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Here comes Messy Church

All Saints Anglican Church in Vernon invites all for crafts, games, worship and supper
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Claire Pallen

For The Morning Star

Messy Church at All Saints Anglican Church is starting its third year, thanks to Rev. Jane Bourcet and the many volunteers who realized the spiritual need in the wider community.

After two very successful years, Messy Church begins its third year Sept. 15 from 5 to 7 p.m.

Messy Church is its own community where people of all ages — families, single parents and their children, grandparents, guardians, all combinations — are developing relationships and growing their faith. The fun includes spending time doing crafts and activities, sharing in worship and eating a meal together.

Messy Church is a time and place for families to gather after a busy week, to wind down, to share time with their children, their parents, their friends, to take part in worship and to enjoy a meal they did not have to prepare.

The program was started in England in 2004 by Lucy Moore who was responsible for developing the work of Messy Church nationally and internationally when members of a church in southern England were frustrated that they were not reaching families with God’s story. They knew there was a need for spiritual nurturing and decided to try to reach out to families of all ages and try something different

Messy Church is a rapidly growing network now running in 36 countries around the world and in several denominations. In British Columbia, we have 35 Messy Churches: 16 in the Lower Mainland, 10 on Vancouver Island and nine in the Interior. Worldwide there are 3,772 programs and 239 across Canada.

The five values of Messy Church are what define the local gathering: Christ-centred, All-age, Creativity, Hospitality and Celebration. It is not a stepping-stone into existing congregations, but is a congregation in its own right, at a time that may be more convenient than Sunday morning.

There is no expectation for people to attend church on Sunday, Messy Church is its own church and though there is always learning to be done, the awareness of the need for spiritual growth is apparent.

All Saints begins a new season of Messy Church Sept. 15, 2017 at 5 p.m. with the theme, “New Beginnings – A New Start,” and will be held the third Friday of each month September to May, excluding December. All children must be accompanied by an adult. Come as you are able. The evening starts with crafts and activities, a family-friendly worship at approximately 6 p.m. to hear a bible story, sing and pray followed by dinner.

All Saints Messy Church invites back anyone who previously attended and welcomes newcomers! Come check it out! The church is located at 3205-27th St. in Vernon. Please enter through the double glass doors from the back parking lot on 26th Street.

There is no charge but please RSVP messychurch.vernon@gmail.com so the volunteers know how many to expect.