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Meet Our Trainers

To inquire about trainings near you, please contact:

These are our accredited Canadian Godly Play Trainers:

Anne Clark

Western Canada Coordinator

arbc52@gmail.com

Anne has been wondering about Godly Play since she was first exposed to a Godly Play story in 2005.  She was accredited as a storyteller in 2006 and as a trainer in 2008.  She marvels at the way children, particularly young boys, respond to Godly Play, opening themselves to their experience of God, finding language about and connection to a great mystery. She delights during trainings in watching adults open themselves to the possibilities for Christian nurture for children, themselves and for their congregations.

Cathy Cryder

British Columbia

cathycryder@gmail.com

Cathy Cryder is Minister with Children, Youth and Families at Dunbar Ryerson United Church. Cathy was introduced to Godly Play in 2003 and was certified as a Godly Play Trainer in 2008. She is moved and inspired by the ways Godly Play creates sacred space and time for children’s encounters with God..

Barbara Hansen

British Columbia

bmhansen@telus.net

Barbara Hansen was introduced to Godly Play in 2003 and it was love at first sight.  As a certified teacher and trainer, she continues to share her passion, using the stories and concepts as a Diaconal Minister.  It is her belief that the congregation benefits from exposure to Godly Play.  In honouring children, it prepares us to welcome all of God’s children.

Mary Nichol

British Columbia

marlynichol@gmail.com

Mary first experienced Godly Play in 2005 and was certified as a Godly Play trainer in 2008.  She is committed to creating sacred and safe space for children to engage and deepen in their relationship with God.

Mary currently serves as Coordinator of Education for Children’s and Family Ministries for the Pacific Mountain Region of The United Church of Canada.

(780) 352 2157

Ruth Lumax

Alberta Coordinator

wondering.together@gmail.com (Alberta Network)
uchurch@incentre.net (Ruth)

Are you ready to come close to God? Ruth is, most days. And when people come close to Godly Play, lives change! Ruth’s has. From wondering to leading and always wondering, Ruth enters the Godly Play circle as both practitioner (2006),  Trainer (2011) and someone who is passionate about our biblical story.  Ruth is committed to building the circle strong enough to do the work we need to do! She invites you to come close to God through wondering, silence and playful story. Ruth currently serves in ministry leadership at First United Church in Wetaskiwin AB.

Andrew Sheldon

Ontario

andrew@godlyplay.ca

Andrew Sheldon immediately recognized the value of this innovative program and became an early advocate of Godly Play in the Diocese of Toronto and an accredited trainer in 2009. He is an Anglican priest and an experienced adult educator and trainer. Besides being a gifted Godly Play Trainer and Storyteller, Andrew the Godly Play Coordinator for International Development. 

Amy Crawford

Ontario

godlyplaybusiness@gmail.com

Amy Crawford is the Team Leader for Faith Formation and Mission with the United Church of Canada. She fell in love with Godly Play over 20 years ago when she first she sat on a floor listening to Jerome Berryman tell his stories. Since Amy was accredited as a Teacher Trainer in 2007 she has trained storytellers and trainers around the world. The parables are her favourite genre and she always looks forward to what happens when people knock on the lid and come inside.

Maya Landell

Ontario

mlandell@mac.com

Maya Landell has diverse experience with children and youth within the United Church of Canada. For many years Maya has been using Godly Play in a variety of settings, including worship. She brings a deep spirituality and sense of play to everything she does. Maya currently serves as the Minister at Islington United Church in Toronto.

Judson Bridgewater

Ontario/Quebec

judson.bridgewater@mail.utoronto.ca

Lt Colonel The Rev Canon Judson Bridgewater (aka Judson) is a chaplain serving Ontario. When not deployed overseas or engaged in pastoral counselling, Judson enjoys storytelling and wondering in austere environments alongside the troops or in the non-denominational chapel alongside curious families.

‘God came close to Judson and Judson came close to God’ with Godly Play in 2011. Since then, he has introduced Godly Play in churches and chapels.  In 2015, he became an accredited Godly Play trainer.

Judson loves how Godly Play connects the stories of God’s people as seen in the Bible, with the individual’s own experience of the living God. In doing soGodly Play helps children (young AND old) discover Jesus for themselves and allows the scriptures and sacraments to come alive! He is currently engaged in part-time studies at U of T (Wycliffe) exploring the use of Godly Play outside the chapel with small groups and with individuals asking existential questions about meaning, purpose, life and death.

Judson is eager to facilitate Core Trainings, day-long introductions , Godly Play tasters, and virtual or live workshops. Please email for more info!

Janice MacLean

Maritimes

janice@prayerbench.ca

Janice is the Creator & Host of the Prayer Bench Ministry.

Anne Pirie

Maritimes

anne.pirie001@gmail.com

Anne lives in Sackville, NB and is a Godly Play Canada Trainer.

Shawn Redden

Maritimes

shawngodlyplay@gmail.com

Shawn is minister at Visions United Church, Stilesville, NB.

Cathy Laskey

Maritimes

claskey@diofton.ca

Cathy Laskey is the Executive Assistant to the Bishop of Fredericton and the Coordinator of Godly Play Maritimes.

Kathy Peddle

Newfoundland and Labrador

kathypeddle7@gmail.com

Donna Ronan

Newfoundland and Labrador

donnaronan54@gmail.com