Messy Church

 

Do you like making a mess, making stuff, eating food, and having fun? Then, Messy Church is for you and your whole family! Messy Church takes place on the second Saturday of every month at Emmanuel Church Hall, Church Street, Swadlincote.

We start at 4pm and end by 6pm (when everyone’s tummy is full!).

Following a core biblical theme for each session, we have a variety of crafts in the Community Centre, often including a food creation of some sort, which are carried out during the first hour. Whilst the children love this part, it is also a wonderful time for parents and carers to spend a precious focused time helping their children “be creative”, whilst talking about how the craft underpins the key messages of whatever is the day’s bible theme.  We sing, we have a look into the bible theme through the use of multi-media, story-telling, action-stories, puppets, or whatever else seems great for sharing the message. We also take a few moments together to pray.

Then we all sit down together for a home-cooked meal, the whole group sitting round the table and chatting and eating, eating and chatting. It has been said that one should never underestimate the value of eating together. Whilst Jesus “preached to”, His most deep discussions and those with whom He developed the deepest relationships, were with those whom He shared a meal. And I think it’s the meal which makes Messy Church so different to most of the other services or congregations in Swadlincote Minster. Having three little boys myself, I know mealtimes can be stressful sometimes; but Messy Church is a community, and with community comes support, physically, mentally and spiritually. And we share plenty of support. So take that moment in time once a month to sit and eat together as part of your own family, but together as God’s family.

Christ-centered
All-age
Creativity
Hospitality
Celebration

If you don’t have children, or if they have grown-up, I don’t want to give you the impression that Messy church is just for little people. Its aims are all-age. Whilst an older child or adult might interpret making a headband with wool to dress up like Samson as perhaps a little too young for them, most of the crafts can be met at whatever level you seek. They all help us to strive towards better understanding of God’s message written in the Bible. Likewise the worship is deliberately accessible for little people, but its value as worthy praise is no less diminished for the “olders” – and being scripturally based, there is opportunity afterwards for further delving into God’s word.

Messy Church is active around the world. Its values are stated as: –

Christ-centered

Messy Church is a church, not a craft club, that helps people encounter Jesus as Lord and Saviour.

All-age

It is for adults and children to enjoy together – every element should be relevant and accessible to all ages.

Creativity

It uses hands-on activities to explore Bible stories, to reflect a God of creativity and to give people a chance to play together.

Hospitality

It reflects a God of unconditional love and is a church for people outside church, providing an oasis of welcome and a safe space in which to thrive. Messy Church is about hospitality, expressed most evidently by eating together – whether it’s a plate of sandwiches to share, or sausage and mash.

Celebration

It reflects a God of joy who wants his people to have life in all its fullness.

 

Messy Church Logo Copyright Bible Reading Fellowship © 2014. See www.messychurch.org.uk.