Messy Church

 

 

 

Messy Church is a form of church for children and adults at all stages of their faith journey.

Each session has a Biblical theme which is explored through craft activities, games, puppets, story, prayer, song and ends with a sit-down meal together.

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

 

We meet on the 2nd Sunday of each month (apart from August)

from 3 – 5pm.

Messy Church dates for 2023 / 2024

September   10th  
October         1st  (1st Sunday of the month)
November    12th
December    10th
January        14th
February      11th
March           17th    
April              14th  
May                12th
June              9th   
July               14th

All are welcome to join us as a family for these sessions.


Messy Church Gallery


We all fit together!!

 

February 24

Theme – Learning to live together

Today we think about how God made us all different,

yet at the same time,

we are all part of God’s image and His family.

 

 

 

All one in Christ Jesus

 

 

Fearfully and wonderfully made

 

Vine and Branches

 

 

 

We are all one

 

 

Make a percussion instrument

 

Prayer

Dear God,

Help us to remember that when you made us, you made others too.

Help us to get on with the people around us.

Help us to learn and work together for the good of everyone.

Help us to learn about each other in our everyday lives and

to do all we can to encourage peace and happiness among the people across the world.

Help us to love others as you love us,

and to remember that other people are your children too.

Amen

 


January 24

Theme – All Aboard

Today we think about what discipleship means

  • Worship – getting to know God through prayer, praise and hearing His stories from the Bible.

  • Fellowship – going on the journey together, asking questions, sharing thoughts, praying and supporting one another.

  • Stewardship – looking after the world God has entrusted to us.

Fish printing

 

Mini Food ships

 

Cross – Stained glass window

 

 

Mini Vegetable ships

 

Decoupage cross

 

Prayer

Dear God,

When we think of ‘the church’,

We think of our own building,

Our own friends,

Those who worship with us now.

When you see the church,

You see your people spread throughout the world,

Stretching through time.

God, help us to see how great the church is:

And to be glad that we belong to your family.

Amen

 


 

Pop-Up Nativity – ‘Festive Fred’ – Dec 23

 

 

A great performance,

enjoyed by the congregation.

Thank-you VERY much to all our talented actors!

 


December 23

Theme – All Things Christmas!

 

Star biscuits

 

Making candles

 

Christmas trees

 

Tea light holders

 

Playdough

 

Time for a snack!

Prayer

Dear God

Thank you for all the fun and games 

we can have at Christmas.

thank you for my family and

please help us not to forget,

amongst all the enjoyment,

that Christmas is really

about celebrating your birth.

Amen


 

November 23

Theme – Fabulous new city for everyone

Today we think about how God’s love for us stretches

to the North, South, East and West.

No one is beyond His reach.

We think about how we can be His hands, feet,

eyes and ears in this world

to recognise where there is need

and use the gifts He has given us to respond.

 

Plentiful garden

Hopscotch

   

 

 

Build a city

 

 

‘Enough rain’ Science experiment

 

 

Heart shaped cookies

 

 

 

Peace dove

 

Prayer

Dear God,

We belong to a great family of millions of people from all countries of the world.

We have different kinds of faces, different coloured skins,

and we are all different shapes and sizes!

Yet, you know everyone in your world family.

Thank you for loving us all.

There are many people who are in need of clothes, food, housing and friendship.

Help us to notice them, and to do something to help.

Amen

 

 


October 23

Theme – Altogether now

Jesus came to remind us that we are all a family: God’s family!

Joseph made sure that his family had a place to live and food to eat.

Jesus came to make sure that we could care for each other

and remember the lessons of those who came before us

and how when we use that wisdom, we can have fuller and richer lives.

 

Our Messy Church Family

 

Food Family

 

Heritage photo Frame

 

‘Remember me’ lantern

 

We remember

 

 

Playdough

 

Colouring

 

Prayer

Dear God,

You are God of young and old,

We thank you for old people.

They have so much to share with us:

Help us to be ready to listen.

They have had so many years to learn about your world:

Help us to be ready to learn form their advice..

Thank you for their gifts to us of knowledge, experience and love.

Amen

 


September 23

Theme – Care for our world

We remember the beauty of the world around us, made by God,

and how we can all work together to maintain and enjoy it’s beauty.

We also remember the abundance of food God has given us

to enjoy and to share. How can we use our resources wisely?

