24.11.2020
Messy Zoom – Kilternan Takes Messy Church Online
You’ve heard of Messy Church? Well in Kilternan they were looking for ways to keep up the connection. The Revd Rob Clements tells us about the parish’s first Messy Zoom.
Kilternan parish had an active Messy church before Covid–19. Every month 80 to 100 people gathered for a time of Creativity, Celebration, Hospitality and Fun. It has not been possible for us to gather as Messy Church since February due to the very hands on and close contact nature of the craft activity and hospitality. Impossible, but not virtually impossible.
In November we decided to have our first Messy Church on zoom. We were cautious, particularly mindful of ‘zoom fatigue’ but we thought it was important to keep contact. Well, were we surprised!
The theme for the afternoon service was ‘Christ the King’. Everything each family needed to participate was put together in bag for them to collect from the Gathering Grounds, including Order of Service, all craft materials, prayers and hospitality treats (biscuits made by Julie in the Gathering Grounds).
We estimated initially that we would make 30 craft packs. By the end of the week 63 craft bags had been distributed to families. Well done to Lynn, our children and family worker, and her team for putting them together!
By 3:55 on Sunday afternoon we had over 40 families in the zoom waiting room. In total we had 63 families join us, we estimate around 230 people!
We gathered over a Christ the King treasure hunt, and a song. The craft activities where led by Craft team leaders in four Zoom break out rooms, the craft leaders changing room every eight minutes, this all was expertly managed by Brian (Tech Guru and Youth Worker).
Everyone came back together again for our time of Celebration led by the rector Rob and intern deacon Alistair, involving action Sing along worship songs, talk on the service theme and prayer.
We ended our time of discipleship and worship by blessing each other in the words and actions of the ‘Messy Grace’, and then all tucked in to our King Crisps.