Messy Adventures: Twelve outdoor sessions for Messy Churches

Messy Adventures: Twelve outdoor sessions for Messy Churches

£12.99

Session material for running Messy Church outdoors

Twelve sessions for Messy Churches to do outdoors, created by a Messy Church Goes Wild writer team, enhanced by additions from scientists, and piloted in urban and rural Messy Churches. 


Title Messy Adventures: Twelve outdoor sessions for Messy Churches
Author Lucy Moore, Dave Gregory, Cate Williams and Jane Butler
Description

Twelve sessions for Messy Churches to do outdoors, created by a Messy Church Goes Wild writer team, enhanced by additions from scientists, and piloted in urban and rural Messy Churches. 

Details
  • Product code: 9781800391499
  • Published: 21 April 2023
  • Format: Paperback
  • Pages: 256
  • Dimensions: 210mm wide and 297mm high

Twelve sessions for Messy Churches to do outdoors, created by a Messy Church Goes Wild writer team, enhanced by additions from scientists, and piloted in urban and rural Messy Churches. 

Wild and wilderness!, Wet and wild!, Wild and rocky!, Wild and weedy!, Wild woods!, Wild weather!, Wild on the wing!, Wild and wiggly!, Wild safari!, Wild me!, Wild on the move!, Wild life!

Lucy Moore is the founder of Messy Church. She promotes Messy Church nationally and
internationally through training and speaking events, and is the author of a number of
books for BRF.

Dave Gregory, Cate Williams

Church Times 10.08.23. Review by Rona Orme

The concept of Messy Church Goes Wild is an outdoor, environmental development beyond the original Messy Church. The gospel here is communicated in response to nature. This may be a challenge for some inner-city parishes. At first glance, this new resource is slightly daunting and complex. We are offered a pick-and-mix of ideas for each of 12 sets of material for Messy adventures. We are encouraged to share videos via scanned QR codes.

The sessions have a strong scientific basis. There are many fun and challenging activities and experiments, but there were times when I felt that the good news of Jesus was in danger of being side-lined by the scientific excitement. I wondered how much prior Bible knowledge was needed to put some of the material into context.

Skilled and experienced leaders will be able to keep a good balance between the fascinating science and offering reflection on Bible stories. The session on “wilderness” not only focuses on Jesus’s forty-day experience, but also brings in both Elijah and the manna from heaven (depending on the sections chosen to follow). Will children and those new to faith remember those accounts, or will they be too caught up in making fire, discovering how a compass works, or learning about poustinias?

One of the strengths of Messy Church is the focus on building relationships, and there are plenty of opportunities here to do that. Valuing the environment is of great importance to many families, and it is good to have material that follows that interest.

I have some concerns about the accessibility of some ideas. Safeguarding, health, and safety are carefully addressed, but I found no suggestions for adapting material for people with physical disabilities. Also, I am unsure that all the material will be suitable for families with neuro-diverse members. Our awareness of differently abled people has increased greatly in recent years; so it would be good to have some advice included where appropriate.

Written with wry humour, this helps with some of the more complicated scientific explanations. To use this book well will require commitment, confidence, and creativity. If you long to explore science, faith, and the beautiful outdoors, this resource may be for you.

Rona Orme is a licensed lay minister in the diocese of Salisbury, and a former Children’s Missioner for the diocese of Peterborough.

 

Progressive Voices Sept 23. Review by Denise Beckley

This gives a treasure chest of ideas which can relate to the twelve suggested themes. Anybody used to using a pick and mix method of planning will find inspiration. Each theme gives a section to be used ‘on the move’ and a section which may be used as ‘Adventure in one spot’. Each section is followed by activities to explore the theme, scientific information and explanation. Safety notes and risk assessment help are included as required alongside activities. Before delving into the theme activity session, both seasoned pick and mix users and those more used to a structured layout, would do well to read the How to use Messy Adventures chapter. Explanations as to how to fit into ‘Messy Church’ structure are also included as Celebrations and suggestions regarding menus to enable you to enjoy food together outdoors. The reader is then invited to go on an adventure planned to suit their group, and invited to activities and scripture to ‘think outside of the box’. However, should some of the ideas feel a little outside your comfort zone, other options can be found. This is a valuable and practical resource.

Reviewed by Denise Beckley