David Pritchard

Summertime

2007-08-16T13:04:00.000+02:00

Right now a blissful peace reigns! The grandchildren and their mums and dads have returned to their respective homes in the UK, Galicia and Madrid, after a fairly exhausting family get-together during the first fortnight in August.

The top photo shows Cilla sharing her 'siesta' time with six of our grandchildren!

It was a fantastic opportunity for cousins to relate, as some of them only see each other about once a year. As for Cilla and I, of course it was really great to have them all. But now, having cleared up the toys, books, DVDs, etc., we are enjoying the peace and quiet of an almost empty house! Must be getting old!!!

Bottom photos: (1) Andrea & Savannah; (2) Jessica & Nadine; (3) Fun at the pool; (4) Break for an ice-cream.

'Home' church website mission slot

2007-06-30T11:58:00.000+02:00

Our 'home' Christian congregation, Roxeth Green Free Church, have placed a nice (albeit, brief) write-up about us in the 'mission' section of their website. Click here to access the page.

It's strange, though, that they have chosen a photo of Cilla and me at Snowdon National Park to accompany the text - the photo on the left. Maybe that's where they think Spain in located?!!

Video about Godly Play

2007-06-30T11:37:00.000+02:00

Click here to watch an excellent 6-minute introductory video to Godly Play. It's presented by Linda Clapp, an accredited GP trainer from the United States

You can also access the video from the right-hand margin on this page ('Multimedia').

Galicia

2007-06-01T13:06:00.000+02:00

During this past month of May, there have been no invitations to lead Godly Play seminars or workshops. So, Cilla and I took a few days off to visit our son, John Paul, and his family at their hotel in Galicia, north-west Spain. These times always give me the chance to practise some of the Godly Play stories with my grandchildren. As soon as I arrive at their house, Danny, the youngest member of the family, always asks me if I have brought any of the wooden figures that are used in Godly Play. These children are my guinea pigs, especially for trying out what are for me new lessons. Their reactions to the stories are very helpful... and they just love Godly Play, so it's all mutually beneficial!

This time we shared the stories of 'The Good Shepherd and World Communion', 'The Holy Family', 'Jesus and the Twelve' and 'The Mystery of Pentecost'. In addition, the children took part in a crafts session to make their own set of the 'Good Shepherd' materials.

More photos HERE

A special place to stay!

2007-05-23T22:53:00.000+02:00

I am writing this post at my son’s place in Galicia, north-west Spain, where John Paul and Maria Angeles run a country hotel. A few months ago, one of the inspectors for Alistair Sawday’s prestigious series of 'Special Places to Stay' guidebooks stayed at the hotel and, as a result, they now have a very positive write-up in the 2007 edition of the guide to Spain.

Here is a quote from the book:

«If you’re sporty and you don’t demand luxury, this modest hotel between Santiago and the Atlantic could be for you. The young owners are keen to promote ‘adventure tourism’ on their patch so you can fish for trout, hike, mountain bike or ride the St James’s Way, sail or, perhaps most tempting of all, swim in the Atlantic off the lovely sands at Carnota. Bedrooms are in the original stone farmhouse and are surprisingly smart considering the price, the best with their own covered galleries. All are cheerfully decorated with attractive wooden furniture and floors, and central heating in bedrooms and bathrooms, a comfort when the days turn chilly. The restaurant is just across the way, new and strictly functional, its culinary philosophy to keep things “simple and local”. Try the local specialities: stuffed peppers and empanada, the Galician equivalent of Cornish pasty. The wine list is surprisingly good. Although this is a no-frills hotel, the young owners’ kindness and hospitality has convinced us that Santa Eulalia deserves a place in this guide.»

But don’t just take their word for it… COME AND SEE FOR YOURSELF!

Godly Play in Jumilla (Murcia)

2007-05-05T14:16:00.000+02:00

On Saturday 21st April, I led a Godly Play introduction day in a town called Jumilla, in the province of Murcia. Twenty-three people from 5 churches in the region took part in the event.

