To Be A Pilgrim.

Summer Programme was fantastic.  We had five kids (and one more who came only on Tuesday, as that was the only day she was free), and they were all full of energy and creativity.

For those of you who haven't read the plans, you can find them here.  At the request of the kids, we added a treasure hunt to Friday's plans, and also did a voice recording of the script we wrote, as it was too hard for the kids to read AND manipulate the puppets at the same time.  So we made a very cool recording, complete with sound effects, and I just pressed "play" at the appropriate time, with pauses for all the songs.  We sang "He Who Would Valiant Be" at the start of the show, "One More Step Along The World I Go" halfway through, and finished with "Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer."

Here are some photo highlights of the week. Click on any of the photos to enlarge them.

Every day started with free play in the community space.  There were markers and paper available, as well as a book corner and spiritually imaginative toys.  The kids ignored the toys and played Hangman for the first few days, but got into the toys by Tuesday or Wednesday.

We then had morning worship and watched that day's segment of Dangerous Journey, the BBC's adaptation of Pilgrim's Progress.  The kids were sceptical at first, but were soon asking to rewatch their favourite parts!

For the rest of the day, we made puppets, or decorated our set, or played drama games, or had lunch and played outside.

At the end of the week, we had the puppet show!

We made our voice recording first.

Christian arrives at the wicket gate, despite being shot at!

Christian visits the Interpreter's House.

Christian is rid of his burden and receives his parchment.

Christian fights with Apollyon.

Christian walks through the Valley of the Shadow of Death.

Christian and Faithful visit Vanity Fair.

Faithful is tried by Lord Hategood.

Christian and Hopeful are captured by Giant Despair.

Christian and Hopeful are entangled in a net by the Flatterer.

Christian and Hopeful arrive at the Celestial City ...

... and are welcomed by Shining Ones with trumpets!

The puppeteers take a bow!

Seminar Update - third speaker confirmed!

The third speaker for our seminar on Children's Spirituality in November will be Gretchen Wolff Pritchard.  Gretchen is the author of Offering the Gospel to Children, the founder of The Sunday Paper and Beulah Enterprises, and an internationally renowned Christian educator.  She also happens to be my mother, which explains why she's flying across the Atlantic for a grand total of 48 hours.

So our full lineup is:

Dr. Rebecca Nye, speaking on "Children's spirituality - what is it and what can parents do?"

Gretchen Wolff Pritchard, speaking on the Christian story and how children understand it.

Victoria Goodman, speaking on techniques for building children's spirituality at home.

The day will also include a chance to tour the children's areas at St. George's and to play with our toys!  Email margaret@stgeorgescampdenhill.co.uk for tickets and information!