Here's a copy of an invitation email that went out to our congregation this week:
Dear Church Family,
As many of you know from Sunday announcements this month, you are invited to a fellowship event on Saturday the 21st (morning and lunchtime).
10-12: Godly Play session for everyone ages 3 and up, followed by lunch. Children under 3 and their minders are welcome to fellowship together in the coffee room while the rest of us are doing Godly Play (please bring quiet toys).
You are welcome to come to lunch whether or not you come to the Godly Play session (and vice versa), but we do need to know numbers by Thursday evening, so please reply to this email to say whether you'll be coming to Godly Play, lunch, or both (and let us know if you plan to bring other friends or family members, and whether anyone has any dietary restrictions).
**Please come on time. If you arrive after the story has begun (after the door to the "Sali" is shut), then we ask you not to interrupt the GP session but to join the folks in the coffee room instead.
Some of you got a taste of Godly Play on Easter Sunday. It began as a Montessori approach to children's Christian education, but it is now used for all ages, even in work with the elderly and in prison ministries. It involves exploring Bible stories using your senses as well as your mind. You don't need to pretend to be a child - just relax and be yourself. Some of what we do may seem childish, but each person can experience the event at his or her own developmental level, spiritually as well as physically. I will never ask you to share more than you want to - silence is respected and enjoyed in Godly Play!
Our session will go like this:
- Gathering together
- Sacred Story presentation (an oral narrative, with visual materials to help you focus)
- Wondering together (a time to reflect upon the story with simple, honest discussion)
- Individual responses (including art, prayer, or working with story materials)
- Returning to the circle (time for a little more discussion if desired, and a short time of prayer)
- Blessing song / Dismissal
I've been looking forward to this for weeks - I hope you can come!
love, Storyteller
19 May 2011
2 comments:
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This sounds wonderful! Have you decided which story you are going to do? I hope you have a great turn out and a wonderful time!
ReplyDeleteThanks very much, Leslie! I'm keeping the story a surprise for now, but I'll tell you afterwards. I just got home from buying (I hope) the last supplies I need, both in terms of story materials and also lunch!
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