Read an Excerpt
the complete guide to Godly Play
Volume 7 16 Enrichment Presentations
By Jerome W. Berryman Church Publishing Incorporated
Copyright © 2008 Jerome W. Berryman
All rights reserved.
ISBN: 978-1-60674-133-7
CHAPTER 1
LESSON 1
INTRODUCTION TO THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS
LESSON NOTES
FOCUS: THE CHILD IS INVITED TO DISCOVER HOW HE OR SHE IS PART OF THE LARGER STORY OF THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS.
THE MATERIAL
• LOCATION: THE MYSTERY OF PENTECOST SHELF, TOP SHELF, TO THE RIGHT OF "THE MYSTERY OF PENTECOST" (VOL. 4)
• PIECES: BASKET OF SAINT FIGURES, WOODEN "CIRCLE OF THE CHURCH YEAR" (FROM THE FOCAL SHELF)
• UNDERLAY: A RUG (FROM THE BOX OF RUGS IN THE CLASSROOM USED BY THE CHILDREN DURING WORK-TIME)
BACKGROUND
Every part of the Christian tradition has its special people who are looked up to and respected as examples of what each denomination or group best exemplifies. These heroes are called by different names. The classic term used to identify such people is to call them saints, which is the term we use here.
We realize that this term, saints, may be strange or even objectionable to some. Please don't let this terminology problem get in the way of enjoying the stories of the remarkable people included in this volume. You may want to add the special people from your denomination to those celebrated here and we encourage that. You may also want to add your own special people and Lessons 15 and 16 in this volume are provided for you and the children to do just that.
The most important point about the lessons in this volume is to develop a larger sense of saints—living and dead, known and unknown—of which you are one. Thanks be to God for you and for this community that can be so life-giving in times of celebration and sadness.
NOTES ON THE MATERIAL
This lesson is told on a rug from the box of rugs in the classroom used by the children during work-time. This lesson shares a tray with Lesson 2 (Vol. 7), an expanded introduction to the communion of saints. The tray sits on the top shelf of the Mystery of Pentecost shelf, to the right of "The Mystery of Pentecost" (Vol. 4). The tray holds a small basket containing the twelve figures needed for this lesson and other materials used for Lesson 2 (Vol. 7). You will also use the wooden "Circle of the Church Year" (Vol. 2) material that sits on the Focal shelf.
SPECIAL NOTES
This lesson serves as an introduction to the communion of saints' for children new to Godly Play. It could be told on All Saints' Day (celebrated in early November), after telling "The Mystery of Pentecost" (Vol. 4), or anytime during the season of Easter. There is a saint for each month of the secular calendar.
A NOTE ABOUT DATES FOR THE SAINTS
There is scholarly debate about the dates for the lives of many saints. We have had to make decisions about these dates for pedagogical reasons. We hope the children will continue to learn more about the saints all their life long, including their dates. The basis for the dates used in this volume is how they are remembered liturgically. This has been established by custom in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, and other traditions. We usually follow the dates that are found in the Episcopal publication called Lesser Feasts and Fasts, 2006. This book is also a reference for remembering saints for most days in the year and for children (and adults) to continue to learn more about the saints, using this liturgical orientation.
You can order this book at www.Cokesbury.com or by calling: 1-800-672-1789.
CHAPTER 2
LESSON 2
EXPANDED INTRODUCTION TO THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS
LESSON NOTES
FOCUS: THE CHILD'S PARTICIPATION IN THE COMMUNION OF SAINTS IS GIVEN MORE DETAIL AND HISTORICAL CONTEXT.
