Messy Church fun for kids at St Nicholas, Dereham
Children enjoyed making music during a visit to Dereham St Nicholas. Photo: Messy Church - Credit: Archant
Homemade instruments, guitars and even hotdogs are not usually what you would associate with a visit to church.
Kids got to learn about the bell tower and church organ. Photo: Messy Church - Credit: Archant
But children in Dereham got the chance to use their creativity during an morning of music and crafts at St Nicholas Church.
The session was run by the Messy Church project, a global group run by the Bible Reading Fellowship, which aims to bring church into people's lives in fun, unexpected, and creative ways.
The theme of the session on Tuesday, May 29, was 'Celebrating Music', and children had the chance to create their own instruments, from drums and shakers to lyres and flutes.
They were then led by guitarist David Webster in singing and playing their instruments.
Messy Church is a group aiming to get more people involved in the church. Photo: Messy Church - Credit: Archant
The children also got to visit the bell tower, to see how the bells are rung and learn about the church organ, from organist and musical director Richard Bower.
After the energetic morning, the children enjoyed hot-dogs and cake, provided by the East of England Co-op.
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Evelyn Speed, a lay minister at St Nicholas and co-ordinator of Messy Church Dereham, said: 'It was a fantastic morning.
'The theme was celebrating music, and the children certainly did that.
Children enjoyed making music during a visit to Dereham St Nicholas. Photo: Messy Church - Credit: Archant
'We usually do craft activities associated with the theme of the day, which might be a biblical theme.
'We have a short worship time, and then we finish with refreshments - usually hotdogs.
She added: 'People are flummoxed by the church. They might want to go but think they have to be invited in.
'Its a way for families to come and learn a bit about the church and its bible stories.
Children enjoyed making music during a visit to Dereham St Nicholas. Photo: Messy Church - Credit: Archant
'Its about letting people know that we're human.'
Messy Church is a growing ministry, with 3,955 branches around the world.
The church aims to create and build relationships with people outside of their existing congregation, and is largely funded by grants and donations.
The Messy Church group in Dereham meets at St Nicholas, on Church Street, and sessions are usually run during school holidays and half-term breaks.
The next Messy Church session will be during Open Churches Week on Tuesday, July 31, from 10 - 11.30am.
For more information visit the church website.
