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  At St. Matthew’s, we are privileged to host around 15 baby baptisms every year. A sign of the times is that this number has radically reduced through the years from the early 1970s when they numbered in their 20s and 30s, or even as recently as the 1990s when the numbers were similar to that.
(The above said, 2011 did still see St. Matthew's baptise 22 people - children and adults)!
What we are finding in our dynamic but changed congregation is that with newer life-styles and patterns of work etc, it appears Sunday morning’s more regular style of worship is really not easy for families with babies (even though we now have a crèche with the worship service streamed live on the web to a 32” TV screen).
Hence, Messy Church!!
Here at St. Matthew's we are experimenting with an alternative opportunity for young mothers and fathers, with their baby, toddler or child to come along and not need to feel anxious about (a) what to wear (b) how to keep the wee one quiet
(c) how to grapple with naturally active kids in a largely passive environment.
Drama, food, video, technology, craft, story-telling and many other resources will be used to allow for freedom of movement, noise and interactivity – and a rather less stressful church encounter than it can sometimes be on a Sunday morning.
Seriously, it is called “Messy Church” because family life can be messy sometimes; not all neat and tidy, respectable and in order! (And that’s only the minister’s house we’re talking about!!)
Here's a wee video from some of the results of our first service:
Do, then, come along for something to eat at 5pm, prepared to muck right in with everyone else - putting up tables, helping in the kitchen, setting out paints etc and generally having some quality, fun, time with your kids as they mix with other young families, getting to know each other, and offering mutual support in the challenge of 21 century family life!
We believe the church is a family because that’s what the bible teaches.
“You are now citizens together with God's people and members of the family of God.” (Ephesians 2:19)
We need you as part of the Church and we're bold enough to suggest you could do with us too!
We warmly welcome you to come along on the THIRD SUNDAY OF EVERYMONTH at 5-6pm in our large church hall and Children's play area, in order to grown and learn and worship God together.
Come on! Try it - and let’s just see where this might develop!
For more of an insight, check out the video below.
Best wishes,
Scott Burton.
Minister |
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