Godly Play is a Montessori-based approach to using biblical story. It was developed for use with children and is now used for people of all ages. This simple and exciting approach honours the power of sacred story, imagination and spirit. All are welcome in the circle.

Godly Play uses story-telling to bring the texts of our faith into our lives through sound and action. The stories must be learned, both words and actions. Gradually the telling evolves so that the story communicates through the teller to those listening. The story comes from the heart and speaks to the heart and spirit of those listening.

Although the majority of the stories are Biblically based, some of the stories tell of our faith traditions: the church year, baptism, communion. Each story is told in a particular way at a certain time in the church year. The cumulative effect is to penetrate into our faith, and open up the stories, allowing understanding to occur at many levels. This method also allows understanding of the story to evolve with the experience and age of the listener. It is a very rich and fulfilling teaching method.

Through Godly Play, the children are invited to explore their faith. They are also given language to express their faith. Godly Play is not meant to teach faith or inspire spiritual feelings in those participating. Implicit in the method is the knowledge that we are all people of faith, spiritual beings, some of us simply need the language to express and explore that faith.

The rituals of the Godly Play share the rituals of the church: welcome and greeting, shared stories, wonder about the story, reflective time, a feast, blessings before leaving. The invitation to wonder about and explore the story can often be the most powerful part of the session.

Based on the principles of community-building, the program seeks to develop relationships of love and respect among its members. The overall Godly Play experience is both enriching and invigorating: a true Pentecost experience! In some Godly Play story circles, one can truly feel the Holy Spirit moving through those present. On Sunday, come and share in Godly Play; experience for yourself the wonder of the Holy Spirit at work.