Has anyone ever been to a messy church event?

[Mamabear04]

Just wondering if anyone has taken their kids to a messy church event and what it was like? We've been invited by a friend but was wondering if it's very religious or.....? I like the idea of crafts a free food though!

Yes. We do Church of England .
Yes it's Christian but very easygoing at our church.

My kids used to love messy church and yes, it is free but I always used put something in the donation box.

Our church is very friendly and never pushes the religion.

I've been a couple of times, it wasn't religious all just lots of crafts and a cuppa. Kids loved it.

This. It’s was great and relaxed. No religion really mentioned.

Yes - I sometimes took my three to the messy church events in the village hall. I found them brilliant.

Obviously, I can't speak for all messy church events but ours wasn't too religious.

To be honest as a single mum of three I found them a godsend. As well as being great for the DCs, I was able to meet other local mums.

Not me but my friend goes once a month, she isn't religious but DC go to CoE school - they all enjoy it and it's not very religious at all

I used to take mine when they were little (Baptist church but they’re raised Catholic - I’m atheist). I loved it! I would pay a donation and they would have a few hours of crafts, games and a cooked dinner! At the end there was prayer time in a separate room but no one was under pressure to go in there. I would stay outside and help clean up with some of the other mums. It’s very relaxed.

I used to go every year when I had babies. It was the start of Christmas for us, I miss it.

Yes, they're great. We run them at my church and we'll get lots of non-Christian families coming in. Of course there's a Christian theme, but all are welcome.

I took my kids once. The crafts were good and everyone was welcoming but they gathered all the children together at the end and told them a story about Jesus. I didn't go back.

Been few times. They serve free food also which is also a really lovely touch. DD loves it, the religious side is never pushed.

I used to take my children, they enjoyed it but its not a regimented activity, they aren't all following some kind of religious curriculum so no one going to be able to tell you what the one you're thinking about is going to be like.

No food when I used to go, just squash and a biscuit so even the food isn't following any rules 😁

We went a few times, the activities and crafts were fun, they did some food as well but there was like a mini church service at the end for the kids and my 2 didnt enjoy that bit.

I have been when DD was younger. She did craft activities and was given sandwiches. She made a few friends there so it was worthwhile.

I help run ours. Some of the crafts might have a religious theme, but more often than not, the focus is on caring for the environment or children in need etc. Our summer holiday clubs have decently included Muslim children.

We don’t do a sermon or read a bible story but we always do a prayer - something very inclusive eg asking God’s blessing for children in need.

Most of the families who come to ours are not churchgoers, but just live in our local community. They also come to the Christmas fayre as our Santa grotto is fabulous and very cheap, and one or two other events throughout the year. Many attend our toddler playgroup.

Recently not decently!! Although we would think it not decent to exclude anyone!!

A long time ago. They sang grace before the juice and biscuits but nothing else religious.

I think they’re good fun, sort of Sunday School-lite.

I went near us. It wasn't religious, bar one song about Jesus at the end.

My DC used to go when they were smaller. They loved it! Lots of crafts and games. There was definitely a religious aspect to it (we're not a religious family) but they always looked forward to it.

I took my DC on occasion when they were little. It was lovely and they had a great time. The vibe was really friendly and definitely not pushing religion. I think there was one song with actions but the DC all joined in and loved it.

It's not in your face religious, but the ultimate aim is to bring you into the church. They won't make you feel obliged or anything, but that is what the sessions are for.

So, singing Jesus songs, making religious themed crafts, saying prayers, saying grace, a Christian theme, a mini church service at the end...

And that's not very religious?!

Or... it completely depends on the individual church and every different experience shows how different they all are and none of them do all (or necessarily any) of these things? 😉

Our church does messy church. There is an hour and a quarter of crafts followed by a Bible story and a couple of songs and then everyone sits down together for a hot meal.