 

My promise fridge-magnet

 

Food Travelogue

 

Treasure under the Sea

 

Flag biscuits

 

Plenty – to – eat – Placemat

 

Playdough

 

Prayer 

Dear God,

I know that you have created everything.

Thank you for a beautiful world.

Please help me to appreciate all that you have given me.

Please teach me to take care of your creation.

Amen

 

 


July 23

Theme – Creation jar

We remember how God created the world like a beautiful garden.

He wants us to take care of His creation which He has trusted us with.

Water

 

Stone Cairns

 

Balloon rocket

 

People

 

Fish / animals

 

 

   

 

Prayer

Dear God,

You made a beautiful world for us to live in.

Forgive us when we harm the things you created for us to enjoy –

the fresh streams and rivers, the trees, green fileds and flowers.

Help us to look after and protect everything that you made

and stop those who selfishly destroy it.

Amen


June 23

Theme – Who will help us?

We remember at Pentecost how God doesn’t leave us on our own

but sends the Holy Spirit to be our helper to strengthen us in our faith.

The Invisible cross

 

Dove handprint

Growing trees

Windmill and fire streamers

Prayer 

Dear God,

Thank you for sending your Holy Spirit to be with us,

Help us to remember that you are always with us, showing us your way,

encouraging us, cheering us up and helping us when we make mistakes.

We ask that your Holy Spirit is with us now and stays with us forever.

Amen

 


May 23

Theme –  Coronation of Charles 111

 Today we are thinking about how to live a life that cares for others.

Many of us look to King Charles to lead us and guide us as a nation.

David in the Bible was chosen as a king and was told that he would shepherd his people.

This has links with the way of life that Jesus followed – as the good shepherd.

Make an Orb

Make a natural crown

Make a room spray

Crown biscuit wafer

Quiet and reflective time

Worship time

Prayer

Bless us Lord and help us think about you more.

Help us to love your world

And to serve you.

Help us to stay close to you

As we journey through life

Amen


 

April 23

Theme – Redeemed

Today we are thinking about the meaning of the Easter story.

The Easter story is about the BIG, BIG love God has for every single person,

and what He had to do for us to know it.

Easter gardens

   

 

 

 Wow – Easter gardens in bloom!!

Thank you for this great photo.

 

 

Known, Loved, Saved

 

Fruit Kebab Easter cross

Peg leg donkey

Easter colouring

 

Prayer

 Thank you, Jesus, for the amazing way you love us.

Thank you that you love each one of us so much that you died

and rose again so that we can be your friends.

Please help us never to forget how amazing you are.

Amen


March 23

Theme – Heavenly hope

Today we are thinking about what it is like to live God’s way.

 

Sweet bouquet

 

Light up bees

 

Prayer bunting

 

Growing cress

 

Living God’s way Lego

Take away table

 

Prayer

Dear God, help me:

Not to lose my temper even when people annoy me.

Not to lose my patience even when things do not come out right first time.

Not to lose my hope when things are difficult and when learning is hard.

Not to be tempted to do the wrong thing.

Help me to live each day so that

I will have nothing to be sorry for when I go to bed again at night.

Amen

 


February 23

Theme –  Everyone is welcome at this party!

Today we are thinking about how God loves EVERYBODY!

And welcomes everyone who wants to know Him better.

 

Smiley face balloons

Get ready to party!!

 

Smiling fruit faces

 

Sand play

Party celebration Skit

 

Prayer

 Dear God,

Bless those who are lonely and have no friends.

Help us to talk to others we sometimes find difficult, strange / different to us or shy.

Let our friendship help them to come to know you and your love.

Amen


December 22

Spontaneous Nativity

 

   


November

Theme – All are welcome in God’s family

(Galatians 3:26-29)

Messy Church Takeaway

‘One Family Quilt’

Please will you, as a family, talk about and design / create a ‘Quilt piece’ that represents your particular family and what makes you unique.

This might include something about where you come from, something you particularly enjoy as a family, or special gifts and talents that make your family different.

Each family will have a white handkerchief to work on.

What you might use

Scissors, glue, fabric crayons / paints,

felt pieces, off cuts of material, wool, sequins,

glitter glue etc etc

 

      

Fantastic quilt pieces!!

They are so colourful and interesting.

Thank you for all the thought, time and hard work you have obviously given.