Wilfrid’s Church, Cowplain near Portsmouth in 2004 and there are now more than 3,800 registered Messy Churches in over 20 countries around the world. It is estimated that over 500,000 people are attending Messy Church each month. Messy Church Values:
Christ-centred: Messy Church is a church, not a craft club, that helps people encounter Jesus as Lord and Saviour. Messy Church is part of The Bible Reading Fellowship which believes, with the historic churches, in one God, who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. All-age: Messy Church is for adults and children to enjoy together. Every element should be relevant and accessible to all ages. Creativity: Messy Church uses hands-on activities to explore Bible stories, to reflect a God of creativity and to give people a chance to play together. Hospitality: Messy Church reflects a God of unconditional love and is a church for people outside church, providing an oasis of welcome and a safe space in which to thrive. Messy Church is about hospitality, expressed most evidently by eating together – whether it’s a plate of sandwiches to share, or sausage and mash. Celebration: Messy Church reflects a God of joy who wants his people to have life in all its fullness. How did 'Messy Church in Hornchurch' start? Messy Church sessions at North Street Hall, North Street, Hornchurch began in February 2011. The previous year, two church members from The Parish of Hornchurch attended a Messy Church workshop run as part of the Christian Resources Exhibition. Both came back inspired and encouraged by what they had seen and heard from Lucy Moore – the founder of Messy Church and began discussions with a small team to plan to run Messy Church in Hornchurch. The plans came to fruition and Messy Church sessions in North Street took place bi – monthly until Covid-19 in March 2020. Sessions took place on line and packs to use at home were created and shared. Outdoor sessions have taken place since Summer 2021. In 2012 to increase the frequency of Messy Church sessions (at the request of regular Messy Church attendees), a Sunday morning session at St. Matthew’s Church in Chelmsford Drive, Hornchurch was introduced. Initially Messy Church at St Matthew's met four times a year with refreshments and cake rather than a two-course meal, this increased to five sessions in 2018. Sessions are currently not taking place at St Matthew’s due to Covid-19. Our growing 'Messy Church in Hornchurch' sessions:
An annual 'Light Party' was introduced in 2012 to celebrate the Light rather than darkness represented by Halloween, the number of people joining in has increased steadily each year. In the summer holiday of 2013 an annual 'Messy Church Great Outdoors' session was introduced. It takes place in St. Andrew’s churchyard on an August afternoon as we go on a journey of wonder and discovery in God’s creation. An opportunity to take part in outdoor activities, join in with a Bible story and enjoy a picnic tea together in the Church grounds.
'Easter Egg Trail and Good Friday Craft Session' involves local shops displaying clues leading up to Good Friday, when all the clues have been found, a prize can be collected during the Craft session in North Street Halls whilst enjoying refreshments and a hot cross bun. What next? Take alook at the 'Events' page and come along to a FREE Messy Church in Hornchurch session, we look forward to welcoming you and sharing Gods love as we seek to share Bible stories and the gospel message whilst finding out about the Christian faith together.
