Messy ChurchGet Messy: Aussie Add-Ons Welcome to Get Messy Aussie Add-Ons. In our third edition we will be exploring the challenges of creating inclusive Messy Church communities. The three passages in this issue all explore different elements of inclusion and the role it plays in Jesus’ ministry.

Think aboutInclusive Family, Faith and Friends

Becoming a Disability Confident ChurchMusical and Messy Revitalisation

ExperienceOur great, big, global family

Colours in the darknessRocks on the road

CelebrateMatthew 12:46-50

Luke 23:32-43 Mark 5:21-43

Our guest author in this issue Rev Dr Jason Forbes is a Minister in the Presbyterian Church of Australia. He has Cerebral Palsy which affects his speech, mobility and fine motor control, yet maintains an independent lifestyle. Jason works for Jericho Road (NSW Presbyterian Social Services) as the Disability Advocate to the NSW Presbyterian Church. This involves raising the awareness of disability and equipping the Church to respond to the needs of people who have disabilities. Jason graduated from the Presbyterian Theological Centre in 2012 and wrote his exit thesis on ‘The Work of the Holy Spirit in a Person With a Disability and their Relationship with the Church’. He is currently working on a research masters looking at the relationship between the prophecies of Isaiah and Jesus’ healing ministry. He has a keen interest in biblical languages, and would like to extend his academic work in theology and disability in the future.

Messy Church

The word inclusion has become a bit of a challenge in the church today. It is one of those words that can mean different things to different people. For some inclusion has become a joyous celebration of the diversity of humanity. For others inclusion represents a push towards a society where everything must be embraced and faith or belief of any kind should be viewed with suspicion and scorn. It is easy to get the impression that any discussion about inclusion will be governed by our opinion on certain key issues.

These issues, such as the recent marriage equality vote, the euthanasia debate, changing the date of Australia day and the mandatory detention of refugees, have demonstrated just how difficult it is to discuss complex and contentious topics in a public forum. However, they have also challenged our country to think about the impact of exclusion and the many ways, both small and large, certain groups can be pushed to the margins.

Alongside my role at Intergen (formerly the VCCE) I am a regional coordinator for Luke 14, a CBM Australia initiative that helps churches become a place of welcome and belonging for people and families living with disability (https://cbm.org.au/get-involved/church/). Through this role I have had the privilege of meeting and working with a number of people living with a disability. I have drunk coffee, eaten meals, laughed and shared time with them. They have opened their tables and homes, welcoming me and my family. I have listened with tears in my eyes to stories of rejection and discrimination. I have pushed wheelchairs, stood outside disabled toilets which have no locks on their doors, searched supermarkets for gluten free cereal and navigated train stations with significant access issues. I have also embarrassed myself with thoughtless comments and stupid assumptions. I have been forced to face some of the prejudices I didn’t realise I held. I have learned to listen carefully, been challenged to learn a new language and re-evaluated big chunks of my theology.

Stevie, Daniel, Rob, Lauren, Lexi, Shane, Jason and Cheryl are poets and musicians; parents and grandparents; colleagues; passionate, exhausted advocates; theologians; world travellers; and one of them has an OAM! But above all that we are friends. Not everyone on that list lives with a disability. But every person on that list has significantly impacted my life and my faith.

Inclusive Family, Faith, and Friendsby Stacey Wilson

And to me that is the beauty of inclusion. It helps us to see past the wheelchair or the white cane. It helps us see past the white middle aged woman or the stroppy teenager. It helps us to recognise the unique person sitting in front of us. The one who has hopes and dreams, sharp edges and vulnerable places, who laughs and cries. Just like we do.

Inclusion is deeply embedded in the Messy Church values. We are committed to extending hospitality to all people, creating a safe space to experience God’s unconditional love and become part of God’s church. This hospitality is not just for the grown-ups and it is also not just for the kids. People of all ages and abilities are welcome and valued members of our communities, each person brings their unique gifts and offers their own irreplaceable contribution. With Christ at the centre of our gatherings we can seek a new way of being together and welcoming those on the margins.