Here's some of their feedback:

"I found this method very interesting and I would like to learn more about it."

"The day has been a great blessing because I have learned a lot about the need to reach people's heart with simplicity, the importance of silence and not to intervene too much or interrupt play in order to impose our doctrine."

"Everything was great. It's an interesting approach for children and young people. It doesn't only teach you Bible, but other things like education."

"It seems to me to be a special way of teaching children, and older people too, important aspects of God's word. It's clear, simple and, above all, fun."

Click here for more photos of the Godly Play introductory day.

Taking advantage of the Godly Play seminar en Jumilla, on Sunday 22nd April I was invited to use the same method in a children's class at the church. There were eight children present, plus some teachers and parents. The boys and girls responded very well to the story of Jonah, the Backward Prophet.

Besides the seminar and the children's class, the weekend also included presentations of Godly Play to two youth groups (in Jumilla and Archena), with an attendance of approximately 50 young people, and also as part of the sermon in the church's evening service.

Click here for more photos of the children's class.

Easter retreat

2007-05-05T13:04:00.000+02:00

A couple of days after my trip to Wales and England, I was able to spend the Easter weekend at a retreat organized by Oasis Madrid, an international church in the Spanish capital. The programme for the weekend included several sessions of Godly Play for the children who attended the retreat.

In these photos, the pastor of the church, Troy Cady, tells the Godly Play story of the 'Faces of Christ', a summary of the life of Jesus of Nazareth, from his birth to his resurrection.

At the end of this lesson, the participants are invited to bring objects from the shelves and place them on the floor in order to 'complete' the presentation. Many objects can be brought - practically everything in the Godly Play classroom is related in some way to the story of Jesus!

Click here for more photos of the Oasis Madrid Easter retreat.

England & Wales

2007-05-05T04:14:00.000+02:00

Recently, Cilla and I were invited by our 'home' church near London to spend a week with them in order to get to know new church members and share at various meetings. Before that, however, we were also able to spend a few days at the B&B guesthouse, at Criccieth (North Wales), where our friend Rachel Jones lives.

So, on Sunday 25th March, we flew from Madrid to Liverpool airport, where Rachel's friends and landlords, Bob & Anne, kindly picked us up. (Unfortunately, Cilla's suitcase failed to arrive and at the date of posting this report - nearly 6 weeks later - there is still no sign of it!)

We spent a few days relaxing in Wales and enjoyed surprisingly warm and sunny weather. The B&B is right on the coastal promenade at Criccieth, and we were also able to explore Snowdonia - as well as purchasing emergency clothing and toiletries for Cilla!

I was also invited to share a Godly Play story (using sand from the local beach!) at a meeting of the local Christian fellowship.

The following Wednesday, Cilla and I took the train to Harrow (Middlesex) and that evening we attended and shared at one of Roxeth Green Free Church's cell groups. The day after, I was asked to lead a Godly Play presentation at the Thursday afternoon group which meets in the church hall. And I was also able to include a brief Godly Play story, on the Mystery of Easter, as part of my Palm Sunday sermon at Roxeth.

The big event for me, however, was the surprise 60th birthday party which the church sprung on me - with Cilla's secretive collaboration! Many family members (sister, uncle & aunt, cousins, nephew, son-in-law & grandchildren), as well as old friends took the trouble to travel sometimes long distances to be at the party. It was astonishing to see folk we had not met since our wedding day way back in 1969! A number of them gave little speeches and said kind things about me which I'm not sure are totally true! There was also a quiz on 1947, the year I was born. (I am trying hard to find time to write personally to those who attended the party. But if you were there and you read this beforehand... a BIG thankyou for being in on the secret!)

A trip to England is never complete without at least a short visit to see our daughter, Lorna, and her family in Thatcham (Berkshire). We were able to spend a couple of days with them before flying back to Madrid on Tuesday 3rd April.

Click here for more photos of our stay in Wales, and here for pictures we took of our time with Lorna, Simon and the grandchildren.

