Messy Church is Making a Difference
Making Difference is the theme for the upcoming Messy Church International Conference (MCIC) 2022 in England on May 20-24. I am sure that MCIC 2022 will make a difference in the lives of people who are able to attend. However, I wonder how Messy Church is making a difference for those who are involved in Messy Church whether or not they are able to attend the conference.
The first MCIC in 2016 is still making a difference in my life as it was there that I met three other Messy Church leaders from the USA that are now dear friends and colleagues. The seed was planted for the start of Messy Church USA was planted in 2016. At that conference, four strangers from the USA sat down for tea with Lucy Moore and she asked us: “Can you help us grow a network of support for Messy Churches in the USA?”
After a year of discernment and monthly brainstorming sessions, All-Age Faith Formation nonprofit signed a partnership agreement with Messy Church UK to become the home of Messy Church in the USA. We launched with a national introductory conference with 100 people attending. Today a group of six people from the USA are preparing to meet again in England.
As a lead up to MCIC 2022, we will explore in upcoming blog posts how Messy Church is making a difference in our own lives, in our teams, our community and our planet.
How is Messy Church making a difference to you?
- I meet and get to work with many creative and inspirational leaders passionate about sharing the love of Jesus Christ
- In the midst of the isolation of the pandemic, connecting with Messy Church folk from all over the world in shared projects brought joy
- Learning of churches from same community but different denominations come together to start Messy Churches gives me hope for the future
- Instructing leaders to start their own Messy Churches always brings new ideas and collective wisdom
- Seeing the excitement for the new Messy Session created by our writing team makes me happy
Now it is your turn….How is Messy Church making a difference to you?
Write a sentence to me at [email protected] or on our Facebook page and share your story!
Here are a few responses to prime the pump for you!
- I can see my relationship with God more clearly now because my Messy Church experience allows me to explore that in creative ways. I love Messy Church so much! ~ Crystal Goetz
- Having the support of other MC leaders across the US from various denominations strengthens me to lead my team ~ Cathy Brackin
Next week we explore how Messy Church makes a difference to your local team
Peace to you all, Roberta J. Egli