Announcing our Grant Co-Directors

Please join us in welcoming two new members of the Godly Play team, Joy Studer and Raenelle Tauro who will serve as Co-Directors of the Everyday Godly Play grant. Everyday Godly Play is a multi-dimensional project to expand our resources to support parents and caregivers in their homes and through their faith communities.

We are thrilled to welcome Joy Studer and Raenelle Tauro to the Godly Play Foundation staff as Co-Directors for Everyday Godly Play. As we imagined the potential of this project to support the needs of so many parents and caregivers, as well as congregations and other organizations, we knew we needed people with unique skill sets to help this project flourish. Both Joy and Raenelle have incredible experiences and gifts they bring to this big project, and I am confident that with this team, we are going to expand our support of the spirituality of children and their families in beautiful and transformative ways. - Heather Ingersoll

Joy Studer fell in love with the Godly Play program immediately after her first Core Training eight years ago, and has implemented over 10 different programs since then. Joy became a Godly Play Missioner in 2018 and a Trainer in 2022. Prior to all of her Godly Play work she started in ministry as Director of Children and Family Ministries connecting families to community and walking alongside them as they grow in faith.
Joy’s passion for Godly Play only continues to grow the more she is in circles with children and other parents/caregivers who believe strongly the importance of nurturing children’s spirituality. With a strong history in grant acquisition, Joy has a passion for finding funds that do great work then planting seeds and watching them thrive. Joy Studer lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and 2 wonderful sons. She will serve alongside Raenelle as Creative Co -Director.

Raenelle Tauro is a non-profit professional with over 20 years of experience engaging young people and families and began her Godly Play journey 12 years ago as an Associate Director for Children’s Ministry at Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church. Since then, she earned a Masters in Business Administration and a Masters in Museum Studies and 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 to foster children’s spiritual development. She is passionate about creating environments where children and adults connect through engaging 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. Raenelle will serve alongside Joy as the Administrative Director beginning April 17.