by Maureen Carey, Director of Children & Youth Ministry at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Ashburn, VA.
Messy Church went a bit wild here in January!
We had snow here in Virginia the past few weeks. Not unexpected. It is winter after all. This is the first snow in two years. This created a lot of celebration with both children and adults. Snowmen being built, sledding, and people out walking in the snow. The snowy sunsets were beautiful and the sunrises glorious. Winter was reborn in a new way. Joy was everywhere.
How can this joy be captured in winter worship?
One aspect of my job and one of my favorite things I do is preschool chaplain. This month we took our celebration/worship outside exploring nature and celebrating God our creator. During January children’s chapel we talked about snowflakes and how they are all different and the same, just like us. There is “snow-body” like you… God made you unique! We talked about how we are all different and unique. Different hair color, skin color, eye color. Some of us are boys and some are girls, some are grow ups , some are wisdom people and we are the same. We are children of God and of part of the same family – God’s family. We always pray and the children are learning that prayer is talking to God. We ended thanking God for making us all different and the same.
Where did we do this? Outdoors in our snow fort chapel. Yes, building and creating an altar in the world where God was met outdoors in our worship celebration. I’m not sure who had more fun, the children or adults. The awe of nature and wonder was experienced by everyone in both old and new ways.
When was the last time you made a snow angel? Or built a snow man using seed butter pinecones and bird seed to feed and care for little critters while talking about their winter habitats. Making snow angels and talking about the angels in the bible teaching us not be afraid and trust in God. There is nothing like making your angel wings in the snow looking at a blue sky and talking about God with a new friend. Have you ever looked at a snowflake under a microscope? Just like snowflakes, we are each wonderfully and beautifully made.
Don’t be afraid to try something new with your worship and get messy or in this case covered in snow! Taking Messy Church outside to worship opens our connection to nature, all living things, climate awareness and to God our Creator.