On a regular basis, members of St Stephen’s Sunday Club meet together on Saturday or Sunday afternoons for ‘Messy Church’.
November 2020
On Sunday 29th November, the First Sunday of Advent, Messy Church was held in the context of a Family Service at St Stephen’s.
Children took part in various arts and crafts and were given ‘real’ Advent calendars to take home.
Thanks to Graham and Val Moullin (who contributed the calendars) and to Andrea Bateman (who organised the event).
It was an excellent introduction to Advent and helped everyone begin to prepare for Christmas!
September 2020
On Sunday 6th September, approximately 50 parents and children came to the St Stephen’s garden for a ‘Welcome Back Barbecue’.
Starting with some very tasty beef burgers, veggie sausages and sausages (cooked on the grill by Master Chef Peter Amory), guests were served a number of picnic dishes, including various kinds of crisps, baby tomatoes, chopped carrot sticks, cucumber slices and cole slaw.
In spite of some raindrops at the beginning of the morning. the weather brightened and became fine. After the meal, the children had great fun decorating cupcakes, colouring masks and playing in the garden.
Thanks to Andrea Bateman, Ann and Tony Goss, Peter Amory, Nic Jee and Claudia Moore for making the day so special!
March 2020
On Sunday 29th March, an ‘Easter Messy Church’ was planned by St Stephen’s Church, but was unfortunately cancelled due to the outbreak of the coronavirus.
Not to be daunted, Andrea Bateman and her daughter Sophie prepared Easter craft activity kits for children who normally attend Messy Church, the Sunday Club or the Little Treasures Toddlers’ Group. These were then distributed by Fr John to each of the children’s homes.
The photos submitted by parents showcase their children’s talent!
December 2019
On Sunday 1st December, the St Stephen’s Christmas ‘Messy Church’ was held in the church itself, given that the St Stephen’s Players were using the Community Centre.
Children could choose from a number of fun activities: making Christmas wrapping paper, star wreaths, nativity scene Christmas cards and pine cone Christmas trees.
And there were some yummy refreshments, including gingerbread men that the children decorated themselves.
At the end, the children sang some Christmas carols and made their own procession around the church.
It was an excellent way to start preparing for the holidays!
September 2019
On Sunday 8th September, approximately 50 parents and children came to the St Stephen’s garden for a ‘Welcome Back Barbecue’.
Starting with some very tasty beef burgers, veggie sausages and sausages (cooked on the grill by Master Chef Matt Guthrie), guests were served a number of picnic dishes, including various kinds of crisps, baby tomatoes, chopped carrot sticks, cucumber slices, lemon drizzle cake and ice cream.
The weather was sunny and just right for the day. After the meal, the children had great fun decorating cupcakes, colouring masks, decorating balloons, doing scratch art ice creams, playing croquet and giant Jenga and going on a scavenger hunt. There was even a relaxation area in the garden, with rugs and children’s tents.
All agreed that it was an event not to be missed!
June 2019
On Sunday 26th June, more than 25 families gathered in the church garden for a ‘Family Fun Afternoon’, hosted by the Guides, Scouts, Brownies, Rainbows and Sunday Club of St Stephen’s Church. The theme of the event was ‘Fun at the Fair’.
As people arrived, they paid £5 for a ‘Passport of Challenges’, which included a teddy tombola, balloon painting, face painting, slime-making, three-legged races, hoop throwing, darts, juggling and many other activities. Cakes, coffee and tea were served in a ‘café’, and the afternoon ended with an excellent raffle.
Thanks to all who worked so hard to give us a wonderful time!
April 2019
On Sunday 17th March, some thirty children gathered at St Stephen’s Community Centre for an Easter Pottery Painting Party. As refreshments were served, both old and young alike displayed creative artistic talent and an appreciation for colour!
June 2018
On Sunday 10th June, the theme of the ‘Messy Church’ session organised by St Stephen’s was ‘The Wedding at Cana’.
Activities included:
– making a stained glass window or church
(linking in with the Tree of Jesse stained glass window)
– bottle sand art
– making and decorating a hat
– making a 3D heart
– decorating gingerbread brides and grooms
– decorating a cake which could be eaten during the play.
The story of the Wedding at Cana was then acted out by members of the Sunday Club.
March 2018
On Sunday 25th March 2018, St Stephen’s organised another session of ‘Messy Church’, from 2.30-4.00pm in the St Stephen’s Community Centre.
The session included an Easter Egg Hunt in the church garden.
Activities included:
– making a puffy paint lamb
– decorating egg cups
– making stained glass crosses
– marbling ink eggs
– decorating a gingerbread egg or bunny.
Breakout activities included an egg and spoon race, throw the carrots into the Easter bunny’s mouth, an Easter bowling game and an Easter cross game.
The childen finished by singing ‘Alleluia, give thanks’.
All had a great time!
January 2018
On Sunday 21st January, St Stephen’s organised a ‘Messy Church’ session at the St Stephen’s Community Centre, from 2.30-4.00pm.
The theme of the session was ‘Noah’s Ark and God’s promise’.
Children were invited to paint Noah’s Ark and a rainbow on paper plates; to decorate a plant pot, add a rainbow sticker and plant watercress seeds; to paint animal glasses to wear; to make a Noah; and to make animal biscuits.
The breakout activities included skittles, hoopla, and paint pens with a big sheet of paper.
They then heard the story of Noah’s Ark and finished by singing ‘This little light of mine’, using instruments.
The Guernsey Press was on hand to photograph and interview the children, much to their delight.
More than 30 children attended. Many thanks to Andrea Bateman and her team!
April 2017
On Saturday of Holy Week, 15th April, St Stephen’s organised another session of ‘Messy Church’, from 2.30-4.00pm in the St Stephen’s Community Centre.
The session included an Easter Egg Hunt in the church garden.
Children also painted eggs, made biscuits and contributed flowers to the the Easter Tomb in the church.
Jean Le Huray, who organised the event, was interviewed by The Guernsey Press along with some of the children who came.
A good time was had by all!
October 2016
On 29th October, St Stephen’s organised a ‘Lights Party’ Activity Afternoon for children, who took part in great break-out activities, crafts and games, all the while enjoying some delicious snacks!
March 2016
On the day before Easter, St Stephen’s organised a ‘New Life’ Activity Afternoon for children.
The children started in St Stephen’s Church, where they put spring flowers in the ‘Easter Garden’.
They then looked for Easter eggs hidden in the pews!
After the hunt, they went to the Community Centre, where they took part in a number of activities:
- making Easter baskets
- decorating ‘Easter bonnet’ biscuits
- making Easter chick and rabbit biscuits
- painting an Easter collage
- decorating wooden Easter crosses
Approximately 30 children attended, and all had a marvellous time!
October 2015
At our October meeting, the theme was ‘Lost and Found’. The activities began as children looked for lost sheep (35 sheep in total, made of laminated cards) hidden amongst the plants and bushes in the church garden.
The children then took part in craft activities in the Community Centre, making a collage of the Good Shepherd and some rather woolly sheep.
Gold coins had also been lost in the room, and the children looked high and low for them. One little girl wanted to give her coin back to the lady who had lost it, as the children had also heard the Parable of the Lost Coin. Other children made some very impressive necklaces and bracelets; and some scrumptious biscuits were made to welcome back the Prodigal Son.
The afternoon finished with everyone enjoying refreshments and Fr John reading stories to the children.
