A Year 2 child getting in trouble at a break time in school and being called to account.  Probably not that unusual a situation.  Their response, “it’s alright though because God’s on my side”, is perhaps a little more unconventional!   

This was not one of the outcomes we had planned from this year’s prayer space at out local primary school, but it demonstrated that it had made an impact.

We as a church have established a really positive working relationship with Monteney over the last five years.  We have taken lessons and assemblies in the school and the choir are now a regular part of our Family Carol Service at Christmas.  By far the highlight for us each year is the invitation to run a prayer space as part of the school’s annual ExploRE programme.  This is a week in which the school focus on teaching RE and invite representatives from different faiths to share something of their religion in school.  In a predominantly ‘white’, ‘Christian’ area it’s so encouraging (and important) to see the children learn about Islam, Judaism and more.

The school allow us to turn their training in room into a prayer space.  We put up a gazebo, darken the room, string fairy lights, and have installed bubble tubes and plasma globes.  When the children enter the room there is often a sense of quiet wonder at the ‘otherliness’ and calm of the space.  Every class in Years 1-6 came into the space for a lesson about the Christian faith, often focussed on prayer.

We have based the prayer spaces on different themes over the years, including the Easter story and The Lord’s Prayer.  This year, to reflect the various ExploRE themes for each year group, (pilgrimage, story and giving/sharing), we chose the parable of The Prodigal Son.  After telling and discussing the story with the children they were invited to spend time exploring the different activities, based on aspect of the parable.

Big Questions, written on pieces of paper and hung from the gazebo; seeking forgiveness by writing or drawing, placing the message in a bottle, and sending it away on a paddling pool of water; drawing around a foot and writing hopes for their journey; post-it notes stuck on a map of the globe to express their concerns for the world; mirrors to reflect and bible verses to reflect on how much they are loved, and thankfulness playdough.

As ever, the children’s openness and faith encouraged and challenged us, and their comments and interactions made us smile and laugh.  Some comments from the children:

“I liked listening to the story”

“I loved looking at the activities in the prayer space, it’s a fun way to learn and think about God. We made things we were grateful for.”

“I’d like to do the prayer space more, I really liked it.”

“I like exploring the big questions and why people believe in God in the first place.”

“I liked that we had time to think and reflect.”

“It felt really calm and peaceful in the prayer space.”

It was another great week, in which we were privileged to take part, as learners and prayers as much as enablers.  As ever we are grateful to Moneteny School for the invitation, welcome and support.

Rev. Andy Poultney, St Paul’s Church, Parson Cross, North Sheffield