St John's Children's Church

Children's Church and Godly Play

"In most religious education children are told who God is. In 'Godly Play' children discover who God is."

Children’s church takes place in the hall during the 11am service – except on the first Sunday of the month. The children’s church uses ‘Godly Play’. This is a method of religious education that was developed over 20 years ago by an American Episcopalian priest – Jerome Berryman, drawing on the Montessori Method of education and child development. In Godly Play we respond to the child's request to 'help me do it by myself.' This puts the teacher in the role of spiritual supporter or guide who fully accepts that each child has his or her own relationship with God already. The teachers model the behaviour they want to encourage in the children.

Each Sunday we follow a similar pattern – which broadly follows the structure of the Eucharist. At the heart of each session is a presentation or story which uses beautiful, simple materials – an important aspect of Godly Play is that the materials are attractive, and yet robust enough for the children to use themselves. The teachers learn the stories by heart, so that they can present them more effectively. After the story there is a time of wondering when the children are encouraged to develop their own understanding of the story. Then the children can chose work to do – from as wide a range of art and craft materials as we can manage; there are also jigsaw puzzles to do and books to look at – as time goes on we will hope we will have more materials for them to work with.

As the hour draws to a close the children put things away and tidy up, and then we gather in the circle again for the feast – when we say prayers together and have juice and a biscuit, and then there is usually an opportunity to chat until the parents come to collect the children to go up to receive communion.

For further information contact:

Rosie Rutherford 01387 262878
Sandra Watson 01387 256304
Linda Scott

Praise and Play

This is a special service for the under 3s and their parents, carers and grandparents. It is held on the 3rd Friday of the month at 10.00am. All Welcome!

Crèche

Parents and carers with babies and very young children are always welcome to use the crèche – in the St Ninian’s Meeting Room at the back of the church - during the 11am service.

Dates

Sunday 6 April 9.30am Informal Worship
Sunday 13 April 11.00am Children’s Church - The Good Shepherd and world communion
Friday 18 April 10.00am Praise and Play
Sunday 20 April 11.00am Children’s Church – response
Sunday 27 April 11.00am Children’s Church - The Synagogue and Upper Room
Sunday 4 May 9.30am Informal Worship
Sunday 11 May 11.00am Children’s Church – Pentecost
Friday 16 May 10.00am Praise and Play
Sunday 18 May 11.00am Children’s Church - response
Sunday 25 May 11.00am Children’s Church - Circle of the Holy Eucharist