Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Sarah Douglas @sarahdouglas22.bsky.social · 1d

Have you come across Godly Play and Out of the Box?

Sarah Douglas @sarahdouglas22.bsky.social · 1d

It's important to be critical of your own denomination materials as well. I do a lot of adaptation for my own context. Some publications advocate for this.

Just because it’s published…

Sarah Douglas @sarahdouglas22.bsky.social · 1d

How critical are we of the published material that we use with our children's groups and in schools? Three cautionary tales (all from a C of E context!) #CofEPeeps meristemweb.wordpress.com/2025/10/19/j...

“I’m on the rota for the children’s group at church tomorrow,” said my friend Louise, one Saturday evening when we were round for supper. “I’d better have a look at the scheme and see what I’m mean…

Just because it’s published…

2 2 4

Sarah Douglas @sarahdouglas22.bsky.social · 1d

How critical are we of the published material that we use with our children's groups and in schools? Three cautionary tales... meristemweb.wordpress.com/2025/10/19/j...

“I’m on the rota for the children’s group at church tomorrow,” said my friend Louise, one Saturday evening when we were round for supper. “I’d better have a look at the scheme and see what I’m mean…

Reposted by Sarah Douglas

Peter Stefanovic @peterstefanovic.bsky.social · 3d

This is beautiful @zackpolanski.bsky.social

Zack Polanski @zackpolanski.bsky.social · 4d

British.

37 270 920

Sarah Douglas @sarahdouglas22.bsky.social · 28d

Prayer is action

Sarah Douglas @sarahdouglas22.bsky.social · Aug 18

Does layout affect this? I currently worship in a small church that often sits in a semicircle and chat before the service doesn't bother me (mostly happens at the door though). But if I am sitting in pews or rows I feel really irritated by people chatting or gossiping.

Sarah Douglas @sarahdouglas22.bsky.social · Jul 21

Really enjoyed reading it 😊

I wrote this psalm for my friend Simon, when he was living in a care home after being diagnosed with early onset dementia. Lord you have taken away my mind; how then can I know you? My words slip a…

Sarah Douglas @sarahdouglas22.bsky.social · Jul 10

A Psalm for Simon - written on behalf of my friend Simon, when he was living in a care home after being diagnosed with early onset dementia meristemweb.wordpress.com/2025/07/10/a...

A Psalm for Simon

Children and their experiences

Sarah Douglas @sarahdouglas22.bsky.social · Jul 7

What about children and their experiences of God? How does the church view these? Do children get the support they need? meristemweb.wordpress.com/2025/07/07/c...

The final post of four posts reflecting on transformational experiences and formation. You can read the first part here: Children are viewed by churches according to the theology of that church. Do…

Transformational experiences and the laity

Sarah Douglas @sarahdouglas22.bsky.social · Jul 7

How does the church respond to those who have transformational experiences? What can it do to support people? The third of four posts meristemweb.wordpress.com/2025/06/19/t...

The third of four posts reflecting on transformational experiences and formation. You can read Part 1 here: I’ve found that the laity only occasionally talk about their transformational experiences…

Reflecting on a transformational experience

Sarah Douglas @sarahdouglas22.bsky.social · Jul 7

Transformational experiences and formation - reflecting on my own transformational experience following a devastating scan when pregnant with my youngest son. The second of four posts: meristemweb.wordpress.com/2025/06/13/r...

The second of four posts reflecting on transformational experiences and formation. You can read the first post here: My own experience of formation is that I cannot remember a time when I have not …

Transformation and formation

Sarah Douglas @sarahdouglas22.bsky.social · Jul 7

Transformational experiences and formation - how does the church view these, especially when it it concerns the laity? What about children? 1 Transformation and formation: meristemweb.wordpress.com/2025/06/13/t...

The first of four posts reflecting on transformational experiences and formation. Who is formation for? Is it possible to have formation without transformational experiences? How does t…

Sarah Douglas @sarahdouglas22.bsky.social · May 25

Sung evensong at Ely cathedral. I am not very musical so sat there absorbing the atmosphere and looking at the archways of infinite possibilities.

Sarah Douglas @sarahdouglas22.bsky.social · May 12

Intercessions (lay led) were very thoughtful and prayerful. I thanked her and she said she reads all the Bible readings very carefully then looks at different sets of intercessions before adapting. I just read the Bible readings and adapt David Adam! Interesting sermon about what is victory?

Sarah Douglas @sarahdouglas22.bsky.social · Apr 28

I told the Emmaus story using Out of the Box at two tiny rural churches. Very interesting discussions, especially when I asked "how would you symbolise Easter?"

Sarah Douglas @sarahdouglas22.bsky.social · Apr 27

A bit off the wall but would you consider Godly Play or Out of the Box? I find this works with all ages/backgrounds and people can respond to the open questions without judgement.

Sarah Douglas @sarahdouglas22.bsky.social · Mar 29

Thanks Jan

“I was coming back from the shop,” says Harry, “and I went into the church. I had 20p so I put it in the box on the wall.” I am taken aback. I know people do visit our local church which is o…

Sarah Douglas @sarahdouglas22.bsky.social · Mar 29

Do communities need spiritual space? Where will they find it if we close local churches? meristemweb.wordpress.com/2025/03/29/t...

The visited church

Sarah Douglas @sarahdouglas22.bsky.social · Mar 28

Thanks Lindsay. Planning to have a look at your blog when I have a moment 😊

Sarah Douglas @sarahdouglas22.bsky.social · Mar 28

I can see that... But feel there is sometimes a sub text that runs "if only this congregation were more Christian, this church would be transformed" which puts congregations on the defensive as they feel the new incumbent thinks they are totally responsible for the decline

As we come to the end of the Godly Play session, I ask the group of Year 3 children to remake the circle. It is time for prayer. I light the candle and then go round the circle, asking each child i…

Sarah Douglas @sarahdouglas22.bsky.social · Feb 2

We often talk about travelling together with children - but do children see it this way? meristemweb.wordpress.com/2025/02/02/t...

Travelling together?

Sarah Douglas @sarahdouglas22.bsky.social · Dec 25

Happy Christmas! Away in a manger...

Sarah Douglas @sarahdouglas22.bsky.social · Dec 24

Happy birthday!