Messy Church


2nd Monday of the Month starting in the Watney Room between 3.30pm and 5.30pm

‘So what did you like best about Messy Church?’ I asked my five year old daughter. ‘Well…’ she said ‘probably the bit when we made the biscuits, and the parachute games, and sitting next to my friends at tea time, and the singing. Oh yeah, and the giant tree picture with all our hand prints on.’ She holds up her (still green) hands and gives me a huge grin. ‘When’s the next Messy Church?’ she asks.

What is Messy Church?

Messy Church is a monthly service with a difference for 3 to 8 year olds and their parents and carers. The idea behind it is that it’s something for young families to do together, so mums, dads, grandparents, babies, big brothers and sisters are all welcome too!

Messy Church includes many of the things that are in our other Emmanuel services – Bible stories, prayer activities and singing. But as the name suggests, it also includes a lot more!

Time and activities

Messy Church starts at 3.30pm with a chance for adults and children to sit down after school or nursery, have a drink, and spend some time together reading a story or playing a game.

At 3.50pm we head into church to sing, shout, jump up and down, listen, learn, laugh and generally have a good time. At 4.15pm we head over to the Church Hall for ‘Messy Time’ – loads of different crafts, games and activities for children to do with their parents. By 5pm tummies are rumbling so the children all tuck into a hot meal. After that, all that’s left to do is collect your fantastic craft creations, and take your grinning, green fingered children home!

When does it happen?

Messy Church happens on the second Monday of each month (except in August). You don’t need to know anything about church to come; you just need to be prepared to join in. There's no charge for Messy Church, but you're welcome to make a contribution towards the cost of the meal.

You might also like to try Messy Church Extra. Messy Church Extra kicks off in the spring of 2010, and runs from 3.30 - 4.30pm on the fourth Monday of the month. Messy Church Extra includes a welcome time with games and refreshments, followed by a short, family friendly service in church that's lively and engaging for all ages.

Messy Church starts in the ‘Watney Room’ in the new part of the church building which you get to through the glass doors.

Messy Church 2010 Programme

March
22Messy Church Extra - Easter Service
May
10Messy Church
24Messy Church Extra
June
14Messy Church
28Messy Church Extra
July
12Messy Church
September
13Messy Church
27Messy Church Extra
October
11Messy Church
25Messy Church Extra
November
08Messy Church
22Messy Church Extra
December
13Messy Church

More details

If you’d like to know anything more please give us a call. We look forward to meeting your family!

Rev. Bridget Shepherd