Messy Church

Messy Church at St Matthias’

Not everyone can get to church on Sunday morning and not everyone likes to relate to God in a formal setting.  At St Matthias’ we understand these things and we already offer a ‘menu’ of different types of service to try to meet people’s preferences.   However, we recognise at least one more need: that is something especially for the family in the middle of week…

So, Messy Church starts at Sat Matthias’ on Tuesday March 20^th.   It begins soon after school in the Hall with informal refreshments, chat, board games and the like.   When everyone has arrived the programme proper begins.   The whole evening is designed for the family and there are things to interest everyone.

Each month the 3-part Messy Church evening is built around something interesting in the Bible.

Part 1 is the Activities Programme

For this we set up a range of crafts, cooking activities, music, making, dance or games which can be enjoyed by people of different ages.   Often each activity develops the Bible theme that we will explore in Part 2.   This activity session runs for about 45 minutes.

Part 2 is the Worship Celebration

In this 20 minute session in church we have a sing, share a prayer and explore more of the chosen Bible theme.  Sometimes artwork, music or dance that has been created in Part 1 is a centre-piece of this worship celebration.

Part 3 is a shared simple Messy Church supper.  Would you believe there are special published Messy Church recipes?   There is no craft at supper- we just enjoy one another’s company before it is time to go home at about 6pm.

Anyone can come as long as they part of a family – and we don’t have set ideas about what a family should be either!    Grandparents, Uncles and Aunts -all are welcome as long as they come with children.   Children are of course especially welcome, but they must be accompanied by at least one family member.   However it is possible for a child to come now and then as part of someone else’s family.

At the beginning of March there will be leaflets and details at Ilsham and Warberry schools and of course you can pick one up at the church.