What is Messy Church?

Messy Church is a church for people of all ages who find it hard to go to more traditional church on sunday mornings, even for 'family'service.

Messy Church began in an Anglican Church near Portsmouth in 2004. It meets once a month at a time most suited to those in the local area, after-school or at the weekend.

Important aspects of Messy Church are;

welcoming the whole family together (not just children)
being a church not a club
eating together

The aims of Messy Church are;

to provide an opportunity for people of all ages to worship together
to help people of all ages feel they belong in church and to wach other
to help people have fun and be creative together
to introduce Jesus through hospitality, friendship, stories and worship.
Download'What is Messy Church'Pdf (originally from the Messy Church Web Site)

Messy Church is NOT;

a children's activity afternoon
a stepping stone to 'proper'church
Download'What Messy Church is Not'Pdf (originally from the Messy Church Web Site)

A session typically runs along the lines of;

welcome - doors open, board games, chilling out, drinks and biscuits, introduction of the theme
crafts - everything related to the theme of the day
celebration - celebration service
meal - hot food shared together

Making a proposal to your PCC

This Pdf (originally from the Messy Church Web Site) sets out the things to think about and local information you should gather in order to put a proposal for Messy Church to you PCC.

Recources

(Click on pictures)

Children

What is Messy Church?