Messy Church marks Queen's Diamond Jubilee

Groundbreaking children's ministry Messy Church have launched a special pack for churches to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee this year.

Lucy Moore, founder of Messy Church

The Messy Church initiative began in 2004, as a way to reach out to local families with children who were looking for non-traditional expressions of church life. Meeting once a month, a typical session includes craft activities that both children and grownups can do, a time of worship celebration and a meal together. The scheme has been adopted by over 300 churches across the UK and even beyond in countries such as Canada, Australia and South Africa.

Now, the Messy Church team are urging churches here in the UK to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. They said:

"Churches hold a unique position in being at the heart of the community; they have buildings to use and share and are familiar with celebration and running all-age events."

Messy or otherwise, churches can celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in a way that includes all ages and draws upon the God-given gifts of community, food, creativity and celebration."

The Messy Church Diamond Jubilee pack contains a wealth of themed ideas from celebratory events such as a Jubilee quiz night, time capsules and tea parties; to craft activities such as 'Bible biscuits' and even a full length prayer robe! There are also creative prayer suggestions such as the 'reflective 60 years prayer' to mark the Queen's reign.

Lucy Moore, founder of Messy Church said:

"The Queen described one of her hopes for this year as follows: 'It is my sincere hope that the Diamond Jubilee will be an opportunity for people to come together in a spirit of neighbourliness and celebration of their own communities.'

Messy Church

Churches can help their neighbourhoods come together and bring families and single people together in a celebration of creativity, community and the Christian story. The Messy Church Diamond Jubilee pack helps to make it easy to celebrate this once in a lifetime occasion, bringing all ages together for festivities, faith and fun."

To see how your church can get involved with Messy Church, and download the Messy Church Diamond Jubilee pack, click here.