“The stories in Godly Play form our identity as we wonder about who God is and who we are in relation to this God.”

— Rev. Kathryn Spangler, Associate Minister

What is Godly Play?

Godly Play offers a creative, child-honoring way of entering into and experiencing the biblical story. In Godly Play, we play with the language of God and God’s People: our sacred stories, parables, liturgical actions and silence. Through this powerful language, through our wondering, through the community of players gathered together, we hear the deepest invitation of all: an invitation to come play with God.

 

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Godly Play at UBC

i-X7HrDNW-XLUBC opens its doors to children to come in and discover God’s love through the timeless stories of our faith.

Godly Play is a discovery method of teaching which engages the whole child – hands, heart, mind, senses and intuition. As children gather in the storytelling circle, they have opportunity to enter the biblical story, wonder about it and then create meaning for their lives.

Godly Play allows children to work with materials that engage all the senses in a safe, stimulating environment. In this way, Godly Play combines and integrates the two primary gateways to knowing for young children – language (the verbal system) and play (the nonverbal system).

Godly Play offers a child-accessible version of the ancient spiritual practice of lectio divina: holy reading, wondering and responding to the Bible’s sacred stories. Godly Play helps children know God and the Bible instead of simply knowing about God or about the Bible.

Each of our Godly Play teachers has received training and certification from the Godly Play Foundation. They are prepared to embark on a journey of faith discovery with your child. Come join us!

 

Children & Preschool Choirs

UBC remains committed to passing on the tradition of sacred music to our children. On Sunday mornings, children gather under the direction of Kerrin Hightower, M.M. Kerrin is an adjunct voice instructor at USM and an experienced director of children’s music programs.

In choir, children are actively engaged in learning music, singing, ringing chimes, and preparing for worship leadership.

 

Sunday Schedule

SONY DSCUBC has a wonderful line-up of Sunday morning activities for children and their families. Come join us!

Elementary SChool Children

9:15-Children’s Choir

9:45-Godly Play

11:00-Worship

Preschool Children

9:45-Sunday School

10:20-Preschool Choir

11:00-Worship (Following the Children’s Sermon, Preschoolers may depart for Extended Session)

Parents 

9:15-Parent Gathering

10.45-Sunday School

11:00-Worship

 

Family Worship

At UBC, we believe it is important for people of all generations to worship together as a family of faith. There are many ways for children to be involved in worship leadership including serving with their families as lay readers, singing in our children’s choirs, and participating throughout the year in services that mark the movement of the Christian year – from lighting candles on Christmas Eve, marking themselves with the ashes of Lent, or waving streamers on Pentecost Sunday.

 

Leadership

Godly Play Ministerial Leadership

Rev. Kathryn Spangler, Associate Minister
Dr. Rusty Edwards, Pastor

Certified Godly Play Teachers
Dee Bishop
Chris Carson
Lida McDowell
Lucy Parkman

Children’s Choir Coordinator
Kerrin Hightower