On a snowy day in February, members of the Godly Play Maritimes Circle gathered at the United Church Regional offices in Sackville, NB to share the information gathered about those on our Training list. We were heartened and surprised to learn that over 150 people had been trained over the years since Godly Play came to the Maritimes! Our Registrar Jenny Eisener created a database and map of where all the Godly Play circles are based.
The day began with The Light, sharing how we were coming and listened to Godly Play stories. Those present heard a Godly Play Land Acknowledgment created by Anne Pirie who gave us permission to use.
Stations were set up to allow us to explore our dreams for Godly Play in our area using a labyrinth, art materials and other experiential modes of expression. We were given a tour of the new Godly Play lending library materials on site which can be borrowed by contacting Catherine Stuart at cstuart@united-church.ca
We were delighted to learn that two new Trainers were being trained in our region: Jenny Eisener and Paige Fraser. They completed the training with Amy Crawford and Andrew Shelton over the summer.
It was with some tears that we listened to a special story written by Anne Pirie and Reverend Canon Cathy Laskey which honoured Reverend Shawn Redden. We also blessed her as she crossed the threshold to begin a new ministry as Justice and Faith Formation Minister within the Shining Waters and Canadian Shield Regional Councils of the United Church of Canada. Shawn was gifted with the lesson. Over the years, she has been a trainer and tireless advocate for Godly Play and will be missed. We wished her well on her new journey and thanked her for all her work and dedication.
At the end of the day, we brainstormed our dreams for the future of Godly Play in the Maritimes, touching on the various ways in which we can keep our storytellers and doorpersons close and build our community of practitioners.
If you’d like to hear more about upcoming Godly Play retreat days, please contact the registrar at registrargodlyplaymaritimes@gmail.com
Godly Play Maritimes Coordinating Circle 