Messy Church at St. Thomas, Canonsburg
The words “messy” and “church” are not often used side by side – at least, not in a good way. But they came together beautifully in Canonsburg this summer as St. Thomas’ offered its Messy Church program to kids ages 6 to 12 from their neighborhood and beyond.
This was a new venture for the folks at St. Thomas’. The seed was planted while the Rev. Jim Miorelli, St. Thomas’s priest-in-charge, was leading a book study on Learning from London: Church Growth in Unlikely Places by Jason A. Fout. One of Fout’s stories described a London parish’s experience with Messy Church and how it helped the parish connect with young families in its neighborhood. Vestry member Rita Smiddle was smitten by the idea. She spoke with Rev. Jim about bringing Messy Church to St. Thomas’. “It was clear that this was on Rita’s heart,” explained Jim, “so I knew we needed to try it.”
Messy Church originated in an Anglican church near Portsmouth, United Kingdom, in 2004. It has grown into an international, interdenominational movement that, according to the Messy Church USA website, “connects families to God and one another in creative, joy-filled ways.” (See the Messy Church USA website for information on membership tiers and available resources, including use of the Messy Church logo on signage and in advertising.)
With approval from the vestry and support from others at St. Thomas’, Rita initiated the planning. Their Messy Church program was not the same as the one they had read about; they wisely adapted the model to fit their context. They decided on a weekly gathering, Wednesday evenings from mid-June through mid-July. While advertised for children ages 6 to 12, younger and older kids were welcomed and engaged.
Messy Church evenings began with songs and Bible stories in the sanctuary. Then the fun moved downstairs to the parish hall, where children enjoyed creative crafts, sometimes-raucous gameplay, and simple snacks. Each week, children were given a little trinket related to the Bible story of the day, which they added to a clear plastic “memory jar” that they had personalized with their name and other decoration on the first week. Parents remained with their children, helping them with the crafts, joining in the activities, and sharing fun and fellowship with one another. For children and adults alike, the atmosphere was, as Rita described it, “relaxed and easy.”
St. Thomas’ Messy Church program culminated with a Messy Church worship service on Sunday, July 26. Children led hymns with voices and tambourines, and they joined Rev. Jim around the altar at the Eucharist.
So, what makes Messy Church work for a small church like St. Thomas’? Here are some thoughts:
- Rita felt nudged by God to give it a try, and she received support from Rev. Jim and others at St. Thomas’ to do so. Jim assured folks going into it, “This isn’t something to be nervous or anxious about. If it goes well, great; if not, we will have fun and learn either way. God is in control.” This mindset (and “heartset”) is key whenever a small church ventures to try something new.
- Messy Church is meant to be adapted to suit the needs, challenges, and opportunities of particular communities. It’s not a one-size-fits-all program. St. Thomas’ engaged its unique gifts, within the bounds of its limitations, to make Messy Church work for them.
- Messy Church activities need not be elaborate, nor expensive. Crafts and games can make use of common household items or supplies already on hand at most churches.
- Because parents stayed with their children, only a few volunteers from the parish were needed to staff the program. And, as a bonus, relationship building occurred not just among the children, but among the adults, too.
Kudos to St. Thomas’, Canonsburg, for having the courage to try something new – and messy – this summer!