The passages we are exploring in this issue show us that inclusion is indeed a vital part of Jesus’ ministry and the kingdom of God. These three passages tell us some different stories about inclusion. In the first (Matthew 12:46-50) Jesus challenges the notion of family, pointing towards the truth that in the kingdom of God we can all be part of something greater than our genetic heritage. Our family of origin does not define or exclude us nor does it grant us special privilege or status. The story of the criminal on the cross reminds us that no one is beyond redemption (Luke 23:32-43). Our past actions do not prevent us from inclusion in the kingdom of God, no matter how long it takes us to realise that. In the final passage (Matthew 9:18-26) we hear two stories of faith. A father, in deep grief, lays aside the dignity of his role as a synagogue leader to kneel publicly at the feet of an itinerant teacher and begs for his daughter’s life. Alongside a woman with a disability that excluded from her community and the practices of her faith. A woman who quietly reaches out to touch the edge of Jesus’ cloak, confident that this act alone will be enough to end her years isolation. Two people, one who had defied all the teaching of her religion by being out in public in the first place and another who willingly risks the status he holds are both held up as examples of great faith.

It is our hope that through these activities, prayers and bible readings we can gain a deeper understanding of both the challenges and opportunities that the inclusion can bring to your Messy Church community.

So, in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptised into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. Gal 3:26-29

Inclusive Family, Faith and Friends

Messy Church

I recently read an article by Lynette May, CEO of Disability Employment Australia, exploring ways in which organisations can be more ‘disability confident’ and inclusive of people with disabilities. I began to wonder what these lessons would look like for the church, particularly once they are informed by Scripture.

Let me begin by asking a pointed question: Do you understand the role of people with disabilities in the church, and their ability to contribute to the corporate witness of God’s grace? If not, sadly, you are likely to be excluding people with disabilities from participating in the church. Becoming ‘disability confident’ means removing barriers for people with disabilities, and creating a culture of inclusion.

Changing culture is a huge task, and it can be difficult. But it doesn’t need to be a scary, and it certainly isn’t impossible. Neither is the change only to benefit an ‘unfortunate few’. Disability makes an impact on all aspects of life. It’s not just children who a born with disabilities who are impacted. It’s also people who acquire disabilities through life, or simply start ‘wearing out’ with age. Disability is part of the fabric of life, and Scripture is no stranger to it. In fact, Scripture claims that God is sovereign over disability (Exodus 3:11; John 9:3). Since disability is no stranger to God, neither should people living with disability be strangers to us. In the Old Testament, God’s people were instructed to be respectful and make provisions for people with disabilities and other disadvantaged people groups (Leviticus 19:9-10, 14; 23:22; Deuteronomy 24:19-21). As New Testament believers we should be all the more prepared now that God has spoken through his Son (Hebrews 1:1-2 2:1-3; 10:24-25; Titus 2:14). So we have ample reason to change our culture, and grow disability confident, inclusive churches. When we do, we find that everyone benefits. Starting is easier than what you may think! There are 4 simple steps that your can take with your church.

1. Stocktake

Consider what your church has already. Is there a ramp into the main auditorium for people with restricted mobility? Is there a hearing loop for people with impaired hearing? Is there provision for children with different learning styles in the Sunday School? Is there an accessible toilet? Are chairs and tables provided a morning tea for people who would rather sit and talk then stand? Are there ways you can better support people with disabilities who are already in your congregation. Beginning with what you have already is a good place to start, and provides a firm foundation for improving your facilities - no matter how small it is. Even if its just a hand rail on steps, start your thinking here. Take the opportunity to discuss this with other staff, or set up a group where people can

Becoming a Disability Confident Churchby Rev Dr Jason Forbes

brainstorm and come up with fresh ideas. If their are people in the church who have disabilities or a connection to disability, make sure they are part of the conversation.

2. Be a loving neighbour

Consider the needs of the community immediately surrounding the church. Is the church in a position to provide loving and caring support? What resources are available to support the community? You may find when you do this, you are providing an invaluable witness to God’s love and grace, and people outside the church have a new interest in spiritual matters.

3. Education and awareness

Is your church intentional about learning and training up members about disability issues and equipping them to respond to the needs of people with disabilities? A brilliant way to do this is to host some Luke14 workshops which explores various aspects of disability.

