Messy Carnival at Ghent United Methodist!
Ghent United Methodist from Norfolk, Virginia renewed their supporter membership with Messy Church USA in July 2021. I asked for an update on their Messy Church and Melanie Cramer generously shared something new they tried this summer!
Like everyone else, Ghent UMC has been trying to navigate our post-COVID Messy Church return. Our new pastor arrived in July having never experienced Messy Church, so we decided a fun, low-key, outdoor introduction was in order. And so our Messy Church Carnival was born!
We had fun lawn games for all ages: giant Jenga, temporary tattoos, ladder golf, hula hoops, bubbles…and we dragged our bounce house outside. A couple of the activities were Bible-based, but most were just summer fun! We grilled hot dogs, enjoyed watermelon and chips along with popsicles and ice cream sandwiches for dessert. We listened to contemporary Christian music and generally enjoyed each other’s company after so long apart. Youth, kids and even a few seniors participated even though we picked the hottest Sunday evening in July, and we even attracted a few new folks. The energy was amazing! We will definitely make in an annual thing.
Thanks Ghent UMC for sharing your story!
We would love to hear the different ways you have began to gather in person in Messy Church in your own community. Yes, we know that the Delta variant of COVID has squashed some of our plans but what how are you navigating all the changes at your Messy Church? Send me a paragraph with some pictures to [email protected].