“Finding Ourselves in the Story” – Growing Faith & Play for Friends

Finding Ourselves in the Story Project Update:

• Please watch for surveys for practitioners and families in January 2025! 

With gratitude, Faith & Play Stories is delighted to announce a project to expand our work, having received a generous grant from the Thomas H. & Mary Williams Shoemaker Fund. 

This two-year project, beginning in September 2024, “Finding Ourselves in the Story: Growing Faith & Play for Friends,” will be directed by current Director of Communication & Training, Melinda Wenner Bradley. The project supports administration and communication that will expand training, publications, and the exploration of how Faith & Play can nurture spiritual community and revitalization for Friends in meetings and churches. 

Thank you to Friends who shared these testimonials for the proposal to the Shoemaker Fund!

“Faith & Play Stories are one of the highest expressions and hallmarks of Quaker religious education in this generation. In many places in the US where Quakerism is fresh and thriving, we find Faith & Play Stories in use. The power and clarity of the stories and the effectiveness of the method, which combines narrative and wondering, can be a key to revitalization.”

“My journey with Faith & Play Stories began during a Young Adult Friends (YAF) retreat, where I found my first worship experience that went beyond traditional Quaker, “waiting worship.” Despite my years within the Quaker community, this encounter was a revelation, demonstrating the depth and diversity of ways in which Quakers may practice, but at the time I did not realize just how unique and precious this experience was.”

“F&P stories are for everyone, and their accessible language sets them apart from other ways newcomers typically learn about Quakerism. I see the potential of the growing collection of F&P stories as a tool for meetings to use to provide a standard, unified introduction and orientation to Quaker faith, practice, and witness. The stories seem to enliven the community regardless of age, and it has been my experience that semi-programmed, intergenerational worship using stories is especially welcomed by families.”