Annual Faith Formation Leaders Gathering:

      Godly Play "Outside the Box"

Looking for ways to adapt
your faith formation offerings
to meet the needs of today's children, youth and families?

This gathering is for you!

When

Thursday, March 8, 2018 at 6:00 PM EST
-to-
Saturday, March 10, 2018 at 3:00 PM EST
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Where

Barbara Harris Camp and Conference Center
401 Sawmill Road
Greenfield, NH 03047

 
Driving Directions 

Contact

Julie Lytle
Episcopal Province of New England
617-669-8411
executive.director@province1.org

 
* Heard about Godly Play but are afraid it costs 
  too much to bring it to your community?

* Using Godly Play and want to expang how you
  can bring the principles and practices of Godly
  Play into other aspects of your community?
             
                         Then this gathering is for you, JOIN US!

Godly Play typically is offered by specially trained story-tellers in richly resourced Montessori-like spaces. , into their communities in non-traditional ways.  The Rev Canon Dr Andrew Sheldon, an Anglican priest in the Diocese of Toronto and faculty member at the University of Toronto's Trinity Collge, will share his passion for Godly Play and teach us ways to look beyond its traditional practice.  Andrew will share the important principles needed to keep this work fresh and authentic outside of the usual Sunday School setting, and give us an opportunity to get creative together as we imagine how we might take Godly Play “outside the box” in our own settings.

 Last year Andrew, with his wife Amy Crawford, developed and taught a groundbreaking course titled Beyond Religious Education: Implications of the Spirituality of Children for Theory and Practice.  Convinced of the importance of a Godly Plays approach in ministering to children, and in the church at large, he has introduced Godly Play in two parishes, been accredited as a storyteller and a trainer, and regularly spends time on the floor with children. He has trained dozens of individuals in the art of Godly Play both as storytellers and as trainers.  As well Andrew is a founding director of Godly Play Canada, sits on the Godly Play Canada Board, and is a member of the Godly Play International Advisory Board. 

This is your last chance to join faith formation practitioners - lay and ordained, paid and non-stipended - from across New England to
  • share stories and offer mutual support
  • discover ways to bring the values, principles and practices of Godly Play into your community practice
  • enjoy good food 
  • rest and renew in a beautiful setting
Thursday evening will be a time to reconnect with longtime friends, meet new ones, and map what is happening in our local and diocesan contexts.  Friday and Saturday, Andrew will help us think "outside the box" about Godly Play and will share the important principles needed to keep this work fresh and authentic outside of the usual Sunday School setting. 

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There are two options for participation.

OPTION A: The full workshop begins with dinner at 6 pm at Barbara C Harris Camp and Conference Center on Thursday, October 26 and concludes with lunch on Saturday, October 28.  All meals are included with a range of lodging options including a private lodge room, or shared adult cabin (4 per building).

OPTION B: For those who can only get away one night, you can join us for dinner at 6 pm on Friday for half the cost. 

We have attempted to keep the cost for this offering low. All conference costs are being paid by a Province 1 Sowing Seeds of God's Mission Grant. Still, our goal is to eliminate obstacles to participation.  If you or your community can help offset costs for someone else to participate, please consider a donation. If you need help, please contact Julie Lytle, executive.director@province1.org, about the potential for a partial scholarship. 

REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS January 19, 2018.
Participation is limited; there are 30 spaces.
Sign Up Now!!

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Faith formation leaders from across Province I gather each year for informal networking, resource sharing, and lifelong education. In the past three years we have explored Alternative Models of Sunday School (2016, Prov I leaders), Faith @ Home (2015, Wendy Barrie), and The Once and Future Church (2014, Lisa Kimball and Tricia Lyons). To learn more abouth the annual gathering and other resources from The Episcopal Province of New England (Province I), see the website here or contact Julie Lytle, executive.director@province1.org.