Godly Play Core Training Retreat

Godly Play Core Training Retreat is the recommended training for those leading Godly Play sessions, program administrators, parents/caregivers and clergy. Over the course of four days, participants experience all aspects of the Godly Play method and begin to become fluent in the Godly Play core stories and fundamental practices. Our training will follow an action/reflection model of learning with a mixture of trainer-led presentations and participant storytelling presentations. Meals are provided for all registered program participants. 

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). 

If you have any questions about the retreat, please contact the Rector of St. John's, the Rev. Dr. Jared C. Cramer, at rector@sjegh.com.