Travel to Ohio to meet the Messy folk from West Chester Presbyterian
We are excited to introduce our Messy Church family to West Chester Presbyterian. Their Messy Church leader, Jessica Whitmore, is one of our newest Messy Church USA ambassadors. Since their start in 2021, they have been members of the Messy Church USA network. Get inspired by their story and then let us know your Messy Church Story. Thanks Jessica for sharing your journey with Messy Church!
Tell us a little bit about West Chester Presbyterian
West Chester Presbyterian Church was officially organized in 1869. We are the oldest continuing fellowship of believers in West Chester Township, Ohio. In 1880, the brick building that still stands today was built.
Members of WCPC range from those who have recently relocated to the area to those whose families have been a part of the church for generations. At West Chester Presbyterian Church, we’re building the bridge between Christ, community, and service.
When did you learn about Messy Church?
A church in our area used some of the curriculum calling it Intergenerational for all ages. I looked up the Messy Church concept first, then found Messy Church USA. Myself and some of the core planning members of our Messy Church visited Irvington Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis who were offering Messy Church monthly and we fell in love with the program. That car ride home to Cincinnati was electric and energizing, we were all so excited. We could not wait to begin this program for our church and community.
The monthly service projects are my family’s favorite. I took my 4-year-old shopping for food items to donate and he loved it. We are able to actively show his love for Jesus and others through Messy Church.
Mother of 4-year old
Why did you decide to offer a Messy Church in your community?
Our church is very unique in having multiple families spanning 3-4 generations. We have great-grandparents, grandparents, adults, children and small children all from the same family attending together regularly on Sundays. What would be more perfect that a program that includes all ages so these families can create, worship, and learn about God all together in one room?
When did you start your Messy Church?
September of 2021 was our very first Messy Church. We offer monthly Messy Church from September-May.
Messy Folk answer the question, ‘what do you like about Messy Church?’
- “I like coming to Messy Church with my Grandmother and Grandfather. I like the food and activities the most. My favorite activity was when we made our own gingerbread men.”- Messy Church attendee age 10
- “I love the family time and how it is geared towards kids of all ages. The evening is structured but also has flexibility for the kids. The hands-on activities help get everyone interested in the lesson and reach every ability and level. The monthly service projects are my family’s favorite. I took my 4-year-old shopping for food items to donate and he loved it. We are able to actively show his love for Jesus and others through Messy Church.”- Messy Church attendee age 37
- “We bring our 9-year-old grandchildren to Messy Church each month. They often bring a friend as well! We enjoy the casual atmosphere with all ages and that our grandchildren have a chance to connect with others. We love being Activity Facilitators because we can get messy with painting, gluing, stringing beads, building with blocks, and creating things that tie directly to the Bible story.”- Retiree who is a regular activity facilitator at Messy Church
- “We are among the very oldest at Messy Church. It is so fun watching the youngest of the church learn the Bible stories we learned so long ago. Our favorite activity is eating supper and the month we had the booth with the instant photographs.”- Messy Church attendee age 86
Share Three of your Favorite Messy Church Activities
Gingerbread People
Directions: Make one sad person and one happy person using the icing and other decoration items you have.
Talk About: how it might feel for the sad person in the story, who is excluded from being with other people. How can we make a difference and help them feel included? God cares about all our feelings and wants to help us. Are you willing to let him help?
Build a lego Community
Directions: Make a model community scene out of Lego where everyone is included.
Talk about what this community looks like. What does a community need to facilitate good relationships? What could we do differently in our communities so that everyone feels included? Do you think our church here is a type of community?
Christmas Photo Shoot
You will need: a backdrop Bethlehem stable scene, including a manger with a baby Jesus doll; Christmas costumes
Dress up as Christmas figures and have your picture taken with Jesus. Use the picture to make a Christmas card if desired.
Talk about why we go and visit Santa at Christmas. What happened in the Bethlehem stable?
Some Pictures of West Chester Presbyterian Messy Church
What worked well as you started your Messy Church?
Advertising the concept in Sunday worship through announcements multiple times prior to our first Messy Church. Using the Messy Church USA team to create a personalized video for our church was key. We used this many times in announcements to draw attention.
In order to get our volunteer team assembled, we had a more in-depth informational meeting about what Messy Church is, how it works and how we need volunteers to help. In doing this we created a very strong volunteer base for this program.
Share a challenge and strategies used to solve the problem
We usually run short on time during our Messy Church since it’s always on a weeknight evening. We end at 7:30 to respect bedtime for younger children and it’s not easy to have supper, tell the Bible story, do the activities and have the celebration fit into an hour and a half. Each month we guage how much time we should add or subtract from the activities portion. Some months we need more time, others we don’t need as much. So, it’s reading the crowd and seeing what the people want.
What word would you give to Messy Church teams just beginning?
Spend time creating a volunteer team for support, you certainly can’t do this program effectively with just one person. Get the support of your pastor as well, they are always there to help 😊! Get creative with crafts and ideas, don’t be afraid to change the curriculum to best fit the needs of your group. We pray that Messy Church will become a blessing to your church like it has ours!
More Pictures!
Thanks for Sharing!
Thank you Jessica and the great folk at West Chester Presbyterian for sharing your Messy Church story. May you continue to experience God’s presence, the light of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit at your monthly Messy Church! Prayers as you start back up this month for the school year!
Contact Information for West Chester Presbyterian
Church Name and Address:
West Chester Presbyterian Church
8930 Cincinnati Dayton Rd, West Chester, OH 45069
Church phone number and email: (513) 777-1705
[email protected]
Church social media links
Website: www.westchesterpresbyterian.com
Messy church contact Name and email:
Jessica Whitmore
[email protected] or [email protected]