As we gather for an exciting Messy Church event, we are thrilled to have welcomed ten new families to our Messy Church, along with 20 children and young people who eagerly explored our theme for today: Harvest. Harvest was a time when we celebrated the gift of God's creation and its abundance to sustain us. It wasn't just about the fruits of the earth but also about the generosity of our hearts.
Our theme for that day was rooted in the story of the rich fool from Luke 12, which invited us to reflect on our attitude toward wealth. Did we build bigger barns and keep the additional harvest for ourselves, or did we have a generous spirit and the faith to rely on God's provision?
Harvest was a time when we gave thanks for the bountiful gifts we had received, but it also reminded us that there were many who did not have enough to sustain themselves, lacking even the basics of life like a safe and secure home, food, and clean water.
For this Messy Church, we had a range of engaging activities that allowed us to explore these themes.
1. Bigger Barns Junk Modelling: We created our own "bigger barns" using junk modelling to help illustrate the story Jesus told about the rich fool.
2. Global Connection: Our "Global Connect" activity encouraged us to think about our connections to people around the world. We explored the origin of the food we ate, the places where things were made, where our clothes came from, and the diverse backgrounds of our family and friends. This activity highlighted the interconnectedness of all humanity.
3. Harvest Collage: We put together a harvest collage, featuring photos of things we wanted to give thanks for. It was a visual way to celebrate our blessings.
4. Scale of Justice: We used a scale of justice to understand how our individual efforts, when combined with those of our friends, family, and community, could create significant change and make the world a better place.
5. Food Around the World: In this interactive activity, we explored various foods from around the world. By feeling, describing, and guessing where these foods came from, we gained a better understanding of the diversity and abundance of the world's resources.
6. Pea Seed Planting: We delved into the symbolism of planting seeds and nurturing growth, linking it to God's initial creation of a world with enough for everyone.
Through these activities, we emphasised the importance of gratitude and the responsibility we had toward those who had less. Our faith called us to share our blessings and work towards a more just and equitable world. Today, we see imbalances, with some having much more than they need while others struggle to live full and happy lives. The story of harvest was a reminder of God's creation and provision, prompting us to be thankful for the good things in our lives and to work together to ensure that everyone had enough to live fully and happily.
A Special Birthday Celebration: We have a heartwarming story to share as well. A family had originally planned a holiday for their daughter's birthday, but when they learned that she wanted to be in Messy Church, they rescheduled their trip to Turkey for next week. This young girl had been a part of Messy Church for several years, and her dedication was truly inspiring. To celebrate her birthday and her commitment to our community, we sang a special birthday song in her honour.
We also extend our heartfelt thanks to the twelve helpers from different churches who dedicated their time and effort to make this day memorable. Your support and commitment were greatly appreciated.
This event is a "Churches Together in Whittlesey and Districts" initiative, and without the dedication of these helpers, it simply could not have happened. We are deeply grateful for the spirit of unity and cooperation that makes Messy Church such a vibrant and inclusive community.
This Messy Church was a reminder of our shared responsibility to care for one another, especially those less fortunate, and to be thankful for the abundant gifts that God provided. We rejoiced in the spirit of harvest and the joy of giving as we came together as a Messy Church family.
Special thanks to the Helpers
Queen Street Church: Zoe, Tim, Fiona, Linda, Lyn, Ruth, Amy, Becca, Bell, Jasmine, Tadiwa, Thabiso
Salvation Army Studio: Lorraine
St. Jude Church: Kay, Louise, Tracy, Marian
Holy Trinity Coastes: Fiona and Tricia
