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Godly Play Core Training is the most comprehensive training for the Godly Play method and theology. This is the recommended training for every adult leading Godly Play sessions, for administrators, and for clergy. Over the course of three days, participants experience all aspects of the Godly Play method and begin to become fluent in the Godly Play core stories and fundamental practices. Additionally, Godly Play's guiding Theology of Childhood is introduced, so participants become more deeply connected to their work. Core Training follows an action/reflection model of learning.
The schedule of the retreat is below:
Thursday, June 6, 6pm-9pm (beginning with dinner at 6pm)
Friday, June 7, 8:30am-5:30pm (continental breakfast in the morning and lunch in the afternoon provided)
Saturday, June 8, 1pm-5pm (afternoon snacks provided, you are also welcome to attend the Grand Haven PRIDE worship service that morning at 10am!)
Sunday, June 9, 1pm-5pm (afternoon snacks provided)
We know that this is a significant commitment of time, but we invite you to look in the faces of the children in your faith community. They are curious, funny, and have great wondering questions about this God they hear about in church. The Godly Play Core Training Retreat will make you feel equipped to lead those children in their wondering journey with God. It also truly is a spiritual retreat format–you will come out of this with a stronger sense of your own connection with God and the stories of our faith.
The cost of the retreat is $250 per person (which includes the full retreat and all meals), but St. John's Episcopal Church is able to subsidize much of that cost for members of the parish and of our broader faith community of the Episcopal Dioceses of Eastern and Western Michigan. Members of our parish or diocese may register at the subsidized cost of $50 per person. (If you want to attend but that is prohibitive, please contact Fr. Cramer as he does have scholarship funds available to cover that portion as well). Those outside our diocesan family who want to attend are warmly welcome at the normal registration costs (though are encouraged to inquire of their own faith communities for assistance, if needed).
Register using the contact details or "register here" button above. For most in-person events, you will be redirected to a third-party registration site.
Virtual training events are coordinated by Godly Play Foundation and you can register on this page. Select the total number of tickets you need, including your own, and click "Add." If you are registering someone else and not attending yourself, please log out of Circles before clicking the Register button. This will allow you to enter a different person's information as the primary registrant.
Organizations needing to register attendees via purchase order/invoice should reach out to registration@godlyplayfoundation.org before proceeding, as this registration system uses credit/debit only.
Please contact the Rector of St. John's, the Rev. Dr. Jared C. Cramer, at rector@sjegh.com with questions.