Godly Play
As co-workers with us in the body of Christ, children are active learners and teachers with us. We value what children have to tell us about God. A way we listen deeply to God and children, is through the Godly Play method. This world-wide movement of faith nurture and spiritual guidance, helps children know about God AND more importantly, know God. It follows the same pattern of worship: Gather, Story, Feast, and Sending. The stories move us through the rhythm of the church year, over and over. Children are invited to respond to the stories through art, play, and wonder. The environment is especially prepared for children with beautifully crafted materials, a clean floor and kind hearts. This approach has been developed by Rev. Dr. Jerome Berryman for over 40 years and is inspired by the ancient Christian liturgy and the Montessori method of education.
While we are practicing social distance, videos of the Godly Play session are available for families, and there is a Zoom gathering with children during the academic months on Sunday morning.
Holy Cross is a member congregation of the Godly Play Foundation and participants in the Godly Play Guild of Central Texas. Several of our Godly Play guides have received training.
Learning for Confirmation and Beyond
Teaching and learning are a life-long activities. It builds community, expands our point of view, and deepens our connection with God. All are invited to the conversation of the catachumen…the one preparing for a baptismal life…because we are all always preparing for a baptismal life.
Middle-school youth are invited to special instruction during their 7th and 8th grade school years to prepare for a rite of passage known as “Affirmation of Baptism” or Confirmation. Over two years, these young people reflect on how God is working in their lives through baptism, and how they fit in the congregation and wider community. One year has a focus on theology and church practice, and the other year on the biblical story. They are invited to attend retreats and camps through Cross Trails, the camp-ministry of the Southwestern Texas Synod of the ELCA.
While we are practicing social distancing, folks gather by “Zoom” for a weekly Bible Study on Thursday evenings. This week’s study guide is here. If you would like an invitation to that online community, email Pastor Dorothy.