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
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Worship – getting to know God through prayer, praise and hearing His stories from the Bible.
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Fellowship – going on the journey together, asking questions, sharing thoughts, praying and supporting one another.
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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.