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Godly Play Home Page | Introduction Video |  I Wonder what is up with Godly Play? | CLCC Newsletter articles about Godly Play | More about Godly Play | Here’s how you can help | Godly Play snapshots

April 2009 Cherrylogue

ABC’s of worshipping with Children
In and out. Children come in and out of participation- The children's bulletin or traditional bulletin helps them find their place and join in. When they can't keep their focus on the service, they can engage in a related activity. Check out the worship bags by the front door for alternative activities. It is also a great idea to let your child keep something special to do or read from home in their worship bag. If they only use the toy or book during worship, it will become more special.

Joyful worship for all members of the congregation is our goal. Children are an important part of the family of God and the family is not complete when the children are absent. We want all members of the church to look forward to worship.

Keep the Children's Bulletin Activities for the sermon time. Don’t forget to pick up a children’s bulletin from the usher on the way into the sanctuary. The sermon is a good part of the service to focus on being as still and quiet as is age appropriate. Remember that children behave differently than adults when bored and plan in advance.

August 2008 Cherrylogue

It is with great joy that we are finishing our first year of Godly Play and looking forward to the start of the new church school year.  Our youngest disciples have learned many stories from the Old and New Testaments, grown in their understanding of how we worship and who we are as Disciples, and how we live together as a community of followers of Jesus.  We give thanks to the children, greeters, parents/grandparents and the entire congregation for their prayers and support in our new beginnings. The warmth and welcome the children have felt during worship has been amazing!!    

Godly Play will continue and grow this year.  Also, we are beginning “The Way of the Child,” a Montessori based curriculum for elementary aged children.  Together with our “Little Lambs” for toddlers, all the children of CLCC will be participating in a Montessori based faith development.  Adult volunteers are always welcomed;  please let Kristi Mulchahey know if you have questions or interest.  We will also be welcoming any interested adults for a Sunday to observe in godly Play;  there is a signup sheet on the entry door to the Godly Play room.    

Our youngest children are collecting change for our capital campaign, as we are learning that great things can grow from tiny “mustard seeds.”  Please help us out by collecting spare change (any jars of pennies around the house?).  In the education wing hallway, we have a display made by the children and a place to add your spare change to our growing “plant.”  SAVE THAT CHANGE!!    

Please continue to pray for the children of our church, their teachers, and our educational programs.    
Kristi Mulchahey  

December Cherrylogue 

                    I wonder what’s up…..with Godly Play?
We’re enjoying learning about the liturgical year and entering the season of Advent.  In our stories, we’re “on the way to Bethlehem” as we learn about the hope of the prophets, the joy of Mary, the love of the holy family, and the peace of the shepherds.  Advent is indeed a wonderful time of waiting and preparation for the King who has born as an ordinary baby.

Our enrollment continues to increase and we have enough 1 ˝  to 3 year olds to start a “Little Lambs” Godly Play Atrium.  This specially prepared environment will provide the youngest children a nurturing and age appropriate setting to foster their spiritual formation.  And yes…..spiritual formation is happening in our tiniest disciples.  We look forward to opening this Atrium in January.

A Godly Play training is scheduled for December 8th 1-3 PM at the church.  All are welcome….and you’re not committed to be a greeter.  Please email  oaktrdr@aol.com if you’re interested and haven’t already registered. 

In January, we will begin welcoming observers into the Atrium.  If you’d like to see firsthand what Godly Play is all about,  email me to sign up.  The children of CLCC have much to teach all of us about the wonder and love of God. 

October Cherrylogue

 I wonder….. what is Godly Play ??

 It is……

spiritual formation for children

a sacred space for God and the child

Montessori theory based

more than just Christian education

            in need of adults to help both inside and outside the classroom

coming to CLCC this fall for our younger children

Godly Play is where a child falls in love with God

Godly Play is coming to Cherry Log Christian Church  (September Cherrylogue article)
Godly Play provides an age appropriate setting that focuses on the spiritual formation of each child as a unique individual.  Children ages 3 years-2nd grade are invited to join Dr.  Kristi Mulchahey and many volunteer “greeters” in the new Educational Wing beginning at 9:45am and concluding when worship is over.  (Children may enter at 9:45am or at 10:45-11:00.)  One Sunday per month, the children in Godly Play will join the entire congregation in worship so that we can worship together as a church family

Each Sunday in Godly Play, children are invited into “sacred space” where they learn the tools to help them become more fully aware of the mystery of God’s presence in their lives.  Through biblical story-telling, liturgical and life lessons, music and art, children enter into the stories of the Bible, listening for God and making their own discoveries.  “Wondering” questions are an essential part of children developing theological thinking.  Each class session follows the pattern of the church’s Sunday worship service:  getting ready (We  Approach God), sharing a feast (Communion), listening and responding to a story (The Word of God and Work of the People), and a blessing (The Benediction). 

Godly Play has been successfully used in at least 10 denominations and more than 1000 congregations throughout the world. The method was developed more than 30 years ago by The Rev. Dr. Jerome Berryman, a former Presbyterian minister, now an Episcopal priest who was in Italy studying the Montessori method of education.  Presently Dr. Berryman is director of the Center for the Theology of Childhood in Houston, Texas.  www.godlyplay.org

More information about Godly Play, how to support this exciting new opportunity  and registration forms can be found on CLCC website.  Please contact Dr. Kristi Mulchahey with any questions.  Parents of 3 years-2nd graders should watch your mailboxes for additional information and registration packet.

 

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