My Flickr! page

2007-05-05T04:02:00.000+02:00

You can now view many more of my photos at my Flickr! page. Please have a look and let me know what you think.

Godly Play workshop in Salou (Tarragona)

2007-05-05T03:36:00.000+02:00

On Saturday 17th March I led a third Godly Play workshop at the Spanish seaside resort of Salou (Tarragona) - although I never get to enjoy the beach! The workshop centred on the 'Liturgical Action' genre of Godly Play, more specifically on the Advent stories. Seventeen trainees from three local churches took part in the 8-hour workshop.

Taking advantage of my stay in Salou, there were other opportunities to present Godly Play stories. On the Saturday evening, after the workshop, I led a Godly Play story with about 15 young people. And on Sunday I took a children's class with about 20 boys and girls who responded well to the Godly Play approach. Finally, in the evening service, there was a chance to present a Godly Play story as part of the sermon.

Click HERE or HERE to view more photos of the workshop.

Update on events

2007-02-26T18:12:00.000+01:00

It's been some time since I offered my readers an update on activities I've been involved in. Here's a brief overview of events since the beginning of the New Year . I'm sorry my posts have not been so frequent on this blog over the past couple of months!

New Year's Dinner
Every New Year, members of the Asociación de Educadores Evangélicos de Madrid (Madrid Christian Educators' Association) get together for a meal. This year it took place on 3rd January. Here are a couple of photos of the event.

Photos: (1) Here I am (2nd left) with some of the other participants at the meal, (2) Cilla (right) with a friend

Castelldefels (Barcelona)
From 9th to 19th January, I was a resident teacher at IBSTE (Instituto Bíblico y Seminario de Teología de España), at Castelldefels, near Barcelona, where I teach a course on Children's Ministry. Taking advantage of my stay there, on Saturday 13th January, the Institute organized an introductory seminar on Godly Play for local children's workers and Sunday school teachers. Eleven people attended the seminar from churches in Barcelona, Girona and Lerida.

Godly Play is an imaginative approach to engaging in Bible stories with children or older people. Since 2004, I have been promoting this method with Scripture Union in Spain. So far, a number of churches in Madrid and Barcelona are already using Godly Play regularly and many other Christian educators have expressed interest in the method.

Photos: (1) Examining Godly Play materials, (2) Students at IBSTE - creative group activity during the course in Children's Ministry

Parables in Bilbao
On 3rd February, I was in Barakaldo, near Bilbao, leading a Godly Play workshop based on Jesus' parables. Eleven children's workers and teachers took part in the practical workshop, which involved learning and practising Godly Play stories, and making their own resource materials.

Here are a few photographs of the workshop.

Barcelona (again!)
I flew to Barcelona for Unión Bíblica (Scripture Union Spain) committee meetings, which took place on 9th & 10th February... my 60th birthday!!!

Residential training weekend near Madrid
From 16th to 18th February, I took part in a training event for children's and youth workers, as well as the leaders of parenting courses. The venue was a Catholic retreat centre at Los Negrales, near Madrid. The weekend was organized by the Asociación de Educadores Evangélicos de Madrid.

The training for children's workers is based on a course I put together for Unión Bíblica (Scripture Union Spain) many years ago, and which continues to run through a cycle of three residential weekends. Seven participants from Madrid and Granada attended the first of these events this year.

The weekend covered subjects such as 'Jesus of Nazareth's teaching methods', 'Child theology', 'Communication', 'All-age worship and learning activities', 'Using drama in teaching' and 'Planning special events'.

Training in informal education - near León
Last weekend (23rd-25th February), I was in a small rural town called Toral de los Guzmanes, near the cathedral city of León, as one of the trainers on a course of informal education for future leaders in children's clubs, camps, etc., run by the Escuela Evangélica de Tiempo Libre Eduardo Turrall. Most of the 26 participants on the course were young people from towns and villages in the area, who were themselves not Christians or churchgoers. The course had been recommended to them by their own local town administrations! My own input to the weekend covered the areas of 'Analysis of the environment (needs assessment, etc.)' and 'Group dynamics'.

