August 15, 2007
Center for the Theology of Childhood
comes to Church of our Saviour
San Gabriel, CA - The Church of Our Saviour is proud to announce it is the new home of the Center for the Theology of Childhood, a prestigious nonprofit organization dedicated to the religious education of children. The Center was founded by the Rev. Canon Dr. Jerome Berryman, developer of the internationally recognized curriculum known as Godly Play. Its goals are to support the Godly Play curriculum through training, research, and mentoring programs and to sponsor ongoing research about the spirituality of children. Godly Play is the approach to spiritual formation used at Church of Our Saviour for the past eight years.
The Center, much like Our Saviour, has entered a transitional period with the retirement of its director and founder Dr. Berryman. Newly appointed Executive Director Rev. Rebecca McClain and the Center Board first considered relocating the organization to an Episcopal seminary. Ultimately, they determined that Godly Play would better flourish in a vibrant worshipping community rather than in a purely academic environment. Church of Our Saviour, with its unique seven-acre campus setting and history with Godly Play, was identified as just such a community. After careful review the Our Saviour Vestry and Center Board recognized an opportunity to help one another through transition toward a shared future of overlapping and complementary visions.
Church of Our Saviour has had a long-standing commitment to the well-being of children through such diverse ministries as after-school recreational programming, parenting classes, and immunization clinics. The Center's presence on the church's campus can be seen as a natural outgrowth of that commitment.
The new Executive Director of the Center for the Theology of Childhood, Rev. Rebecca McClain, has been a priest for 23 years and has served as Dean of Trinity Cathedral in Phoenix, as Canon to the Ordinary for the Bishop of Arizona, as a Congregational Development Specialist, and as National Stewardship Field Director prior to her most recent assignment with the National Church as Fulfillment Officer. Rev. McClain will not only serve as the Executive Director for the Center, but also as a staff member at Church of Our Saviour.
about Godly Play
The Godly Play curriculum teaches children the art of using religious language - parable, sacred story, silence and liturgical action - helping them become more fully aware of the mystery of God's presence in their lives. It is used with adults as well as children in churches, schools, hospitals, and varied faith communities around the world. Montessori-based, the curriculum uses storytelling and hands-on objects to bring the Biblical narrative to life.
You can learn more about the Church of Our Saviour's ministry with children at
a child's garden school
children & godly play
our saviour center
The Cloister Walk
San Gabriel, CA - South of Grace Chapel a new art installation has come to Church of Our Saviour. This wood and steel-framed-walkway designed by local architect John Dale contains the beautiful stained glass windows from the Children's Chapel that stood nearby on the campus until the late 1990s. The walkway has seating and is an ideal place for quiet contemplation. Lighting highlights the windows at night, making a beautiful display. The walk was dedicated on All Saints' Sunday, November 4, 2007.