4. Outreach

Is your church intentional about making connections with people who have disabilities within the community? It’s interesting to note in Jesus’ Parable of the Great Banquette (Luke 14:16-24), it wasn’t the ‘well-to-do’ who responded to the master’s invitation, but those who were marginalised. Those who lived on the city streets and lanes. Those who lived out of town. Those who were ‘poor, crippled, blind, and lame’ (vv21, 23). What does the ‘disability confident church’ look like? It looks like part of God’s mission to reconcile all things to himself (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). People with disabilities have an integral role in the church, like all the other members, as bearing witness to God’s grace, and thereby building up the church. There capacity lies in their ability to proclaim amidst adversity, in one form or another, that God is great, and he is good. This is a contribution that no church can afford to be without. The church needs to be ‘disability confident’.

Becoming a Disability Confident Church

Messy ChurchMusical and Messy Revitalisation

The most recent edition of the Australian Baptist magazine Prac, Summer 2017, included the following article celebrating the amazing ministry of the East Doncaster

Baptist Church Messy Church and Mainly Music teams.

“During that first year we tried to connect with the local community through a weekly community meal. This didn’t work. Tunstall Square is a shopping precinct 5 minutes’ walk from the church. After conversations, with permission from the Retailers Association and funding through Baptcare, I became chaplain to the traders and customers. Strong relationships were built and it was a privilege to journey with folk in their lives. This included a trader whose son committed suicide, and involvement in a regular customer’s wedding ceremony.

Young families were moving back into the Donvale area. Much prayer and discussion went into how we could connect with them. It was decided that we would commence a mainly music group. This required a team of at least six and I wasn’t sure how this could be done. As we spoke to the congregation, people came forward volunteering to be on the team. Others who felt they were too old to join offered to bake delicious home-made goodies for the weekly morning teas.

We started mainly music in May 2014 with 5 local families. This group grew and it was wonderful to build deep relationships with those who attended. The group grew so much that we started a second group in 2017, with more volunteers from the congregation. We now have connections with 25 local families who see EDBC as their home church, not through Sunday activities, but through what we’ve built together at mainly music.

The next challenge was to offer these families somewhere they could come and learn more about God. In 2015 we started our Messy Church congregation. This congregation meets on the last Sunday of each month. We are starting to get more and more mainly music families, and other local community families coming along. Messy Church is seen by these families, who don’t go to church any other time, as their congregation.

Revitalisation of EDBC was on its way, but we felt that we needed to have a weekly congregation for other families, something more ‘churchy’ and regular. In 2016 our 11am congregation was birthed. Our original congregation worships in a traditional way

by Julie Hunt and Stan Fetting

with hymns and liturgy. We wanted to offer something a little more contemporary. It’s an intergenerational style of worship, where children and adults worship together and are involved in the services. This new congregation is struggling with low numbers, but we believe that God will grow this young church into a place of fellowship, community, relationships and spiritual maturity.

What does the future now look like for EDBC? We will continue to build relationships with local families through mainly music and Messy Church. It is hoped that in a few years’ time the two Sunday morning congregations will be able to merge, and continue to grow as a multi -generational community of believers. It is exciting to see hope for EDBC to continue to be God’s presence in our local community – connecting, building and reaching out.”

Julie Hunt is the Associate Pastor - Community Ministries at East Doncaster Baptist Church, VIC

Reprinted from PRAC Summer 2017, Issue 76, CrossoverAuthors: Julie Hunt and Stan Fetting

Messy and Musical Revitalisation

February Our great big global family

What this is: Messy church activity

Where it’s used: Messy church or other intergenerational gathering

What’s needed: • Copy of ‘I’m an Australian too’ by Mem Fox• Large world map or a globe• Dot stickers for marking on the map

Time: 10-15 min

Bible focus/theme: Matthew 12: 46-50

Read Mem Fox’s book, I’m an Australian too.

Using a larger world map or a globe, mark with stickers all the places our Messy Church families have come to Australia from, countries they have lived in, or which part of Australia is your family’s country.

Talk about:This book talks about all the different places people in Australia have come from and how we all now share the land where Australia’s indigenous people first lived.

Is your family from one of the places mentioned in the book or are they from somewhere else?If your family is one of the first peoples which part of Australia is your country?

There are lots of different types of families, from lots of different types of places. In Matthew 12 Jesus reminds us that we are all part of God’s family regardless of where we come from or who is in our family.

by Stacey Wilson

While this might look like an activity for small children there are many ways that this can be used as an all age experience. Rather than the table leader always reading the book get the messy church members to read it to each other. Encourage families to talk about their own history. The table leader then can focus on facilitating the marking their journeys on the map.

