David Pritchard

Labyrinth

2011-08-05T12:00:00.000+02:00

I was feeling pretty tired after taking part in a week-long children's programme at the beginning of July. Then I was one of the speakers at an all-age holiday weekend from 22nd to 25th. So when the third summer event took place at my church in Castiñeiras (Galicia) --a weekend for young adults, called RenovAcción (28th-31st July)-- I wasn't intending to actually DO anything! The coordinator of the event had invited me to attend "simply to observe".

Hmm! Well, it wasn't long before I was fully involved again in yet another project! One reason was that the pile of stones left over from the all-age weekend were very inviting... and soon I began designing and organizing for the first time in my life an open-air Prayer and Bible Labyrinth, as well as several prayer and meditation stations inside the church building.

I found some resources for this from www.labyrinth.org.uk. With help from a few volunteers, it took us a full day to set up.

Based on the three phases of devotional Bible engagement: (i) entering (getting ready, shedding, openness, confession...); (ii) centring (engagement with the Bible text, lectio divina, meditation...; (iii) leaving (response, commitment, intercession, witness, integration, incarnation...), the labyrinth invites participants to get deeply involved in a dynamic and creative experience of encountering God through the Bible and prayer.

Each of the 'pilgrims' walked the labyrinth at their own pace - most spent at least 20 minutes, some over an hour, in the process. Before leaving the labyrinth, they wrote their comments in the 'Pilgrim's Journal'. In the end, the labyrinth experience was rated very highly by the young people in their overall evaluation of the weekend. Here's a selection of their comments (translated from the original Spanish):
"How time flies when walking these paths... just like life itself!"
"My life is like a labyrinth, but God knows perfectly well where I am."
"I need to learn how to be in silence and to enjoy it. It's not a waste of time!"
"I ask the Lord to help me find God's peace."
"A necessary spiritual exercise... a 'way' to purify your soul."
"The labyrinth has been a haven of peace."
"A time and place of quietness and thought."
"Thanks for helping me to speak to God in such a dynamic way."
"The labyrinth is a precious moment to spend with the Lord."
"Peace for the soul comes from God alone, who is the only one that can cover you like soothing ointment. This is what I discovered in this labyrinth."
"The labyrinth has helped me realise that I do not listen to God like I really should. It has given me a chance to be still and to spend time with God."
"I know that God is here speaking to me."
"Thank you!"
"Being in the centre of the labyrinth is fixing your gaze on God."
"Thank you, God, for being with me each step of the way. Great is your faithfulness!"
"I need to come back to You... The labyrinth reminds me of the place where I should be, where I am meant to be... I'm so sorry!"
"God is the active principle in our lives... in my life. Thank you!"

More photos can be found HERE

The Holy Family in Valencia on Pentecost Sunday!

2011-06-23T23:05:00.002+02:00

As I travel around Spain (and beyond) leading training sessions on Godly Play, invariably my Holy Family set of figures journeys with me.

I am particularly fond of these materials. They were given to me in compensation for all the hard work I had put in organising the second European Godly Play Conference three years ago in Madrid. The set can be purchased from GP Finland (http://www.godlyplay.fi).

This time the figures ended up on the focal shelf at a church in Valencia (the First Evangelical Baptist Church), where they are in the process of setting up a new Godly Play classroom, but have still to make or buy their own material for the Holy Family.

It coincided with Pentecost Sunday, and the liturgical colour changed from Easter white to the red-hot underlay used on this special Sunday. I think the wooden figures look wonderful against the red cloth and the sky blue wall of the classroom!

More pictures are displayed here.

Godly Play in Tres Cantos (Madrid)

2011-03-03T11:58:00.002+01:00

Here are some of the comments received from participants at a recent Godly Play introduction:

Thanks for your careful attention and time. I will surely incorporate several aspects of this method even if I am not able to use it in its entirety.
Wonderful. I will certainly attend the next event. Yes, indeed. Amen!
Thank you, it's been very enriching.
It's an excellent method. I will do my best to start using it at my church with the children.
It has been a blessing to me and I hope to be able to make good use of this method.
Thank you for your work and the time devoted to teaching others.
Fantastic!
I loved the way the storyteller spoke in such a hushed voice - it really drew me into the story.
I would like to sign up for the next workshop in Madrid.
Thanks for your time and willingness. God bless you!
As in everything we do, we need God's help to put this into practice. I liked the presentation very much - it was elegant and charming. Thanks for your hard work!
Thank you for sharing with us, and for the good will, enthusiasm and effort which lay behind it all.
There are many things which seem fantastic to me, but I still have doubts about some aspects. I need to see more.
Thank you for a wonderful day with so much information. We felt really welcomed.
Many thanks for this demonstration. It is edifying for both children and adults too.
I feel fascinated and surprised by this kind of storytelling. I would like to be used in the same way - to really know God's word.
I believe it's an incredible method that needs to be translated more and made available for Spanish speakers. Thanks for everything!

This unsolicited feedback comes from the evaluation sheets handed in by 36 people who attended the full-day Godly Play introduction at Tres Cantos, a town north of Madrid. The event took place on Saturday, 26 February. The participants came from a wide range of churches and represented at least 13 different church groups, organizations or schools in the Madrid region. Most of them were completely new to Godly Play, although we were blessed to have one church leader amongst us who had been brought up on this method in the States. He was able to share briefly how he felt about Godly Play as a child.

I was invited to lead the introduction day by the Tres Cantos Christian Community, which organized the event in partnership with Unión Bíblica / Scripture Union Spain.

More photos here

The implementation of Godly Play in my church in Galicia (Spain)

2011-02-03T03:42:00.000+01:00

On Sunday 3 October 2010, Godly Play classes began for a group of 3 to 7 year-olds, at the Evangelical Church in Castiñeiras, a small fishing town in the Galician province of La Coruña. They have continued uninterrupted every morning Sunday since. Throughout the first term (Oct-Dec 2010), detailed monitoring of the classes was carried out, with special emphasis on observing the responses made by the children through their wondering, expressive art and play. Open-ended response is encouraged by this imaginative approach to engaging with Bible stories. This brief report provides only general information on a few of these observations. For a more detailed explanation on how Godly Play has been implemented in the Castiñeiras Sunday school, we hope that local inquirers, or indeed visitors to Galicia, will feel free to speak to one of our Godly Play teachers about it, ideally in our specially prepared classroom. Alternatively, they can contact me (David Pritchard) by email.

GODLY PLAY CLASSROOM, FURNITURE & TEACHING MATERIALS

The Godly Play sessions took place initially (from October to December 2010) on the 1st floor of the chapel in Castiñeiras, in one of the small classrooms. Following the pastor's recommendation, we later moved to a more spacious classroom (since January 2011). In both cases, careful analysis of the available space was made so that the furniture could be arranged and the teaching materials displayed in the most suitable way possible, taking into account the nature of Godly Play and its cyclical curriculum. It is important for its development that a safe and stimulating environment is created which is conducive to learning Bible stories and reflecting on existential matters. Furthermore, the teaching materials need to be attractive for children of all ages. They must also be sufficiently robust and durable, and their simple design should evoke the imagination of boys and girls as they use them in free play to draw meaning from the Biblical narratives.

Shelves were constructed before the summer of 2010 to house the teaching materials and art supplies. At around this time, too, the task of crafting our own resources was begun, and this is a work still in progress. Our do-it-yourself resourcing has advanced very rapidly thanks to the collaboration of a large group of volunteers, including church members, young people and other folk who are not themselves churchgoers, but offered to lend a hand. The result has been materials of excellent quality and beauty. The team of Sunday school teachers, who represent the children attending the class -- and these youngsters are surely the real beneficiaries of these resource materials! -- feel tremendously grateful for this collaboration.

As of today, most of the basic resource materials have been created. This is the stuff necessary for teaching the core lessons in the Godly Play curriculum. We reckon that the task of crafting the remaining basic materials will be completed by the end of this term (January-April 2011). Following that, it is hoped that materials for the enrichment lessons will be added bit by bit.

By making our own materials, a substantial amount of money has been saved. We reckon that, had we purchased the equivalent materials from one of the official Godly Play resource suppliers, the bill would have come to at least 1,600 euros, plus additional costs of post & packaging from abroad. Taking into account the stuff that is still being made, the amount needed to equip a Godly Play classroom with the essential materials for the core curriculum would come to around 2,700 euros, plus p&p. That is the overall amount that we would have saved. Obviously, money has been spent: the main expense was the shelving. However, thanks to the collaboration mentioned above, other expenditure has been limited to the purchase of supplies (wood, felt, paint...) needed to make the resources, as well as accessories such as trays, rugs, art materials, etc.

TEACHER TRAINING

A series of workshops have been organised in order to present the Godly Play method and to train teachers in its techniques, as well as to promote a deeper grasp of its theological and pedagogical underpinnings. These workshops have been run by Castiñeiras Evangelical Church in collaboration with Unión Bíblica (Scripture Union Spain). Registration has been open to anyone interested in attending from any church. The training events have taken place on Saturdays (8 hours each workshop):

8 May 2010… ‘How to Share Parables with Children Using the Godly Play Method’ - 13 members of churches in Castiñeiras-Ribeira, Ferrol and Santiago de Compostela attended this training event.
12 June 2010… ‘How to Tell Children Sacred Stories through Godly Play’ - There were 9 trainees from churches in Castiñeiras and Ferrol.
11 September 2010… ‘Godly Play Space and Materials’ - 7 trainees attended from Castiñeiras and Ferrol.
29 January 2011… ‘Children and Liturgical Action in the Godly Play method’ - There were 13 trainees from churches in Castiñeiras, Ferrol, Moaña and Ramallosa.

Besides these training days, the team members of the Godly Play class at Castiñeiras have benefitted from ongoing, hands-on learning, above all through supervised teaching experience with the children. Throughout the first term, three of the teachers gained experience in different roles: as 'storytellers', 'door persons' and 'observers'. Other teachers have joined the same process at the start of the 2nd term. This training is based on a discipleship-mentoring-coaching model, involving observation, trainer modelling & supervision, teaching experience with the children, and reflective analysis and evaluation of that same experience. This process will continue, for Godly Play employs the ancient art of storytelling and - as with any other creative process - 'practice makes perfect'. Likewise, the art of facilitating and supporting 'wondering' and the spiritual growth of children is continuously worked on and matured.

CHILDREN'S RESPONSE TO THE METHOD

Without a doubt, the most thrilling and satisfying aspect in this process of implementing Godly Play has been the entirely favourable response of the children. We have observed the following features, amongst others:

Their eagerness and ease in learning the different routines and phases of a typical Godly Play lesson: (i) THRESHOLD – getting ready at the door; picking up their individual rug; quietly joining other children on the floor as together they form the Godly Play circle; greeting the storyteller…; (ii) BIBLE STORY – observing and listening to the storyteller as s/he presents the lesson; wondering out loud as the storyteller leads the group in active reflection; listening to and respecting the opinions of the other children in the group…; RESPONSE – though expressive art or by means of free play and interaction with the story materials; working individually or in small groups; finding a place for their work and respecting the space of others…; FEAST – taking turns in serving the rest of the group, bringing napkins, glasses, fruit, water, etc.; passing the offering; praying and hearing the Bible reading; watering the plant…; DISMISSAL – waiting their turn to approach the storyteller to say goodbye and receive their blessing; collecting their rug and depositing it in the rug box; leaving the room…

Their progressive asimilation of the implicit values in a Godly Play session: silence and slowing down, active listening, wondering, respect shown to others and their work space, respect in taking turns, serving others, care for the environment and the materials, freedom/responsibility, sharing, blessing, awe at life's mysteries and the presence of God…
The enthusiasm with which the children receive the Bible stories and their level of engagement with the stories; their curiosity and openess to ongoing discovery; their ability to draw connections between one story and another, and with their own life experiences…
The gratitude that the children have displayed at the opportunity to freely choose their work and means of response, that they can engage playfully with the lesson materials without undue teacher interference, and for the attractive range and quality of the art materials.
The creativity displayed in the children's expressive art and play.

The following is just one example of the children's ability to make connections and draw out meaning from them (i.e. how they link one story with another):

A 6 year-old girl was observed during the work time, as she began to take out several lessons and lay out the materials on the floor. First the green underlay of the Good Shepherd parable. Then, at its side, the brown felt cloth of the Parable of the Deep Well. She then placed the figures of each of these stories on their respective underlay. Then she began to move the Good Shepherd and the sheep through the green pastures towards a small piece of blue felt representing the quiet waters. She then broke with the 'normal' Good Shepherd parable as, instead of leading his sheep towards the 'dangerous places' on the green felt, the figure of the shepherd led his sheep over to the second story, across the 'desert' towards the deep well. The girl then asked the door person to help her tie together the 6 golden threads and miniature bucket. She then proceeded to lower the bucket into the well, draw out the refreshing water and hand it to the sheep to drink. Finally, she took out the Baptism lesson and proceeded to baptize a little wooden figure in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit... This 6-year-old had never witnessed a Godly Play 'side-by-side' presentation. However, she was already intuitively anticipating such presentations (normally reserved for older children) and playfully making hermeneutical connections through her project on water.

OTHER COMMENTS

Our classroom has already served as a reference and a source of inspiration for visitors from other churches. They have expressed curiosity and interest in learning more about Godly Play, and some have attended workshop trainings as a result.
There are already plans for extending the Godly Play classes to the groups of older children in our Sunday school. This will probably start in the 3rd term of this school year, as well as enjoy periodic sessions during the summer holidays.
There are also plans for offering parents the chance to take part in a number of Godly Play sessions so that they can get a first-hand grasp of the type and style of teaching that their children are receiving on Sunday mornings.

David Pritchard - adapted from a report presented at the AGM of the Evangelical Church in Castiñeiras, Spain (January 2011)

Happy Christmas!

2010-12-24T18:24:00.002+01:00

Happy Christmas to anyone visiting this blog!

Photo: Adoración de los pastores (Adoration of the Shepherds), Bartolomé Esteban Murillo (c. 1657), Museo Nacional del Prado, Madrid

Ministry update & personal finances

2010-09-03T17:53:00.004+02:00

I very rarely blog or comment about my own financial situation or means of support. However, I realise that some of my readers may wish to be made aware of this subject - so, despite a fair degree of discomfort in doing just that in this post, here goes!

For over three decades now, my 'home' church near London (UK) has consistently been making monthly gifts to help cover my personal and family needs in Spain. However, this arrangement will come to an end in March 2012 due to the cutbacks the church feels it needs to make in its annual budget and other priorities in its ministry. The leaders are presently encouraging their members (and any others beyond the local congregation who wish to support me individually or as families) to take steps to make personal arrangements once the church payments cease. They will be reminding the members again shortly by means of a letter, and recently they asked me for a short note outlining my current ministry that could be enclosed with their letter - especially for those who do not have access to this blog. Here is what I wrote:

For over 25 years, I have been involved with Unión Bíblica (Scripture Union Spain) as their National Coordinator for Children’s Ministries. I continue to travel regularly as a Scripture Union worker to different parts of Spain (and sometimes further afield), responding to invitations for training, lecturing & consultation. Since 2004, my work as a trainer has particularly focused on Godly Play, an imaginative approach to encouraging children (and grown-ups) to engage personally with Bible stories. My other duties with Scripture Union Spain also include publishing projects, especially in the area of evangelistic and Bible-reading materials for children.

More recently, I have been encouraged by the leaders of my (other) local church in Galicia (north-west Spain) to take over as their new Children’s Minister. This involves general supervision of Sunday school classes, summer camps, all-age worship, prayer events for children, etc. At the time of writing, I am busy training Sunday school workers in Godly Play principles and practice, setting up a brand-new Godly Play environment in one of the church classrooms, organising a KidsGames seminar for children’s and youth workers in Galicia, and regularly preaching on key Bible texts which either refer directly to children or impact indirectly on ministry with children and young people.

