provided to The Santiva Chronicle
St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church is launching a new way of worship, fellowship and a meal that has been sweeping the world; Messy Church. It is a way of being church that is particularly suited to families, is intergenerational, and particularly welcoming to people who have never belonged to a church before, who have been spiritually wounded at another church, or who have not found traditional forms of worship to be particularly helpful. It will be from 4 to 6 p.m. the second Sunday of each month. It kicks off Sunday, April 10 at St. Michael’s, 2304 Periwinkle Way. It is a free event, open to all and registration is not necessary.
It is interactive and experiential. No sermons. No sitting in pews. It is made up of an encouraging, warm welcome, several themed activity stations that all ages visit to engage in crafts, activities, and games, then a brief celebration time and concluding with eating dinner together. “Messy church is not just an activity a church hosts, it is a philosophy of what the church should be.” says Sue Van Oss, who is coordinating Messy Church for St. Michael’s. “We want every person, no matter their age or situation in life to know that they are beloved by God.” April’s theme is Messy Easter.
Households of all kinds – single-parent families, grandparents with grandchildren, multi-generation families, individuals, single or partnered, tidy or messy, – gather to eat, create and celebrate together. Kids are asked to make sure to bring their favorite adult with them to Messy Church to take part in everything together. During the launch phase, members of the Messy Church Team focused on the demographics and needs of the community. The result was registering to become a host site for Messy Church, a ministry that began in the United Kingdom in 2004 and has spread across the globe to more than 4,000 Messy Churches in 30 countries.
Kids love Messy Church because it is messy and fun; (adults love having fun, and maybe a little messy too). Adults love Messy Church because it is a fun and unique way to come together to learn about the unconditional love of God for them and those they love.
For more information go to the church’s website, or call Sue Van Oss 239-472-2173 or email communications@saintmichaels-sanibel.org
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