Amy Dyer, James Maxwell Professor of Christian Education and Pastoral Theology at Virginia Theological Seminary, writes on the seminary’s weblog:
“Children have an innate sense of the presence of God. The Godly Play approach helps them to explore their faith through story, to gain religious language and to enhance their spiritual experience through wonder and play. Based on Montessori principles and developed using a spiral curriculum, the Godly Play method serves children through early, middle and late childhood and beyond. Come join us!”
I recently spent three days at a wonderful celebration of the life and work of the Rev. Dr. Jerome Berryman. The 2017 North American Godly Play Conference began with an introduction to Godly Play and an invitation to “Draw the Circle Wider.” The first evening was an 80th birthday party for Jerome, who has spent his entire life dedicated to the spiritual formation of children.
VTS was well represented by graduates of the MDiv, MACE, and DMin programs. The Rev. Dr. Cheryl Minor, VTS 19991 gave a presentation on the future of Godly Play. Since 2000, Minor has also been a Godly Play trainer. She serves on the Board of Directors and the Education Committee. In her new position as Director of the Center for the Theology of Childhood, Minor will assist Visiting Fellows in their research as well as continue to work with Berryman on new publications and new editions of classic publications.
Matthew Townsend is a Halifax-based freelance journalist and volunteer advocate for survivors of sexual misconduct in Anglican settings. He served as editor of the Anglican Journal from 2019 to 2021 and communications missioner for the Anglican Diocese of Quebec from 2019 to 2022. He and his wife recently entered catechism class in the Orthodox Church in America.