None of these posts is salaried, so my work still depends on voluntary contributions from supporters. I continue to be extremely grateful to God who has supplied my personal needs and those of the ministry for more than 35 years by means of regular donations from faithful supporters. Thanks be to God for this practical fellowship in the gospel!

If you also wish to contribute financially, you can send designated gifts on my behalf via Independent Christian Workers Trust (ICWT). This is especially useful for UK tax payers, as ICWT are able to reclaim tax through the Gift Aid scheme and, thereby, substantially increase these contributions. I would be happy to give you further details on request.

I wonder if there is any part we can leave out...

2010-08-17T12:52:00.003+02:00

One of the wondering questions often used in Godly Play after presenting a Bible story is the following: "I wonder if there is any part we can leave out and still have all the story we need".

The challenge in our storytelling is to grasp what is essential and to omit the superfluous. Scripture itself is selective and often the biblical narratives use the bare minimum of language to convey the essence of the story. Too often when we tell these stories to children (or adults) we tend to elaborate on them and fill in the gaps, instead of allowing the children to thoughtfully read between the lines themselves. Godly Play seeks to employ the same economy of language as Jesus did, for example, in his parables. But there may be even more that we can leave out - hence the question for the children to ponder with us as, together, we seek to grasp the essential.

A couple of volunteers from my church congregation in Galicia have offered to carve some of the wooden figures used in Godly Play as we prepare the new classroom for the coming school year. I guess sculptors continually ask themselves the same wondering question: what more can be chiselled away before getting to the imagined object they have in mind? So throughout the creative process, the craftsman who produced, say, the beautiful donkey in the Holy Family set of figures (see illustration) will be wondering what else that is NOT a donkey can be carved away before finally reaching that which is essentially the donkey we need! The art is leaving out the unessential in order to focus on what really counts.

My church is currently celebrating the centenary of the construction of the rural chapel where we meet. A hundred years of tradition is something to celebrate! However, the leaders of the congregation are also aware that changes need to be made as the church faces the challenges of the twenty-first century. They need wisdom to balance tradition and renewal. "I wonder if there is anything we can leave out (or, perhaps, even add) and still have everything we need" was essentially the question that was in the air during the Reformation!

In October, my wife and I are moving house (again!) to be closer to the church and thus enhance our process of integration. There will not be as much space for all my stuff in the new house. "I wonder what I need to leave out (throw or give away) and still have everything I need" will be the question on my mind as I prepare boxes and attempt to de-clutter. Hmmm!

Creating a safe and welcoming space

2010-08-16T13:25:00.005+02:00

Here's an extract from a summary report on the work of the Coming Generations Track at last year's Scripture Engagement Forum at Melaka, Malaysia. The full report can be found here.

The Coming Generations track comprised about 40 people from every continent [...] The main themes of the track focused on how we can release the potential of young people’s interaction with God’s word [...]

Creating a safe and welcoming space

When young people perceive that we are listening and authentically sharing our own lives with them, a safe space is created where they can feel confident to explore Scripture. In such a space, we are affirming that no question or comment will be rejected and that no right/wrong response will be demanded.

Godly Play® models an approach that provides a safe sacred space for children to explore the Bible. Led by David Pritchard, we were - as children - invited slowly and thoughtfully into the story of the Old Testament patriarchs in ways that engaged our imagination and left us ‘wondering’ at the mystery of God, and at his invitation to be part of his story. This was a space characterised more by silence and simplicity than noise or clutter. As we became engrossed in the story, the storyteller (David Pritchard) became almost invisible: direct connection had been made between the story and the ‘children’. This is a deliberate intention in Godly Play®.

In a safe space, what is the role of the adult? We were challenged to take a step back and let God do what he wants to do in the group and among its individuals - to allow the Bible, his word, to speak for itself [...]

Godly Play classroom / 2

2010-08-03T04:11:00.010+02:00

The creation of resource materials for the new Godly Play classroom in Castiñeiras (Coruña province, NW Spain) is well underway. Good progress is being made, with a team of volunteers from the congregation of Castiñeiras Evangelical Church working on the materials in their spare time during the summer with the intention of completely equipping the classroom for the start of the new school year.

It seems that we won't have to purchase any of the resources from Godly Play suppliers, as the volunteers are skilled and motivated enough to do the entire job themselves. This is quite remarkable and extremely beneficial: the volunteers will have the satisfaction that the fruit of their work will be used regularly in the Sunday school for many years to come - and it will certainly save the church some money!

The artefacts have been lovingly crafted to a high standard of excellence - really top quality! It will be wonderful to see how the children respond to them!

I hope you enjoy the pictures here of this part of the creative process. More photos will be added as other materials are produced.

Second Godly Play workshop in Castiñeiras

2010-06-13T16:28:00.002+02:00

¡Godly Play is progressing in Galicia!

The second workshop took place on Saturday 12th June at my church in Castiñeiras (Coruña). There were 8 of us from that church and another participant from another church in Ferrol, a town in the north of La Coruña province, in NW Spain. This time, the workshop focused on Sacred Story, both the learning and practising of the narratives in Godly Play, as well as the creation of resource materials for telling them.

You can find more photos of the event here

World Weekend of Prayer for Children at Risk

2010-06-07T18:53:00.005+02:00

For several years now, I have been translating, adapting and distributing resource materials relating to Viva's World Weekend of Prayer (WWP) for children at risk. I have been doing this as part of my work with Unión Bíblica (Scripture Union Spain), rather than through formal contact with Viva themselves.

Prayer is an integral part of Scripture Union's aim of "encouraging people of all ages to meet God daily through the Bible and prayer". Intercessory prayer is part and parcel of "meeting God", especially prayer on behalf of those who are closest to God's heart - i.e. vulnerable and needy children - and this in itself is a response to the reading of Bible passages such as "A father of the fatherless and a judge for the widows, is God in his holy habitation" (Psalm 68:5).

This year I translated Viva's WWP poster, PowerPoint presentation and 5 prayer sessions for children. I am happy that through Unión Bíblica's partnership with La Semilla de Trigo (the Spanish branch of Grain de Blé / Grain of Wheat) and the Asociación de Educadores Evangélicos de Madrid (Madrid Christian Educators' Association), we have been able to promote this material to a wider circle of contacts through e-mail distribution, Facebook posts, digital prayer bulletins, etc.

I have already received some feedback from churches who have used these prayer resources, including the following comment:

"I am using this wonderful material you attached with my children in Sunday School and we are really making the most of it. They actually keep quiet and show great interest in the stories displayed in it, and pray!!!! which is a great task for them. Thank you for sharing this material with all who love and teach children." Rosa

My own church at Castiñeiras (A Coruña), in NW Spain, decided to take part in WWP for the first time this year. The Sunday School children had already worked with some of the translated prayer materials on the Sundays leading up to the WWP and the 2-hour meeting I had with them on Saturday 5th June. Sixteen children, aged 6-13 years of age, attended this special meeting. They enjoyed expressing their feelings and reactions to the situations depicted in the prayer resources by means of half an hour of free art response. Then they rehearsed songs and Bible readings for a 30 minute presentation they would be taking part in during the morning service the next day at church. Finally, the children and their teachers engaged in a short time of prayer.

This gathering was also important for me, as it was the first real interaction I have been able to have with the children as a group since I joined the church earlier in the year.

Yesterday (Sunday 6th June), we celebrated WWP with the whole congregation. The church leaders had already decided to shift the normal morning service to the evening, and had announced that arrangement the Sunday before, so that the maximum amount of time could be devoted in the morning to prayer for children at risk. About 100 people attended the all-age morning service, which included a display of the children's art responses from the day before, the adapted WWP PowerPoint presentation, case studies from the translated lesson materials, Bible readings led by the children, songs, congregational responses and open prayer. Several of the church members approached me after the service with positive remarks expressing a desire to continue celebrating the WWP in future years.

It's vital to pray for children at risk in today's world. Even more strategic is when children themselves are involved in praying for other children - this is a powerful means of grace in God's hands. Viva estimate that around 3 million people may have taken part this year in WWP events around the globe - over half of which will have been children!

Weekend residential training for Christian educators

2010-05-31T18:41:00.002+02:00

This past weekend (28-30 May), I have been leading some residential training near Madrid on working with children for a small group of Christian educators. This event forms part of the regular annual programme of the Asociación de Educadores Evangélicos de Madrid (Madrid Christian Educators Association), run in partnership with Unión Bíblica (Scripture Union Spain). The training is based on the course Working with Children Today, which I put together many years ago and continue to update regularly.

On this occasion, only four people took part in the course. They were from churches in Madrid and Aranjuez, and included school RE teachers, leaders of summer camp programmes, child minders and Sunday school teachers. Despite the low numbers, there was a good spirit in the group and plenty of motivation to learn and share. Here are a few of their comments on the closing feedback sheet:

"I really liked this course!"
"Just right! It's helped me a lot!"
"Great! Many thanks!"
"I am really grateful for everything I have learned. Thank you!"

The next training in this series is scheduled for the end of September.

Godly Play at a national conference for Christian medical staff

2010-05-31T18:15:00.002+02:00

At their latest national conference, which took place this past weekend (28-30 May) near Madrid, the Spanish Christian Medical Fellowship, Unión Médica Evangélica (AME), agreed that their morning worship should consist of Godly Play stories.

So, I was happy to lead two half-hour sessions on consecutive mornings before breakfast, presenting the classic stories of The Great Family and The Parable of the Good Shepherd. These presentations aroused a great deal of interest from the group, and many useful conversations took place subsequently during the breaks for coffee and lunch on subjects such as chaplaincy services in children's hospitals, training in pastoral ministry to children, child spirituality, etc. I am expecting to receive follow-up invitations from several of the participants to develop work in these areas through Godly Play workshops and seminars.

More photos of this event can be found here

Godly Play weekend in Valencia

2010-05-25T19:54:00.002+02:00

I'm writing this post in Madrid, in between Godly Play presentations last weekend in Valencia and a residential training event on working with children this coming weekend here in the Spanish capital. So, here's my report on the first of those two activities.

Last Saturday (22 May), I was invited to lead a Godly Play introductory day in Valencia, organised by the First Baptist Church of Valencia and the 'Bona Nova' Evangelical Church, in partnership with Unión Bíblica (Scripture Union Spain). The event was attended by a group of 21 educators, both professional school teachers as well as volunteer Sunday school staff. They represented 3 local churches in Valencia city and another church in the nearby town of Xátiva.

Some of the participants had experienced Godly Play in the past at other training events, but for others it was totally new. In general, the feedback was really positive and a core group of participants expressed interest in attending workshops in Godly Play to learn the nuts and bolts of this method. A date has been reserved later this year for the first of this series of workshops: Saturday, 13 November. The staff at the First Baptist Church have also revealed their plans for transforming one of their classrooms into a permanent space in which to offer Godly Play to the children of their congregation.

The following day was Pentecost Sunday. At the First Baptist Church, two Godly Play classes were organised, the first for young children and the second for the older age group. Both groups responded very well to the wondering questions related to their respective stories: The Parable of the Good Shepherd, in the case of the younger children, and The Mystery of Pentecost, in that of the older group.

In the first session, there were many young children crowded into a rather limited space, and a number of adult observers also attended - which is not to be recommended in a normal Godly Play class. Even so, the children responded very well to the story during the response time, choosing a variety of art and craft media, as well as the materials of the parable itself. We also enjoyed sharing the feast together. In the same way, the older children responded creatively to the Tower of Babel and Pentecost stories although, unfortunately, there was not enough time that Sunday morning to celebrate the feast with them.

Some of the aldult observers were staff workers at the Valencia City Mission, who were inquiring about how Godly Play might be used with the children who have contact with the mission. So, it seems there may well be many other trips back to Valencia over the next couple of years!

Click on the following links to see more pictures of the Godly Play introduction and the children's classes.

Godly Play classroom / 1

2010-05-19T11:29:00.006+02:00

I'll be using this blog to update you from time to time on our progress in setting up a new Godly Play classroom at my church in the rural area of Castiñeiras, in NW Spain. The target is to have the classroom fully operational by September 2010, when classes will begin with a small group of children aged 3 to 6.

The Evangelical chapel at Castiñeiras is celebrating its centenary this year. However, this church community is presently renovating the rooms on the upstairs floors - and one of them will be totally dedicated to Godly Play! This is good news indeed!

Although the room is rather small, I have thought carefully about how to maximize the space. It was originally one of the rooms in the missionaries' residence over the chapel when it was built in 1910 - and includes a fireplace! However one of the pieces of furniture especially designed for the GP classroom will carefully fit in the space used for the hearth.

The room is very bright as natural light streams in from two windows, overlooking the surrounding fields and nearby beach. Its solid wood floor, rafters, doors, etc. have recently been revarnished and polished, and the walls painted.

I am really surprised how quickly the church carpenter and his team have produced the furniture for the new classroom after I had submitted to him the design for the shelves. They were ready in time for a Godly Play workshop we held earlier this month in a larger adjacent room.

Here are some practical principles about designing and organizing Godly Play space that will be guiding us as we continue to develop our own classroom.

You can see more photos here of the present stage of development. Please revisit this blog from time to time for further updates on our progress!

World Weekend of Prayer for Children at Risk

2010-05-18T13:51:00.002+02:00

On the 5-6 Junio, millions of Christians will be taking part in the World Weekend of Prayer for children at risk, coordinated by the international network of Christian NGOs, Viva.

Scripture Union Spain (Unión Bíblica), in partnership with Grain of Wheat (La Semilla de Trigo), are promoting this weekend of concentrated prayer for children in need through our own network of contacts. From Viva's website, practical resources for this event can be downloaded, including a Prayer Guide in Spanish, that has been carefully prepared and edited, and includes information, testimonies, prayer topics and activities for promoting creative prayer in groups of both children and adults.

The Viva website contains a number of other Resources in English, such as a PowerPoint presentation, a guide for children's activities, posters, etc. I have been busy translating some of this material into Spanish to complement the prayer guide.

These materials will be used with the children at my church in Castiñeiras over the next couple of weeks, and I will be leading a special service at church on 6 June. I hope you will also consider joining the millions of Christians who will be praying for the children whom Jesus referred to in several strong statements, such as when he said: "See that you do not despise one of these little ones".

Training updates

2010-05-18T12:38:00.004+02:00

I have been leading several training events recently. Here's an update on news since my last post.

On 17 Abril, I was in Durango (in the Basque Country) leading an introductory day on Godly Play. This was organized by Scripture Union Spain (Unión Bíblica) in partnership with the National Department for Christian Education of the Federation of Assemblies of God in Spain.

16 religious education teachers and Sunday school teachers attended the event, representing several Evangelical churches in Durango, Pamplona, San Sebastián, Valladolid and Vitoria, and also from a Catholic community in Durango.

You can see more photos of this event here.

The following weekend (23-24 April), I was in the town of Onda (Castellón), leading a second module of SU Spain's basic training course Working with Children Today. This was organised in partnership with the 'Vida Nueva' Evangelical Church in Castellón de la Plana and the 'Bona Nova' Evangelical Church in Onda. The 18 Sunday school teachers who took part in this training event were from these two churches.

The programme also included a brief introduction to Godly Play. On the following Sunday (26 April), I was able to preach at the local church and also present the Godly Play story of the 'Synagogue and Upper Room' to the entire congregation.

More photos of this weekend training are available here.

Taking advantage of these two weekend events, I drove to Madrid to see some of our family, and then on to Salou (in Tarragona) to view a number of hotels as possible venues for our forthcoming II National Godly Play Conference, which we hope will take place at this popular seaside resort in October 2011. This meant that my all-round 10-day trip from Galicia to the Basque Country, Madrid, Tarragona, Castellón, Madrid, and finally back to Galicia, involved over 2,000 km of coast-to-coast driving in my car laden with materials for two different courses!

