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Join us on campus this fall for three Commuter Core modules, either to become a certified facilitator or to learn more about Godly Play.
Lifelong Learning will host three Commuter Core modules for those preparing to become a certified Godly Play teacher/mentor and those who simply want to learn more about Godly Play. Use this registration page to register for Module 3 only. Visit our LL programming collection page to sign up for the other modules.
Saturday, September 12, 2026 - Module 1: Sacred Space, Sacred Stories
Saturday, October 10, 2026 - Module 2: Spirituality of the Child & Parables
Saturday, November 7, 2026 - Module 3: Liturgical Action & Supporting the Circle
Each training is from 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. ET
Those seeking a Core Training certificate must attend all three modules (not necessarily in order or in a certain location) and present at leastone Godly Play lesson to peers in the safe and supportive environment of VTS's dedicated Godly Play room. See the Godly Play Website for more info/opportunities.
All of our trainings take place on site at Virginia Theological Seminary . Learn more about visiting campus.
Lunch from Panera Bread will be provided by Lifelong Learning as part of your registration.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Dive into the transformative world of Godly Play, an innovative approach to spiritual education for children created by the Rev. Dr. Jerome Berryman. Led by experienced trainers Rosemary Beales and Lynn Dunn, participants will gain the skills and confidence to share Godly Play lessons with children in their communities. Godly Play is more than storytelling, but story is at its center. “Wondering” together is a key element of Godly Play, which seeks not to impose meaning but to cultivate the curiosity and openness that allow children (and adults) to develop their own understanding.
MODULE 3
Participants will learn techniques for supporting the circle of children during sessions and focus on liturgical action lessons.
This program is brought to you by the department of Lifelong Learning at Virginia Theological Seminary. Contact us ([email protected]) if the cost to participate is a barrier for you.
Questions? Email [email protected].
Learn on Your Own Time: Explore on-demand programs.
Stay in touch: Subscribe to our monthly newsletter.
The Rev. Dr. Rosemary Beales has been a practitioner in Godly Play since 1996 and an accredited trainer since 2000. After a career in journalism, she found a better story to tell when she discovered Godly Play. Through years of sitting in circles with children, she was led to Virginia Theological Seminary, where she graduated in 2005 and was ordained to the Episcopal priesthood. In 2012, she received a Doctor of Ministry degree from VTS, completing a thesis based on using Godly Play to encourage parents in their role as primary spiritual mentors (“Nurturing the Nurturers,” available at www.academia.edu). She was part of the team that revised and expanded the eight volumes of Complete Guide to Godly Play. Rosemary has served both in parishes and in school ministry, including 12 years as chaplain to grades JK-5 at St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Va. Rosemary has retired from parish work, allowing her time to continue Godly Play training and also to relax a bit with her three grown children, seven grandchildren, and a growing assortment of friends.
No event schedules available
Alexandria, VA
131.42
Join us on campus this fall for three Commuter Core modules, either to become a certified facilitator or to learn more about Godly Play.
Lifelong Learning will host three Commuter Core modules for those preparing to become a certified Godly Play teacher/mentor and those who simply want to learn more about Godly Play. Use this registration page to register for Module 2 only. Visit our LL programming collection page to sign up for the other modules.
Saturday, September 12, 2026 - Module 1: Sacred Space, Sacred Stories
Saturday, October 10, 2026 - Module 2: Spirituality of the Child & Parables
Saturday, November 7, 2026 - Module 3: Liturgical Action & Supporting the Circle
Each training is from 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. ET
Those seeking a Core Training certificate must attend all three modules (not necessarily in order or in a certain location) and present at leastone Godly Play lesson to peers in the safe and supportive environment of VTS's dedicated Godly Play room. See the Godly Play Website for more info/opportunities.
All of our trainings take place on site at Virginia Theological Seminary . Learn more about visiting campus.
Lunch from Panera Bread will be provided by Lifelong Learning as part of your registration.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Dive into the transformative world of Godly Play, an innovative approach to spiritual education for children created by the Rev. Dr. Jerome Berryman. Led by experienced trainers Rosemary Beales and Lynn Dunn, participants will gain the skills and confidence to share Godly Play lessons with children in their communities. Godly Play is more than storytelling, but story is at its center. “Wondering” together is a key element of Godly Play, which seeks not to impose meaning but to cultivate the curiosity and openness that allow children (and adults) to develop their own understanding.
MODULE 2
Module 2 focuses on children's spiritual development and how to effectively present parables in the Godly Play method.
This program is brought to you by the department of Lifelong Learning at Virginia Theological Seminary. Contact us ([email protected]) if the cost to participate is a barrier for you.
Questions? Email [email protected].
Learn on Your Own Time: Explore on-demand programs.
Stay in touch: Subscribe to our monthly newsletter.
