We had our biggest Messy Church ever last Sunday, with over 80 people present – 46 children (37 regular plus 9 visiting children), 25 adults (including 4 visitors) and 13 BUC helpers. One of the regular girls had her birthday that day and as she didn’t want to miss Messy Church she decided to have her birthday party at Messy Church and invited her friends and grandparents to come. She even involved her friends in presenting the Jellybean prayers which she was leading.

Her mum provided cakes and watermelon and Judy Adami and her team of cooks,

barbeque-ers and washer-uppers did a monumental job providing food for all and cleaning up afterwards – it was a bit like the feeding of the 5000, there was even food left over! Coincidentally several families we hadn’t seen for a while came back, and we also celebrated 4 other children’s birthdays.

 We explored the theme of Gratitude and saying ‘Thank you’, through the story of the one man who came back to say ‘Thank you’ when Jesus healed 10 lepers. The children all received a copy of the Jellybean prayers and a bags of mixed jellybeans and smarties to take home. Thanks to the team running the activities, with so many people present it was full-on, but it wasn’t chaotic and everyone was able to participate in their choice of activities. What a wonderful team we have. And thank you to the band – Pat on guitar, Angus and Bruce on their recorders and Bec on violin. It does make a difference having a group playing for our singing and you were much appreciated.

 I have been feeling quite thrilled that the kids enjoy Messy Church so much that rather than miss it they bring their friends to their birthday party at Messy Church. Does that give us equal status with Hungry Jacks, McDonalds and other kids’ party venues, I wonder? Thanks be to God indeed! Marnie Agnew