Finally, back in Galicia at my home church in Castiñeiras (A Coruña), on Saturday, 8 May, I led the first of a series of Godly Play workshops. This first one focused on Jesus' parables of the kingdom.

13 people, members of Evangelical churches in Castiñeiras-Riveira, Ferrol and Santiago de Compostela, took part in this practical training workshop.

After getting acquainted with, practising and presenting the main guiding parables used in Godly Play, the participants got involved in a brief hands-on session of creating their own teaching resources for these same parables.

Here you can view more photos of this workshop.

Godly Play workshop near Barcelona

2010-01-25T04:15:00.002+01:00

On Saturday, 16 January, I led a Godly Play workshop at a church in Sant Feliu de Llobregat, near the city of Barcelona. The theme of this training event was the Godly Play "liturgical action" stories.

Fifteen teachers took part from several localities in the Catalan region: Salou, Tarragona, Molins de Rei, Torrasa and Sant Feliu de Llobregat.

Click here for photos of the workshop.

Godly Play teaching in Barcelona

2010-01-25T03:21:00.004+01:00

Taking advantage of my annual fortnight's lecturing on children's ministry at Ibste, the Spanish Bible Institute and Theological Seminary at Castelldefels, near Barcelona, I was also able to lead Godly Play classes with two groups of children.

The first session took place on Sunday, 17 January, at a church in Sant Feliu de Llobregat (in Barcelona province). About 10 boys and girls took part and they responded enthusiastically to the stories on Holy Baptism and The Good Shepherd and World Communion.

The second session was held on Wednesday, 20 January, at Ibste's chapel, where an international group of resident children and parents at the Bible Institute gathered together for their very first encounter with Godly Play. I told them the Parable of the Good Shepherd in Spanish and English, and one of the Institute's staff also translated some of the words into Chinese. It would seem that communication was quite a challenge! However, when I moved the little wooden figures of the sheep out of the fold and made them follow the figure of the Good Shepherd towards the "green pastures", suddenly the most lively child in the group placed his cheek on the green felt underlay which represented the rich pastures. He then laid himself down and two of the other children did likewise. I doubt whether any of these 2- to 4-year-olds had ever learnt the words of Psalm 23, "He makes me lie down in green pastures". However, these little ones were intuitively following and anticipating the story - using their own body language to do so!

Photos: Eunice Sanjaime

Godly Play introduction in Granada

2009-11-18T15:05:00.004+01:00

On Saturday 14th November, I was in Ogíjares (Granada) leading a Godly Play introductory seminar that included a general presentation of the method and also offered the participants a chance to learn some of the Old Testament sacred stories for themselves. Sixteen teachers from several different churches and schools in Granada came to the seminar: the Mosaic fellowship, Cristo de la Yedra R.C. school, Inmaculada Niña R.C. school, the R.C. parish church of San Miguel Arcángel, the Iglesia Evangélica Española (IEE - Methodist/Presbyterian), the Baptist church... Here is some of the participant feedback following the seminar:

I would like to see Godly Play used in practice with a group of children. It has been very interesting. It would be good to have a workshop set up for the creation of Godly Play materials, maybe coordinated by the future GP Spain association.

It's a great way to evangelise. I would like to attend more workshops for every aspect of Godly Play: 'door persons', 'storytellers', crafts people, etc.

I love the similarities between this approach and the Sunday Eucharistic celebration.

I'm looking forward to practising this at home with my own children.

It can be easily applied to mixed gender and age groups. The material is very resistant and durable, and re-useable for different lessons.

A good method to share God's truths and teachings. Right from early childhood, it invites people to see God as very close, as it encourages wondering and personal involvement.

I think this a a great way to tell children Bible stories.

I would like to learn how to use this to teach my students and children Catechesis.

The seminar took place on the premises owned by Mosaic, a Christian community which has been practising Godly Play for about 2 years. They have a dedicated classroom in the town of Ogíjares, near Granada, as well as most of the story materials.

Besides Godly Play, Mosaic has also run sessions on Living in a Fragile World, Godly Play style activities on ecological issues, conservation & citizenship. They have done this experimentally in the open air with all-age groups.

On Sunday 15th November, the day after the seminar, I took part in an ecumenical activity based on two Godly Play stories (the Parable of the Leaven & the Parable of the Deep Well). Children and adults from several Protestant, Catholic & Moslem communities or families attended this event.

More photos HERE

Godly Play in Portugal

2009-11-10T03:31:00.007+01:00

Cilla and I spent last weekend (7-8 November) in the north of Portugal. I had been invited by my colleagues in Scripture Union Portugal (Uniâo Bíblica) to take part in the closing events of their 60th anniversary celebrations.

On Saturday, I led a Godly Play introductory session for a group of 24 Sunday school teachers and church workers from four different local congregations in Oporto. There was a good response from the participants and this has laid the foundation for a more extended return visit in the New Year, and perhaps presentations in Lisbon, too.

Besides the Godly Play introduction, I was also asked to bring greetings from Scripture Union Spain (Unión Bíblica) at the main anniversary celebration meeting held at the First Baptist Church of Vila Nova de Gaia, near Oporto, and the following day to preach at the morning service in the Missionary Church of Braga.

All my contributions took place in Spanish, which most of the people there seemed to understand without the need for translation.

More photos here

I National Godly Play Meeting

2009-10-26T11:43:00.006+01:00

Over the recent long bank holiday weekend (9th to 12th October), the first national Godly Play meeting took place in Madrid for teachers who are already committed to this method in Spain. I had recently returned from my travels in Malaysia to coordinate the event.

Fifteen people took part, coming from Barcelona, Galicia, Madrid, Menorca and Tarragona, and representing churches who use Godly Play in English, Spanish and Catalan. Special guest, Ulrike Labuhn joined us from Berlin. Ulrike, a Godly Play trainer in Germany, speaks good Spanish, having lived for a time in Bolivia.

The motto for the gathering was Ultreya!, the old pilgrim's cry of encouragement - Onwards!, and this mutual encouragement was really the object of gathering together.

Our meeting was structured in two main parts: 1) Looking backwards at the lessons learned on the way, regarding Godly Play practice, and 2) Looking forwards to the next stages of the continuing journey, especially as we travel together in terms of establishing common structures aimed at consolidating, extending and supporting Godly Play practice in Spain. As is common in other GP events, the programme was also based on the usual GP cycle: 1) Building the circle ('threshold community') - getting to know one another; 2) Storytelling - telling our own individual and corporate stories, as well as a full GP session; 3) Getting out our work - responding individually and as a group to different proposals, especially those relating to the development of Godly Play in Spain; 4) Feast - times of fellowship between sessions, especially at mealtimes and in the evenings. There were also brief times of collective worship each morning and evening led by different members of the group, as well as a leaving ceremony, in which we symbolically blessed one another and the children we represented, as well as all the children in Spain and beyond whom we also wished to join the Godly Play 'circle'.

Time was made available for the participants to share, often through visual presentations, the development of their own practice of Godly Play in their respective churches and localities, as well as resource materials which they may have made themselves. This gave us better insight into the GP classrooms that are already functioning, or being developed, in Barcelona, Madrid and Tarragona.

Our guest, Ulrike Labuhn, also gave us an overview of the growth of GP in Germany, with particular emphasis on the process of translating and adapting stories from volume 6 of The Complete Guide to Godly Play. Ulrike had already told us the German version of the story of Job in a previous session, which was rather different from the 'official' GP version that is found in the manuals. The developments in Germany were very useful to us as we discussed the future of GP in Spain. One of the main differences at present is the high proportion of professionals (teachers, theologians, therapists...) in the German movement, whereas in Spain the majority of GP practitioners are volunteer Sunday school teachers.

One of the doubts the group raised was the difficulty of going ahead with an organized structure for Godly Play Spain when there was a perceived vacuum of knowledge about GP internationally. This was seen to be part of a much wider problem, as there is so little being translated into Spanish about recent research and study in fields such as the theology of childhood / child theology and the spirituality of children, both of which inform the development of Godly Play and methodology in general. So, time was dedicated at the meeting to offering basic background information about these topics, as well as the international structures of GP, which are also presently in a state of renewal and development.

It was stated very clearly at the meeting that the most important thing for the practitioners was what takes place at ground level (literally) within the circle of children in a real-life Godly Play session. Everything else (e.g. training, resourcing, publications, associations, etc) were there to support such action. The vision was to help make it possible for children anywhere in Spain to join a Godly Play circle, and that this work be of an increasingly deeper understanding and higher quality. To facilitate such growth, we need to create certain structures. However, we certainly did not wish to create another organization simply for the sake of it!

Apart from the sessions on helping us to work towards a structured organization for Godly Play in Spain, there were also two workshop sessions: 1) Raquel García gave a practical demonstration on her work with adolescents, which uses an adaptation of the Play of Life model of psychodrama, developed by the Argentinian pyschiatrist, Dr Carlos Raimundo; and 2) Dr Raúl García gave a talk on the Therapeutic Power of Narratives, followed by a time of questions and answers.

In the final stages of the meeting, the participants reached agreement regarding the next steps to take towards setting up a Godly Play association in Spain. A representative group has been appointed to work on the statutes and aims of such an association, and another to find a place to hold the next meeting in Salou, Tarragona, probably for next autumn. Ulrike and I will work on a plan for accredited training (which was one of the major issues that the group felt was important to address in the short term). It is hoped that the next National GP Meeting will include an accredited training module and also a session in which the new GP Association will be formally created and the first board of directors elected.

So, there seems to be plenty of work to get on with in the coming months!

Malaysia part 3 - Melaka

2009-10-23T13:30:00.010+02:00

Together with George Town (Penang), Melaka (or Malacca) was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Cities in 2008, and my couple of walks around the historic centre showed me how fascinating the place really is. Its cultural and religious diversity revealed in numerous mosques, temples and churches, its traces of Portuguese, Dutch and British colonial rule, its colourful 'trishaws' (tricycle rickshaws) and meandering canal walks, its smell of delicious Indian and Chinese cooking... all made me wish for more time to wander and to take in more fully all the sights, sounds and smells this old 'gateway to Malaysia' had to offer. However, I only had three days in the city before returning to Madrid in time for the first national Godly Play gathering that I was coordinating at the end of the week (see next post).

In any case, I was not in Melaka primarily for sightseeing. The initial and primary purpose of my visit to Malaysia was to lead a one-hour Godly Play presentation at an international consultation on Bible engagement. In the track which concerned the 'Coming Generations', about 45 leaders from many different Christian agencies around the world met together to discuss ways of encouraging effective Bible engagement with children and young people. This discussion was based on a series of different models of good practice that were presented throughout the first two days of the consultation, and tied into the overall Bible theme for the event: the encounter of the risen Lord with his two disciples on the road to Emmaus (in the Gospel of Luke, chapter 24).

Scripture Union's International Week of Prayer guide summarizes nicely the aims and some of the contents of the track:

'Exploring Scripture Engagement for the 21st Century' was the theme of the 'Hearts Burning' Conference convened by the Forum of International Bible Agencies in Malaysia in October. In the 'Children and Youth Track', experienced practitioners (including several SU staff from different national movements) presented workshops that demonstrated different models of working amongst young people. Each of the models reflected thoughtful hermeneutics, the relational dimension of Scripture engagement and the expectation of response. Thank God for the diversity of experiences shared from around the world: from Godly Play with young people to state-of-the-art multi-media resources, from an interactive Bible Timeline approach to the Bible narrative, to the transformational impact of that narrative upon traumatised children and youth. Please pray that as a result of the Forum, SU around the world will face the challenges of Scripture engagement with today's young people with renewed vision and innovative ideas as the many SU delegates return to their national movements.

The feedback from my own workshop on Godly Play was very encouraging. Here are a few snippets:

"Children and young people can 'hear' God without our help."

"Really we need to understand more about our children."

"It's really Godly play."

"Very interesting for children and a very powerful tool."

"Rituals and symbols."

"Helping children to reflect."

"The power of interactive object lessons"

"Interesting storytelling method"

Wendy Strachan, the coordinator of the 'Coming Generations' track, and also coordinator of children's ministries for Scripture Union International, made the following comments after the workshop: "Godly Play is something I've read about and warmed to - but never seen in action. Several things struck me in David Pritchard's 'hands-on' presentation:
The confidence that children - including very young children - can encounter God in the Bible narrative.
The simplicity of inviting children to 'wonder' about the story - without prescribing answers or even requiring a verbal response.
The patience and dignity of allowing the children to enter the story - no need for the adult to interpret the text for the child, but simply to encourage them to engage with it.
The multi-sensory approach - not just visual.
The reverence that accompanied 'God coming near'.

Perhaps the most challenging feedback for the long-term development of Godly Play came from Stanley Chum, General Secretary of the Chinese Bible International Ltd, based in Hong Kong. He wrote the following evaluation on the response poster: "David, that is the best presentation I have ever seen. I personally was in the story and have spiritual insight gained. I wonder how to train storytellers to work to that effectiveness." In a brief conversation the following day, Stanley and I discussed how to begin Godly Play training for Hong Kong and the whole of mainland China!

Mindboggling!

Photos: Typical sights in Melaka

Malaysia part 2 - Kuala Lumpur

2009-10-20T13:58:00.006+02:00

As soon as my Godly Play workshop was over at the Malaysia Baptist Theological Seminary extension centre in Klang Valley, I was placed in the capable hands of the Revd. Sivin Kit, pastor of Bangsar Lutheran Church (BLC), in Kuala Lumpur. Sunny & Rosalind Tan were on their way to Australia to attend their son's graduation, so now I was 'changing' my church affiliation from Baptist to Lutheran!

I had already been in touch with Pastor Sivin through contacts made via Facebook and Twitter. An inveterate blogger and a prolific user of social networks, Sivin combines Evangelical theology and an 'emerging church' inclination with a strong commitment to and engagement with social issues in Malaysia and beyond. He is widely read and had already researched many of the Godly Play texts and websites, and had in fact tried to implement this method in his church. The Sunday school coordinator, Phoebe Long, and several members of her children's ministry team from Bangsar Lutheran took part in my Godly Play workshop in KL, so there was plenty of evidence to suggest that this particular fellowship wished to move deeper in their understanding and practice of this method. The previous day, Rosalind Tan, the director of the Holistic Child Development Institute in Penang, had commented that Malaysia really needs a working model of Godly Play so that any enquirers can see what it's all about. Maybe, BLC is the place to start.

My visit to Kuala Lumpur coincided with the temporary move of Bangsar Lutheran Church's worship services to the brand new custom built Luther Centre in Petaling Jaya, KL, where I would also be staying overnight in one of their, as yet, unused guest rooms. The following day would be the very first Sunday worship service at the centre, so a special day for the church.

Next morning, at the start of the service, Pastor Sivin Kit informed the congregation that it was World Communion Sunday. He remarked that it was therefore very appropriate that there were guests from different parts of the world. Besides me, the visitors included the pastor and two other members from a partner Lutheran church in Germany, who were on a tour of Malaysia. They were invited to give a visual presentation of their work in Bavaria. Another lady, Sue, was also visiting BLC and said that, like me, she would also be taking part in the international consultation that would be starting that same afternoon in Melaka (see next post).

My own contribution to the service was to share with the congregation a short message from Luke 24 (the story of the walk to Emmaus, which was also the theme for the Melaka consultation) and to demonstrate Godly Play with a group of children from the church, which was probably the most delightful moment in my whole visit to Malaysia. I chose to tell them the parable of The Great Pearl.

