Congratulations to St. David’s Episcopal Church & School!
Maureen Carey is the Lay Pastoral Assistant & Director of Children and Youth Ministry at St David’s in Ashburn, VA. She is the point person for the team that started Messy Church in 2016 at St David’s. For the first year, their Messy Church met to celebrate the season of Christmas and Lent. For the next two years, they began to meet quarterly, in addition to Christmas and Easter. They then added a summer Messy Church just prior to the pandemic.
Maureen became part of the Messy Church USA leadership team after attending the Messy Church International Conference in May of 2019. She joined the Messy Church USA Board of Directors in January 2020. In addition, she has led several Messy Moments of Prayer for the Prayer and Encouragement Team and also is a member of our training team.
We are excited that St David’s is hosting one of the (RE)START MESSY training events on October 23, 2021. We are happy to share the story of St David’s Episcopal Church and School Messy Church!
Messy Folk share what they like about Messy Church
- We have found Messy Church to be of value for all ages. (65 year old attender)
- I like the celebration time when we all sit on the altar steps together (Mom of children)
- Messy Church brought be back to church with my children ( Messy Family of 4)
- The people are nice (6 year old attender)
Favorite Messy Activities at St David’s
A Monthly Outreach Project
Each month Messy Church meets in person one of the activities is a outreach project that coincides with the biblical theme of the month. This has helped connect Messy Church with the surrounding community. Check out the picture below of a table for Cold Weather kits.
Footsteps of Jesus
We used washable paint and made footprints on paper. These footprints (after they had dried) were then placed all over the church grounds as a reminder that Jesus walks with us everywhere.
Clay in the Potters Hand
We made clay plates with nontoxic clay that was hardened by baking in the oven. These plates were used in both the celebration time with Eucharist and in the meal that day.
What has worked well for you as you started your Messy Church
The support of our rector, Rev. Mary Kay was instrumental in getting Messy Church started at St. David’s. In our first few years, the vestry showed support of Messy Church by providing funds as we started. Currently, funding for Messy Church is provided by a generous parishioner of St. David’s.
What is one challenge you have had and strategies you have used to meet the challenge
An ongoing challenge we have had at St David’s is to develop the understanding is intergenerational and not ‘just for kids’. We continue to invite, educate both the congregation and those who come to Messy Church. In addition we provide a quiet space and/or activity at each Messy Church that benefits all ages.
How has your Messy Church adapted throughout the Pandemic?
We did offer an online Messy Church during Covid that was not well attended. We are currently in the process of rebuilding and will offer Messy Church outside as we start back in person.
Thank you for sharing your story of Messy Church at St David’s
Thank you Maureen, Rev. Mary Kay and all the great messy folk of St. David’s Episcopal for sharing your story of Messy Church!
You are welcome to get to know Maureen and Cindy Banek from Williamsburg, VA who are the two trainers for the Virginia (RE)START MESSY training day on October 23, 2021. Get more information Here.
Contact Information
Messy Church Primary Contact: Maureen Carey at [email protected] or [email protected]
St David’s Episcopal Church and School
43600 Russell Branch Pkwy
Ashburn, VA 20147
703-729-0570
Website: https://www.sdilife.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sdlife/