Theology and the D Word in Church

When the D word came up in church, it came as a bit of a shock. And I am not talking about the word damnation because in the Episcopal modern setting, that is highly unlikely! Perhaps, in the early 1700s in Britain when George Whitfield and John Wesley locked heads over predestination and the Grace of God. But no, this is 2024, Southern California, another D word made its way into the sanctuary during worship! Even though it was the Feast Day of Saint Francis of Assisi and the blessing of the animals, and our pews were filled with golden retrievers and four-legged friends of unrecognizable breeds, dog was not the word of the day! 

This D word came at announcement time when our parish priest, Fr. Shane moved from the altar area to the first pew where the Sunday School children sit after coming in for the Eucharist. Our church’s tech person brings a handheld microphone to the rector so the people sitting in the congregation and watching the livestream can hear every word of the ensuing conversation. 

As the Director of Christian Education, I created a laminated “cheat sheet” for Fr. Shane so he would know what Godly Play story was told that morning. If you are familiar with the format of Godly Play, there are always four “wondering” questions at the end of the story. 

I wonder what is your favorite part of the story?

I wonder what is the important part of the story?

I wonder if anything could be left out?

I wonder where you are in the story?

Fr. Shane read aloud the dry-erase writing, “Blessing of the Animals” and then the Godly Play story told that morning, “The story of Jacob.” First to be given the microphone was Charlotte, who is in third grade. She reflected on the story accurately, describing the marriage of Jacob to the two sisters and the trickery made by the uncle.

The rector then moved the microphone to Carter, who is in fourth grade. “What do you think? Was that one wife too many?” Carter replied, “Yes it was too much.” Fr. Shane followed up with another question, “What was the most important part of the story?” And then it came, this well-meaning interpretation of this ancient story.

Carter said, “They should have had divorce back then.” 

“We’ll have to hear what our good bishop says about that!” Fr. Shane said with a smile. 

It took a moment for everyone to register what had just been said. And then the surprise came to every adult present, including myself. I had never thought of that before! What if Leah had been able to divorce Jacob? Where would the Twelve Tribes of Israel be!? If, hypothetically, Leah had a good divorce lawyer, might she have enjoyed her life not as second best?

Leah’s fate in Genesis 33 when the whole family returns to face Esau and his company of 400, the favorites Rachel and Joseph are placed by Jacob in the safest location of all, at the rear of the procession. Favoritism abounds!

“Who are all of these?” Esau asks when he meets his long-estranged brother, Jacob.

“My ex-wife and my present wife,” could be one modern interpretation of Jacob’s response.

Children see things very definitively. Godly Play kept with the biblical narrative, and our Sunday School students didn’t miss a step. They saw what needed to be seen and said it.

This was not an ideal marriage. This historical family needed help, and Carter had empathy for them. 

An inquisitive member of the parish later asked me, “What do you teach in Sunday School?”  I told him, “I was not the Godly Play storyteller for the day, but I do know that the stories are written in such a way that are developmentally appropriate.”

I often think about the themes of children’s books, television programs, and movies in comparison to what we read in the Bible. When I hand a new Bible to a parish family, I say, “There is a lot in there.” And if the child is lower elementary, I encourage the parents, “You may want to keep the Bible on top of the fridge until you have time to read through it together.”

Giving respect to what our ancient biblical characters needed at the time is what I will call the Power Theology of Modern Presence. Carter thought about the text and sincerely wondered about its important parts, unafraid of being critical. Somehow, a wrong made thousands of years ago is given justice when a thoughtful child is given a chance to speak.