It always amazes me how easily and readily children the world over can disconnect from their immediate surroundings and enter wholeheartedly into a story through the power of narrative in approaches such as that used by Godly Play. The children were up on stage before dozens of grownups, a number of whom were busy taking photos and videos of the event. The action was being projected up onto a big screen so that all the congregation could see what was happening down on the floor within the circle of children. They were facing a complete stranger, a Westerner with a funny English accent. And yet...! Amidst all the paraphernalia of cameras, flashes, microphones, etc. and a multitude of adults (not at all to be recommended in a normal Godly Play session!), these children, just like their little brothers and sisters the world over, were able to connect immediately with the story and the subsequent wondering in such an engaging way.

And not only the children! Many of the adults, too, were similarly caught up and engrossed, as a short video clip on YouTube demonstrates. The introductory text on the video clip reads:

No clown suit, no loud music, no excited shouting. David told the children a quiet story about a pearl, and they were rapt. So were the adults. With a couple of exceptions :).

The person who uploaded the clip also added the following note on YouTube: "David's session of Godly Play had the children captivated, with a quiet story of a pearl. Quite a different approach from the 'loud and flashy' paradigm. It seems to be good for adults, too ;)". It's true that what works with children also usually works with grownups - at least those who are willing to connect with the 'child' they carry within themselves.

The comment on the video clip above sums up nicely how so much of today's children's ministry is often based on a fast-paced entertainment paradigm. Although both boys and girls obviously need and enjoy times of boisterous and exuberant upbeat activities, it is surely a very low view of children to suggest that such an approach is essential in order to hold their attention for more than a few minutes. Godly Play allows children to quietly enter into deeper levels of 'play', in which they are actively involved through their imagination and wondering, and to meet a playful God who invites them (and grownups, too!) in a gentle and poignant manner to relate the Bible narratives to their own life situations. This is far more fulfilling than mere entertainment!

After the service, and over lunch in a restaurant in a nearby shopping mall, I was able to answer questions and talk further about the merits of Godly Play with several members of BLC, especially with Phoebe, the coordinator of the children's ministry at the church. Hopefully, this contact will continue in the future as we work together to 'grow' Godly Play in Kuala Lumpur.

More photos here.

Malaysia part 1 - Penang & Kuala Lumpur

2009-10-20T03:05:00.007+02:00

My long journey from Madrid to Malaysia, via Frankfurt & Bangkok, started at 4.30 pm on Wednesday 30th September and finally brought me into Kuala Lumpur international airport at 6 pm local time on Thursday 1st October. (The time in Malaysia is 6 hours ahead of Central European time.) However, the travelling had still not quite ended, as I then had to take an hour-long domestic flight from KL to Penang, eventually arriving at 9.10 pm.

I was greeted at the airport by Dr Sunny Tan, dean of the Malaysia Baptist Theological Seminary (MBTS) in Penang, and by his wife Rosalind, director of the Holistic Child Development (HCD) Institute that is housed on the same MBTS campus. They took me in their car to the other side of the island, approximately another hour's drive. So, by this time very tired after so much travelling, and suffering the effects of jet lag, I was glad to finally get some rest in the guest room that had been prepared for me at the Seminary.

The Baptist Seminary has close links with the growing Child Theology Movement and has hosted several of its international consultations. Sunny Tan is one of the directors of CTM. They informed me that at one of these consultations they had invited Dr Jerome Berryman, the founder of Godly Play, to talk about his work. However, Jerome could not attend due to health problems. So, for about 5 years they had heard a lot about Godly Play but had never had the chance to experience the method personally. Now with my arrival in Malaysia, that opportunity finally arose and for that reasson the welcome was doubly warm!

Warm, too, was the climate with a high level of humidity - so I was very thankful for the air conditioning in my bedroom. I was warned to always keep doors and windows firmly shut because of the mosquitos and monkeys! The Seminary has been built on a steep hillside overlooking the coast, with thick vegetation on the other side. The monkeys come in from the hilly jungle area and are considered to be a nuisance as they steal whatever is within their grasp. I woke up the next morning to see several monkeys swinging on the telephone lines outside my bedroom window.

Later on, Sunny and Rosalind took me to a local Indian terraced restaurant for a very tasty breakfast: lentils and pita bread, washed down with iced lemon tea. After that it was back to the Seminary to start setting up for the 4-hour workshop on the principles and practice of Godly Play, which would take place straight after lunch in the campus refectory. As over 40 people had already booked in to attend the workshop, and last-minute registrations were still coming in via the telephone, we decided that the most adequate space was the Seminary chapel - and even that later proved to be rather cramped!

Eventually, about 45 people attended the workshop. We formed an inner circle on the floor and two other concentric semicircles of chairs. However, I noticed that some of those who sat on the outside ring had difficulty seeing everything as I told the Godly Play story of the Holy Family, and there was less participation during the 'wondering' time from those furthest away. It was also unfortunate that some had come to the workshop with false expectations, thinking that Godly 'play' would be a loadsafun approach and hoping for some tips to take home for party games and camp activities! They must have felt rather disappointed by the slow, soft manner of engaging with Bible stories that Godly Play offers.

Even so, there were good responses from others. The participants were from a broad cross section of church affiliations and contexts: school teachers, Sunday school volunteers, and professionals who worked with mentally and physically challenged children and young people in schools and day centres. Particularly in the second part of the workshop, during the full session of Godly Play, there were lively contributions to the wondering time and good responses to the well-stocked table of art supplies. Some chose to take their work outside to the patio where there was more space. Others returned to the desert bag and the story artefacts. And three of the participants asked me to tell them yet another story.

During our 'feast' time there were numerous questions about the Godly Play method, most of which I had heard before in Spain and other European countries. "Yes, this is wonderful. We have been able to get ready and enter the story, but will it work with children?" "American and European children might be able to settle down to all this slowness and quietness of Godly Play, but Malaysian kids need a much more upbeat approach - after all, it's what they're used to!" I just had to laugh silently inside me, as these were the very same comments that teachers made about Spanish children when I first started Godly Play in Madrid 5 years ago!

Early the next morning, Sunny, Rosalind and I caught the plane back to Kuala Lumpur, and then a taxi to the MBTS extension centre in Klang Valley. The centre was actually an apartment building in a residential area in one of the KL suburbs. A second 4-hour workshop was waiting for me there, too!

This time, the group was much smaller numerically - just 15 participants. It was a more relaxed session and we had a break for lunch. The group, although small, still represented a diverse mix of church denominations. A few from a local Lutheran fellowship had already begun to use Godly Play with their own children at church. They had bought several volumes of the Complete Guide to Godly Play and had made their own materials, such as clay 'people of God' figures. However, this was the first time that they had ever experienced Godly Play for themselves or received any training in the method.

The feedback following the 2nd workshop was on the whole much more positive and several participants were already asking for further ongoing training. This will obviously pose a challenge to them and to Godly Play trainers internationally.

My time in Kuala Lumpur had not yet finished, but I will resume that experience in the 2nd post of this Malaysian blog.

Many photographs were taken of the session in Penang. They can be found here

C of E Diocese in Europe Pastoral Conference

2009-10-19T18:20:00.005+02:00

I am now enjoying a short break in my 'Godly Play' travelling. So it seems to be a convenient moment to update my blogs with news of recent activities.

The first one took place from 21st to 25th September, near Cologne, Germany. The event was the Church of England Diocese in Europe Pastoral Conference.

Over 140 Anglican clergy, from Scandinavia to the Canary Islands, Moscow to Morocco, met at Kardinal Schulte Haus, a large conference centre near Cologne that had previously been a Roman Catholic Seminary and had been commandeered during the war as a Gestapo Headquarters, in order to discuss the main conference theme: Entertaining Angels - Hospitality as Mission. The keynote speakers were Fr. Timothy Radcliffe OP, a well-known author and speaker, and a former Master of the Dominicans, and Professor Brian Thorne, a psychotherapist and lay theologian, who is also Emeritus Professor of Counselling at the University of East Anglia, founder of the Norwich Centre for Counselling Studies, and an expert in mediation and person-centred counselling. The Bible studies were given by Professor Musa Dube, a female African biblical scholar, who is also Professor of Theology and Religious Studies at the University of Botswana. The programme also included 10 workshops on topics such as liturgy, reconciliation, welcoming different cultures, expatriate ministry, ecumenical ministry, interfaith dialogue, leading Bible study in a multicultural context, ministry with the marginalized, and environmental and ecology concerns in ministry. Many of these workshops were repeated throughout the conference.

It is only the second time that all licensed C of E priests and deacons have been able to meet in the European diocese’s 29 year history. So what was a non-Conformist like me doing in a place like that and in such distinguished company?!

In their wisdom, the conference organising committee, chaired by the Suffragan Bishop for the diocese, the Right Reverend David Hamid, had seen fit to include in the programme a workshop on Godly Play, as an imaginative approach to welcoming children and engaging them in Bible stories. At a late stage in the conference preparations, the person who was due to lead the Godly Play workshop had to withdraw and I thus received a rather urgent telephone call from another member of the organising committee, the Revd. Ian Hutchinson Cervantes, Chaplain of St George's Church in Madrid, whom I knew well through the Godly Play training I had delivered over the past 5 years to the Sunday school team at that church. I was asked if I wouldn't mind standing in and leading a 90-minute Godly Play introduction to be repeated on three consecutive days throughout the conference. I accepted the invitation with rather mixed feelings but, as so often in the past, always willing to rise up to a challenge!

Some of the delegates at the conference were already familiar with Godly Play, and a few were even using the method at their English-speaking, mainly expatriate churches in Continental Europe. Of those who had no prior knowledge of Godly Play, a total of 22 clergy attended my three workshop sessions, which consisted of the usual hands-on experience of hearing a story, wondering about its meaning for them personally, and responding to it creatively and playfully through art materials and by other means.

The story of The Great Family, which includes how Abraham "entertained angels unaware", seemed to fit in well with the conference theme. Another story I chose was the Parable of the Great Pearl.

There was lively discussion and plenty of questions as a result of the workshop and a number of clergy said that they were seriously considering requesting training in this approach for their Sunday school staff at their churches in several European cities and towns.

A week after the event, I received the following thankyou note from the Suffragan Bishop of the Diocese in Europe:

Dear David
Many thanks for your leadership at our clergy conference last week. I have received very positive feedback from the workshops. I hope you enjoyed your days with us, as we enjoyed your presence.
With my prayers and blessings,
† David Hamid

More photos of the conference are available here and here.

I National Godly Play Meeting, Madrid

2009-08-10T16:26:00.000+02:00

Next October, the first Godly Play national meeting will be held in Madrid. It is aimed at teachers who are already practising Godly Play, a way of helping children engage imaginatively with Bible stories.

This gathering is being convened by David Pritchard, children's ministry coordinator of Scripture Union Spain and an accredited trainer of Godly Play. David started introducing this approach into Spain (with initial help from Peter Privett) in 2004, and throughout these last 5 years, churches and other groups throughout most of Spain have been offered introductory Godly Play days or taster sessions, as well as different workshops aimed at helping the participants get started in the method and training them in basic skills.

The result of this work is that Godly Play has now taken root in the educational practice of several local churches belonging to a range of denominations and languages (Spanish, Catalan & English speaking). Some churches are now using the method every week in their Sunday schools, whilst others more sporadically. In some places, dedicated Godly Play classrooms have been established. Other people have seen that Godly Play is useful to them in contexts beyond the church doors, and not only in their work with children.

As such rich and varied experiences have built up, David Pritchard believes that the time is right to make a stop along the way and to take a breather, so as to ponder and reflect on what has been learned so far and to share that with others. This is the reason behind this first national meeting.

The slogan for the gathering, '¡Ultreya!', means 'Onwards!', 'Press on!' or 'Keep on going!'. This word of encouragement comes from Latin –- ultra (beyond) and eia (an interjection for 'to move') -- and it was used by the Compostelan pilgrims whenever they met along the way to greet one another and to be encouraged to press on towards their destination. So, the purpose of this first national Godly Play meeting is precisely so that the participants can encourage one another mutually to carry on with their use of Godly Play.

As the next stage of the journey is considered, there will also be attention paid to the contents, structures and models of partnership and cooperation for the development of Godly Play in Spain over the next few years. One of the people attending the meeting will be Ulrike Labuhn, an accredited Godly Play teacher and trainer from Germany, who will give input regarding the growth and development of the method in that particular European country, so as to offer the gathering an element of comparison. It is hoped that other participants will also take responsibility for different aspects of the programme.

So, the meeting will be more of a consultation or discussion forum, rather than a 'conference' or 'training event' per se. It is intended mainly for practitioners of Godly Play in Spain.

The sessions will take place in both Spanish and English, and translation will be provided according to the needs of those attending.

For more information about the event, the brochure can be downloaded in Spanish or in English.

Godly Play in Malaysia

2009-08-10T00:56:00.006+02:00

I won't be returning home for some time after my trip to Germany (see previous post). The very day I get back from Cologne, I am due to lead a residential weekend training event (25-27 September) near Madrid which aims to help Godly Play practitioners become more familiar with the parable stories (details here, in Spanish, and in the Agenda on this page).

Then, a few days later, I'm off to Malaysia!

The initial encouragement to make this very long journey came from Pauline Hoggarth & Wendy Strachan, members of the Scripture Union International team, who are both involved in the Forum of Bible Agencies International (FOBAI) and in the planning group behind the upcoming World Wide Scripture Engagement Consultation, which will take place in Melaka (or Malacca), Malaysia, from 4 to 9 October. The theme for the Consultation is 'Hearts Burning: Exploring Scripture Engagement for the 21st Century'. "The aim is to gather 150 – 200 people from around the globe into a community of practitioners who together create a compelling experience of Scripture engagement. And, who go on to collaborate in the future." There will be 4 'tracks' in the Consultation, one of which is 'Scripture Engagement among Children and Youth', coordinated by Wendy Strachan. This will consist primarily of 8 workshops, including one on Godly Play. Here's some background information related to it:

Ready to Play?
Godly Play® is a way of encouraging children to engage imaginatively with Bible stories. This method is being used in many different countries, denominations, contexts and age groups. Following an 'action-reflection' approach, the workshop allows participants a hands-on experience of Godly Play® and a chance to reflect on its implications about how we 'are' with children and how we offer them a 'language' in order to help them meet God through Scripture.

So, I was asked to consider leading this particular workshop.

However, I confess that my first reaction was one of reluctance. For two main reasons:

1. It seemed an awful long way to go for the sake of a single 90-minute workshop, and

2. The very day that the Consultation in Malaysia finished a strategic 3-day Godly Play meeting would be starting in Madrid - for which I was responsible! So, how could I possibly do both within such a short span of time? It was, therefore, very helpful that the organizers were willing to move the Godly Play workshop up to the first full day in the programme and thus allow me to book a return flight back to Spain a couple of days before the Consultation officially finished. This will now give me a whole day to recover from jet lag before the start of the event in Madrid.

However, what has especially changed my reaction from initial reticence to one of sheer delight about the prospect of the trip to Malaysia has been the outcome of correspondence I have had with Dr Sunny Tan, dean of the Malaysia Baptist Theological Seminary (MBTS), and his wife Rosalind Lim, who directs the Holistic Child Development Institute (HCD) in Penang. Both the MBTS and the HCD are connected to the Child Theology Movement, Sunny being one of its directors.

The result is that I now have further opportunities to present Godly Play in Malaysia, through two separate 4-hour seminars. These seminars will take place on the days immediately before the World Wide Scripture Engagement Consultation starts in Malacca, and the venues are the main MBTS campus, in Penang, and an extension centre they have near the capital, Kuala Lumpur. Click on the poster for full details.

So, I am now very excited about where all this may lead to, and I'm looking forward very much to learning a lot from my first visit to Asia!

