Hoxne’s Messy Church celebrates its 10th anniversary with party
A popular messy church has celebrated its 10th anniversary.
Hoxne’s Messy Church, which was launched in 2014 and is held in the Syleham and Wingford Village Hall.
Every month, children and their parents gather to take part in a range of fun craft activities, from finger painting to decorating greetings cards.
The Rev Canon Eleanor Goodison, Priest-in-Charge of the Hoxne Benefice, said: “One of the great things about messy church is it is for families.
“It’s a wonderful way for all the families and parents to socialise and get to know each other and to welcome new families to the church and wider community.”
The messy church has become a hugely popular monthly event since it started and the activities even carried on throughout the Covid-19 pandemic thanks to its dedicated volunteers.
“Even during this difficult time, messy church continued – we sent out videos on Facebook with a story, a prayer and instructions on the different crafts the children were doing,” said the reverend.
Archdeacon Rich Henderson was among the guests to attend the anniversary celebrations.
“It was a joy seeing children, young people and adults being together, through craft, story, song prayer games and food,” he said.
“Messy church groups often reach out to families with young children in rural and isolated areas, offering welcome and support with opportunities to grow together as God’s people.”