Church of Tonawanda
God's Story/Our Story
Is God at work in your life right now? Join us for our 2025 Calvin Worship Institute Worshiping Communities grant project, “God’s Story/Our Story.”
Our project combines theory with practice, as we offer practical courses and workshops in Godly Play, Out of the Box Stories, and Pretending Bible Stories. Our study groups discuss and reflect on several books in a Wednesday Book Club format, in person at 11:00 am or hybrid at 7:00 pm (in person or zoom). All individuals and church groups are welcome.
This program is made possible through a Vital Worship Grant from the
Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Grand Rapids, Michigan,
with funds provided by Lilly Endowment Inc.
Book Study & Author Visit
Join us to discuss Daniel Schwabauer's book, The God of Story: Discovering the Narrative of Scripture Through the Language of Storytelling.
Wednesdays, 11 am or 7 pm in person, 7 by zoom
6/11, 6/18, 6/25, 7/2
Daniel joins us on Saturday, July 12, from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm for discussion and supper. All are welcome.
Book Study & Author Workshop
Join us to discuss Christine Aroney-Sine's book,
The Gift of Wonder: Creative Practices for Delighting in God. Wednesday 6/4, 11 am or 7 pm in person/zoom
(other dates by appointment over the summer)
Christine joins us via Zoom on Saturday, September 20, as part of our Faith Formation Workshops from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm. Workshop times TBD. All are welcome.
Link to RSVP
Book Study & Author Visit
Join us to discuss Mackenzie Ryan Walter's book, Faith Storytellers: Unleash the Power of Your Story.
Wednesdays, 11 am or 7 pm in person, 7 by zoom
9/10, 9/17, 9/24
Mackenzie joins us on Saturday, November 15, for an introductory workshop and meal, followed by a Storytelling Worship event. All are welcome.
Link to RSVP
Godly Play All-Age Chapel
Our Worship Grant project has allowed us to finish outfitting our All-Age Godly Play Chapel space with all of the Core Godly Play stories. In addition, we trained 8 storytellers in this method. Our chapel sits just outside our sanctuary. Space is limited, so we have furnished our Sunday School classrooms with all of the response materials like art, LEGOs, music, and dramatic props and costumes. Once the story has been told and the group has engaged in wonder, the Godly Play pieces may be taken to other spaces as needed for participants to continue working with them.
Embodying the Text, or Pretending Bible Stories
Putting ourselves right into the Bible stories is a great way to learn, explore, and understand them, and it's an effective way to tell the stories, too. People of all ages can participate with props and costumes to bring the scripture of the day to life in worship.
Join us on Saturday, September 20, for a hands-on workshop in this technique. You'll learn how to adapt scripture readings to this practice, as well as how to use it as a stand-alone activity for other gatherings. This workshop is based on a class taught at General Theological Seminary by Rev. Suzanne Guthrie of At the Edge of the Enclosure (edgeofenclosure.org).