The Rev. Dr. Rosemary Beales has been a practitioner in Godly Play since 1996 and an accredited trainer since 2000. After a career in journalism, she found a better story to tell when she discovered Godly Play. Through years of sitting in circles with children, she was led to Virginia Theological Seminary, where she graduated in 2005 and was ordained to the Episcopal priesthood. In 2012, she received a Doctor of Ministry degree from VTS, completing a thesis based on using Godly Play to encourage parents in their role as primary spiritual mentors (“Nurturing the Nurturers,” available at www.academia.edu). She was part of the team that revised and expanded the eight volumes of Complete Guide to Godly Play. Rosemary has served both in parishes and in school ministry, including 12 years as chaplain to grades JK-5 at St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Va. Rosemary has retired from parish work, allowing her time to continue Godly Play training and also to relax a bit with her three grown children, seven grandchildren, and a growing assortment of friends.
No event schedules available
Alexandria, VA
131.42
Please join us for the 2026 The Rt. Rev. John T. Walker Commemoration and Symposium 2026!
Commemoration of The Right Reverend John Thomas Walker
The African American Episcopal Historical Collection invites you to the Commemoration of the Rt. Rev. John T. Walker, 6th Bishop of Washington, at Virginia Theological Seminary on September 24, 2026. This annual observance will include a Commemorative Eucharist and the Walker Symposium, with this year’s theme focusing on the life and work of Black lay theologian Verna Dozier. Please mark your calendars—more details coming soon.
Symposium Theme: The Life and Work of Theologian, Verna Dozier
1 pm - Discussion Panel with Dozier's editor, Cynthia Shattuck, L.H.D., and the first Black female tenured professor of VTS, the Rev. Judy Fentress-Williams, Ph.D.
2 pm - Reception
3 pm - Keynote Address by the Rt. Rev. Michael Curry, 27th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church
All Day in the Bishop Payne Library - Recording of the first lecture in Verna Dozier's series From Us to Me
5:15 pm at the Immanuel Chapel - Commemorative Eucharist, honoring the Rt. Rev. John T. Walker, 6th Bishop of Washington
Celebrating: The Rt. Rev. Michael Curry
Preaching: Dr. Donyella McCray
Founded in 1917, the Women's Bar Association of the District of Columbia represents over a century of dedication to supporting women in the legal profession and advancing justice in Alexandria, VA and the Washington, DC metropolitan region. The organization was established by pioneers like Ellen Spencer Mussey during a transformative era when women were largely excluded from law schools, the practice of law, and bar associations themselves. Today, the WBA continues its founding mission of maintaining professional integrity, promoting the administration of justice, advancing and protecting the interests of women lawyers, fostering mutual improvement, and cultivating a spirit of friendship among members. The association envisions a world where all women lawyers are empowered to achieve personal and professional success, where members are meaningfully connected and mentored, and where diversity, equity, and inclusion define the organization's culture and leadership. Open to all who value its mission, the WBA welcomes attorneys, legal professionals, and supporters committed to strengthening the legal profession. Through meaningful connections, substantive programming, and community service initiatives, the organization works to raise the visibility of women in law and promote their elevation to leadership positions. The WBA's commitment extends beyond its membership to the broader community, particularly through the WBA Foundation's work supporting nonprofits serving women and girls in the legal field throughout the DC area.
Founded in 1985 by a group of concerned African-American women in Northern Virginia, Black Women United for Action (BWUFA) emerged from a simple but powerful recognition: highly educated and professionally talented Black women were underrepresented in decision-making positions in education and government. What began as a local initiative in Alexandria, VA has evolved into a diverse, ethnically inclusive volunteer organization with members spanning the Washington Metropolitan area, multiple states along the Eastern Seaboard, and Canada. BWUFA's mission centers on advocating for women's concerns and improving the lives of impoverished, vulnerable families through empowerment and self-sufficiency approaches. The organization values collaborative partnerships and maintains a deep commitment to family preservation and community development. Beyond direct service provision, BWUFA serves as a cultural steward, raising awareness of overlooked chapters in African-American history and highlighting the community's contributions to building the nation. The organization's signature initiatives, including the annual Mount Vernon Slave Memorial Wreath Laying Ceremony, reflect their dedication to honoring heritage while serving present-day community needs. Operating from Alexandria, BWUFA continues to be distinguished by its diverse membership, grassroots methodology, and unwavering focus on uplifting at-risk communities and creating opportunities for vulnerable families to achieve self-sufficiency and dignity.
Since 1973, the American Indian Higher Education Consortium has been the collective voice for tribal higher education in the United States. What began as a support network for six pioneering tribally controlled colleges has evolved into a movement encompassing 37 Tribal Colleges and Universities dedicated to providing culturally rooted, holistic education to American Indian communities. Based in Alexandria, VA, AIHEC represents the shared mission of member institutions created and chartered by tribal governments to serve their people through locally based, supportive academic programs. The consortium embodies a commitment to strengthening Indigenous languages, cultures, and tribal sovereignty while creating pathways to economic opportunity in some of America's most underserved regions. AIHEC's member institutions serve as vital community anchors, operating in rural areas where they provide not only post-secondary education but also economic development and social stability. The organization's leadership structure reflects its democratic values—governance by the presidents of member TCUs ensures that decisions serve the authentic needs of tribal communities. AIHEC's advocacy work addresses systemic inequities in federal funding and policy, championing the unique contributions of tribal colleges to rural America and national development. Through collaborative initiatives and member support, AIHEC continues the foundational work of building educational excellence, preserving cultural heritage, and empowering American Indian students to thrive in their communities and beyond.