Alternative presentation:

Set up a story corner with pillows, chairs or couches where people can read together.Some other books you might like to have in a story corner.

• Feathers by Phil Cummings• Yobbo’s do yoga by Phillip Gwynne• Horton hears a who by Dr Seuss

Our great big global family

February Matthew 12:46-50

What this is: Bible engagement

Where it’s used: Messy Church Celebration time or intergenerational gathering

What’s needed: • Copy of text displayed on screen or printouts for individuals• Music for ‘Who can trust in Jesus?’ (Jude Waldron, Find Out music, royalty free)*• Soundtrack to ‘Understanding through you Lord’ (for prayer)**

Time: 10-15 min

Bible focus/theme: Matthew 12:46-50 (CEV); One family in God. No other bosses.

*Soundtrack https://www.dropbox.com/s/uqxd2fqyv92tsb2/04%20Who%20Can%20Trust%20In%20Jesus_.m4a?dl=0Sheet Music https://www.dropbox.com/s/ywin8siock41n8m/Who%20Can%20Trust%20In%20Jesus%20-%20full.pdf?dl=0**http://heatherprice.com.au/downloads/01-understanding-through-you-lord/

Connect

Introduce the song ‘Who can trust in Jesus?’ (see dropbox links).

The first time through, invite participants to simply listen, but during the long list of people mentioned - ‘mothers fathers grandmas grandpas brothers sisters uncles aunties babies grown-ups firemen teachers doctors lawyers garbos’ to put up both hands when they hear a category that applies to them. Most people will probably be putting their hands up in multiple categories - for example, I’m a mother, a sister, an auntie, a grown-up, a teacher, I may as well be a lawyer for all the arguments I have to sort out and I put the garbage out in my household, so I reckon that qualifies me as a garbo! A broad definition of any of the categories is encouraged.

Second time through, invite everyone to join in singing the whole song, as well as putting up their hands for the categories they belong to.

by Beth Barnett

ContextInvite your gathering to sit ready for reading and exploring the Bible together, and explain the following either as written or in your own words:

Our Bible reading today, like our song, includes mothers fathers brother sisters...and crowds of other people too. In the ancient world families were important and powerful. And your place in the family - whether you were a father or mother or brother or sister, and whether you were the oldest or the youngest or the middlest was very important. Power - who got to be the boss - was determined by the place in the family. Fathers (give us a wave dads!) were the boss - the boss of everyone. When a father died, the oldest son (give us a wave if you’re the oldest son) became the next boss. So all the time while the oldest son is growing up, everyone knows that one day he’ll be the boss, and that he was learning how to be the boss. Younger sons (give us a wave if you’re a second or younger brother) might get to be the boss eventually if their older brother died young - which did happen in a world with lots of incurable disease and war and dangerous work. Rich families had slaves and fathers were the boss of the slaves too. But if you were a slave, even if you were a dad, you weren’t the boss of your own children. Your owner, the father that was the boss of you, was the boss of your children too. Women and girls (give us a wave!) Have you been feeling left out? It wasn’t expected that women and girls were ever the boss, but that they would be looked after, as well as bossed around by their fathers or husbands.

So as we read the Bible together today, we need to remember that this is how everyone in the story knows that families and bossing-around works.

Content - Opening the Bible

Display or distribute copies of the Bible reading.

46 While Jesus was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and brothers came and stood outside because they wanted to talk with him. 47 Someone told Jesus, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside and want to talk with you.”48 Jesus answered, “Who is my mother and who are my brothers?” 49 Then he pointed to his disciples and said, “These are my mother and my brothers! 50 Anyone who obeys my Father in heaven is my brother or sister or mother.”

Explain to your gathering that, just as we cheered and waved when we heard ourselves in the song, we are going to do that in the Bible reading. Practice the response for each of the groups mentioned:

Matthew 12:46-50

Crowds (everyone) - We are the crowds! Yay for the crowds! Jesus loves the crowds!Mothers - We are the mothers! Yay for the mothers! Jesus loves the mothers!Brothers - We are the brothers! Yay for the brothers! Jesus loves the brothers! Disciples (anyone who follows Jesus, and learning his ways) - We are the disciples! Yay for the disciples! Jesus loves the disciples!

