Q: What is Christian Formation? What is Godly Play?
A: The Episcopal Church explains that formation is “lifelong growth in the knowledge, service, and love of God as followers of Christ…informed by Scripture, Tradition, and Reason.” (Source) That is to say, it’s not just Sunday School, though children’s Sunday morning lessons are part of it for the stage of life when children learn better in an active, playing environment than they do from a traditional sermon experience. Formation before adulthood at St. Francis’ includes the entirety of one’s experience in the church, from sacraments (Baptism at birth, possibly), through Children’s Sermons and playing in the Children’s Area during worship (most typically toddlers through preschool-aged), through Godly Play, and then into ministry roles like acolyte. Adults experience formation here through Forum, worship, ministry roles, and being immersed in the full fellowship of the community. People of all ages are the life of St. Francis’, and their experience of growth as followers of Christ IS formation.
Godly Play is the curriculum we use for children’s Christian formation. Godly Play is a Montessori-based Christian formation program. Godly Play makes meaning through story, wonder, and play. It nurtures spiritual lives by honoring the centrality, competency, and capacity of children. It nurtures spiritual lives by honoring the centrality, competency, and capacity of children. Godly Play is led each Sunday by a different Circle Leader, who presents the very same story from scripture that is read in worship. The Circle Leader leads the lesson and activity with an emphasis on story, wonder and play. They are joined in leadership by a Door Keeper, whose presence supports the Circle Leader and the children. The leaders are prepared for each week’s classroom to be a different array of young parishioners, made up of children of different ages and abilities.
Children listening to Rev. Laurie during a Children’s Sermon.
Godly Play leaders preparing a schedule of teachers and lessons.