Arlington, Berwick, Selmeston with Alciston and Wilmington Churches

Education and Resources

Messy Church

Messy Church is for families who might want to meet Jesus, belong to their local church and bring up their children as Christians, but can't always manage traditional Sunday morning church services. It's a relaxed time of creativity, worship, coffee and biscuits!

"We start by lighting a candle, then we have a story from the Bible. We might sing a song that goes with the story and then we have an activity that goes with everything.
Sometimes we celebrate a special occasion, like Mothering Sunday, or Advent. We use crafts and mime and movement and lots and lots of glitter! So far the highlights have been:

Building the walls of Jericho and knocking them down again
Making manna and meeting a live quail family
Making a puppet show of Jonah and the Whale
Brewing a healing ointment
Making a dove mobile
Acting out, with lion masks, the story of Daniel in the Lion's Den

We've also made Advent Wreaths, bird feeders, and acted out the miracle of the fishes. We even turned water into wine - well fruit smoothies actually - but you get the picture.”

There are refreshments after the activities for both children and adults. The adults are welcome to stay and help if they wish. Age groups are 3 to 8 years at Berwick; 2 to 10 at Arlington (though anyone is welcome).

Messy Church lasts for one hour and it's free. It normally takes place at Arlington Village Hall on the fourth Sunday and Berwick Village Hall on the third Sunday each month - details of dates and times can be found here.

For further information about Messy Church at Arlington please contact Mrs Nicola Bloom -
Tel. 01273 487867 or send an email,
and for Messy Church at Berwick please contact Mrs Linda Hallums - Tel. 01323 896008 or send an email.

Messy Church resources, etc, can be found here.

Poetry Page

Poetry from contributors in our Benefice can be found here.