'Entertaining Angels: Hospitality as Mission'

2009-08-09T03:14:00.006+02:00

A few weeks ago, I received a phone call from the Revd. Canon Ian Hutchinson Cervantes, Chaplain of St George's Anglican Church in Madrid. As we spoke, Father Ian first informed me that he was a member of the organizing committee of the Church of England Diocese in Europe Pastoral Conference, which would take place in Cologne (Germany) on 21-25 September. Given the theme of the conference, "Entertaining Angels: Hospitality as Mission", he said that he had pressed hard for a workshop on Godly Play as a way of welcoming children to be included in the conference programme. This had been accepted by the rest of the planning committee and an invitation had been extended to a Godly Play trainer in Germany to lead the workshop. All this had been carefully prepared months ago. However, just before Father Ian was about to leave for his summer holiday, he told me that he had just been informed by the trainer that she would not be able to make it after all. So, rather desperately I guess, he wondered if I would be free to step in and lead the workshop myself!

It so happens that the conference will take place just before another Godly Play training event in Madrid which I am also involved in, and travel connections from Madrid to Cologne are much less complicated than they would have been from Santiago de Compostela. So, I have accepted the task of presenting and repeating the same workshop to 3 groups of approximately 15 participants in each - i.e. Anglican clergy from all over Europe.

The workshop will be a practical introduction to Godly Play. It aims to offer the participants the chance to experience Godly Play and to assist them in discovering the potential of this method as a means of welcoming children, thereby enabling them to explore children's experience of cultural displacement and God's Spirit present and at work in their lives and in their experience of 'journeying'.

Here is some further information about the Pastoral Conference:

The Diocesan Pastoral Conference “Entertaining Angels: Hospitality as Mission.” This is the theme of the upcoming pastoral conference, the 2nd in the 30 year history of the Diocese in Europe. All the diocesan clergy, from Madeira to Moscow, Tangier to Trondheim, will meet at the Cardinal Schulte House near Cologne for worship, bible study, teaching, and continuing education workshops, to equip them further for their work of ministry and mission in Europe.

Their work will be supported by two keynote speakers: Fr Timothy Radcliffe OP and Professor Brian Thorne.

Fr Radcliffe is the former Master of the Dominicans, a widely read author on pastoral Christianity with a prophetic edge, whose latest book, following on the best-selling What Is the Point of Being a Christian?, entitled Why Go to Church? was the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lent Book for 2009.

Professor Thorne is Emeritus Professor of Counselling at the University of East Anglia, founder of Norwich Centre for Counselling Studies, and an expert in mediation and person-centred counselling. His books include Behold the Man: A Therapist's Meditations on the Passion of Jesus Christ and most recently, Infinitely Beloved.

Bible studies will be led by Dr Musa Dube, Professor of Theology and Religious Studies at the University of Botswana and a New Testament scholar. Dr Dube is a highly sought international speaker in academic and ecumenical circles and will bring fresh and challenging readings of the scriptures from outside the traditional European context.

At least 10 workshops will be offered covering a wide range of topics: Liturgy, reconciliation, welcoming different cultures, Godly Play, expatriate ministry, ecumenical ministry, interfaith dialogue, leading bible study in a multicultural context, ministry with the marginalized, environmental and ecology concerns in ministry.

The Revd. Hutchinson had called on me to help out at the conference as the result of the 5-year association I have had with St George's Church in Madrid, facilitating their development of Godly Play through a series of regular on-site training events. If you wish to read more about how St George's Sunday school embraced Godly Play, here is a short article about it from The European Anglican magazine.

Back to blogging here!

2009-08-08T22:31:00.006+02:00

It has been quite awhile (2 whole years, in fact!!!) since I last updated this blog. Meanwhile, the main item of news has been the move Cilla and I made last summer to Galicia, the northwestern region of Spain.

We now live on the sea coast in a small fishing town called Portosín. Most of the year is very quiet, the town and nearby beaches being practically deserted from September through to the following June. However, in July and August tourists come from many parts of Spain and beyond to enjoy the cooler weather and excellent cuisine of this holiday resort. As well as its beaches, Portosín also boasts a well equipped nautical dock. Here are some pictures from my Flickr site.

Although we are quite a distance away from our provincial capital, A Coruña, the regional capital and important pilgrimage site of Santiago de Compostela is only a 45-minute drive away - and that's also our nearest international airport.

One of the reasons why I have not kept up regular updates on this blog is that most of the immediate day-to-day news and personal stuff can now be found on my Facebook and Twitter sites. If you have not discovered those yet, please take a look.

I also manage the Unión Bíblica / Scripture Union Spain's blog, their Facebook page and Twitter site, as well as their Children's Ministry blog... all in Spanish. Furthermore, I continue to administer the Godly Play Spain blog in English and the equivalent Spanish language blog, as well as the Godly Play España Facebook group (in both languages) and a Yahoo! discussion group (in Spanish). All this keeps me quite busy, apart from the regular travelling involved in leading training events and other activities with SU Spain.

I have now decided that this English-language blog will be updated periodically (as time permits), but only for fairly major news and details focusing mainly on ministry matters, rather than on family items. For the latter, both Cilla and I have our own Facebook sites.

Summertime

2007-08-16T13:04:00.000+02:00

Right now a blissful peace reigns! The grandchildren and their mums and dads have returned to their respective homes in the UK, Galicia and Madrid, after a fairly exhausting family get-together during the first fortnight in August.

The top photo shows Cilla sharing her 'siesta' time with six of our grandchildren!

It was a fantastic opportunity for cousins to relate, as some of them only see each other about once a year. As for Cilla and I, of course it was really great to have them all. But now, having cleared up the toys, books, DVDs, etc., we are enjoying the peace and quiet of an almost empty house! Must be getting old!!!

Bottom photos: (1) Andrea & Savannah; (2) Jessica & Nadine; (3) Fun at the pool; (4) Break for an ice-cream.

'Home' church website mission slot

2007-06-30T11:58:00.000+02:00

Our 'home' Christian congregation, Roxeth Green Free Church, have placed a nice (albeit, brief) write-up about us in the 'mission' section of their website. Click here to access the page.

It's strange, though, that they have chosen a photo of Cilla and me at Snowdon National Park to accompany the text - the photo on the left. Maybe that's where they think Spain in located?!!

Video about Godly Play

2007-06-30T11:37:00.000+02:00

Click here to watch an excellent 6-minute introductory video to Godly Play. It's presented by Linda Clapp, an accredited GP trainer from the United States

You can also access the video from the right-hand margin on this page ('Multimedia').

Galicia

2007-06-01T13:06:00.000+02:00

During this past month of May, there have been no invitations to lead Godly Play seminars or workshops. So, Cilla and I took a few days off to visit our son, John Paul, and his family at their hotel in Galicia, north-west Spain. These times always give me the chance to practise some of the Godly Play stories with my grandchildren. As soon as I arrive at their house, Danny, the youngest member of the family, always asks me if I have brought any of the wooden figures that are used in Godly Play. These children are my guinea pigs, especially for trying out what are for me new lessons. Their reactions to the stories are very helpful... and they just love Godly Play, so it's all mutually beneficial!

This time we shared the stories of 'The Good Shepherd and World Communion', 'The Holy Family', 'Jesus and the Twelve' and 'The Mystery of Pentecost'. In addition, the children took part in a crafts session to make their own set of the 'Good Shepherd' materials.

More photos HERE

A special place to stay!

2007-05-23T22:53:00.000+02:00

I am writing this post at my son’s place in Galicia, north-west Spain, where John Paul and Maria Angeles run a country hotel. A few months ago, one of the inspectors for Alistair Sawday’s prestigious series of 'Special Places to Stay' guidebooks stayed at the hotel and, as a result, they now have a very positive write-up in the 2007 edition of the guide to Spain.

Here is a quote from the book:

«If you’re sporty and you don’t demand luxury, this modest hotel between Santiago and the Atlantic could be for you. The young owners are keen to promote ‘adventure tourism’ on their patch so you can fish for trout, hike, mountain bike or ride the St James’s Way, sail or, perhaps most tempting of all, swim in the Atlantic off the lovely sands at Carnota. Bedrooms are in the original stone farmhouse and are surprisingly smart considering the price, the best with their own covered galleries. All are cheerfully decorated with attractive wooden furniture and floors, and central heating in bedrooms and bathrooms, a comfort when the days turn chilly. The restaurant is just across the way, new and strictly functional, its culinary philosophy to keep things “simple and local”. Try the local specialities: stuffed peppers and empanada, the Galician equivalent of Cornish pasty. The wine list is surprisingly good. Although this is a no-frills hotel, the young owners’ kindness and hospitality has convinced us that Santa Eulalia deserves a place in this guide.»

But don’t just take their word for it… COME AND SEE FOR YOURSELF!

Godly Play in Jumilla (Murcia)

2007-05-05T14:16:00.000+02:00

On Saturday 21st April, I led a Godly Play introduction day in a town called Jumilla, in the province of Murcia. Twenty-three people from 5 churches in the region took part in the event.

Here's some of their feedback:

"I found this method very interesting and I would like to learn more about it."

"The day has been a great blessing because I have learned a lot about the need to reach people's heart with simplicity, the importance of silence and not to intervene too much or interrupt play in order to impose our doctrine."

"Everything was great. It's an interesting approach for children and young people. It doesn't only teach you Bible, but other things like education."

"It seems to me to be a special way of teaching children, and older people too, important aspects of God's word. It's clear, simple and, above all, fun."

Click here for more photos of the Godly Play introductory day.

Taking advantage of the Godly Play seminar en Jumilla, on Sunday 22nd April I was invited to use the same method in a children's class at the church. There were eight children present, plus some teachers and parents. The boys and girls responded very well to the story of Jonah, the Backward Prophet.

Besides the seminar and the children's class, the weekend also included presentations of Godly Play to two youth groups (in Jumilla and Archena), with an attendance of approximately 50 young people, and also as part of the sermon in the church's evening service.

Click here for more photos of the children's class.

Easter retreat

2007-05-05T13:04:00.000+02:00

A couple of days after my trip to Wales and England, I was able to spend the Easter weekend at a retreat organized by Oasis Madrid, an international church in the Spanish capital. The programme for the weekend included several sessions of Godly Play for the children who attended the retreat.

In these photos, the pastor of the church, Troy Cady, tells the Godly Play story of the 'Faces of Christ', a summary of the life of Jesus of Nazareth, from his birth to his resurrection.

At the end of this lesson, the participants are invited to bring objects from the shelves and place them on the floor in order to 'complete' the presentation. Many objects can be brought - practically everything in the Godly Play classroom is related in some way to the story of Jesus!

Click here for more photos of the Oasis Madrid Easter retreat.

England & Wales

2007-05-05T04:14:00.000+02:00

Recently, Cilla and I were invited by our 'home' church near London to spend a week with them in order to get to know new church members and share at various meetings. Before that, however, we were also able to spend a few days at the B&B guesthouse, at Criccieth (North Wales), where our friend Rachel Jones lives.

So, on Sunday 25th March, we flew from Madrid to Liverpool airport, where Rachel's friends and landlords, Bob & Anne, kindly picked us up. (Unfortunately, Cilla's suitcase failed to arrive and at the date of posting this report - nearly 6 weeks later - there is still no sign of it!)

We spent a few days relaxing in Wales and enjoyed surprisingly warm and sunny weather. The B&B is right on the coastal promenade at Criccieth, and we were also able to explore Snowdonia - as well as purchasing emergency clothing and toiletries for Cilla!

I was also invited to share a Godly Play story (using sand from the local beach!) at a meeting of the local Christian fellowship.

The following Wednesday, Cilla and I took the train to Harrow (Middlesex) and that evening we attended and shared at one of Roxeth Green Free Church's cell groups. The day after, I was asked to lead a Godly Play presentation at the Thursday afternoon group which meets in the church hall. And I was also able to include a brief Godly Play story, on the Mystery of Easter, as part of my Palm Sunday sermon at Roxeth.

The big event for me, however, was the surprise 60th birthday party which the church sprung on me - with Cilla's secretive collaboration! Many family members (sister, uncle & aunt, cousins, nephew, son-in-law & grandchildren), as well as old friends took the trouble to travel sometimes long distances to be at the party. It was astonishing to see folk we had not met since our wedding day way back in 1969! A number of them gave little speeches and said kind things about me which I'm not sure are totally true! There was also a quiz on 1947, the year I was born. (I am trying hard to find time to write personally to those who attended the party. But if you were there and you read this beforehand... a BIG thankyou for being in on the secret!)

A trip to England is never complete without at least a short visit to see our daughter, Lorna, and her family in Thatcham (Berkshire). We were able to spend a couple of days with them before flying back to Madrid on Tuesday 3rd April.

Click here for more photos of our stay in Wales, and here for pictures we took of our time with Lorna, Simon and the grandchildren.

My Flickr! page

2007-05-05T04:02:00.000+02:00

You can now view many more of my photos at my Flickr! page. Please have a look and let me know what you think.

Godly Play workshop in Salou (Tarragona)

2007-05-05T03:36:00.000+02:00

On Saturday 17th March I led a third Godly Play workshop at the Spanish seaside resort of Salou (Tarragona) - although I never get to enjoy the beach! The workshop centred on the 'Liturgical Action' genre of Godly Play, more specifically on the Advent stories. Seventeen trainees from three local churches took part in the 8-hour workshop.

Taking advantage of my stay in Salou, there were other opportunities to present Godly Play stories. On the Saturday evening, after the workshop, I led a Godly Play story with about 15 young people. And on Sunday I took a children's class with about 20 boys and girls who responded well to the Godly Play approach. Finally, in the evening service, there was a chance to present a Godly Play story as part of the sermon.

Click HERE or HERE to view more photos of the workshop.

Update on events

2007-02-26T18:12:00.000+01:00

It's been some time since I offered my readers an update on activities I've been involved in. Here's a brief overview of events since the beginning of the New Year . I'm sorry my posts have not been so frequent on this blog over the past couple of months!

New Year's Dinner
Every New Year, members of the Asociación de Educadores Evangélicos de Madrid (Madrid Christian Educators' Association) get together for a meal. This year it took place on 3rd January. Here are a couple of photos of the event.

Photos: (1) Here I am (2nd left) with some of the other participants at the meal, (2) Cilla (right) with a friend

Castelldefels (Barcelona)
From 9th to 19th January, I was a resident teacher at IBSTE (Instituto Bíblico y Seminario de Teología de España), at Castelldefels, near Barcelona, where I teach a course on Children's Ministry. Taking advantage of my stay there, on Saturday 13th January, the Institute organized an introductory seminar on Godly Play for local children's workers and Sunday school teachers. Eleven people attended the seminar from churches in Barcelona, Girona and Lerida.

Godly Play is an imaginative approach to engaging in Bible stories with children or older people. Since 2004, I have been promoting this method with Scripture Union in Spain. So far, a number of churches in Madrid and Barcelona are already using Godly Play regularly and many other Christian educators have expressed interest in the method.

Photos: (1) Examining Godly Play materials, (2) Students at IBSTE - creative group activity during the course in Children's Ministry

Parables in Bilbao
On 3rd February, I was in Barakaldo, near Bilbao, leading a Godly Play workshop based on Jesus' parables. Eleven children's workers and teachers took part in the practical workshop, which involved learning and practising Godly Play stories, and making their own resource materials.

Here are a few photographs of the workshop.

Barcelona (again!)
I flew to Barcelona for Unión Bíblica (Scripture Union Spain) committee meetings, which took place on 9th & 10th February... my 60th birthday!!!

Residential training weekend near Madrid
From 16th to 18th February, I took part in a training event for children's and youth workers, as well as the leaders of parenting courses. The venue was a Catholic retreat centre at Los Negrales, near Madrid. The weekend was organized by the Asociación de Educadores Evangélicos de Madrid.