Anyone (everyone) - We are the anyones! Yay for the anyones! Jesus loves the anyones!Sisters - We are the sisters! Yay for the sisters! Jesus loves the sisters!

• Read the passage, pausing on each of the orange highlighted words• Lead the responses (or have a second person prepared to lead the responses)• Read the passage a second time the same way once your group have got the idea of how

the responses work. • You might find it works well to select someone from each ‘group’ to lead that group’s re-

sponse. If you do this, ensure that you choose a range of ages.

Bible Reading with responses

While Jesus was still speaking to the crowds (We are the crowds! Yay for the crowds! Jesus loves the crowds!) his mother (We are the mothers! Yay for the mothers! Jesus loves the mothers!)and brothers (We are the brothers! Yay for the brothers! Jesus loves the brothers!)came and stood outside because they wanted to talk with him. Someone told Jesus, “Your mother (We are the crowds! Yay for the crowds! Jesus loves the mothers!)and brothers (We are the brothers! Yay for the brothers! Jesus loves the brothers!)are standing outside and want to talk with you.”Jesus answered, “Who is my mother (We are the mothers! Yay for the mothers! Jesus loves the mothers!)and who are my brothers?” (We are the brothers! Yay for the brothers! Jesus loves the brothers!)Then he pointed to his disciples (We are the disciples! Yay for the disciples! Jesus loves the disciples!)and said, “These are my mother (We are the crowds! Yay for the crowds)and my brothers! (We are the brothers! Yay for the brothers! Jesus loves the brothers!) Anyone (We are the anyones! Yay for th anyones! Jesus loves the anyones!)who obeys my Father in heaven is my brother (We are the brothers! Yay for the brothers! Jesus loves the brothers!)or sister (We are the sisters! Yay for the sisters! Jesus loves the sisters!)or mother.” (We are the mothers! Yay for the mothers! Jesus loves the mothers!)

Matthew 12:46-50

Consider

So in this story about Jesus and families, Matthew’s gospel is telling us a story about power, about who gets to be the boss. In Jesus’s family we know that Jesus is the first born son, the oldest. And after one or two stories of Jesus’ childhood we don’t hear of Jesus’ dad, Joseph, again.

Whenever his mother and siblings appear in a story, Joseph is missing. It seems most likely that, by the time Jesus is grown up, his father Joseph has died. So as the oldest son, Jesus should be the boss of his family.

In this story - his mother and brothers are looking for him, and those around him are suggesting that Jesus needs to be more of a boss to his family.

But Jesus has a different way of seeing people. He didn’t see people as bosses or slaves or little brothers or just girls. Jesus says - there is one father - God. And none of the rest of us have the right to boss anyone else around.

Families work a bit differently today, but there are ways that people try to be more powerful and boss around others.

Wherever that happens, I think Jesus would have something to say, inviting us to be equal brother and sisters.

• Did you notice - that the other speakers in the story mention only Jesus’ mother and brothers, but Jesus includes sisters?

• Did you notice - Jesus calls his followers brothers and sisters - making them all equal with one another and equal with him?

• Did you notice - that pointing to his disciples, Jesus uses both male and female terms. While some parts of the Bible refer to 12 men by name as Jesus’ disciples, many other places like here, refer to a much more diverse and inclusive group.

• Did you notice - that in a society in which families were the key to showing power, where some families were more powerful than others, and how you were treated depended on which family you belonged to, and your place in that family, Jesus sees everyone as part of one family together - and our loving God the one father

Matthew 12:46-50

Consequence

Finish with praying for one another as brothers and sisters. Invite your gathering to move around and say to each person ‘For my brother I pray peace’ or ‘For my Sister I pray peace’giving a thumbs up, a double thumbs up, a hi five, a fist bump, a hand shake or a bow of the head with hands together to each person - which ever you feel comfortable with.

During this time play the song ‘Understanding through you Lord’ (Heather Price)http://heatherprice.com.au/downloads/01-understanding-through-you-lord/which begins:

‘For my brother I pray peace, For my sister I pray peace, For my family I pray peace, and understanding through you Lord.’

