Messy Church and Fridayzone are reaching the hearts of children
and families at St Barnabas, Fendalton
Written by Angela Brown, the Children and Family Worker
Imagine a place to gather families of all forms, shapes and sizes to enjoy food, fun, faith, family craft and a meal together; a place where Playgroup, Mainly Music, community, family and friends can hear about the love of God. This is Messy Church and Fridayzone at St Barnabas.
Imagine the joy of making ‘fruit of the spirit kebabs’. Imagine a 3yr old saying “Who is this God?” and the reply, “God is the one who loves you.” Imagine a giant torch with a HOLY SPIRIT battery, representing us with the Holy Spirit in us, not just with us.
Imagine eighty-six people, aged 5mths to 89 years, talking, playing games, saying The Lord’s Prayer with actions while sharing a sit down dinner. This is Saturday Messy Church All Age Community and Celebration and Hospitality.
Messy Church is more than creative and colourful all-age worship. It’s a form of church for our changing culture and is aimed at those who are not yet members of any parish. Come and see a weekly expression of Messy Church at Fridayzone 3 – 5.30pm St Barnabas Church, Fendalton.
St B have been doing Messy Church since 2013 and Fridayzone since 2000. The core values of Messy Church are: Christ Centred, all age, hospitality, celebration and creative. Messy Church attendance at St B’s is usually 50% community people and Fridayzone is 90%. Having started slowly with 2 Messy Church gatherings a year, then 4, then 6, the aim is to do it monthly.
Successes to date include
Seeing families attend from Playgroup, ex playgroup, Mainly Music, ex Mainly Music, English as a second language class and Fresh Perspective and others invited by church families
Families who attend Messy Church joining the weekly Fridayzone
Church families serving at Messy Church