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Our Christian Formation Program for Children
Godly Play & Atrium Programs
Three years ago we introduced "Godly Play" to the children of Christ Church. This program is a Montessori style approach to Christian Formation, developed by Jerome W. Berryman an Episcopal priest, author and Montessori educator. The Godly Play room is for our early elementary children. The Atrium room was developed for the older children.
Godly Play employs a unique way of guiding children in their spiritual quest. Every story is presented with visual, tactile materials which the children can return to as often as they wish and use themselves. The classroom space itself becomes "holy space," where teachers direct each Sunday morning lesson, and children respond to that lesson through a variety of creative opportunities. Sacred stories, parables, or liturgical actions comprise the subject matter for Godly Play and Atrium lessons. A time for wondering or discussing the story always follows its presentation. Elizabeth Foster and Jody Daniels are leaders in the Godly Play room for ages K-2nd grade, and Susan Huckle and Ina Dunford in the Atrium for 3rd-5th grades. We encourage parents to visit, to assist and to learn to be trained to tell the stories.
The Story
The sacred story of Noah and the Ark is told in the fall. Each Sunday one of three kinds of stories is told, a Sacred Story, a Parable or a Liturgical Story - such as, How the Church Tells Time or Baptism. We do not tell the children what to think, but lead help them to into responding to the story by wondering about it. The children respond at their own level of experience and understanding. We believe and have witnessed how God can speak to even very young children in a profound and wonderful way. Over the six years that a child in Godly Play and Atrium classes, they will have been introduced to all of the major Bible stories, and will have a foundational of liturgy and worship.
The Wondering
The children have just heard the story of the Faces of Christ, and have begun the Wondering. They have been asked to pull from the other stories they have heard items which could belong in this story. Then they explain to each other how it all fits together. Because this requires more abstract thinking, The Faces of Christ is a story told in the Atrium.
In both classes the Wondering is a time for the children to listen to God. The questions we ask are usually prefaced with "I wonder...", and so we allow the children to enter into a conversation with the story, and we encourage them to find God in it.
The Work
The Wondering is followed by an opportunity for the children to give expression to their experience of the story or stories. Sometimes they take favorite stories down to retell or embellish. Sometimes they interpret their experience in clay or some other medium. We supply the rooms with a wide variety of materials. Occasionally, we will have a Work Day so that those who have been absent are able to hear the stories they have missed. An extended work time allows the children to finish up some of their projects.
Children's Chapel
The Chapel program, held during the Liturgy of the Word at the 10:30 service, offers children an opportunity to worship in an age-appropriate way, and in an environment which is both welcoming and nurturing.
The children take turns serving as crucifer and torch bearer (with an unlit torch, of course) and presenting the Wonder Box which contains a children's bible and the lesson for the day.
Christ Church's Chapel program is designed for those children between the ages of 3 and 8. Children who are in 3rd grade and above are encouraged to go to church with their parents, and they are able to begin serving as an acolyte. Children's Chapel has had a tradition of bringing canned food to support the Montgomery County Food Pantry. We have a "sheep" in the Chapel into which the children can place cans of food.
The First Sunday Family Hike
We have just begun having an afternoon hike once a month for families with children from 3 through 5th grade. Although anyone is welcome, the hikes are planned to enable even young children to keep up. The parents of our children take turns planning the events, and we hope that this provides an opportunity for parents and children to get to know each other outside in an informal and child-friendly setting.
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Christ Church
P.O. Box 164
120 Church Street,NE
Blacksburg, VA 24063-0164
540.552.2411
fax: 540.552.2534
email: Church Office
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© 2009 Christ Church.
All rights reserved.
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