The training for children's workers is based on a course I put together for Unión Bíblica (Scripture Union Spain) many years ago, and which continues to run through a cycle of three residential weekends. Seven participants from Madrid and Granada attended the first of these events this year.

The weekend covered subjects such as 'Jesus of Nazareth's teaching methods', 'Child theology', 'Communication', 'All-age worship and learning activities', 'Using drama in teaching' and 'Planning special events'.

Training in informal education - near León
Last weekend (23rd-25th February), I was in a small rural town called Toral de los Guzmanes, near the cathedral city of León, as one of the trainers on a course of informal education for future leaders in children's clubs, camps, etc., run by the Escuela Evangélica de Tiempo Libre Eduardo Turrall. Most of the 26 participants on the course were young people from towns and villages in the area, who were themselves not Christians or churchgoers. The course had been recommended to them by their own local town administrations! My own input to the weekend covered the areas of 'Analysis of the environment (needs assessment, etc.)' and 'Group dynamics'.

Agenda

2007-01-01T20:45:00.009+01:00

Mayo 2010
22 Valencia: Introduction to Godly Play, 'La Buena Nueva' Baptist Church, c/ Alcalde Albors 17 bajo. Contact: Julio Mengual: 652 907 589 menagui2002@yahoo.es
28-30 Los Negrales (Madrid): Residential weekend training for children's workers: Working with children today, in partnership with the Asociación de Educadores Evangélicos de Madrid. Contact: Luis-Ignacio González: 696 506 551 luisignaciogonzalez@educadorescristianos.org

June 2010
5-6 Castiñeiras (A Coruña): World Weekend of Prayer for children at risk - prayer activities for children & church service, Castiñeiras-Riveira Evangelical Church.
12 Castiñeiras (A Coruña): II Godly Play Workshop - teaching children sacred stories, Castiñeiras-Riveira Evangelical Church.

Happy Christmas!

2006-12-21T18:44:00.000+01:00

Christians, awake, salute the happy morn,
Whereon the Saviour of the World was born;
Rise to adore the mystery of love,
Which hosts of angels chanted from above;
With them the joyful tidings first begun
Of God incarnate and the Virgin's Son.

A spark of God's love

2006-11-25T15:48:00.000+01:00

When my bones were being formed,
Carefully put together in my mother's womb,
When I was growing there in secret,
You knew that I was there -
You saw me before I was born.

Psalm 139:15-16 (GNB)

Before I formed you in the womb
you were contained in my being.
I have known and cherished you forever.

Long before the world began,
I was a spark of God's love.
I was already chosen in the heart of God
to be holy, to be dear.

Macrina Wiederkehr OSB, Behold Your Life

Grandparents... again!

2006-11-25T13:43:00.000+01:00

Our 11th grandchild, Nicole, weighed in yesterday (Friday) evening at 3.780 kg. Both baby and mother, Miriam, are doing just fine.

With eleven grandchildren, Cilla and I can now train our own football team!!!

Here are a few more photos to enjoy...

My church gave me an asbo

2006-11-16T13:50:00.000+01:00

Here's another poem I've just discovered on the Net.

My church gave me an asbo*

By Nick Lear

My church gave me an asbo for shouting during prayers
They said I was disruptive: I said I didn't care
My church gave me an asbo for crawling under pews
They said it was distracting - untying people's shoes
My church gave me an asbo for singing the wrong words
They said it was disgusting: I thought they were absurd
My church gave me an asbo for laughing far too loud
They said it was despicable: I felt rather proud
My church gave me an asbo for sticking out my tongue
They said I'm disrespectful: I was having fun
My church gave me an asbo for running in the aisle
They said it's dangerous for a seven year-old child

*asbo = Anti Social Behaviour Order

Today's people

2006-11-12T20:22:00.000+01:00

"Children are not the people of tomorrow, but people today. They are entitled to be taken seriously. They have a right to be treated by adults with tenderness and respect, as equals. They should be allowed to grow into whoever they were meant to be - The unknown person inside each of them is the hope for the future."

Janusz Korczak

Latest activities

2006-11-12T17:26:00.000+01:00

So, what's been happening these last couple of months in terms of activities related to my children's work? Plenty of travelling - with meetings in Bilbao, Tarragona, England, Barcelona, Valencia and Madrid!

In September, I was in Barakaldo, near Bilbao, leading an introductory seminar on Godly Play (9th), and later in the month in Salou, Tarragona, running the second Godly Play workshop this year in that place (23rd).

The visit to Salou also included a Godly Play Sunday school class with the children.

At the end of September, I flew to England in order to take part in the Godly Play International Conference. The conference took place from 30th September to 3rd October, at Holland House, a beautiful Tudor-style retreat centre near Evesham, Worcestershire. There were delegates from Canada, Finland, Germany, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, UK and USA.

One of things that was decided at this first European Godly Play Conference was that the second one would be held in Madrid in 2008... and that I would find the venue and host the event!!!

Taking advantage of my time in England, I was able to visit the beautiful Godly Play classroom in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. Such a model classrrom is my dream for Madrid - a place open for groups of children from churches and schools, and also a venue for training events.

Back in Spain, on 21st October I led another Godly Play workshop at a church in the centre of Barcelona, and the following day, during the Sunday morning service, I presented the story of Jonah to a group of children from the church.

However, the day had not yet finished! Taking advantage of my visit to Barcelona, a church in the seaside town of Premià de Mar invited me to present a Godly Play story on the Sunday evening to a group of parents and children from the congregation. This time it was the story of Noah and the Great Flood.

The month of October ended with a trip to Valencia (28th), where I led another Godly Play introduction day.

Finally, on 4th November I took part in a conference on the Family in the 21st Century. This was in Madrid - so this time there was no long-distance travelling involved! At the conference, I led a workshop on Family Breakdown and the its Repercussions in Children.

Now for a short break before I travel again to Barcelona at the beginning of December!

Sheherazade

2006-11-12T15:58:00.000+01:00

As grandparents, Cilla and I are now in double figures! Our tenth grandchild was born at 11.45 pm on Friday, 3 November, in Madrid.

Our son, Samuel, and his wife, Noelia, have patiently waited much more than 1001 nights for their first child, Sheherazade, to be born (cf. The Arabian Nights and Rimsky Korsakov's symphonic suite).

Here are more photos of the proud parents... and a drooling grandmother!

Catching up

2006-11-12T13:16:00.000+01:00

I am well aware that this blog has been lying idle for far too long. Meanwhile, I have been keeping my three Spanish-language blogs up to date:

Obra entre niños (Scripture Union in Spain's blog on children's work)
Godly Play Spain (an account of Godly Play activities and development in Spain)
Unión Bíblica (a new blog for Scripture Union in Spain)

You can have a look at these blogs by clicking on the links. Although they are all in Spanish, they do have plenty of photos to make a visit worthwhile, even if you don't speak the language.

However, I am well aware that I need to catch up with news for my English-speaking readers. So here we go...

What is a child?

2006-08-25T20:50:00.000+02:00

Here's a poem I read some years ago. I've just come across it again in my summer reading, and I thought I'd reproduce it for the benefit of my readership... i.e. for all two of you!!!

What is a child? It's worthwhile being sure,

For their outlook - not ours - he called mature...

Describe a child, then. Simple? Passive? Gentle?

A widespread view, but not one that's parental!

Yes, partly true - but most sentimental.

Those who've had children know they're pioneers,

Tireless seekers hungry for ideas,

Questioners, ready to learn and solve and find,

Committed, energetic, quick of mind,

They trust, they love, but don't use love or trust

As an excuse to sit, grow dull and rust...

If their imaginations are more clear

Than ours, is it not possible they hear?

More clearly too? Are spiritually quicker

Than many a teacher, youth leader or vicar?

May they not hear the voice of God and shout it,

While we get on quite nicely, thanks, without it?

They may not have the knowledge we possess,

So the Holy Spirit has to shift much less

In terms of intellectual debris

Than perhaps he might with you. Or you.

Or me.

From the video Children in the Way, NS/CHP, 1988. Cited in Dallow, G. (2002) Touching the Future, Oxford: The Bible Reading Fellowship, p. 82.

Cousins

2006-08-25T18:17:00.000+02:00

My daughter, Lorna, and her children have just spent a fortnight with us in Madrid. One of the highlights of their visit was the chance for us all to witness the joyful interaction of our two youngest grandchildren, Raúl (on the left of the photo) and Claudia (on the right). They are both about 18 months old.

RE Teachers' Summer School

2006-07-18T13:16:00.000+02:00

Last Wednesday 12th July, I led Godly Play taster sessions at the RE Teachers' Summer School, which took place at the Betania Centre in Ciudad Real. The school was organized by ERE (Enseñanza Religiosa Evangélica) - the government-approved group in charge of training and placing teachers in state schools for protestant RE. Twenty teachers took part, representing churches and schools from various regions in Spain.

Within my time constraints, I was able to present two stories: the Great Family (Abraham & Sarah's faith journey), and the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price. The discussion which followed each presentation focussed on the possible use of Godly Play in schools as an alternative method of teaching RE. Reference was made to The National Society's Godly Play Schools' Project in the UK.

There was also a lively discussion regarding the place of religious iconography in conservative protestant circles, as Godly Play makes much of symbols, wooden figures and Anglican liturgy.

Here are a few photos of the event.

During the free response time that took place after the Abraham and Sarah story, one of the participants went in search of 'altars' from various parts of our Godly Play classroom. He then completed his collection by adding his Spanish ID and photo - as another of God's altars!

Here's some feedback from a few of the participants at the seminar:

"I have really enjoyed this workshop - in my opinion this method would be great for the over 5s."
"Thanks for the presentation and the way you have shared with us."
"It has been a very interesting and innovative workshop - it has sparked off many ideas for our teaching practice, especially that of school RE."

Family visit

2006-06-28T19:51:00.000+02:00

Taking advantage of the Godly Play Enrichment Day (see below), I was able to do several other things: visit my daughter, Lorna, and her family; spend an evening with a friend, David, who has recently suffered the bereavement of his wife; have lunch with my sister, Linda; and also preach at last Sunday's (25 June) morning service at Roxeth Green Free Church.

Here are a few photos of my daughter and grandchildren.

London: Godly Play Enrichment Day

2006-06-28T19:02:00.000+02:00

On Thursday, 22nd June, at London Diocesan House (C of E), I took part in a Godly Play Enrichment Day. There were about 60 people attending - mainly from Anglican and Methodist churches from various parts of the UK. I flew in from Spain especially to take part in the event, which, as well as being a one-day refresher course, also provided the requirements for re-accreditation as a Godly Play teacher.

Apart from the introductory and concluding sessions, the rest of the time was spent in groups of about 15 participants. The Enrichment Day was planned around new stories that will shortly be published in volume 6 of the series The Complete Guide to Godly Play. Specifically, we were able to interact with the stories of Sarah, David and Isaiah and view prototype materials for these stories.

The leaders and co-ordinators of the event were: Rebecca Nye, the director of empirical research for the global community of Godly Play, and senior researcher at the Faculty of Divinity, Cambridge University; Peter Privett, the Godly Play Regional Training Consultant for the UK and Europe; Cyndy Bishop, a Godly Play trainer who, before recently moving to the UK, was the director for Children’s Ministry for one of the largest churches in the USA; and Alison Seaman, an expert on the application of Godly Play to school RE.

Peter Privett presents the story of Isaiah

Prototype material for the stories of Sarah, David & Isaiah

Seminar in Barcelona

2006-06-04T13:34:00.000+02:00

On 18th May, I was invited to speak on the topic of 'Sunday School' at the CEEB Bible Institute, in Barcelona. The event was part of a series of seminars on the theme of Christian Education.

Seventeen people attended the seminar, representing churches in and around Barcelona. The contents of the seminar included:
1) a summary of the origins of the Sunday School movement, a critical assessment of the 'school model' which many local churches have inherited, and a brief look at alternative models for church-based education.
2) a review of recent investigations into Child Spirituality which, together with insights from Developmental Psychology and Theology, need to inform our work with children in the local church.
3) a sample of Godly Play.

This last part consisted of a presentation of the Creation story (Genesis 1:1 - 2:3). Finally, the participants in the seminar were able to reflect creatively on this sacred story, through the typical Godly Play wondering questions, and draw connections to church-based educational practice.

The concept of 'education' in Spanish also includes the notion of 'child rearing'. This is explicit in some of the other seminars in the programme organized by the CEEB Institute:

· Biblical principles in education
· Moral education & discipline
· The father's role in education
· The mother's role in education
· School education

(Photos by courtesy of AGDE)

2006-04-10T20:43:00.000+02:00

Happy Easter!

"He is risen indeed!"

Leadership Training Seminar - Spanish Women's Missionary Baptist Union

2006-03-28T16:41:00.000+02:00

Last weekend (24-26 March), I took part in the 7th Leadership Training Seminar, organized by the Spanish Women's Baptist Missionary Union (UMMBE). The seminar was held in the beautiful surroundings of Guadarrama, near the snow-capped mountains to the northwest of the city of Madrid.

This year, there were two separate parallel programmes: (i) talks on leadership and discipleship matters, as well as on domestic violence; and (ii) work with children and young people. Within this latter track, I was able to present Godly Play in three separate sessions. In all, about 70 people attended (mainly women), from many different parts of Spain, and approximately half that number participated in each of the two programmes.

After observing and actively taking part in a Godly Play story, the participants were given the opportunity to respond individually.

Some chose to do so through reading or creative writing...

...whilst others used the various art materials available.

Following this response time, we celebrated the 'feast', during which the participants freely shared their impressions about the Godly Play method.

After that... even more stories and wondering!

On the whole, the commentaries were very positive:

"I really believe this method is a channel of blessing. May God multiply the workers."
"It seems to me that Godly Play is a great method as it specifically addresses the child's spiritual dimension. I like the fact that the children are blessed individually at the end of each session."
"I'm so glad that this method has reached the church in Spain."
"This has really been helpful and a great blessing to me personally. I find it very practical and straightforward."
"It would be great to encourage the training of teachers so as to develop our use of this method."
"My approach to working with children is very similar to what you have presented, but up to now I have not seen the implications for spiritual direction. I have focussed only on personal, social and intellectual development, and not the spiritual. So, now I feel quite enthusiastic about putting it into practice. Thank you."
"Working with children is such a great challenge."
"Up to now, there seems to have been little work on children's spiritual development. Of course, there have been Bible stories and verses, but not much work on drawing out personal applications."
"This has been such a great blessing for my own life!"

Some of the participants have asked for Godly Play taster days and workshops in their own towns and cities. I guess I shall not be short of work for a while, as this will be on top of all the invitations I already have - just take a look at my Agenda in the right-hand column!

Weekend in Salou

2006-03-23T13:41:00.000+01:00

Last weekend (17-20 March) was a 'puente' (bridge) - i.e. a long bank holiday weekend - in a number of Spanish regions, as Fathers' Day this year fell on a Sunday. Anyway, as I had been invited to lead various events at the Salou Protestant Church, in the province of Tarragona - and also at the seaside! - Cilla was also able to accompany me.

I was able to tell several Godly Play stories, and thus demonstrate the method, at:
· a prayer meeting on the Friday evening,
· the evening service on Sunday, and
· a special Sunday School event in the morning, for a group of about 20 children and teens.

Besides all of that, most of Saturday was spent leading a Godly Play workshop on the theme of parables. While I was involved in the workshop, Cilla managed a stroll along the beach... however, it rained most of the time! Still, an enjoyable weekend!

Snow in Madrid

2006-02-28T12:35:00.000+01:00

It's always exciting when it snows in Madrid!

Here I am with a group of trainees at a Roman Catholic retreat centre near Madrid. From 24th to 26th February I was leading a course for children's workers and Sunday school teachers. Although in this photo, my students and I are busy shielding ourselves from oncoming snowballs!

