About us…

Di Pagel has been practicing the art of Godly Play since 1992. She became a trainer in 1999 and has 30 years of experience as storyteller, doorperson and coordinator of Godly Play programs. She worked as Director of Family Ministry in two churches – one a large suburban church and in 2007 in an urban setting in downtown Oakland.

She has traveled extensively overseas as a trainer over the past 30 years introducing Godly Play in Canada, the United Kingdom (for the first Godly Play Training of Trainers event), Germany for that same event, training seminary students and Church Educators in Beirut, Lebanon and most recently, training church workers in Antalya on the Mediterranean coast for the Protestant church of Turkey. In 2021 Di co-led the most recent Training of Trainers in the US in Denver, Colorado.

She retired from her full-time position in 2019 at First Presbyterian Church of Oakland but continues to train adults and lead the Godly Play program at her church. She has four grown children and three grandchildren.

Jill Gidlund was introduced to Godly Play in 2008 and since then has found ways to practice Godly Play in many settings; for many years as a director of Children’s Ministries at Church Without Walls in Berkeley and then at Haven Faith Community in Berkeley.

Currently, Jill directs a Godly Play program at Bethel Community Presbyterian Church in San Leandro and also teaches Godly Play at Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Castro Valley. In addition to working in churches, Jill has worked as a parent educator in the Bay Area, talking with schools, churches and groups about topics like Nurturing Children’s Spirituality, creating rhythms and rituals in families, talking about hard topics with kids, and the importance of contemplation in family life. Jill became a Godly Play trainer in 2021.

She enjoys spending time with her family and her goofy Australian Shepherd, Charlie, and also baking, writing poems and growing food and flowers.

Di Pagel, Raenelle Tauro, and Jill Gidlund are licensed Godly Play trainers located in the Bay Area. They love to collaborate and also support each other in their Godly Play work as colleagues. They train together or separately depending on the need and availability. They are available to train near and far, and strive to connect Godly Play practitioners in California. Please click the contact form if you are a Godly Play practitioner and would like to be added to a contact list to be notified of retreats, workshops, and training opportunities.

Raenelle Tauro began her Godly Play journey over 10 years ago as an Associate Director for Children’s Ministry at Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church. Since then, she has continued to work in a variety of settings, supporting children, youth, parents, and educators.

Raenelle became a Godly Play trainer in 2022 and is thrilled to help equip communities in fostering children’s spiritual development. She is passionate about creating environments where children and adults connect through engaging together in the mystery of spirituality and the beauty of wondering.

Some of the things she enjoys in her spare time are hanging out with friends and family, eating good food, and travel adventures.