Godly Play

Godly Play instructors are specially certified to lead this ministry and implement its curriculum.

Nurturing Little Souls: Christ Church Parish Embraces Godly Play 

Something wonderful is happening in our Sunday School on the second Sunday of each month. The children of our parish— from our youngest pre-K learners all the way through fifth grade — are gathering in a special way: not just to hear stories about faith, but to enter them. We are excited to share that Christ Church has begun offering Godly Play as part of our children's ministry, and we believe it will be a transformative addition to how we nurture the spiritual lives of our youngest parishioners. 

What Is Godly Play? 

Godly Play is a curriculum of spiritual practice that explores the mystery of God's presence in our lives. In practical terms, Godly Play is a creative, imaginative approach to Christian formation and spiritual guidance. Rather than a traditional classroom model where children passively receive information, Godly Play is rooted in a Montessori lesson building curriculum which values process, discovery, and relationships — nurturing participants through wondering and play.  

Rev Joie invites little ones to be imaginitive, to become a part of the story, and to be curious and creative.

Each session follows the same rhythm where Rev. Joie presents a lesson using handcrafted materials. The use of these materials invites children into the story rather than simply telling them. After the presentation, children “wonder aloud” — by asking questions, reflecting, and exploring what the story means to them personally. They then respond creatively through art, building, or other hands-on activities. This approach allows kids to make relevant and personal meaning to the story and their faith.  

Why Godly Play for Our Children? 

The children of our church have a natural capacity for wonder. They ask big questions about life, about loss, about God, often before adults feel ready to answer them. Godly Play meets children in that space of holy curiosity. Instead of simply memorizing biblical facts, they are learning how to be in relationship with God — how to wonder, how to pray, how to listen. Together in the circle, children learn from one another as much as from the lesson itself.  After each lesson, parents can expect their children to have encountered a biblical story, engaged in a time of wondering, and expressed their response through creative work — whether that's drawing, painting, building, or quiet reflection.  

An Invitation to the Whole Parish 

Godly Play gives our youngest parishioners a language and a space to explore that truth for themselves. We invite the entire Christ Church community to encourage the children in your lives to participate, and to celebrate the work of nurturing faith in the future of our church.