Messy Kid Chronicles

December Blog Post from Lindsey Goodyear

Last month, I had the pleasure of sitting down with five different adults, of all age groups, and listening to incredible testimonies of their journey through Messy Church. The fact that they were open enough to put their own private feelings out there for the world to read filled me with such gratitude. I love seeing how Messy Church impacts the life of others and, with them telling their stories, others can now hear it as well! And, although they were all captivating interviews, it did leave me wondering what the youth of our congregation would have to say about their own experiences with Messy Church. So, this month, I decided to sit down with four different kids, between the ages of 4 and 11 and ask them all the same questions. I was met with some of the sweetest, funniest, most blunt answers I’ve ever received in an interview! It was a riot! I love the innocent, unfiltered, unbiased answers we get when we talk about God with kids. We can learn a lot from their blind faith. So, without further ado, please enjoy some words about Messy Church out of the mouths of babes.

Name: Jax
Age: 4
Number of years attending Messy Church: 2

Lindsey (LG): What do you remember about your first Messy Church?
Jax (J): I don’t know anything about that.

LG: That’s okay. What has been your favorite Messy Church?
J: The water slide one.

LG: Really? How come?
J: Because I liked going down the slide and next time I’m going to do flips, stand up, and slide on my knees.

LG: Wow, that sounds fun! How about you tell me your favorite meal at Messy Church?
J: I would like it if they had bread and I could put butter on it!

LG: I would love that too. Do you remember any stories you’ve learned at Messy Church?
J: Ms. Leyla says that sometimes you see Jesus laying in that little thing He likes.

LG: Do you mean the manger?
J: What’s a manger?

LG: That little bed He had when he was born.
J: Oh, yeah. But, He’s dead, you know?

LG: I do know that but He’s alive in our hearts, right?
J: Yes, and so is God!

LG: That’s right! How about your favorite Messy Church song?
J: Welcome Everybody!

LG: That’s a good one! If there was one thing you could change about Messy Church what would it be?
J: Sing a new song at Messy Church for prayer.

LG: Why a new song?
J: I just do.

LG: Well, maybe we can work on that. Thanks for the interview!
J: Okay.

Name: Kellan
Age: 7
Number of years attending Messy Church: 2

Lindsey (LG): What do you remember about your first Messy Church?
Kellan (K): At first I was super scared but then I remember it was super fun!

LG: What has been your favorite Messy Church?
K: Christmas.

LG: Why, what did you do?
K: Played lots of games, went inside the church, and Ms. Marty said some stuff about the Bible. Messy Church is super fun and amazing!

LG: I agree! What’s your favorite meal at Messy Church?
K: Spaghetti because I like spaghetti!

LG: Me too! Do you remember any stories you’ve learned at Messy Church?
K: About that little guy.

LG: Zaccheus?
K: Yes!

LG: What do you remember about him?
K: He took people’s money and then Jesus came so he gave them their money back.

LG: That’s right! Have you learned anything new about God or praying at Messy Church?
K: Yes, I learned that if you’re praying and you are driving a car, Don’t close your eyes to pray because you’ll crash!

LG: That’s a good takeaway! What’s your favorite Messy Church song?
K: Welcome everybody.

LG: Great one! If there was one thing you could change about Messy Church, what would it be?
K: The time.

LG: Why is that?
K: So we could go to Messy Church sooner!

LG: Agreed!

Name: Zazie
Age: 10
Number of Years Attending Messy Church: 6 years

Lindsey (LG): What do you remember about your first Messy Church?
Zazie (Z): I came here because we got invited by my friend and I was really shy at that point because I didn’t know anyone except the friend who invited me. The first craft I remember is making a wooden Jesus with a cross.

LG: I remember that craft, too! What has been your favorite Messy Church?
Z: My favorite Messy Church was the Messy Pets. I got a little metal medallion to hang off his cage.

LG: Who is he?
Z: Skyler, my pet rabbit.

LG: Very cool! How about your favorite meal at Messy Church?
Z: The one where we had it catered by the steakhouse. It was an 11 out of 10! It was an amazing meal and I had my mom bring me to that same restaurant the next night!

LG: You’re right, it was a great meal! Do you remember any stories you’ve learned at Messy Church?
Z: The one with the crown of thorns. I remember that Marty had the crown of thorns in her hand. It obviously wasn’t the real crown of thorns but I remember her having it. There were people who came and acted the story out which is my favorite.

LG: I agree. Sometimes it’s easier to understand the story when someone acts it out.
Z: Yes!

LG: Have you learned anything new about God or praying at Messy Church?
Z: I write down what I’m thankful for, which I started at Messy Church. I do it all of the time. I even show it in my artwork.

LG: Wow! That’s really cool. Do you have a favorite Messy Church song?
Z: “Da Da Da Dum” song! I even sing it in the shower!

LG: Ha! That’s awesome! I also like our Messy Grace song. If there was one thing you could change about Messy Church, what would it be?
Z: Maybe take away those gates and open it up again.

LG: Why is that?
Z: Because there’s something special about being in the sanctuary so I can’t wait to go back in!

*Note: Community United Methodist Church is getting a huge remodel. For the time being, we are unable to have our celebration portion of Messy Church in the sanctuary. The construction is guarded by gates and this is what Zazie is referring to.

Name: Zachary
Age: 11
Number of Years Attending Messy Church: 7 years

Lindsey (LG): What do you remember about your first Messy Church?
Zachary (Z): They all kind of blend together but I remember liking the sensory tables with all of the beads.

LG: Yes! The sensory tables are fun. What has been your favorite Messy Church?
Z: I like the pets Messy Church. That’s really fun!

LG: Why is it your favorite?
Z: I’m not sure. Probably because you get to bring stuff.

LG: What kind of stuff?
Z: Like pets.

LG: Which pets have you brought?
Z: We brought the bunny, we’ve brought the chickens, our lizard, and also our dog, Jewel.

LG: Wow! That’s lots of pets! How about your favorite meal at Messy Church?
Z: I like when they did the meat chili with the ground beef. That was really good!

LG: Do you remember any stories you’ve learned at Messy Church?
Z: The one I remember the most is the smart dude that built his house on the rock and the not so smart dude that built it on the sand. Then the earthquakes came and the not so smart dude’s house fell down.

LG: I love the wise and foolish builders, also. Have you learned anything new about God or praying at Messy Church?
Z: Hmm…Well I learned how to pray there!

LG: You did?
Z: Yes. I didn’t really know how to before.

LG: That’s awesome! What’s your favorite Messy Church song?
Z: The “Da Da Da Dum” song!

LG: Our Messy Grace song?
Z: Yep!

LG: Great choice! Is there anything you would change about Messy Church?
Z: Yeah, I wish the time you get to do stuff was a little longer. Like, all the crafts and stuff.

LG: Me too. Thanks, Zachary!