Nice place... especially when covered by fluffy white snow!

Agenda

2006-02-28T12:30:00.000+01:00

Instead of posting a new Agenda every three months in the main text, I have created a link in the right-hand margin. This will now be continually updated with recent additions to my diary. So... please watch that space!

Guest house expansion in Galicia

2006-02-18T13:21:00.000+01:00

My son's family business is expanding. As from 1st February, John Paul has taken over the management of 'Santa Eulalia' country hotel. The photos above and below show what a beautiful place this is - in deep rural Galicia. The hotel is equipped with 10 double rooms and a restaurant. This is besides the family's own property, 'Andanzas', which is currently being extended from a four- to a six-bedroom guest house. John Paul's younger brother, Andrew, has also moved to Galicia in order to help with the project.

Why not visit their brand-new web sites (http://www.andanzasrural.com & http://www.hotelsantaeulalia.com)... and book your holiday in Galicia!!!

Links to websites & audio/video clips

2006-02-18T13:16:00.000+01:00

I have recently been adding new stuff to this blog's right-hand margin, including audio and video clips about Christian work with children. Do have a look at these from time to time.

Whatever happened to January?

2006-02-13T20:43:00.000+01:00

Well... I wonder whatever happened to January? It sort of came and went. And there was just no time at all to post any of the events on this blog. However, it was quite an eventful month. So, here is a summary of what took place, with a generous supply of photos to illustrate the various activities.

1. Bible school teaching near Barcelona

From 9th to 17th January, I was involved in teaching a course in Children's Ministry at IBSTE (Spanish Bible Institute and Theological Seminary) at Castelldefels, near Barcelona. This has been the first year I have been invited to teach at this particular Bible College. Sixteen first- and second-year students attended this 30-hour (3 credit) intensive course.

The course covered the following subjects: (i) What do we mean by 'child' and 'childhood'?, (ii) Theology of the child and childhood, (iii) Children's spirituality, (iv) Introduction to Developmental Psychology and Education, (v) The local church and children, (vi) Methods and resources, y (vii) Children's participation.

2. Godly Play in Barcelona
On 14th January, I led an introductory seminar on Godly Play in the chapel belonging to IBSTE (the Spanish Bible Institute and Theological Seminary), at Castelldefels, near Barcelona. Sixty-five people attended this introduction day. They represented different Christian denominations and came from a number of towns in Barcelona and Tarragona provinces. The seminar consisted of three presentations of Godly Play stories, followed by wondering and group discussion.

The comments on the feedback forms were very positive. Here are a few samples:

· I really thank God for being in the right place at the right time.

· It's a great method - so intriguing and appealing, with handy tools that are within your reach.

· It's given me a different vision and encouraged me to carry on with this ministry.

· I've picked up new and different ideas to put into practice and share with others in my church.

· Please keep on teaching others, both grown-ups and little ones.

· I think the seminar was really interesting and practical. It opens up a new way of working with children and with people of other ages.

· It seems to me that the idea of using parables so that children can work through their fears and problems was really relevant.

· I feel very excited by this way of presenting Bible truths in such a direct manner.

· I believe that this method is very helpful in showing that children are able to draw their own meaning and conclusions from a Bible story.

· I have learnt so much and really enjoyed the session. May God bless those who are dedicated to this work, and may they in turn be a blessing to others!

· I'm really impressed. I see it as being very useful for young children.

· One of the most important aspects for me is that Godly Play foments communion, which is so important and vital for Christianity.

· We are starting a new church, so I am convinced we shall take up Godly Play.

· I would like to learn the techniques. When the books are translated, I would like to have them. Thanks!

· The method seems excellent, so tactile and group supporting.

· I'd love to get deeper into this method. As a church, we would like you to come and teach us more.

· We need to support the work of translating the materials, website, etc.

Furthermore, one of the participants left this prayer on her evaluation sheet:

Thanks, Jesus, for these wonderful stories, so well told. For I have felt as though I was right inside them. How much I have learned and grown, remembering the story of The Great Family, which I form part of, and the story of The Holy Family and Christmas, as though it took place only yesterday. I can only say 'Thank you, Lord' and 'May you continue blessing us with your loving kindness'.

Here are a few more photos of the seminar:

3. Godly Play in the Canary Isles
On 28th January, another Godly Play seminar took place, this time in Jinámar, Gran Canaria. It was my very first time in the Canary Isles... however, it rained most of the time I was there! Despite the rain, though, thirty people attended the seminar from several churches and groups on the island.

Here are a few photos of the event...

...and some of the reactions:

I am grateful to God for this chance to learn something new through this presentation.
We need further training to really implement this method... I'm keen to go on.
Godly Play is useful for churches with just a few members, as it can be easily adapted for different age groups.
For me, this has been a precious experience. I thank God for your ministry and I encourage you to go on sharing all this with other people. Thanks.
Thank you.

4. Youth programme in the Canary Isles

The church which invited me to spend two weeks in the Canary Isles (from 23rd January to 6th February) really made use of my skills: children's talks, preaching, prayer meetings, adult and youth Sunday school classes... Furthermore, I was invited to lead a week-long programme in celebration of the youth group's 15th anniversary. Although the sessions were aimed at the young people, in fact several other people, both younger and older, were keen to join in! Nobody seemed to mind this, so it all turned out to be an all-age event. The theme of the programme was 'Even the stones cry out', based on Luke 19:40.

2005-12-17T17:30:00.000+01:00

Wishing you a happy
Christmas!

Agenda

2005-12-17T10:25:00.000+01:00

January 2007
3 MADRID: Asociación de Educadores Evangélicos de Madrid - Christmas dinner.
9-19 CASTELLDEFELS (Barcelona): Lecturing on 'Children's Ministry' at IBSTE (Spanish Bible Institute & Theological Seminary).
13 CASTELLDEFELS (Barcelona): Godly Play Introduction Day, in partnership with IBSTE.

February 2007
3 BARAKALDO (Vizcaya): Godly Play Workshop ('Parables'), in partnership with the Barakaldo Evangelical Church.
9-10 BARCELONA: National Committee & Council meetings, Unión Bíblica (Scripture Union in Spain).
16-18 LOS NEGRALES (Madrid): 'Working with Children Today' - weekend residential training for children's workers & Sunday school teachers, in partnership with Asociación de Educadores Evangélicos de Madrid (Madrid Evangelical Educators' Association).

March 2007
17 SALOU (Tarragona): Godly Play Workshop ('Liturgical Action'), in partnership with the Salou Protestant Church.
24 MADRID: Asociación de Educadores Evangélicos - AGM.
25- 1 April ENGLAND & WALES: Holiday & preaching.

April 2007
1 SOUTH HARROW (England): Preaching & Godly Play at Roxeth Green Free Evangelical Church. Palm Sunday... and April Fools' Day!

May 2007
12 EL ESCORIAL (Madrid): Asociación de Educadores Evangélicos - 'Christian Educators' Day'.

June 2007
1-3 LOS NEGRALES (Madrid): 'Working with Children Today' - weekend residential training for children's workers & Sunday school teachers, in partnership with Asociación de Educadores Evangélicos de Madrid (Madrid Evangelical Educators' Association). Coincides with the World Weekend of Prayer for Children at Risk (Viva Network).

September 2007
25-28 LOS NEGRALES (Madrid): Meetings with the planning group for the 2008 Godly Play European Conference.
28-30 LOS NEGRALES (Madrid): Godly Play Workshop - weekend residential training for children's workers & Sunday school teachers, in partnership with Asociación de Educadores Evangélicos de Madrid (Madrid Evangelical Educators' Association).

September 2008
19-22 LOS NEGRALES (Madrid): Godly Play European Conference.

UK Visit: Family Time

2005-11-24T02:35:00.000+01:00

Our recent visit to the UK was also a time to spend with our daughter, Lorna, and her family. They have recently moved to Thatcham, near Newbury, in Berkshire, so Cilla and I obviously made the most of the chance to stay at their new home.

We also took advantage of the November sales to bring early Christmas (and birthday!) presents to the girls - a couple of bikes. Our granddaughters were clearly delighted by these gifts and were soon riding off on them.

Here are Cilla, Lorna and little Raúl in a picturesque spot in Newbury.

UK Visit: Godly Play at Roxeth Green Free Church

2005-11-23T20:16:00.000+01:00

I have just completed an 18-day visit to the UK (3-21 November). Cilla was able to be with me for the first 10 days, but then had to return to Madrid to resume her work as an English teacher. One of the aims of the trip was to spend time at our 'home' church, Roxeth Green Free Church, in South Harrow (north-west London).

Cilla and I were based at the Roxeth 'manse' (church house), where new core leadership team members, David and Caroline Herbert, live. It was a special joy to get to know David and Caroline - and their hospitality - during our stay with them.

David & Caroline Herbert at a meal out

There were plenty of opportunities to meet new members of the congregation and to renew our friendship with older ones: by sharing meal times, attending and participating in cell groups, mums & toddlers, ladies' meetings...

...children's & youth groups, etc., as well as the more formal invitations to preach and to tell Godly Play stories.

Godly Play was new to Roxeth Green Free Church, and this imaginative approach to being with children and telling Bible stories was clearly the latest development in my own ministry since my last visit to the UK. So, I took advantage of quite a few opportunities to tell Godly Play parables and sacred stories to different church groups: children, teenagers, adults, and all-age groups... first, because the stories are wonderful in themselves, and, second, so that different members of this local congregation could get to know the method and discover why it has lately become important in my work in Spain.

An all-age Godly Play morning at Roxeth Green Free Church

Many of the Godly Play materials were kindly made available to me by the Church of England London Diocesan Children's Advisor, Mary Hawes. I have known Mary for a number of years, as she used to be a Scripture Union children's worker. But it has been in the last couple of years, since my involvement with Godly Play, that we have maintained fairly regular communication. It was good to spend a short time with Mary at London Diocesan House when I went to pick up and later return the Godly Play materials.

Mary Hawes at her office in London Diocesan House

Now, I wonder if Roxeth Green Free Church will itself in time use Godly Play in its own ministry with children. There was certainly great interest in this approach from most of the participants in the Godly Play sessions I was able to lead - especially from parents and Sunday School teachers. At the moment, this local church is facing certain problems with recruitment of leaders to help in its children's work. Perhaps it will be felt that a thorough evaluation of this vital area of ministry is long overdue in the church... and it may be that Godly Play is seen as a way forward. If 'Roxeth' does decide to take it up, it will be one of the first churches in the UK outside the Anglican and Methodist denominations to do so.

Agenda October, November & December

2005-10-01T12:22:00.000+02:00

I'll be involved in the following activities over the next three months.

October
21-22 Madrid: Godly Play workshops ('Liturgical Action': Advent), in partnership with Mountainview International Church. Sessions in English.
29 Madrid: Godly Play workshops ('Liturgical Action': Advent), in partnership with 'El Shaddai' Evangelical Church. Sessions in Spanish.

November
3-21 London: Visit to UK which will focus mainly on our 'home' church (Roxeth Green Free Evangelical Church, South Harrow) and visits to our daughter, Lorna, and family, who have recently moved house to Thatcham (near Reading).
4-5 Thatcham: Family time.
6 Roxeth: Welcome from the church & Godly Play combined event for 3-11 year olds.
7 London: Morning - meeting with Mary Hawes, the Anglican Children's Adviser for the London Diocesis. Mary used to be a Scripture Union children's worker and is now deeply involved with Godly Play as an accredited teacher and a presenter of the method.
Evening - Meal with the Roxeth Leadership Team.
8 Roxeth: Afternoon - Godly Play at an afternoon cell group.
Evening - Meal with the Roxeth Missionary Action Group (MAG).
9 Roxeth: Evening - Godly Play at a joint cell meeting.
10-11 Thatcham: Family time.
12 Roxeth: All-age Godly Play event.
13 Roxeth: Preaching at morning service.
Afternoon - Cilla leaves for Spain.
15 Rayners Lane: Morning - event at the Harvest charity shop.
London: Afternoon - Visit to the London Diocesan House.
16 Roxeth: Evening - Cell groups.
17 Roxeth: Thursday Group.
18 Roxeth: Evening - 'God slot' at the Xtreme youth group.
20 Roxeth: Morning - Godly Play at the JCB group (12-18 years).
21 Afternoon - Return to Spain.
24-27 Madrid: Attendance at I Protestant Congress.

December
3 Zaragoza: Godly Play presentations.

'Holidays' in Galicia

2005-08-19T19:44:00.000+02:00

This summer, Cilla and I spent a working holiday in Galicia, northwest Spain. We were helping our son, John Paul, and his family move house and begin their preparations for establishing a rural guest house.

We hired a truck to take personal belongings and new furniture. Here are John Paul and his wife, Mari Angeles, unloading stuff.

While John Paul and Mari Angeles worked inside the house, laying floors and getting the guest bedrooms ready...

I spent most of my time outside, attempting to drive back the jungle and working to restore the original gardens.

Cilla joined us later. She had a reduced number of English classes which she was able to continue imparting by internet and telephone tuition from her new location in Galicia.

As the final results reveal, the effort was well worth it. However, this is just the first stage of the 'rural hotel' project. Although, the house is already open to guests, further stages include building an extension to the main building so that accommodation for customers can be increased from four double bedrooms to six, each with en suite bathrooms. So... there are likely to be more 'holidays' in Galicia in the near future! If you are interested in using these facitilies for your own holiday in Spain (or you would like to come and help!!!), please follow this link for further information: Hotel Rural Andanzas.

By the way, there was time to get away from all the work and relax! Here we are visiting Finisterre (Spain's 'Land's End').

Agenda July, August & Semptember

2005-06-11T16:58:00.000+02:00

I'll be involved in the following activities over the next three months.

July
2 Madrid: Godly Play introduction day, in partnership with St. George's Anglican Church. Sessions in both English & Spanish.
15, 16 El Escorial (Madrid): Summer seminar: Children's spirituality and how to develop it. I'll be taking one of the talks and offering the participants a full introduction to Godly Play. Organized by: SEUT (United Evangelical Seminary of Theology), Asociación de Educadores Evangélicos de Madrid (Madrid Association of Evangelical Educators), y Unión Bíblica (Scripture Union in Spain).

August
Holidays!

September
3 Madrid: Godly Play workshop (Parables), in partnership with Iglesia Catedral El Redentor (Spanish Anglican Church).
17 Madrid: Godly Play workshop (Parables), in partnership with St. George's Anglican Church.
23-25 La Moraleja (Madrid): Training weekend for children's workers, Sunday School teachers, etc, in partnership with Asociación de Educadores Evangélicos de Madrid (Madrid Association of Evangelical Educators).

EurECA Conference

2005-05-10T15:04:00.000+02:00

Last week, from Thursday 5th to Sunday 8th May, I attended the annual EurECA (European Educators' Christian Association) conference, which took place this year at Scripture Union's Le Rimlishof centre, in the Alsace region of France. There were about 60 educators present, from many countries in Europe. Most of them were teachers in either state schools or private Christian schools. A few, like me, work in non-formal education. I was representing the Asociación de Educadores Evangélicos de Madrid, who are members of EurECA. The conference theme was 'Love in the Curriculum'.

A view of the nearest village to the conference centre, Buhl, and the beautiful surrounding region of Alsace.

2005-05-10T15:03:00.000+02:00

Apart from the programmed sessions at the conference, time was spent profitably between sessions just getting to know other European educators. It was especially interesting to meet Isabel Pinto Pinheiro from Portugal. Isabel is the chair of an association which groups together about 150 Evangelical Protestant RE teachers who work in state schools in Portugal.

I was asked to present Godly Play during one of the optional afternoon sessions. About 20 people attended the presentation, representing a good number of countries, and several of them asked for further information about the method.

David with Isabel Pinto Pinheiro, from Portugal.

