Children’s Ministries

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd and Godly Play are two children’s ministries that are found throughout the Diocese of Virginia.

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd

The child, particularly the religious life of the child, is central to the interest and commitment of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd. With this aim in mind, the catechist (adult leader) embraces Maria Montessori’s vision of the human being and thus the attitude of the adult regarding the child; and prepares an environment called the atrium, which aids the development of the religious life. The atrium is a space in which children and adults explore themes taken from the Bible and the liturgy (prayers and sacraments), recognizing Jesus as the only teacher and regarding these as the fundamental sources for creating and sustaining Christian life at every developmental stage and, in particular, for illuminating and nourishing the child in his/her most vital religious needs.

Questions? Contact Davette Himes, Chair of the Episcopal Committee of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd USA and Board member of CGSUSA. Davette is a member of All Saints, Sharon Chapel, which is a training sight for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.

Godly Play

Children have an innate sense of the presence of God. The Godly Play approach helps them to explore their faith through story, to gain religious language and to enhance their spiritual experience though wonder and play. Based on Montessori principles and developed using a spiral curriculum, the Godly Play method serves children through early, middle and late childhood and beyond.

Question? Contact our local Godly Play representative: The Rev. Dr. Rosemary Beales