THE MATERIAL
• LOCATION: THE MYSTERY OF PENTECOST SHELF, TOP SHELF, TO THE RIGHT OF "THE MYSTERY OF PENTECOST" (VOL. 4)
• PIECES: FELT "CIRCLE OF THE CHURCH YEAR" (THE ONE THAT HANGS ON THE WALL OF THE CLASSROOM), TRAY CONTAINING THE BASKET OF SAINT FIGURES, MAP OF THE WORLD, BASKET CONTAINING THE FLAGS FROM THE COUNTRIES OF THE DIFFERENT SAINTS, TIME LINE OF EXPLORERS, "CONTROL" THAT LISTS THE SAINTS, THE COUNTRY THEY ARE FROM AND A PICTURE OF THE FLAG, "CONTROL" FOR THE TIME LINE (A SMALLER TIME LINEINDICATING WHEN THE SAINTS LIVED)
• UNDERLAY: THE FELT "CIRCLE OF THE CHURCH YEAR" WILL SERVE AS AN UNDERLAY FOR THIS LESSON.
BACKGROUND
Every part of the Christian tradition has its special people that are looked up to and respected as examples of what each denomination or group best exemplifies. These heroes are called by different names. The classic term used to identify such people is to call them saints, which is the term we use here.
We realize that this term, saints, may be strange or even objectionable to some. Please don't let this terminology problem get in the way of enjoying the stories of the remarkable people included in this volume. You may want to add the special people from your denomination to those celebrated here and we encourage that. You may also want to add your own special people and Lessons 15 and 16 in this volume are provided for you and the children to do just that.
We have chosen to place these saints among the great explorers throughout history, because of their adventurous and often creative spirits. Like the great explorers, they often ventured into new places, both literally and figuratively.
The most important point about the lessons in this volume is to develop a larger sense of saints—living and dead, known and unknown—of which you are one. Thanks be to God for you and for this community that can be so life giving in times of celebration and sadness.
NOTES ON THE MATERIAL
This lesson is told on the felt "Circle of the Church Year" that hangs in a Godly Play classroom. The additional materials needed for the lesson are on a tray that sits on the top shelf of the Mystery of Pentecost shelf, to the right of the "Mystery of Pentecost" lesson (Vol. 4) as you look at the shelf. The tray holds a small basket containing the twelve figures needed for this lesson, a map of the world, a basket containing flags for the countries of each of the saints and a time line of great explorers including the saints featured in this lesson and in this volume. Finally, the tray also holds two "controls"—one lists the saints, the country from which they come and a picture of the flag of that country; the second is a small version of the time line indicating when the saints lived. The "controls" can be used by the children and storyteller to help them remember the many details of this lesson.
SPECIAL NOTES
This lesson adds to Lesson 1 of this volume an "Introduction to the Communion of Saints." It could be told on All Saints' Day (celebrated in early November), after telling "The Mystery of Pentecost" (Lesson 13, Vol. 4), anytime during the season of Easter, or when children have questions about these remarkable people. There is a saint for each month of the secular calendar. This lesson is different from Lesson 1 (Vol. 7) in that it places each saint not only on the Calendar of the Church Year, but also where the saint was born—and on the time line when the saint lived.
This is a long lesson requiring lots of materials and movement. Depending on how long you have with the children, this might be a good week to skip the work period and move right to the feast at the end of the lesson. This also may need to be spread over several Sundays.
The "Expanded Introduction" has five parts:
• linking the "Circle of the Church Year" to the ordinary calendar
• placing a saint figure for each month
• placing the saint's flag for each month and finding his or her home on the map
• locating each saint on the time line
• introducing the material for each individual saint and how to use it
A NOTE ABOUT DATES FOR THE SAINTS
There is scholarly debate about the dates for the lives of many saints. We have had to make decisions about these dates for pedagogical reasons. We hope the children will continue to learn more about the saints all their life long, including their dates. The basis for the dates used in this volume is how they are remembered liturgically. This has been established by custom in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, and other traditions. We usually follow the dates that are found in the Episcopal publication called Lesser Feasts and Fasts, 2006. This book is also a reference for remembering saints for most days in the year and for children (and adults) to continue to learn more about the saints, using this liturgical orientation.
You can order this book at www.Cokesbury.com or by calling: 1-800-672-1789.
