Playing in the Light

PLAYING IN THE LIGHT
Godly Play®/Faith & Play™
Training for Quakers

with Melinda Wenner Bradley
January 30-February 1, 2026
(Friday to Sunday)

Program Description
Facilitator
Registration information


PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

This experiential approach to religious education can transform your program for children and nurture intergenerational spiritual community. Learn and practice a method of storytelling grounded in deep respect for children, that explores the existential limits of their lives through wonder, play, and stories from the Bible (Godly Play) and Quaker faith and practice (Faith & Play). Discussions include:

    • nurturing the spirituality of children
    • exploring the “unspoken” lessons of spaces and methodology
    • supporting children and families in the meeting community
    • working with multiage groups and diverse needs
    • weaving Godly Play/Faith & Play stories into a children’s program with other religious education resources available to Friends.


FACILITATOR

MELINDA WENNER BRADLEY is a licensed Godly Play Trainer and the Director of Communications and Training for Faith & Play Stories, Inc. Since 2005, she has been sharing Godly Play and Faith & Play stories in children’s programs, intergenerational worship, school classrooms, teacher workshops, and international gatherings of Friends. Her teaching ministry weaves together interests in children’s spiritual lives, program development, and support for families and teachers in faith communities and schools. Melinda believes we need to shift religious formation away from scholastic models and toward experiential, belonging-focused ways of being with children and inviting them into spiritual community with all ages. The Godly Play method and stories, and for Friends the Faith & Play stories, are vital resources for making that change and nurturing growth in Quaker communities..


REGISTRATION AND LOGISTICS
See below for more information about registration, cost, meals, accommodations, and other logistics. Or you can proceed directly to REGISTER HERE.


COST & REGISTRATION
The standard rate for the workshop is $375, with a sliding scale of $225-500. The fee includes program, lodging and food from Friday dinner through Sunday lunch. Commuter rate is $250. Bring multiple Friends from your meeting for a discount of $25 per registrant! We are committed to financial accessibility: please pay what fits in your personal budget (at whatever amount), encourage your faith community to financially support your participation if that is appropriate, and let us know if you have additional questions related to fees. A non-refundable deposit of $50 is required to hold a space for a  program unless otherwise arranged. If you need to cancel, the deposit can be applied to a future workshop within 18 months. The balance is due at the beginning of the workshop.

ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE
Plan to arrive after 4:00pm Friday afternoon, in time for dinner at 6:00. The workshop will end by 2pm on Sunday. We are centrally located in western Massachusetts, close to both I-91 and Route 2. For those  arriving by car, we will send directions prior to the event. Please let us know if you’d be interested in car-pooling. The nearest Amtrak train station is in Greenfield (MA), ten minutes drive away. Vermont Transit and Greyhound bus lines also stop in Greenfield. Please contact us in advance if you will need a ride from the station.

ROOM & BOARD
We offer simple lodging (typically double occupancy)  in our main buildings, with shared bathrooms. Our rustic cabins have electricity, woodstoves and outhouses. The meetinghouse and the first floor of the main building are wheelchair accessible; please let us know your access needs when you register. We serve nourishing, home-cooked meals and always offer vegetarian options. Please let us know your dietary restrictions when you register. As part of the community building at each retreat, guests help with meal chores and final clean-up.

WHAT TO BRING

  • Please bring your own toiletries, towels, and bedding (sleeping bag or sheets and blankets or comforter).  Pillows are provided.
  • Be sure to bring seasonally appropriate clothes and comfortable indoor and outdoor footwear.
  • You might also like to bring a flashlight, journal, art supplies, and anything that makes you feel at home…
  • Please do NOT bring pets or candles.
  • We have limited internet access and cell phone reception. We invite you to unplug as much as feasible and be fully present, here and now.

COVID PROTOCOLS
You can read Woolman Hill’s general Covid guidelines here. Please contact us if you have questions.

We look forward to welcoming you to the hill!

Click here to REGISTER ON-LINE for this program.