Children's Programs - St. Paul's Episcopal Church

Children’s Programs

Godly Play

Godly Play is a method of Christian formation and spiritual direction for elementary school aged children. The goal is to teach children the art of using religious language to express their own understanding and knowledge of God. Stories are told with objects which encourage children to enter into those stories and to relate them to their personal experience. A Godly Play class typically ends with an art response, prayer, feast and gathering time.

NEW for Fall 2021

Beginning Sunday, 9/19, and continuing Sundays throughout this school year, at 9:45 a.m. children ages 3 years – 5th grade are invited to join a special, big, outdoor circle for Godly Play Story, Wondering, Work Response (individual play with art, story material, etc) and special feast. This gathering will continue throughout the year (rugged temperatures permitting) and will be held in future weeks under a special tent! Our stories begin this Sunday with the Circle of the Church Year.

**Note: Older children are invited this Sunday to hear our story and act as “Work Experts” helping younger children learn new art / craft techniques, and to help prepare our first feast! Parents are invited to return to (in-person!) Parents Exchange, a long-cherished, community building weekly gathering which also begins at 9:45 a.m. and concludes at 10:45 a.m. when the Godly Play session ends.

Godly Play I is for ages 3, 4 and 5. Children in this class begin with the basic stories, learn how to be together as a community of children and learn beginning skills for work (art) response.

Godly Play II is for Children in grades 1, 2 and 3. Children in this class continue to gain fluency with the core Bible Stories and work towards expanding their knowledge with enrichment lessons and extensions of the basic stories. In this class, work response materials are expanded as skills increase.

Godly Play III is for Children in grades 4 and 5. Children in this class study Bible skills and work with advanced lessons while expanding their ability for theological reflection and conversation. Godly Play Stories shared in this class serve to anchor each exploration of the experience of the people of God. Response time includes the use of more sophisticated work materials.

Childcare

Outside of COVID-19 restrictions, childcare is provided from 8:30 AM to 12:00 PM during Sunday Worship and Church School for infants through preschool. Qualified, compassionate staff care for our youngest members in a beautiful and clean nursery in the Church School Wing.