Messy Church....and the beach

On Sunday night, we launched my latest "baby" - a new church service called "Messy church".  It is a service that is interactive, family focused and informal.  It's goals are about community outreach, connecting generations together and making 'church' accessible to those who struggle with a traditional service.    It begins with craft and art, giving those who come along a chance to talk, connect and interact over hands on projects with a common biblical theme.  I love the way another church leader put it to me today: "the craft side of things is really the "background music" - it is really about bringing people together around a table to talk and connect" (thanks Tim!).

I love that Kate had time to connect with our  'family' members she didn't know well.

A room full of people connecting and enjoying

My dad gets me messy too!

 

 It was awesome to look around and see the older members of our church reaching out to the younger ones.  All ages were represented at messy church.  I LOVED it.

 ..After the craft time, we all made our way into the auditorium, greeted by the video clip blasting of the song "Happy", which got everyone bopping along with a smile as they came in and found a seat.  We sung a couple of songs together - the kids came up the front and danced with scarves as they sung, and then the adults at the tables joined in as the children led them in an action song - roles reversed from our traditional services!  

  After the song time, we had a skit presented to us - the Easter Bunny showed up, declaring that Easter was all about him!  The kid disagreed with him, and soon put him in his place!  Doesn't Marty make a cute bunny?

 Next I called the children to come and sit up close for the easter story.  Adults (and those kids who weren't keen) were able to sit back at their tables and listen in as I opened up eggs - each one contained a different element of the Easter story.  The kids had so much fun opening up the eggs and seeing what was inside...and everyone gasped as the last egg was opened ..and nothing was inside.  An empty tomb, an empty egg.  :)

 We finished off our 'service' time with a last quiet song and then grace was said.  We enjoyed a meal passed on the passover meal - lamb patties served in pita pockets with salad.  Discussion starters on each table encouraged people to continue the Easter talk as they ate.

 It was an awesome time, and the feedback we got was awesome.  Those that came along from our community told me that it was "just brilliant - highlight of our weekend" and another community mum later told me that her child had been asking her to read to her about Jesus every night since! Our youth group fed back that they had a blast, parents came up to me grinning and excited.  I can't wait until our next service (which will be the third Sunday of May).

The next day it was definitely time to chill out - I always get a bit consumed by these big events when I am in charge, so after farewelling Poppa and Oma as they headed home to Auckland, we were just trying to work out what to do with our day.  It was beautiful, and I wanted to get out in that sun.  Next thing you know, the phone rings and Granny is telling us they are going to the beach.  "Excellent idea, just the thing!" I said, not realising she was about to offer to take just the girls out with them!  So all 7 of us crammed in our car and headed out to Ocean Beach for a walk.  It was beautiful.  Here are some photos from our walk.....

Flying a kite.  Such fun!!!!

Luke and Kate join Grampa Muz for a paddle.  Soon a wave swept Kate off her feet and she fell in....

...so she was left to wear daddy's sweatshirt for the rest of our walk!

Always time for a handstand.

Giddyup horsie!

Kate and Luke climbed the cliffs.  Luke clutched Kate and yelped "help, help" when he realised how high they were.  Climbing down he managed to get caught with bushes between his legs....and he wasn't wearing anything.  Ouch?!

Let's go fly a kite!

Granny and the girls found huge huhu bugs in the driftwood.  The girls loved holding them! Kate pretends to eat one for the camera.

Our eco warrior collects rubbish to take home. She LOVES this.  

 

....had to leave you with this cheeky finish photo!