By Mark Ambrogi
Carmel Friends Church Pastor Keith Glasgow is bringing Messy Church to Carmel.
Messy Church is a service for young families.
“The idea is that once a month we build an interactive program around a theme and progress through creative time (activities and games),” Glasgow said
Celebration time, including songs, fun learning and stories, follow.
The first Messy Church will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. April 1 at Carmel Friends Church, 651 W. Main St. It will be held the first Saturday of every month.
“We see great value in this. It’s taken off everywhere it’s gone,” Glasgow said. “It’s good because it involves the whole family together. They do the activities together. They have celebration time. It’s much more interactive than a normal service. We sit in small groups. Then we sit at a table and eat a meal together, so the families are together.”
Glasgow has attended Messy Church services in his native Australia, where he said it has taken off. It has become popular in England and Canada.
“It’s only more recently that it has come to the U.S.,” Glasgow said. “But it’s growing. A lot of churches in the U.S. are taking it on. We’re excited about it, and we hope to attract younger families. I’ve talked to a lot of families in Carmel that stopped going to church because it was too difficult with the little ones. We’re hoping those families might come to something like this.”
Glasgow said a variety of different congregations are holding Messy Church.
“What we enjoy about it is it is a learning experience,” Glasgow said.
Glasgow said the activities might be a small art project, a puzzle or a game or making a snack. There always is a message as part of the service.
