Sharing the Story of Dr. King for the First Time
Getting Ready
A Reflection by Nikki Buskirk
On Sunday January 16th 2022, I had the great honor of sharing The Dr. King story with our kids at Hilliard United Methodist Church. Many of our children are seasoned Godly Play kids but this was a new story even for them. From ages 4-11 this story not only held their interest, but sparked positive wondering. Wondering that even had us googling information. They wondered how old he was when he died, how it must have felt to be arrested 29 times and he still never gave up. They wondered what it would have been like to have grown up during this time and when asked where they saw themselves in the story many said they would have been part of the protest. Our younger kiddos said they saw themselves in his 4 children.
They wondered about what it must have been like to be separated on the bus by the color of one’s skin. They wondered where the people who weren’t Black, White, or Mixed sat. That wondering lead them to wondering what they thought God looked like. I reminded them about our creation story and how we are all created in God’s image. I then put the question back to them and asked them “I wonder what God looks like?” Many of the younger kids gave more cartoonish answers, while my older kids really sat and thought about it. God was defiantly sitting with them in that moment.
After the kids left, I sat in our Godly Play room with our Christ candle lit and let it all wash over me. The curiosity these kids had and watching them work through the questions they were pondering was such a sight to see. I was overwhelmed to say the least. I remember working with Dr. Minor on this story just trying to get it right. Trying to get the words right. Wanting it to be all that it needed to be so that the kids got what they needed, while being true to who Dr. King was. All the time thinking of my three little brown boys and other kids who look like them. In the world that we live in and the increasing visibility on racial issues, how amazing is it to be able to share a story about a Black man who did such amazing things and said such wonderful things that folks began to follow him. A man who fought for his family and for his people so that they would be able to share in the thing that we all search for. Love. Love from God, Love in ourselves, but most of all love for each other.
Nikki Buskirk serves as Director of Middle Grade Ministries at Hilliard United Methodist Church and is an alumni of The Ohio State University. She is a member of the HUMC Church Council and serves her local area through community service and activism work. She has been a Godly Play story teller for 5 years with the guiding mantra of God Loves You No Matter What. Nikki also serves on the Foundation’s Beloved Me, Beloved We Advisory Committee.
