Reflection on Godly Play

Beginning:

Sunday. 10:00 a.m.

The children come from free play in the nursery, from Morning Prayer, from rushed breakfasts and hurried car rides.

Pushing, teasing, laughing, shouting, quarreling,

Busy small bodies moving and moving and moving

Glorious unbounded energy of childhood

Greeting:

Stepping one by one across the threshold into our special place to be with God.

Invited, greeted, welcomed,

Becoming quiet deep inside

Finding a space, theirs alone, but connected in the circle of community

Conversation: ordinary words; stories of the week, of the day, shared

Settling into a new rhythm,

Slower, quieter,

The Word of God:

The Lord be with you

Waiting; feel the new silence, anticipation

Words, actions, the story comes alive for ears to hear, eyes to see, hearts to feel

Wondering together expanding and embracing possibilities, opening minds

Feeling safe and valued and accepted unconditionally

Experiencing love for God and love for people

The Work:

Responses deeply personal, theirs to choose,

Responses to the story responses to their needs at that moment

A drawing, a candle, glue, wood, clay

Colored wool, soft and warm

Retelling a story, sandy desert box, gold parable box, sacred story

Return to the circle together again

The Feast:

Light the Christ candle

Basket of prayers, prayers of thanksgiving, prayers for family, friend, and neighbor; words and pictures, silent and spoken. Amen.

Change the Light, the light that is in one place at one time, now everywhere in our time,

Now everywhere in our room and even in other places

Crackers, cookies, juice, water, food, fellowship, feast

Songs of praise and joy

Blessing and Benediction:

One by one, hands outstretched, hugs, smiles

God goes with you

Back across the threshold

Moving and moving and moving

Glorious unbounded energy of childhood

Gail Richardson