CHAPTER 3
LESSON 3 THE STORY OF ST. THOMAS AQUINAS (REMEMBERED JAN. 28, DIED IN 1274)
LESSON NOTES
FOCUS: ST. THOMAS THOUGHT FOR GOD.
THE MATERIAL
• LOCATION: THE MYSTERY OF PENTECOST SHELF, SECOND SHELF, UNDER GETTING READY FOR PENTECOST (VOL. 8).
• PIECES: ST. THOMAS AQUINAS BOOKLET, SAINT STAND, TWO MINIATURE BOOKS (ARISTOTLE AND THE BIBLE), AN OX, SOME STRAW
• UNDERLAY: GREEN
BACKGROUND
We remember St. Thomas on the day that he died, January 28, 1274. He was born in Italy and became a priest as a young man. He is important for his concise synthesis of Christian thought, which blended revelation and reason.
NOTES ON THE MATERIAL
St. Thomas Aquinas's story sits on a small, shallow tray about 8 inches square, with sides about two inches deep. It has a groove in the front to slide the "saint booklet" in so the children can see it when they approach the Mystery of Pentecost shelf.
The booklet is 4.25" x 5.5". The cover has an image of St. Thomas on it that matches the saint figure used in the introductory lessons on the communion of saints. The second page has a map of the world on it, with Italy, Thomas's home, highlighted and labeled. It also has an image of the flag of Italy. The third page has a time line beginning with the year 1 AD and ending with the year 2000 AD. It has an arrow indicating when Thomas lived. The rest of the book contains the story of the life of Thomas.
Behind the booklet in the tray are placed the objects used to help us remember Thomas's life: two miniature books labeled Aristotle and Bible, an ox and some straw. The underlay is a 12" square piece of green cloth and is folded on top of the objects.
A NOTE ABOUT DATES FOR THE SAINTS
There is scholarly debate about the dates for the lives of many saints. We have had to make decisions about these dates for pedagogical reasons. We hope the children will continue to learn more about the saints all their life long, including their dates. The basis for the dates used in this volume is how they are remembered liturgically. This has been established by custom in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, and other traditions. We usually follow the dates that are found in the Episcopal publication called Lesser Feasts and Fasts, 2006. This book is also a reference for remembering saints for most days in the year and for children (and adults) to continue to learn more about the saints, using this liturgical orientation.
You can order this book at www.Cokesbury.com or by calling: 1-800-672-1789.
CHAPTER 4
LESSON 4
THE STORY OF "ST." VALENTINE (REMEMBERED FEB. 14, DIED ABOUT 270)
LESSON NOTES
FOCUS: "ST." VALENTINE LOVED FOR GOD.
THE MATERIAL
• LOCATION: THE MYSTERY OF PENTECOST SHELF, SECOND SHELF, NEXT TO ST. THOMAS
• PIECES: ST. VALENTINE BOOKLET, SAINT STAND, A SMALL MORTAR AND PESTLE, A SILK CROCUS, A SCROLL THAT HAS AN IMAGE OF A HEART AND THE WORDS, "FROM YOUR VALENTINE"
• UNDERLAY: GREEN (OR PURPLE)
BACKGROUND
Valentine was executed on February 14, 270 during one of the persecutions ordered by Emperor Claudius II Gothicus. The practice of sending love messages on February 14 originated in part from the story of Valentine's note to the jailer's blind daughter that is part of this lesson. It is also tied to the ancient Roman feast of Lupercalia, which took place on February 15. One of the customs on this occasion involved the writing of love messages by maidens. Thus, the holiday celebrated on February 14, Valentine's Day, is both a celebration of love and a commemoration of Valentine's life.
NOTES ON THE MATERIAL
"St." Valentine's story sits on a small, shallow tray about 8 inches square, with sides about two inches deep. It has a groove in the front to slide the "saint booklet" in so the children can see it when they approach the Mystery of Pentecost shelf.
