Create! Step out of your comfort zone!
On this final day of June, we return to our monthly theme of creativity! Attending the Intergenerate (IG) 2023 conference in Nashville earlier this month filled my mind with a variety of creative ideas of how to engage in Intergenerational ministry. In addition to the plenary speakers, workshops and academic paper presentation I was inspired by the leaders of Music that Makes Community. (MMC) Their leadership at the pre-event workshop and throughout the plenary sessions invited not only the engagement of the mind but the body and soul as well.
I have always been a vocalist, most comfortable with singing notes and words on the page rather that composing. So, it was a surprise to step out of my comfort zone and share several short chants based on a Psalm throughout the Intergenerate week. First at the pre-event MMC workshop on Monday and then at the Wednesday evening taste and see experience.
Messy Church USA offered one of the five ‘taste and see’ opportunities on the second evening of the IG conference. We led a 30- minute intergenerational participatory ‘mini-Messy Church’ to invite people into the Messy Church worship experience. We created a mini–Messy Church based on Psalm 34[1]… Taste and See that God is good!
We had planned to use a short responsive reading to introduce the Mini-Mess and then to conclude as our celebration. However, after getting inspired by MMC, I talked Ronda into letting me us use a short chant I composed as our communal response instead of speaking. Engaging in creativity, at times causes us to risk trying something new!
A Preview of
We are in the process of completing a full Messy Church session based on this scripture but for now, here is a bit of a preview:
- Taste- Prayer Pretzel Sandwiches
- See- Optical Illusion Spinning Top
- Smell- Scent Picture
- Touch- Tub of Kinetic Sand
- Hear- Listening Bottles
Psalm 34: 1-3, 8 Responsive Reading
All Sing: Taste and See that God is good, Praise God’s name forever. (repeat)
One: I will praise the Lord at all times. I will constantly speak the Lord’s praises.
All Sing: Taste and See that God is good, Praise God’s name forever.
One: I will boast only in the Lord; let all who are helpless take heart.
All Sing: Taste and See that God is good, Praise God’s name forever.
One: Come, let us tell of the Lord’s greatness; let us exalt the Lord’s name together.
All Sing: Taste and See that God is good, Praise God’s name forever. (repeat)
We want to hear about your creativity!
How do you creatively share in your Messy Church? When are the times that you have stepped out of your comfort box to try something new? What did you notice? We would love to hear your experiences of creating your Messy Church! Write a comment or send us an email at [email protected].
Happy Creating!
Roberta
[1] Taste and See Intergenerate Mini Messy Church created by Ronda Bower and Roberta Egli