Shepherds Crook Puppets
Delivering Bible stories through puppets
A group of volunteers explain Bible stories to primary school children using puppets. The aim is to visit all 9 primary schools in the city every term. The project has been running for 18 years.
Our Story
The group was set up in October 2001 following a gift of three puppets from an American team who were visiting the schools in Lichfield. We started with three puppeteers, then increased to four. Sally Hayter, one of our puppeteers writes all our plays. The plays themselves are accessible to a wide range of ages, include good Bible teaching, humour and are visually engaging.
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Our repertoire of plays includes creation plays, plays based on Old Testament characters such as Daniel, Jonah, Gideon, David and Goliath and the Gospel of Jesus.
We all enjoy working with the puppets, meeting the children and their teachers, and taking the word of God into the schools.
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Meet the Puppets
Our repertoire of plays includes creation plays, plays based on Old Testament characters such as Daniel, Jonah, Gideon, David and Goliath and the Gospel of Jesus.
We all enjoy working with the puppets, meeting the children and their teachers, and taking the word of God into the schools.
Easter and Christmas Schools Week
Drama and Workshop
For the 11 or so Lichfield Christian Schools' Work Trust has worked together with Wade Street Church to present a' Schools' Week' at Easter and Christmas. Each primary school is booked into an hour and a half session, and during that time they take part in an interactive drama, workshops and finishes off with a very lively quiz.
Christmas
At Christmas the church is transformed into the Christmas story. There is a stable, a modern living room, and an opulent King's palace. Costumed characters present the Christmas story, throughout the drama the children are involved in different parts themselves!
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After the drama the children are divided into small groups that move around the space visiting five, or six different workshops. There is time for questions, for discussion, for really getting to the heart of the Christmas story.
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Easter
At Easter, the church is transformed into the Easter story. Once again, the children and their teacher take part in an interactive drama, taking the parts of disciples and the crowd greeting Jesus on his way into Jerusalem.
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There are small group workshops set around the space, including a garden tomb set in the church baptistry. This small group time allows for discussion and questions which can deepen the children's understanding of what Easter is really about. The session ends with a very lively quiz which is so popular with children and staff alike!
Over the years these sessions have been found to be very special, where children can experience awe and wonder and where they have the opportunity to reflect on the deeper meaning behind these two major festivals.
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The sessions for both Christmas and Easter Schools' Weeks are booked up extremely quickly, and early booking is strongly advised.
