Godly Play: Making meaning through story, wonder, and play. Nurturing spiritual lives by honoring the centrality, competency, and capacity of children.
— Godly Play Foundation Mission statement
Welcome!
At Saint Mark’s, children are not only the future of the Church—they are the Church today. Godly Play is one of the ways we nurture their spiritual lives, offering space to experience God’s love, wonder, and presence in community.
About Godly Play
Saint Mark’s has a long and meaningful history with Godly Play, a Montessori-based approach to spiritual formation, long considered the gold standard for children's formation in The Episcopal Church. Used in 70 countries worldwide, Godly Play is recognized as a trusted method for helping children explore their faith with imagination and wonder.
Godly Play affirms that children are already in relationship with God. Through storytelling, sacred play, and guided wondering, children engage deeply with the core stories of scripture and the practices of our liturgical tradition. This process helps them learn to speak the language of our Christian faith in a way that is both personal and authentic.
When & Where
Godly Play is offered at 10:10 a.m., most often on the first and third Sundays of the month, September through June (see chart to the right for the full schedule). Two classes are available:
- Preschool through 2nd grade
- 3rd through 5th grade
Both classes meet on the mezzanine level of the St. Nicholas Building.
Safety & Training
All Godly Play mentors at Saint Mark’s receive specialized training, pass a background check, and complete Safe Church training to ensure a safe and supportive environment for every child.
Learn More & Connect
- For more information about Godly Play at Saint Mark’s, please contact Canon Wendy Barrie at wbarrie@saintmarks.org.
- Register your child to participate for the 25/26 school year by submitting the form here.
- Learn more about Godly Play: godlyplayfoundation.org
Schedule
FIRST AND THIRD SUNDAY OF THE MONTH, SEPTEMBER–JUNE (except in November 2025 and April 2026, when it will meet on the second and third Sundays), 10–11 A.M., in the Godly Play classrooms on the 2nd floor of the St. Nicholas Bldg.
Register your child to participate for the 25/26 school year by submitting the form here.
| Date | Pre-2nd Grade | 3rd–5th Grade |
|---|---|---|
September 21, 2025 |
Creation |
The 10 Best Ways |
October 5, 2025 |
The Ark & the Flood |
Moses |
October 19, 2025 |
The 10 Best Ways |
The Ark & the Tent |
*November 9, 2025 |
The Ark & the Tent |
David |
November 16, 2025 |
Exile & Return |
The Ark & the Temple |
December 7, 2025 |
Advent I & II |
The Mystery of Christmas Part 1 |
December 21, 2025 |
Advent III & IV |
The Mystery of Christmas Part 2 |
January 4, 2026 |
Epiphany |
Epiphany |
January 18, 2026 |
The Good Samaritan |
Martin Luther King Jr. |
February 1, 2026 |
The Good Shepherd |
The Good Samaritan & The Good Shepherd |
February 15, 2026 |
The Mustard Seed |
Creation & The Parable of the Sower |
March 1, 2026 |
Faces of Easter I–IV |
The Greatest Parable I & II |
March 15, 2026 |
Faces of Easter V–VII |
The Greatest Parable III & IV |
*April 12, 2026 |
The Legend of the Easter Eggs |
The Legend of the Easter Eggs |
April 19, 2026 |
The Synagogue & the Upper Room |
Knowing Jesus in a New Way I–IV |
May 3, 2026 |
The Good Shepherd & World Communion |
Knowing Jesus in a New Way V–VII |
May 17, 2026 |
Mary the Mother of Jesus |
The Synagogue & the Upper Room (and review) |
June 7, 2026 |
Baptism |
Symbols of the Holy Eucharist |
June 21, 2026 |
Saul Changes |
Circle of the Holy Eucharist |
*Meets on the second Sunday instead of the first in November 2025 and April 2026.