Burlingame UMC - Youth ministry, Sunday School, UMW, weddings and more

Children and youth are welcome to attend all of our worship services. As none of us have a complete understanding of God and we are all on a journey of spiritual growth, children are welcomed as full participants in worship, including Holy Communion. Children and youth are welcome to serve as readers, ushers and greeters for all worship services (and not just on Sundays). Youth are welcome in all our music groups. View our Children's Ministry Policy. Learn more about Youth Ministry.

What is Godly Play

Godly Play is a creative and imaginative approach to Christian nurture. It is a non-coercive way to encourage children to move into larger dimensions of belief and faith, through wondering questions and open-ended response time. It invites listeners into stories and encourages them to connect the stories with personal experience. It is a way of preparing children to join in the worship and life of our congregation as they develop a deeper understanding of stories.

Imagine an approach to Christian nurture and education that

promotes knowledge, skills empathy, spiritual growth
develops the needs of the whole child
provides a multi-sensory approach to learning
develops language and communication skills
develops thinking skills
provides depth and reflection in every session

A Way to Wonder Together

Godly play is offered to children each Sunday morning from 9:30am to 10:30am in room #219. It is a wonderful way for children to learn the stories of faith — Bible stories, baptism, church seasons, and others — in ways that allow us to enter the stories "as little children" and discover the riches that are waiting there for all of us.

"Godly play" is a term coined by Jerome Berryman to describe an approach to children's spiritual formation that is based on creating a sacred space in which to present the stories of our faith, wonder about them together, and then allow the children open-ended opportunities, usually with art supplies, to engage the story on their own terms.

The stories are told very simply, with simple props, and without interpretation or moral instruction. After a story is presented, the children and the storyteller wonder together about aspects of the story that draw their interest.

You are welcome to "sit in" during class at anytime. You may also contact our instructors:

Sue Milwee: swmwf@comcast.net

Steve Milwee: swmilwee@comcast.net

Child Care

Angela Santillan and Di Wu are our loving and competent professional nursery care providers. Child care is provided at all worship services and by request for church meetings and classes.