Agenda

2007-01-01T20:45:00.000+01:00

October 2007
28 Mejorada del Campo (Madrid): All-age Godly Play worship service, Mejorada Evangelical Church.

November 2007
3 Barcelona: Godly Play workshop (Sacred Stories), Barcelona Christian Community Church.
13-17 Le Rimlishoff (Alsace, France): Scripture Union Bible Engagement Forum. The forum programme covers several speciality areas which encourage active engagement with the Scriptures. I have been asked to share my expertise and experience with Godly Play.
24 Pozoblanco (Cordoba): Introduction to Godly Play, European Christian Misision.

December 2007
1 Madrid: Godly Play workshop (Liturgical Action: Advent & Christmas stories), St George's Anglican Church.
6-9 Barcelona: VII Evangelical Congress - manning SU Spain's stand.
15 Elche (Alicante): Introduction to Godly Play. One of the courses in the 2007-8 programme of theological studies, organized by the Association of Baptist Churches in the South-East (of Spain).

January 2008
9-18 Castelldefels (Barcelona): Course on Children's Ministry at IBSTE (Instituto Biblico y Seminario Teológico de España - Spanish Bible Institute & Theological Seminary).

February 2008
22-24 Los Negrales (Madrid): 1st residential training weekend for children's workers and Sunday School teachers, in partnership with the Madrid Christian Educators' Association.

May 2008
30, 31-1 June Los Negrales (Madrid): 2nd residential training weekend for children's workers and Sunday School teachers, in partnership with the Madrid Christian Educators' Association.

September 2008
19-22 Los Negrales (Madrid): II European Godly Play Conference.
26-28 Los Negrales (Madrid): Godly Play residential workshop & training weekend, based on Liturgical Action. The weekend is organized by Unión Bíblica (SU Spain) in partnership with the Madrid Christian Educators' Association.

Happy Christmas!

2006-12-21T18:44:00.000+01:00

Christians, awake, salute the happy morn,
Whereon the Saviour of the World was born;
Rise to adore the mystery of love,
Which hosts of angels chanted from above;
With them the joyful tidings first begun
Of God incarnate and the Virgin's Son.

A spark of God's love

2006-11-25T15:48:00.000+01:00

When my bones were being formed,
Carefully put together in my mother's womb,
When I was growing there in secret,
You knew that I was there -
You saw me before I was born.

Psalm 139:15-16 (GNB)

Before I formed you in the womb
you were contained in my being.
I have known and cherished you forever.

Long before the world began,
I was a spark of God's love.
I was already chosen in the heart of God
to be holy, to be dear.

Macrina Wiederkehr OSB, Behold Your Life

Grandparents... again!

2006-11-25T13:43:00.000+01:00

Our 11th grandchild, Nicole, weighed in yesterday (Friday) evening at 3.780 kg. Both baby and mother, Miriam, are doing just fine.

With eleven grandchildren, Cilla and I can now train our own football team!!!

Here are a few more photos to enjoy...

My church gave me an asbo

2006-11-16T13:50:00.000+01:00

Here's another poem I've just discovered on the Net.

My church gave me an asbo*

By Nick Lear

My church gave me an asbo for shouting during prayers
They said I was disruptive: I said I didn't care
My church gave me an asbo for crawling under pews
They said it was distracting - untying people's shoes
My church gave me an asbo for singing the wrong words
They said it was disgusting: I thought they were absurd
My church gave me an asbo for laughing far too loud
They said it was despicable: I felt rather proud
My church gave me an asbo for sticking out my tongue
They said I'm disrespectful: I was having fun
My church gave me an asbo for running in the aisle
They said it's dangerous for a seven year-old child

*asbo = Anti Social Behaviour Order

Today's people

2006-11-12T20:22:00.000+01:00

"Children are not the people of tomorrow, but people today. They are entitled to be taken seriously. They have a right to be treated by adults with tenderness and respect, as equals. They should be allowed to grow into whoever they were meant to be - The unknown person inside each of them is the hope for the future."

