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Karen Brookes-Ferrari visits one of the longest running Messy Churches in Devon which has
expanded into a new Messy Mums group…
Feature
STARCROSS’S MESSY CHURCH was
established almost four years ago
and is a lively congregation open to
parents, grandparents, child minders and
their children.
Run by church warden Claire Johns,
Starcross Messy Church attracts over 50
people once a month in St Paul’s Church,
to “chill out, create, celebrate and chew”
together.
“It is not a club for children but a
congregation of different ages,” explains
Claire. “This is church, just not as we
know it, and it is messy not just because
of the mess we make but because it is
more fluid and fuzzy around the edges!”
This view is echoed by Rev Nick Hawkins
who is new to both Messy Church and
the area, having moved from the Church
of Wales. “It is wonderfully chaotic but
really worthwhile – a parallel and lively
congregation,” he said. “We recently had
a double baptism as a direct result of our
Messy Church so families are learning
about the faith.”
And the families really enjoy chatting
with a drink and biscuit, getting stuck
into craft, worshipping and sharing food
together. Mother of two Kirsten said
she loved Messy Church. “It is part of
TABLE TALK is an interactive game of questions and
discussion funded by Million for Mission. It creates space
for people to discuss and share ideas on life issues and
spirituality as a first step towards engaging with faith issues.
One pack is provided for each deanery and training was carried
out in each Archdeaconry during January. Four further training
opportunities are scheduled in September 2013:
our monthly routine and it is lovely to
be fed once a month – it really takes the
pressure off.”
Sarah, mum of five children aged 3-15,
said the group fostered community
spirit. “My oldest child is learning to take
part rather than sit on her own in her
bedroom and everyone pitches in to help
each other with the children.”
The mums have enjoyed getting to know
each so much that mother of two, Sally,
set up Messy Mums, an evening
session without the children. “Messy
Mums sprang from the desire to
get to know other Mums better,
form stronger relationships and
encourage one another,” explained
Sally. “We prepare proper
coffee, serve nice chocolate
biscuits and each session
we discuss a different theme
using a game called Table Talk.
“Our aim is for the mums to feel
uplifted and supported and show
that church can be fun,” she added.
And Messy Mums has proved very
popular. “There have been tears and
laughter,” said Kirsten. “It was wonderful
to chat without the children and get to
know each other better.”
Sisters Alison and Claire said it was great
to meet people they already know and
share their problems. “You get get to talk
to people who aren’t family and get an
outside opinion on issues,” said Alison.
Canon Anna Norman-Walker, Diocesan
missioner, said: “Initiatives like ‘Messy
Mums’ are a vital way to help people, who
have come into the life of the Church
through Messy Church, begin to find
deeper pathways into the Christian faith.”
Growing
••19th Sept Cullompton Community Centre
••20th Sept St Luke’s Buckfastleigh
••26th Sept St Matthews Elberton
••27th September The Manor Suite Holsworthy Memorial Hall
To book your place contact Justine.tear@exeter.anglican.org or to find out
more about tabletalk www.table-talk.org
Pictures from
top to bottom:
Claire Johns and
the Messy Church
volunteers.
Sisters Alison and
Claire enjoy both
Messy Church and
Messy Mums.
Kirsten, Erin, Molly
and Jenny
showing off their
sock puppets.
Laura and Alfie
helping out with a
model of Goliath
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