Wondering
Together

What is
Godly Play?

What Ages
Participate?

Children
in Worship

At St. Bartholomew’s, we believe children are not simply the future of the Church, but that they are a vital part of the Church today. Godly Play is one of the ways we nurture children’s faith through storytelling, curiosity, creativity, and wonder.

If you’ve never heard of Godly Play before, you’re not alone. Many parents discover it for the first time here and quickly find that it offers something deeply meaningful for both children and families.

Rather than teaching children what to think, Godly Play invites them to explore the stories of our faith and wonder about them together.

Godly Play is a Montessori-inspired approach to Christian formation that helps children engage with scripture and the traditions of the Church in a thoughtful, hands-on, and imaginative way.

Each session centers around:

  • Sacred storytelling

  • Wondering questions

  • Creative response time

  • Prayer and reflection

Stories are told slowly and intentionally using simple wooden figures and visual materials that help children enter into the story rather than simply hear it.

After the story, children are invited to “wonder” together:

  • I wonder what part of the story you liked best?

  • I wonder where you see yourself in this story?

  • I wonder what this story is really about?

There are no wrong answers. Godly Play creates space for children to encounter God in ways that are personal, thoughtful, and joyful.

Godly Play is designed primarily for children and can be adapted for different age groups depending on the needs of the parish.

As our program begins at St. Bartholomew’s, additional details about age ranges and scheduling will be shared soon. If you are interested in participating or learning more, we encourage you to contact the church office.

At St. Bartholomew’s, we are committed to nurturing children and supporting families as together we grow in faith, wonder, and the love of God.

At St. Bart’s, children are always welcome in worship.

Whether your child participates in Godly Play, remains in the service with you, or moves between both experiences over time, we are grateful to have children fully present in the life of the church.

We believe children learn faith not only through lessons, but also through praying, singing, wondering, and worshiping alongside the community.