say our individual good-byes in a timely manner, and being able to see you in the hallway can expedite the dismissal process.
 

​How Godly Play works on a spiritual level is a much deeper discussion—and a topic about which we are passionate!! We welcome questions and comments and further talk. Please set up a time to observe a session.
 

​On a practical level, your child may not be able to tell you what they learned and may not have a physical product of his or her work. Asking open-ended wondering questions such as “I wonder what your favorite thing in class was today?” or “I wonder what the most important part of class was today?” may lead to a more meaningful discussion about what happened in Godly Play.
 

We are excited about Godly Play here at C.G.S, and we hope you are too!!      
If you have any interest in getting more involved in Godly Play program, please let us know!!
 

Godly Play schedule

godly_play_schedule.pdf
File Size:	11 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

---

Sunday timeline

Set-up for kids arrive 9:45 am
Shepherd: Set-up 6 to 8 chairs in a row in the Great Hall by the door and place 2 children's books on each chair. 
Storyteller: Check room and supplies and make sure all is in order. 

Prepare for Story and Feast 9:50 am
Shepherd: Get a full pitcher of water for the feast and put crackers or cookies in feast basket.
Storyteller: Prepare for your story, center yourself on the floor and ready yourself for the children to arrive. 

Start time at Door 9:55 to 10:05AM
Shepherd: Slow down children at the door. Have them put aside any distracting toys, books or other objects outside on the small table by the door. Have them sit in chairs in the Great Hall as we wait for other children to arrive. They may read quietly.
Storyteller: Be seated at the circle.

Enter the room at 10:05 am to 10:10 am
Shepherd: Wait for the children to be quiet and calm. Select one child at a time to enter the Godly Play room. Announce their name to the storyteller. If you don’t know their name ask the child. 
Storyteller: Greet each child by name as they enter, and guide the child to their place in the circle where he or she will best be able to attend to the lesson. 

Story/Lesson at 10:15AM
Shepherd: Sit quietly by the door and be ready to help any latecomers and children who come to you from the circle. Late comers stay seated with the shepherd until the end of the story.
Storyteller: Present the lesson. Draw the children into the lesson by your introduction. Focus on the materials and story. Look up only when you start the wondering. 

Reflection/work time at 10:30AM
Shepherd: After you have dismissed the children help child choose work and get seated. Stay in your chair by the door unless needed by a child for help. Select 1 to 3 children to assist in serving the feast.
Storyteller: After wondering is over go around the circle and dismiss each child to begin work. Stay seated in the circle unless a child needs help. Keep yourself at the children’s eye level.

Prayer and Feast 10:45 am 10:50 AM
Shepherd: Turn off lights in the room. Help children put away their work. When they are finished turn lights back on. Guide the selected children who are serving the feast as they distribute napkins/tables, crackers, and water. Then sit quietly in your chair.
Storyteller: Ask the children to put away their work and return to the Circle. Return to circle to encourage the children to finish their work and return to the circle. Wait for everyone to be served.
Shepherd: Stay seated in the chair by the door. 
Storyteller: After everyone is served it is time for prayers. BUT DO NOT PRESSURE THE CHILDREN TO PRAY OUT LOUD. Pass the praying cross around the circle.

Fellowship 10:50AM to 11:00AM
Storyteller: After the feast is eaten ask the children about their week. Let them talk amongst themselves as well.
Shepherd: Join in the conversation as you feel comfortable doing. Watch as parents start to arrive. 

Saying Goodbye/Dismissal at 11:15AM
Shepherd: Greet parents at the door and begin to call children’s names. If child starts for the door without saying GOODBYE to the storyteller, the Shepherd reminds them to return to the storyteller. Remind them to take any belongings left by the door.
Storyteller: As children's names are called they will come to you for a GOODBYE/BLESSING. Tell them quietly and privately how glad you were to see them and invite them to come back when they can.

We like having children in worship! We think their fidgeting and noises are a part of our liturgy. We also know that children learn by watching and doing, even if they aren't fully understanding. For those children who want to be in worship, we have a special pew with quiet play activities to help them feel welcome. 

On Sunday mornings, our children ages 0-5 are also welcome in our Nursery. 
The nursery has a big picture window that looks into the sanctuary. Kids are close and cared for by our trained adults. 
Often, children will be engaged in our Jesus N Me play and learning while in the nursery. 

Safe Community Policy