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!

What are people scared of really? Do they think the crusty church people are going to use glue and scissors to radicalise 6 year olds?

Don't be naive. These events and services are a core part of the church of englands desperate plan to get kids in. They know full well the church is headed for extinction if they can't convert some children and young people. Christianity, particularly traditional anglicanism, is in rapid decline in the uk. Many churches have no young regular attendees at all. T

Generally lots of crafts take place, talk about Jesus and a quick song (too happy clappy for me!). Then there is cake and tea/drinks afterwards. If you hate all religion don't go but surely "messy church" is obvious. You wouldn't expect to visit a mosque and want Mohammed not to be mentioned.

Would it suitable be for a mildly SEN nearly 3 year old boy? Would he be able to play if he couldn't come with with either crafts or singing? I'd really like him to go to Messy Church and I'm sort of hoping it's like a playgroup but with added Jesus.

Yeah I think so. I take my speech delayed two year old along (I suspect autism) and he likes to try and cut paper or glue.

Because it's bollocks.

In our church your family would do great. It's very relaxed.

Ours doesn't call itself messy church, but 'messy spring, messy Easter, messy summer' etc. and it took me by surprise when I took my kids and it was a bit like Sunday school (details were emailed out by the non- religious nursery and there was no mention of church and it's not even held in the church). The crafts were fun but all bible story related with accompanying retelling of said story. The people were all really welcoming and never asked me about religion etc. There was some praying and religious songs at the end which were unavoidable without leaving the session (single room scout hut). I wouldn't have gone if it had been labelled messy church, but the kids enjoyed the crafts and biscuits and it was definitely something different for them!

I've never heard of this (live abroad, not a good christian) so thought it was some sort of church gathering where everyone got really drunk and it ended up being a messy night. Pleased to hear that was totally wrong.

The level of Christian input really depends on the volunteers and church. Some churches will see MC as a service to the community and way of supporting community ties and families in general. Others will be more evangelism focused. Christian input isn't too surprising in something called 'church'.

I've always assumed this was just a new name for "Sunday School" so would expect it to be a Christian themed event 🤔

Messy church was great and I got a nice community out of it. Barely Christian themed crafts, normal games, a lovely lunch for the kids (& me!). I'd highly recommend trying it. The methodist churches do lovely playgroup and messy church. I did always donate or pay entry.

I wasn't very religious at the time. Nowadays I'm Catholic but messy church had nothing to do with that!

Ours is about 45 mins of vaguely religiously themed crafts, 5 mins sermon/story, one religious song, then it used to be a buffet but is now just cake. V low key and non pushy.

It was rhetorical but ok then. 🙄

It depends entirely, not just on the tour of church, but on the individual church. The CofE one I took my children to had absolutely no religion involved until a short prayer at the end. The local Baptist church one was super religious.
But I've heard of people having the opposite experiences in two different churches.

The only way to find out is to all someone who goes to the specific one you're thinking of.

In your opinion.

This made me laugh! It’s church, what did you expect?

I’m not naive. I think the CofE is very open about its intent in that direction. But Anglicanism is still a force for good. ‘When people stop believing in God, they don’t believe in nothing, they start to believe in anything’.

What a trite load of nonsense.

@MasterBeth so just don't go if it's not your thing 🙄

I am very happy not to go. I am very happy if like-minded people want to do this to their kids. I am not happy when some Messy Church sessions don't make it clear it's a Christian evangelical event, which some don't.

I disagree with this view. Lots of the families that attend are either non religious or are members of other religions. There are Muslim, Jewish and Hindu families that enjoy coming to the events the church puts on. I think it's more about a sense of community with other local people than religion. Though of course there will be some Christianity involved as it's a church. If anyone is going to be very offended by there being Christian prayers and stories promoted at a church then they should avoid it.

I did once go for drinks after church that did end up a bit like that when I was much younger…

We go most months, mainly because the crafts occupy my 3 dc, they see nct friends and get a free meal. There is a 15 min part in the church but that’s fine even though we are not religious.

Perhaps they thought as the name includes the word church the Christian part was self-explanatory.

But Anglicanism is still a force for good. ‘When people stop believing in God, they don’t believe in nothing, they start to believe in anything’.

This is your opinion. I don't believe Anglicanism is a force for good at all, actually, i believe most if not all religions simply cause discord, discrimination and strife.

I believe in a wide range of things and have strong ethics and morals. I believe in supporting my community. None of these have anything to do with a god, faith or religion.