One of my earliest memories begins in a Godly Play circle. I was probably three years old, in a little Episcopal school between Dallas and Fort Worth. We had just heard the Baptism story, during which a candle is lit for each child. “Remember the day of your baptism,” the storyteller said. I’m not sure if I had been baptized when I heard that story for the first time. But I do remember the adults turning off the overhead lights so that we could enjoy the glow of the candles, even just for a moment. In that quiet moment, I wondered about all that might be happening in that room which my eyes could not see.
I was in the first generation of children formed in Godly Play. The curriculum has been a gift to me at every stage of my life whether I was sitting in the circle a child or an adult creating a Godly Play program in a church I served. I marvel at all the ways in which it continues to teach me, even still.
The genius of Godly Play is not in the beautiful, deceptively simple words used to tell the stories of our faith. Nor is it in the playful wonder which opens the door to a joyful relationship with God. I think the best wisdom in Godly Play is found in its attention to the “unspoken message.”
Everything we do, and every space we occupy, communicates a message to those around us. Consider our beautiful church. What do the ancient architectural forms, the delicate stained glass, the careful carvings tell us about what we believe happens inside that room? If we sold our buildings and moved our worship to a drop-ceiling storefront, what would that tell you about our beliefs? What would it communicate about our priorities? Sometimes, an unspoken message screams loud and clear. Godly Play reminds us that all of us, and especially children, are sensitive to the unspoken messages we give them. We are always listening for the unspoken messages around us.
As we continue to prepare for the fall, I encourage you to consider the unspoken messages we want to communicate. Perhaps those might include sentiments like – You are welcome here… Our parish is a safe place to explore your doubts and questions… Your children are treasured here… Good Shepherd is stepping into a bright and exciting future. The question becomes: how might we communicate these unspoken messages?
Perhaps this wisdom is at the heart of the aphorism attributed to St. Francis: “Preach the gospel. If necessary, use words.” Of course, words are necessary. But they only ring true when they are spoken by one whose very life preaches the gospel in service and prayer and generosity. Those we encounter will only believe our spoken messages when they are supported by our unspoken messages.
By our works, we will show the world our faith.