Like a mustard seed
Godly Play, Trust and Transformation
Godly Play in Europe is steadily growing and is playing a significant role in a great number of churches and countries.
But do you ever wonder who the sowers are…
What about the soil that receives the seed?
What kind of seed is that powerful?
What makes the seed germinate?
And how do we encourage the seedling to thrive and grow?
Find out by joining us on our three-day conference.
In September 2020, Godly Play storytellers and friends will meet up in Belgium for the 6th European Godly Play Conference.
Come along and get to know our beautiful Godly Play community tree.
- Content
- Timetable Conference 2020: Like a mustard seed
Godly Play, Trust and Transformation - Main speakers at the Conference 2020
- Academic Symposium & Timetable Academic Symposium
- Practical information
- Conference fees
- Accomodation suggestions
- More information – contact
Content
Join us in discovering how Godly Play is nurturing trust and transformation in these present times.
How do we foster this?
The programme will consist of various plenary sessions and group sessions, storytelling, worship, seminars, with plenty of leisure time, moments of sharing and opportunities to meet (new) friends.
We have scheduled a wide range of workshops and seminars hosted by people from different countries.
Timetable Conference 2020
The ground and the seed
Pedagogical and theological grounds of Godly Play
FRIDAY, 18 SEPTEMBER 2020
| 12:30 | Lunch |
| 14:00 |
Welcome and Opening lecture |
| 15:30 | Coffee break |
| 16:00 | Workshops: Basic ingredients of Godly Play |
| 17:30 | Poster time / Free time |
| 18:30 |
Dinner |
| 20:00 |
Social evening |
| 21:30 |
Free time |
The birds and the nests
Godly Play and vulnerability
SATURDAY, 19 SEPTEMBER 2020
| 09:00 | Storytelling: The parable of the mustard seed Complete session, in different language groups |
| 10:30 | Coffee break |
| 11:00 |
Plenary lecture |
| 12:30 | Lunch |
| 14:00 |
Workshops: Godly Play in different target groups |
| 15:30 | Coffee break |
| 16:00 |
Excursion in Mechelen “Children’s city” |
| 18:30 | Dinner |
| 20:00 | Workshops: Godly Play in different target groups |
| 21:30 |
Free time |
The bush
Gods kingdom is growing
SUNDAY, 20 SEPTEMBER 2020
| 08:30 | Holy Eucharist in the Chapel |
| 09:30 | Storytelling: sacred story (complete session, in different languages groups) |
| 11:00 | Coffee break |
| 11:30 |
Plenary lecture |
| 12:30 | Lunch |
| 14:00 | Workshops: Storytelling inspired by Godly Play |
| 15:30 | Coffee break |
| 16:00 | Workshops: Storytelling inspired by Godly Play |
| 17:30 | Poster time / Free time |
| 18:30 | Dinner |
| 20:00 | Taizé Prayer in the cathedral |
The tree
The Godly Play community is growing
MONDAY, 21 SEPTEMBER 2020
| 09:00 | Storytelling: a liturgical story
(complete session, in different language groups) |
| 10:30 | Coffee break |
| 11:00 |
Plenary lecture “Godly Play: A Way for Today” |
| 12:30 |
Goodbye and Lunch |
| 14:00 | Excursion / GPIC meeting |
Main speakers at the Conference 2020
Gemma Simmonds
Rooted in love: theological grounds of Godly Play
Friday, 18 September 2020 at 14:00
Gemma Simmonds is a sister of the Congregation of Jesus and lectures in pastoral theology and Christian spirituality at the Margaret Beaufort Institute in Cambridge, UK. A former university and prison chaplain, she is a simultaneous translator in 4 languages and has undertaken missionary work in Brazil. Her latest book, The Way of Ignatius, was published in 2018.
Rebecca Nye
Godly Play and Vulnerability
Saturday, 19 September 2020 at 11:00
Dr Rebecca Nye is a psychologist with a special interest in childhood spirituality. Her published work has explored this in Church, school, heath-care and home contexts, in addition to publications about the psychology of Christian ministry. Whilst working at the University of Cambridge (1996-2004), she introduced Godly Play to the UK, and became a Godly Play trainer. In addition to childhood spirituality training and consultancy, she has worked for The Open University since 2009, teaching child and educational psychology, childhood and youth studies, and approaches to researching with and listening to children. She is married with three children who have been an inspiration always.
Kathryn Lord
Godly Play and the Kingdom of God
Sunday, 20 September 2020 at 11:30
Kathryn seeks to support spiritually enriching practices using the method and principles of Godly Play with people of all ages or needs. She has helped to establish Stories for the Soul – a Godly Play approach with older people in care settings. Kathryn practises as a spiritual accompanier and as a trainer in Godly Play and Deep Talk.
Andrew Sheldon
Godly Play: A Way for Today
Monday, 21 September 2020 at 11:00
Andrew Sheldon is the Godly Play Advocate for International Development. He is privileged to travel the world to provide training to storytellers and trainers, speak at Godly Play conferences and gatherings, and to engage in the “business” of Godly Play. Andrew’s greatest delight, however, is the weekly opportunity to get on the floor with children for stories and wondering.
Academic Symposium & Timetable Academic Symposium
The optional Academic Symposium of the European Godly Play Conference 2020 will be held on 17 and 18 September.
Researchers and Godly Play practitioners from all across the world will share their insights, research, reflections on Godly Play.
Academic Symposium of the European Godly Play Conference 2020:
Thursday 17 September at 14:00 - Friday 18 September at 12:30.
THURSDAY, 17 SEPTEMBER 2020
| 14:00 | Welcome and opening lecture
“Listening to the bible: performance criticism, narrativity and Godly Play” |
| 15:30 |
Coffee break |
| 16:00 | Lecture 2
“Performing the final act: Godly Play and the Normativity of the Future“ |
| 16:45 |
Lecture 3 “Godly play in the light of vulnerability and hospitality“ |
| 17:30 | Poster time / Free time |
| 18:30 | Dinner |
| 20:00 | Storytelling Complete session, new story |
| 21:00 | Free time |
FRIDAY, 18 SEPTEMBER 2020
| 09:00 | Lecture 4 “Power, nurturing the spiritual life of children and Godly Play” Annemie Dillen, Professor of pastoral theology and empirical theology at KU Leuven, Belgium |
| 10:30 |
Coffee break |
| 11:00 |
Lecture 5 |
| 12:30 | Lunch |
Practical information
The Conference will begin on Friday 18 September 2020 at 12:30, starting with lunch (the registration desk will open at 11:00) and will end on Monday 21 September 2020 at 12:30.
English will be the main language at the Conference but we will occasionally split up into language or regional group sessions.
The Conference will be hosted at the Diocesan Pastoral Center.
The Center is housed in the former seminary, a historical building in the heart of Mechelen, easily accessible by train or bus and only half an hour’s drive from Brussels airport.
Conference fees
€ 350, including coffee breaks, lunch, dinner and all scheduled conference activities
€ 120 for the additional academic symposium
Accomodation is not included in the conference fee.
Registration will open in September 2019.
Accommodation suggestions
Holiday Inn Express Mechelen City Centre
Youth Hostel De Zandpoort in Mechelen
The Elisabeth Hotel in Mechelen
More information – contact
E-mail: info.gpconference2020@gmail.com
www.godlyplayconference2020.be