BBC radio programme on Godly Play

2005-05-10T14:47:00.000+02:00

If you wish to learn a little more about what I am up to in Spain regarding Godly Play presentations and training, a five-minute BBC programme about the method in the UK is available online. The programme was broadcast last Sunday 8th May on Radio4's Sunday magazine. Click here for a direct link to the programme. You will need to have RealPlayer installed.

Agenda April - June 2005

2005-04-08T12:00:00.000+02:00

Here's my agenda for the coming months.

April
2 - Madrid ('El Shaddai' Evangelical Church): Godly Play workshop for teachers & children's workers.
3 - Madrid ('El Shaddai' Evangelical Church): Godly Play class with Sunday School children.
8 - Torrejón de Ardoz (Madrid): Rainbows of Hope AOG.
9 - Madrid (Aluche Evangelical Church): Godly Play presentation.
16 - Jaén: Godly Play presentation.
17 - Jaén: Preaching at Jaén Baptist church.
18 - Madrid: Association of Christian Educators' board meeting.
23 - Torrejón de Ardoz (Madrid): Godly Play workshop for teachers & children's workers, at Rainbows of Hope community centre.
24 - Madrid ('El Shaddai' Evangelical Church): Godly Play children's class.

May
5-8 - France (Le Rimlishof centre): EurECA (European Educators Christian Association) conference and general assembly.
16-18 - Toral de los Guzmanes (León): Godly Play stories at a Christian retreat for elderly citizens.
20, 21 - Las Matas (Madrid): Godly Play workshop for teachers & children's workers, at Mountainview International Church.
22 - Madrid ('El Shaddai' Evangelical Church): Godly Play children's class.

June
3-5 - La Moraleja (Madrid): Training weekend for Sunday school teachers and children's workers.
12 - Madrid ('El Shaddai' Evangelical Church): Godly Play children's class.

Godly Play... again!

2005-03-09T19:35:00.000+01:00

Mountainview International Church is one of the Christian communities in Madrid who are just embarking on the adventure of using Godly Play with their children. I am involved with them in this initial stage by providing practical training in Godly Play techniques, as well as helping them think through the underlying philosophy of the method and advising them about the materials they need to obtain. You can read a short illustrated report of the beginnings of this community's experience of Godly Play in the latest newsletter from two of the leaders at Mountainview.

Godly Play training

2005-02-15T18:17:00.000+01:00

For the last ten months or so, David has been involved in leading introductory days and training sessions in the Godly Play method of working with children. Here is a link to a website which shows some of the results of a recent workshop organized for the Mountainview International Church leaders and members in Madrid.

Seppo, one of the participants in the workshop, told the parable of the Good Shepherd to the rest of the group

Here is a comment from one of the leaders of Mountainview Church:
Hi David, I just wanted to say thanks again for your great help in training us in the parables and helping us to create the materials. Everyone is once again very, very excited about implementing Godly Play in our church. I think Seppo has a done a story for the kids (and adults) at every Bible study meeting since that day. We are hoping to start at our services this month. Thanks so much! Keep up the good work. ~April
You can find many more pictures of Godly Play presentations and workshops at the Godly Play Spain blog.

Car crash!

2005-02-10T06:11:00.000+01:00

Last Saturday afternoon, my son, John Paul, and his family (Mari Angeles, Andrea, Zaret and Daniel) were travelling by car to Galicia, the north-west region of Spain. They were planning to spend a week redecorating their new house. Near the town of Santiago de Compostela, they were involved in a near-fatal car accident. While overtaking another vehicle on a bend on the motorway at 120 km/hour (70 mph), they suddenly found themselves approaching a third vehicle which had just been abandoned by its driver and passengers... and was lying right across the fast lane! It was impossible to avoid a full frontal collision. John Paul's car is now a complete write-off (cf. photo above). However, thankfully, both he and the rest of the family managed to survive the accident with only minor cuts and bruises. Mari Angeles was the worst affected with blows to her chest and legs, mainly through the impact of the air-bag, and the children also had grazes from the seat-belts. None of the occupants of the other vehicles suffered casualties. Finally, all the witnesses, police officers, hospital staff and garage mechanics, who were either at the accident scene itself or saw the subsequent state of the vehicle, agreed that it had been a sheer "miracle" that the whole family had not been killed outright!

2005-02-10T05:44:00.000+01:00

I was able to visit John Paul and his family in Galicia the day after the accident and I spent a few days with them at their new house. Eventually I left my own car with them and returned by air to Madrid, as they are at a loss without transport in that rural setting.

There was also the opportunity to share some Godly Play parables with the children. The one about the Good Shepherd who sometimes leads his sheep through 'dark, dangerous places' seemed particularly relevant. Zaret's drawing above of the wolf pouncing on a very frightened sheep was her way of responding to the parable. "I wonder if that poor sheep got killed?", I asked her. "No", she replied. "The Good Shepherd was able to save her in the nick of time!"

2005-02-10T05:36:00.000+01:00

Andrea's drawing was much more explicit of the actual danger ('peligro') they had just experienced as a family: a before ('antes') and after ('después') view of the car crash. The 'dangerous places' in the Godly Play parable are represented by black shapes, while the 'good pastures' are depicted by green felt. Note the black and green lines in Andrea's picture above. Godly Play is such a rich and wonderful way of helping children work through existential issues and important personal experiences.

2005-02-10T05:32:00.000+01:00

John Paul and family plan to turn the new property into a rural guest-house. In the photo above, they are standing in front of the main building. There are also stables and grassy land around. It is in a beautiful part of Galicia, between Santiago and Finisterre ('Lands End').

2005-02-10T05:25:00.000+01:00

This picture was taken a few days after the accident at an idyllic spot just 5 or 10 minutes away from their new house.

Claudia

2005-02-03T14:43:00.000+01:00

I'd like to introduce to you the newest member of the Pritchard clan. Cilla and I are proud to announce the birth of our 9th grandchild. Claudia came into the world this morning, 3rd February 2005, weighing 3kg 200gr. At this rate, we grandparents should be well into double figures (i.e. regarding the number of our grandchildren) by the the time we reach 60!

Claudia... welcome to the world!

2005-02-03T14:42:00.000+01:00

Baby and Mum (our daughter, Miriam) are doing just fine!

Agenda January - March 2005

2004-12-30T20:25:00.000+01:00

Here's my agenda for the coming months.

January
10 - Madrid: Association of Christian Educators' New Year's dinner.
14 - Torrejón de Ardoz (Madrid): Meeting with the team and volunteers of the Christian charity 'Rainbows of Hope': evaluation & planning of Godly Play classes.
15 - Madrid ('El Shaddai' Evangelical Church): Godly Play workshop for teachers & children's workers.
16 - Madrid ('El Shaddai' Evangelical Church): Godly Play class with Sunday School children.
17 - Madrid: Association of Christian Educators' board meeting.
20 - Torrejón de Ardoz (Madrid): Godly Play children's class
21-22 - Las Matas (Madrid): Godly Play workshop for teachers & children's workers, at Mountainview International Community Church.
27 - Torrejón de Ardoz (Madrid): Godly Play children's class.
29 -Torrejón de Ardoz (Madrid): Godly Play workshop for teachers & children's workers, at Rainbows of Hope community centre.
30 - Madrid ('El Shaddai' Evangelical Church): Godly Play children's class.

February
3 - Torrejón de Ardoz (Madrid): Godly Play children's class.
6 - Madrid ('El Shaddai' Evangelical Church): Godly Play children's class.
10 - Torrejón de Ardoz (Madrid): Godly Play children's class.
11-12 - Esplugues de Llobregat (Barcelona): National Committee & Council meetings of Unión Bíblica (Scripture Union in Spain).
17 - Torrejón de Ardoz (Madrid): Godly Play children's class.
18-20 - Valencia: Training weekend for children's workers.
24 - Torrejón de Ardoz (Madrid): Godly Play children's class.
25-27 - La Moraleja (Madrid): Training weekend for children's workers.
27 - La Moraleja (Madrid): Association of Christian Educators' AGM.

March
3 - Torrejón de Ardoz (Madrid): Godly Play children's class.
5 - Torrejón de Ardoz (Madrid): Godly Play workshop for teachers & children's workers, at the Rainbows of Hope community centre.
6 - Toral de los Guzmanes (León): Training for camp leaders.
10 - Torrejón de Ardoz (Madrid): Godly Play children's class.
13 - Madrid ('El Shaddai' Evangelical Church): Godly Play children's class.
17 - Torrejón de Ardoz (Madrid): Godly Play children's class.

Raul

2004-12-19T21:55:00.000+01:00

Our 8th grandchild was born early on Thursday morning in London. Raul weighed in at 3 kg 600 gm, and measured 56 cm. With his Real Madrid shirt, he is an obvious candidate to substitute the current Madrid and Spanish international football star, Raúl.

Parents, Lorna & Simon, and sisters, Nadine & Savannah, are thrilled to bits with this special Christmas present. So, too, his grandmother, Cilla, who was able to be with the family in London immediately before and after Raul's birth.

2004-12-19T21:50:00.000+01:00

Another photo of Raul.

Moira & Gary

2004-12-15T21:59:00.000+01:00

It is always a joy to receive guests. Especially a cousin whom one has not seen for years, except for (sadly) at family funerals. Last week, Moira and her husband, Gary, made a short trip to Spain to celebrate their silver wedding anniversary, and they were able to stay with us for a few days before making their way to Barcelona. Gary is the vicar of St Peter with St Margaret C. of E. church, in Rochester, UK. Before that he had served in pastoral ministry in Bermuda. It was great to get to know them better!

Moira and Gary at Toledo

Godly Play training

2004-11-24T17:12:00.000+01:00

Since last April, David has been leading Godly Play introduction days in various parts of Spain. A full chronicle of these activities, with a good number of photos, is available on the Godly Play Spain blog. Here's a further link to a photographic report of a recent event organized by Mountainview International Church in Madrid, with more pictures of David in action, participants and Godly Play materials.

Besides the introductory days, this coming Saturday David will start leading practical training workshops on Godly Play techniques and methods, the first of which will take place near Madrid.

Agenda for November-December 2004

2004-10-26T21:46:00.000+02:00

NOVEMBER
4 Torrejón de Ardoz (Madrid): Godly Play class – Rainbows of Hope
7 Madrid: Godly Play class – 'El Shaddai' Evangelical Church
11 Torrejón de Ardoz (Madrid): Godly Play class – Rainbows of Hope
15 Madrid: board meeting – Madrid Evangelical Educators Association
18 Torrejón de Ardoz (Madrid): Godly Play class – Rainbows of Hope
20 Ferrol (A Coruña): Godly Play introductory day
21 Ferrol (A Coruña): Preaching - Ferrol Evangelical Church
25 Torrejón de Ardoz (Madrid): Godly Play class – Rainbows of Hope
27 Torrejón de Ardoz (Madrid): Godly Play workshop sessions (Parables) – Rainbows of Hope

DECEMBER
2 Torrejón de Ardoz (Madrid): Godly Play class – Rainbows of Hope
9 Torrejón de Ardoz (Madrid): Godly Play class – Rainbows of Hope
12 Madrid: Godly Play class – 'El Shaddai' Evangelical Church
16 Torrejón de Ardoz (Madrid): Godly Play class – Rainbows of Hope
19 Madrid: Godly Play class - 'El Shaddai' Evangelical Church

35th wedding anniversary in the Pyrenees

2004-10-26T21:38:00.000+02:00

Cilla and David celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary on 11th October. They took advantage of David's speaking engagement at the church retreat in Girona (see below), to spend a couple of extra days near La Seu d'Urgell (Lerida province), taking in the gorgeous views and also visiting Andorra for some cut-price shopping. Here's Cilla in the photo - also looking gorgeous!

2004-10-26T21:33:00.000+02:00

David in the Pyrenees.

Parenting course in Girona

2004-10-26T21:25:00.000+02:00

David was invited by Sant Feliu Evangelical Church (Barcelona) to speak to parents from the congregation at their church retreat in Roses (Girona) from 8th to 10th October. David took the theme of building 'emotional security' (self-esteem) in children, basing his talks on the material published by the Madrid Evangelical Educators Association, of which he is a founder member.

Profile on Spain

2004-08-24T01:22:00.000+02:00

spain_map
Originally uploaded by djp54.

Here's a general profile on Spain, by courtesy of the BBC: Spain Profile

Agenda September-October

2004-07-27T18:32:00.000+02:00

Here are a few items from my agenda for the months of September & October:

September
4 MADRID: Unión Bíblica (Scripture Union Spain) National Committee meeting.
13 MADRID: Asociación de Educadores Evangélicos de Madrid (Madrid Association of Evangelical Educators) Committee meeting.
17-19 IGUALADA (Barcelona): Godly Play introduction & preaching.
24-26 LA MORALEJA (Alcobendas, Madrid): Residential training for children's workers & Sunday school teachers, at a Catholic retreat centre.
29–2 October LES CHÊNES DE MAMRÉ (Valence, France): Staff workers' conference for the European Latin subregion of Scripture Union.

October
6 TORREJÓN DE ARDOZ (Madrid): Preparations & planning for Godly Play sessions at the Rainbows of Hope kids club. Rainbows of Hope (Arco Iris de Esperanza) is a charity organisation affiliate of WEC International.
9-12 ROSES (Girona): 4 sessions of a parenting course at a church retreat, run by the Sant Feliu de Llobregat Evangelical Church.
19 TORREJÓN DE ARDOZ (Madrid): Godly Play session at Rainbows of Hope kids club.
23 MADRID: Godly Play introduction and workshop (hands-on training) at Mountainview International Church.
26 TORREJÓN DE ARDOZ (Madrid): Godly Play session at Rainbows of Hope kids club.

Nadine & Savannah

2004-07-23T21:37:00.000+02:00

My granddaughters, Nadine (9) and Savannah (7) are currently visiting us on holiday in Madrid - together with mum, Lorna. They live in central London. You can see samples of the work they have produced in response to the Godly Play parable of the Mustard Seed. Their artwork is on the Godly Play Spain blog at http://godlyplayespain.blogspot.com.

Nadine+Savannah
Originally uploaded by djp54.

Godly Play

2004-06-30T10:54:00.000+02:00

There are several references in my agenda to Godly Play. If you wish to find out more about this imaginative method for presenting Bible stories to children (& adults), you will find plenty of information at the official Godly Play UK site http://www.godlyplay.org.uk or at the Godly Play USA site http://www.godlyplay.org. If you happen to read Spanish (or would just like to look at my pictures!) you can also visit my own blog site for Godly Play in Spain http://www.godlyplayespain.blogspot.com. Happy browsing!

David

My home church

2004-05-25T12:34:00.000+02:00

Here is a link to my 'home' church: Roxeth Green Free Church in South Harrow, Middlesex (near London)
http://www.roxeth.com/

2004-05-24T22:08:00.000+02:00

Hello, I'm David

AGENDA

2004-05-24T00:50:00.000+02:00

Here are some of the activities on my agenda for the next few months.

MAY
24-31 Godly Play stories at a Christian retreat for the elderly - Toral de los Guzmanes (León)

JUNE
4-6 Weekend residential training event for Sunday school teachers and children's workers - La Moraleja, Alcobendas (Madrid)
12 Godly Play Introduction at the Free Evangelical Church in Sant Feliu (Barcelona)
13 Session in parenting skills at the Free Evangelical Church in Sant Feliu (Barcelona)
18-19 Godly Play Introduction at a Christian retreat of the Evangelical Pentecostal Apostolic Church in Antequera (Málaga)

JULY
17 Godly Play Introduction at a training day for a team of about 20 volunteer hospital visitors, at Chiclana (Cádiz)

AUGUST
16-30 Family evangelistic camp in Ávila; Godly Play sessions for groups of children and all-age groups