The Playfully Serious research confirmed what we have suspected at Messy Church USA…that the teams that prayerfully discern, attend training opportunities, and start their Messy Church with support of others are more vital and sustainable than those teams that begin without training. This led us to set a goal of offering a minimum of twelve training events in a variety of USA regions in 2019.
The Getting Started in Messy Church will benefit those getting ready to start their Messy Church as well as those that have been offering Messy Church for months or years. Connecting with other churches is important! Below is the list of our upcoming training. Click on the link to register. There are several that have the dates open and registration will open soon.
- August 10th in Michigan City, IN
- August 24th in Henderson, NV
- September 21st in Mt Dora, FL
- September 21st in Hartford, CT
- September 28th in Newport, NH
- October 5th, in Cheney, WA (registration coming soon)
- October 12th in Huntington Beach, CA
Looking for a Messy Church Introduction? Our July What is Messy Church free webinar is coming up on Thursday, July 25th at 8:30 am Pacific time. You will learn about how the Messy Church global movement began and why it works in many different ‘flavors’ of the Christian church. In addition you will discover how the five foundational values of Messy Church weave in and out of the Messy Church worship experience. You will also be given some resources as you consider beginning your own Messy Church.
What is Messy Church? Webinar Registration
We give God thanks for those churches who become new members of renewed their membership in Messy Church USA in May and June 2019. Spent a moment giving God thanks and praying for the leadership teams for the following churches.
New Members for May/June 2019
- Northside Presbyterian, Chattanooga, TN
- St John United Church of Christ, Trenton, IL
- Cornerstone United Methodist Church, Elyria, OH
- Lyall memorial Federated Church- Millbrook, NY
- Diocese of Southern Virginia- Newport News, VA
- First United Methodist, Bowie, TX
- Lexington United Methodist, Lexington, MI
- Hillsides Residential Youth and Children, Pasadena, CA
Renewal Members for May/ June 2019
- Auburn United Methodist, Auburn, WA
- Christ United Methodist- Albuquerque, NM
- St Peter’s Episcopal, Bettendorf, IA
- Oak Grove United Methodist, Oak Grove, OR
- Freysville Emmanuel United Church of Christ, Red Lion, PA
Did you know that we have a Facebook Group for Messy Church Team Leaders. It is a great place to ask questions and get ideas for activities, food and how to do publicity! Check it out and while you are at it— be sure to like our Facebook Page.
Resources from Around the World
Chris Barnett from Australia posts a monthly newsletter. Here are a few of my favorite ones for the month of July.
- What makes for a spiritually vibrant household?
- Ultimate collection of family faith formation resources
- Why intergenerational? (GenOn ministries)
Links from Jane Leadbetter of Messy Church/BRF
If you missed the recent International Messy Church Conference and would like to hear the key speakers, download the special resources, or watch the highlights, you can see it all on the Messy Church website. Also check out the Messy Church International Conference Pinterest Board.
Read Lucy’s Synod speech from this month in York! Do you have a branch of Tesco in your parish/circuit/region? Find Lucy on the Messy Church Facebook page!
Huge thanks to the 259 churches and 55 individuals who gave to the 2018/19 Messy Church £100 Appeal. £36, 000 has been raised so far! Awesome. Lucy and Jane thank you all in a short video on the Messy Church Facebook page.