Our Messy church is open to anyone but has been predominantly set up to meet the interests of a Thursday toddler group, with an expressed interest in some Christian input.
We will hire the facilities on a Thursday in the school holidays in place of the term-time toddler group. We have the main hall, and small hall, and not a lot of parking facilities! What we do have is great fun! Our next session is:
09:30 – 11:00am Thurs 18th Aug
Myland Parish Halls
Mile End Road,
CO4 5DY
Read on for the philosophy behind Messy Church.
Messy Church is a way of being churches for all ages together.
Its slogan is "Church, but not as you know it".
Messy church is an international movement, and part of a long-established charity called Bible Reading Fellowship (BRF), and each messy church is registered with Messy church, in order to use their logo. It is ecumenical and open to volunteers from across the churches – contact Sarah Hayward on 07828046193 for more information.
Like traditional churches, Messy church holds to a belief in God who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is Christ-centred, and for all ages
Creativity – the whole family learn together through using their hands, getting messy and enjoying creative ideas together
Hospitality – although it is church for families, nobody is excluded and anyone can be part of Messy church. Everyone is welcomed and loved by God, and it is demonstrated through sitting round a table as equals to enjoy food together.
Celebration – Faith in God is fun and to be celebrated. This will typically involve singing/dancing/story-telling/praying
Messy church exists in its own right. It is not meant to draw people from other churches, or designed pull them into traditional Sunday worship.
Messy church is not a glorified craft club, with a God-slot. The spiritual message is decided first and then the activities are crafted around the message to reinforce it and create integrated learning.
Messy church is not church for children. It is for everyone and acknowledges that adults can learn from children and vice versa.