The booklet is 4.25" x 5.5". The cover has an image of "St." Valentine on it that matches the saint figure used in the introductory lessons on the communion of saints. The second page has a map of the world on it, with Italy, Valentine's home, highlighted and labeled. It also has an image of the flag of Italy. The third page has a time line beginning with the year 1 AD and ending with the year 2000 A.D. It has an arrow indicating when Valentine lived. The rest of the booklet contains the story of the life of Valentine.
Behind the booklet in the tray are placed the objects used to help us remember Valentine's life: A small mortar and pestle of the kind that "St." Valentine might have used to grind up the herbs he found so he could use them as medicine, a silk crocus, and a scroll that has an image of a heart and the words, "From your Valentine." The underlay is a 12" square piece of green cloth and is folded on top of the objects. Sometimes Valentine's Day falls during the season of Lent. When that happens you can borrow a purple underlay from one of the other Lent saints when telling Valentine.
A NOTE ABOUT DATES FOR THE SAINTS
There is scholarly debate about the dates for the lives of many saints. We have had to make decisions about these dates for pedagogical reasons. We hope the children will continue to learn more about the saints all their life long, including their dates. The basis for the dates used in this volume is how they are remembered liturgically. This has been established by custom in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, and other traditions. We usually follow the dates that are found in the Episcopal publication called Lesser Feasts and Fasts, 2006. This book is also a reference for remembering saints for most days in the year and for children (and adults) to continue to learn more about the saints, using this liturgical orientation.
You can order this book at www.Cokesbury.com or by calling: 1-800-672-1789.
CHAPTER 5
LESSON 5
THE STORY OF ST. PATRICK (REMEMBERED MARCH 17, DIED IN 461)
LESSON NOTES
FOCUS: ST. PATRICK TRAVELED FOR GOD. THE MATERIAL
• LOCATION: THE MYSTERY OF PENTECOST SHELF, SECOND SHELF, NEXT TO "ST." VALENTINE
• PIECES: ST. PATRICK BOOKLET, A BOAT, A SHEPHERD'S STAFF, A THREE-LEAF CLOVER
• UNDERLAY: PURPLE FELT
BACKGROUND
The place of Patrick's birth is unknown, but it was probably in the West of England or Scotland. He was born about the year 390. He was probably part Welsh and part Roman. For about thirty years he spread the Christian faith throughout Ireland and established many churches, monasteries and schools until he died when he was about 70.
NOTES ON THE MATERIAL
St. Patrick's story sits on a small, shallow tray about 8 inches square, with sides about two inches deep. It has a groove in the front to slide the "saint booklet" in so the children can see it when they approach the Mystery of Pentecost shelf.
The booklet is 4.25" x 5.5". The cover has an image of St. Patrick on it that matches the saint figure used in the introductory lessons on the communion of saints. The second page has a map of the world on it, with Ireland, Patrick's home, highlighted and labeled. It also has an image of the flag of Ireland on it. The third page has a time line beginning with the year 1 AD and ending with the year 2000 AD. It has an arrow indicating when Patrick lived. The rest of the booklet has the story of the life of Patrick. Behind the booklet in the tray are placed the objects used to help us remember Patrick's life: A boat, a shepherd's staff and a three-leaf clover. The underlay is a 12" square piece of purple cloth and is folded on top of the objects.
A NOTE ABOUT DATES FOR THE SAINTS
There is scholarly debate about the dates for the lives of many saints. We have had to make decisions about these dates for pedagogical reasons. We hope the children will continue to learn more about the saints all their life long, including their dates. The basis for the dates used in this volume is how they are remembered liturgically. This has been established by custom in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, and other traditions. We usually follow the dates that are found in the Episcopal publication called Lesser Feasts and Fasts, 2006. This book is also a reference for remembering saints for most days in the year and for children (and adults) to continue to learn more about the saints, using this liturgical orientation.
You can order this book at www.Cokesbury.com or by calling: 1-800-672-1789.
(Continues...)
Excerpted from the complete guide to Godly Play by Jerome W. Berryman. Copyright © 2008 Jerome W. Berryman. Excerpted by permission of Church Publishing Incorporated.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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