Oh, the places Faith & Play Stories went this summer! From May to August, Faith & Play reached Friends at 16 yearly meeting annual sessions in the US, along with the Friends General Conference Gathering, Quaker Spring, and the Friends Forward conference for educators.
Deep thanks to the Friends who carried stories and presented programs about this ministry over the summer months! The word cloud shown above illustrates the responses from those Friends when we asked them to describe their experiences in a few words. All of them reported that this opportunity to bring Faith & Play to other Friends nurtured their experience of community at a summer event. One Friend shared: “Facilitating the story was one of my favorite times at annual sessions.”
Various programs were offered at these gatherings — workshops, interest groups, stories with children and youth programs, stories in intergenerational programs, along with stories in worship and worship sharing. Interest groups were an opportunity for those who have been trained to use Faith & Play and Godly Play to connect and share about experiences, as well as being spaces for “F&P curious” Friends to learn more. Workshops can go a little deeper in sharing about the Godly Play method and how Faith & Play Stories was created and continues to grow. A presenter commented, “Everyone who attended the session shared deeply.”
Overheard in the wondering after a circle of children at Ohio Valley YM experienced the story “Listening for God” —
“Every part of the story is about us”
“I also sense God when I play”
“I sense God when I’m with my friends and my family”
“Can you come back and tell us this story again tomorrow?”
Whispered by a child to the storyteller after an intergenerational experience of “Sarah Mapps Douglass and the Truth of the Back Bench” at Philadelphia YM:
“They’re all together now.”
Shared by a head of school during the wondering after “George Fox’s Big Discovery” at the Friends Forward gathering for Quaker school professionals:
“This story is why we’re all here.”
At Wilmington YM, the Fox story was shared during their opening plenary:
“Our annual sessions opened with a prayer, then Friends moved into a semi-circle for “George Fox’s Big Discovery.” As it was afternoon mid-week, no children were present. We were a group of about 15 adults. Wondering was powerful, after which we moved into an hour-long crafting program. Friends were inspired by the story to create paintings, written word, fiber art materials, stained glass, etc. along the theme of “joy in times such as these.” One Friend wrote a song and shared it with the group. Another Friend created a journal cover, others made paintings and stained glass, and one Friend wrote a poem called “Under the Hat” about George Fox. The sharing was rich and uplifting.”
[The poem is shown below!]
It is wonderful to have faithful volunteers, including trustees of Faith & Play Stories, who bring this work to our wider communities across many regions and events. We’re already looking toward summer of 2027! If you would like to help share Faith & Play at your yearly meeting’s annual gathering or another event for Friends next summer — or earlier! — please be in touch. We’ll provide all the handouts and materials you need — you bring your voice, experience, advocacy for Faith & Play, and joy!
“Underneath the Hat”
Underneath the hat were questions
BIG questions
Important questions.
Underneath the hat was an ordinary one
Like you
Like me.
Underneath the hat was a beating heart
That cared deeply
That needed answers.
Underneath the hat-a mind that wouldn’t settle
Needed to be real
Needed a connection.
Underneath the hat so very quietly
God spoke
God answered.
Underneath the hat one heart did leap
With Joy!
With love.
Underneath the hat was George Fox
And you
And me.
~RHG~
Shared at Wilmington YM Summer 2026