Janusz Korczak

Latest activities

2006-11-12T17:26:00.000+01:00

So, what's been happening these last couple of months in terms of activities related to my children's work? Plenty of travelling - with meetings in Bilbao, Tarragona, England, Barcelona, Valencia and Madrid!

In September, I was in Barakaldo, near Bilbao, leading an introductory seminar on Godly Play (9th), and later in the month in Salou, Tarragona, running the second Godly Play workshop this year in that place (23rd).

The visit to Salou also included a Godly Play Sunday school class with the children.

At the end of September, I flew to England in order to take part in the Godly Play International Conference. The conference took place from 30th September to 3rd October, at Holland House, a beautiful Tudor-style retreat centre near Evesham, Worcestershire. There were delegates from Canada, Finland, Germany, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, UK and USA.

One of things that was decided at this first European Godly Play Conference was that the second one would be held in Madrid in 2008... and that I would find the venue and host the event!!!

Taking advantage of my time in England, I was able to visit the beautiful Godly Play classroom in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. Such a model classrrom is my dream for Madrid - a place open for groups of children from churches and schools, and also a venue for training events.

Back in Spain, on 21st October I led another Godly Play workshop at a church in the centre of Barcelona, and the following day, during the Sunday morning service, I presented the story of Jonah to a group of children from the church.

However, the day had not yet finished! Taking advantage of my visit to Barcelona, a church in the seaside town of Premià de Mar invited me to present a Godly Play story on the Sunday evening to a group of parents and children from the congregation. This time it was the story of Noah and the Great Flood.

The month of October ended with a trip to Valencia (28th), where I led another Godly Play introduction day.

Finally, on 4th November I took part in a conference on the Family in the 21st Century. This was in Madrid - so this time there was no long-distance travelling involved! At the conference, I led a workshop on Family Breakdown and the its Repercussions in Children.

Now for a short break before I travel again to Barcelona at the beginning of December!

Sheherazade

2006-11-12T15:58:00.000+01:00

As grandparents, Cilla and I are now in double figures! Our tenth grandchild was born at 11.45 pm on Friday, 3 November, in Madrid.

Our son, Samuel, and his wife, Noelia, have patiently waited much more than 1001 nights for their first child, Sheherazade, to be born (cf. The Arabian Nights and Rimsky Korsakov's symphonic suite).

Here are more photos of the proud parents... and a drooling grandmother!

Catching up

2006-11-12T13:16:00.000+01:00

I am well aware that this blog has been lying idle for far too long. Meanwhile, I have been keeping my three Spanish-language blogs up to date:

Obra entre niños (Scripture Union in Spain's blog on children's work)
Godly Play Spain (an account of Godly Play activities and development in Spain)
Unión Bíblica (a new blog for Scripture Union in Spain)

You can have a look at these blogs by clicking on the links. Although they are all in Spanish, they do have plenty of photos to make a visit worthwhile, even if you don't speak the language.

However, I am well aware that I need to catch up with news for my English-speaking readers. So here we go...

What is a child?

2006-08-25T20:50:00.000+02:00

Here's a poem I read some years ago. I've just come across it again in my summer reading, and I thought I'd reproduce it for the benefit of my readership... i.e. for all two of you!!!

What is a child? It's worthwhile being sure,

For their outlook - not ours - he called mature...

Describe a child, then. Simple? Passive? Gentle?

A widespread view, but not one that's parental!

Yes, partly true - but most sentimental.

Those who've had children know they're pioneers,

Tireless seekers hungry for ideas,

Questioners, ready to learn and solve and find,

Committed, energetic, quick of mind,

They trust, they love, but don't use love or trust

As an excuse to sit, grow dull and rust...

If their imaginations are more clear

Than ours, is it not possible they hear?

