We have begun a comprehensive review of the materials to address concerns about the lack of diversity and implicit bias in our materials. To begin with we have made some small changes to the story of Creation and to some of the images and materials used in the Parables. The changes we made include:
New Story of Martin Luther King Jr. – The Child’s Own Saint
Martin Luther King Jr. had a dream that African Americans would not be discriminated against on the basis of color. He courageously traveled the country to make this dream come true through peaceful protests.
Love is Stronger than Fear
by Mora MacDonald Mora is an elementary School Counselor and Godly Play Canada Storyteller at Sackville United Church, Sackville New Brunswick. She wrote this story when her church decided to sponsor a Refugee family to help children understand who a refugee is and consider how God might want us to live with refugees.
Script is written. Movements are in brackets.
Watch where I go to get this story so you will know where to go to find it. (Talk lower, but clear enough so the children can hear you as you find the pieces you need around the room.) I need that last card of creation, the Holy Family card from our Christmas story, a candle, some people of God, the 10 best ways heart. Hmmm… anything else?? Of course, the desert box. And I brought some things I had at home in this basket. Read more →
My friend, Elsie MacDonald, shared her hope of maintaining meaningful connections with seniors who could no longer attend worship. I talked of offering Godly Play for adults. What could be done? We read about Lois Howard’s ministry with elderly persons in a nursing home. A phrase leapt out: “to be a loving, accepting presence to often forgotten people”*. Elsie described aspects of her pastoral visits with seniors: remembering their names, physical touch, speaking tenderly, listening, hugs, giving attention.
Godly Play at the Drew Nursing Home
Hmmm…a loving presence: that is what we wanted to be. Godly Play offered a way.
Getting ready: I wonder how a nursing home is like a parable.