We are a small Messy Church in beautiful rural Devon – we started to plan in outdoor Messy Church activities to engage more with nature and to have events that are easier to run with fewer helpers. When our Messy Church falls in a school holiday or on a bank holiday weekend we can get unpredictable numbers.
This month’s outdoor Messy Church was a Canal Walk – we are very fortunate to have the Grand Western Canal in the village. A simple ‘I Spy’ activity meant that we looked very closely around us – even if the only way to spot a grasshopper was to hop in the grass ourselves!
Drinks, cakes and fruit were enjoyed afterwards in our Parish Church. We usually meet in the Village Hall, but we also like to use the Parish Church when we can.
Robin Budgell, Sampford Peverell Messy Church
Want to take your Messy Church outside?
Check out the Messy Adventures, a resource consisting of twelve units of materials to give the most unconfident leader the tools and confidence to take their Messy Church outdoors. Each unit includes fun activities with a strong scientific focus, questions to discuss, ‘Big Thinking’ provided by scientific experts and suggestions for creative ways of responding in Christian worship with awe, wonder and celebration.
You may also like
A small grant, a big difference! Discover how a Messy Church microgrant helped St Andrews Blidworth welcome local people, bring Bible stories to life, and build lasting community connections. Read how a simple invitation led to something special and how God might be at work in the most unexpected ways.
Messy Church… in the summer holidays! Droitwich Spa Methodist Church tried something new with a two-day holiday Messy Church, bringing children together for creativity, Bible stories, games and exploring God’s wonderful world. Find out how it went and why they’re already planning next year's!
What happens when Messy Church becomes truly intergenerational? Meet Mary Judkins, whose extraordinary home-and-garden Messy Church brings together four generations and keeps teenagers coming back. Discover the relationships, challenges and joyful surprises behind this remarkable community.
Messy Church at St Eustachius in Tavistock had a communion service in July, which was a wonderful culmination of their Holy Habits series - written by Sarah Pendle, Messy Church leader
