Dear Ones of St. Columba's,

I had so much fun last week at our bake-off. It wasn't because the men did all the baking, although I did enjoy that. It wasn't even because we had so many first time bakers. What I loved was how playful we got to be together. Playfulness is core part of who I am as a person, and I am continually thankful that it seems to be a big part of who we are together as a community, as well.

We have been hearing a lot of parables lately, from our Sunday morning lectionary. Some of them are intentionally playful, I think, such as the parable of the lost coin where a woman calls all her neighbors to rejoice when she finds a coin. Others are more on the disturbing side, such as the parable of the shrewd manager which we will hear this week, and the parable of Lazarus and the rich man coming up soon after. 

It may surprise you to learn that when we teach Godly Play, the parable lessons are the most playful. Each one is kept inside a golden box, and there are pieces of each parable lesson that are intentionally open to interpretation. Each lesson starts with playful wondering - what is in the box? What might the box really be? What might this piece be? Or this? 

I taught Godly Play every Sunday for a few of years, before I became a priest and while I was in seminary. The parable lessons taught me to play with Jesus' parables, because that is what they were for. Parables are supposed to be sites for wondering, playfulness, and imagination. They are designed for us to find different and new meaning each time we open one up. 

When children play, they are processing and practicing for their lives when they are not playing. When we are playful together - be it a men's only bake-off, an encounter with the parable of the lost son, or in teaching our children a Godly Play lesson - we are practicing for our lives as Christians outside of church. Play, for children, is serious and important work. So also are the ways we are playful together as a community, and I for one deeply cherish the opportunity to be playful with you. 

with care and gratitude,

Alissa