More clearly too? Are spiritually quicker

Than many a teacher, youth leader or vicar?

May they not hear the voice of God and shout it,

While we get on quite nicely, thanks, without it?

They may not have the knowledge we possess,

So the Holy Spirit has to shift much less

In terms of intellectual debris

Than perhaps he might with you. Or you.

Or me.

From the video Children in the Way, NS/CHP, 1988. Cited in Dallow, G. (2002) Touching the Future, Oxford: The Bible Reading Fellowship, p. 82.

Cousins

2006-08-25T18:17:00.000+02:00

My daughter, Lorna, and her children have just spent a fortnight with us in Madrid. One of the highlights of their visit was the chance for us all to witness the joyful interaction of our two youngest grandchildren, Raúl (on the left of the photo) and Claudia (on the right). They are both about 18 months old.

RE Teachers' Summer School

2006-07-18T13:16:00.000+02:00

Last Wednesday 12th July, I led Godly Play taster sessions at the RE Teachers' Summer School, which took place at the Betania Centre in Ciudad Real. The school was organized by ERE (Enseñanza Religiosa Evangélica) - the government-approved group in charge of training and placing teachers in state schools for protestant RE. Twenty teachers took part, representing churches and schools from various regions in Spain.

Within my time constraints, I was able to present two stories: the Great Family (Abraham & Sarah's faith journey), and the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price. The discussion which followed each presentation focussed on the possible use of Godly Play in schools as an alternative method of teaching RE. Reference was made to The National Society's Godly Play Schools' Project in the UK.

There was also a lively discussion regarding the place of religious iconography in conservative protestant circles, as Godly Play makes much of symbols, wooden figures and Anglican liturgy.

Here are a few photos of the event.

During the free response time that took place after the Abraham and Sarah story, one of the participants went in search of 'altars' from various parts of our Godly Play classroom. He then completed his collection by adding his Spanish ID and photo - as another of God's altars!

Here's some feedback from a few of the participants at the seminar:

"I have really enjoyed this workshop - in my opinion this method would be great for the over 5s."
"Thanks for the presentation and the way you have shared with us."
"It has been a very interesting and innovative workshop - it has sparked off many ideas for our teaching practice, especially that of school RE."

Family visit

2006-06-28T19:51:00.000+02:00

Taking advantage of the Godly Play Enrichment Day (see below), I was able to do several other things: visit my daughter, Lorna, and her family; spend an evening with a friend, David, who has recently suffered the bereavement of his wife; have lunch with my sister, Linda; and also preach at last Sunday's (25 June) morning service at Roxeth Green Free Church.

Here are a few photos of my daughter and grandchildren.

London: Godly Play Enrichment Day

2006-06-28T19:02:00.000+02:00

On Thursday, 22nd June, at London Diocesan House (C of E), I took part in a Godly Play Enrichment Day. There were about 60 people attending - mainly from Anglican and Methodist churches from various parts of the UK. I flew in from Spain especially to take part in the event, which, as well as being a one-day refresher course, also provided the requirements for re-accreditation as a Godly Play teacher.

Apart from the introductory and concluding sessions, the rest of the time was spent in groups of about 15 participants. The Enrichment Day was planned around new stories that will shortly be published in volume 6 of the series The Complete Guide to Godly Play. Specifically, we were able to interact with the stories of Sarah, David and Isaiah and view prototype materials for these stories.

The leaders and co-ordinators of the event were: Rebecca Nye, the director of empirical research for the global community of Godly Play, and senior researcher at the Faculty of Divinity, Cambridge University; Peter Privett, the Godly Play Regional Training Consultant for the UK and Europe; Cyndy Bishop, a Godly Play trainer who, before recently moving to the UK, was the director for Children’s Ministry for one of the largest churches in the USA; and Alison Seaman, an expert on the application of Godly Play to school RE.

Peter Privett presents the story of Isaiah

Prototype material for the stories of Sarah, David & Isaiah