Messy Church

Pass the Sauce: St John’s Woolston parishioners enjoy the spread

26 Jul 2009

Imagine the scene. Outside, it’s a cold, grey, dark, miserable winter’s afternoon. The church hall is set out with café tables, gold streamers, twinkly lights, candles, and fibre optics; the data projector’s at the ready. Inside, it’s warm and snug.
We were ready. But would anyone come? An hour and a half later, more than 120 people of all ages left delighted and well fed, the children so exhausted they no doubt went straight to bed.

So what happened? “Messy” Church! Late on a Sunday afternoon in June, St John’s in Woolston was exploring a way of doing church that made it more accessible to younger families. Our theme was “light” – Jesus, the light of the world. Folk arrived with torches. We made patterns of light around a dark hall. We sang, marched, and listened to the Bible. The children prayed, and we saw some amazing moving light pictures and told stories. Everyone made crafts – from lanterns to spirals, cards to stars. You could even have your face painted with a candle or do a jigsaw puzzle. It was a wonderful opportunity for everyone to have fun and hear the message of the Gospel in a relaxed way.
Was it a success? Well, everyone – young and old – seemed to think so. Was it messy? Very! Will we try it again? Yes, without doubt.

The Method behind the Mess

Our church has been wrestling with the question of how we can form a bridge between church life and the 60-plus families involved in the parent and children music groups mainly music, which meet in our hall. Our once-a-term, ‘all-age’ services (without communion) had had only limited success; Sunday morning is prime time for young families and that commitment to weekly traditional church is a big ask.
This first Messy Church was an experiment. Invitations to attend were personal and individual, made by the 20-strong volunteer team who run mainly music. During the past year, the team were encouraged to befriend those parents and children with whom they connected – to courageously “cross the room”, befriend, and prayerfully seek to be alongside and available to them. We called it finding their ‘person of peace’ (Luke 10: 5-9).

Messy Church was held, intentionally, in the church hall - a venue that mainly music families are already familiar and comfortable with.
We recognise that this single event was merely one small step on people’s journey – a journey that, for some, might take years. Many at St John’s would, understandably, love to see that destination as attendance at ‘proper church’ – a usual Sunday morning service. But is that realistic for 2009? My passion is to see people ending up as apprentices (disciples) in the ways of Jesus - whenever, wherever, and whatever expression of gathering together that might involve. Watch this space!

WORDS: DEBBIE & ANDREW SMITH
PHOTOS: ANDREW SMITH