Matthew 12:46-50

MarchColours in the Darkness

What this is: Messy Church multi sensory activity

Where it’s used: Messy church or other intergenerational gathering

What’s needed: • Small sheets of cardboard • Wax crayons and • Black poster paint • Bamboo skewers• Instructions: https://web.kidsactivitiesblog.com/26970/crayon-art

Time: 10-15 min

Bible focus/theme: Luke 23:32-43

Cover the entire piece of cardboard with wax crayon. Jesus has spent the last few years with his disciples. This was an exciting and amazing time. The messiah has come to earth.

Paint over the crayon with black poster paint. Put it aside until paint is completely dry. But now everything looks dark. The disciple are hiding and Jesus is dying. But even here someone has found hope. The last person you would expect, a criminal, recognises who is next to him. And he asks Jesus “remember me when you come into power”. Just like the disciples all we can see now is darkness, we have to wait to see what comes next. Go and do another activity and then come back.

by Stacey Wilson

When the paint has dried use the bamboo skewers scratch a picture onto the cardboard. Remember how the man on the cross next to Jesus asked him “Remember me when you come into power!” But Jesus offers him something different. Paradise. The opportunity to be included in something special, the family of God.

Talk about: Paradise refers to the Garden of Eden, in other words going back to the beginning of God’s wonderful creation. I wonder what paradise might be like? What do you think paradise would have in it?

Colours in the Darkness

March Luke 23:32-43

What this is: Bible reading

Where it’s used: Messy Church Celebration time or intergenerational gathering

What’s needed: • Copy of Text Displayed on screen or printouts for individuals• individual sections of text attached to various items as described in instructions• large wooden cross, hammer, nails, two small crosses made from sticks; piece

of cloth; scroll of hebrew writing; winebottle; sign reading ‘King of the Jews’; 2 ‘GI Joe/Ken’ dolls; small leafy flowery branch.

Time: 10-15 min

Bible focus/theme: Luke 23:32-43 Crucifixion

What to do

The Bible reading is divided into 7 small parts. Each part of the story is read, then the text and a symbollic item is nailed to a large sturdy cross.

Invite a pair of people to be prepared to present each section, reading the verse from the passage, and nailing the corresponding item, as well as the piece of text, to the cross.

Most of the items will need some string attached, to form a loop to hang on a nail on the cross, rather than being directly hammered into the cross.

To smooth the process and speed things up, you can hammer all the nails in ahead of time, and so the participants during the reading, simply attach their item to a nail, and add a few symbollic blows with with hammer.

Following the reading and hammering, leave some time for reflecting.

by Beth Barnett

Reflection questions

• Looking at the items on the cross try to remember all the parts of the story in order• Which part of the story has captured your attention most?• Criminals, crucifiers, crowds - which people in the story do you feel sorry for? angry

with? admiration for?• Was it kind or cruel for the soldiers to offer wine to Jesus on the cross? (How could

Jesus drink when he was suffocating?)• One criminal asks for Jesus to remember him when he has power - but Jesus prom-

ises him that they will meet in Paradise. Paradise was a way of refering to the Garden of Eden - what is Jesus promising instead of power?

• The Jews were conquered by the Romans. They were under Caesar’s power. ‘King of Jews’ can be interpreted lots of ways - some of them racist and jeering, some per-haps more true than the writer realised. How many different meanings can you see in this label for Jesus?

Luke 23:32-43

TEXT SYMBOLS

32Two criminals were led out to be put to death with Jesus. 33 When the soldiers came to the place called “The Skull,” they nailed Jesus to a cross. They also nailed the two criminals to crosses, one on each side of Jesus.

34-35Jesus said, “Father, forgive these people! They don’t know what they’re doing.”

While the crowd stood there watching Jesus, the soldiers gambled for his clothes. The leaders insulted him by saying, “He saved others. Now he should save himself, if he really is God’s chosen Messiah!”

36 The soldiers made fun of Jesus and brought him some wine. 37 They said, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself!”38 Above him was a sign that said, “This is the King of the Jews.”

39 One of the criminals hanging there also insulted Jesus by saying, “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and save us!”40 But the other criminal told the first one off, “Don’t you fear God? Aren’t you getting the same punishment as this man? 41 We got what was coming to us, but he didn’t do anything wrong.”

42 Then he said to Jesus, “Remember me when you come into power!”43 Jesus replied, “I promise that today you will be with me in paradise.”

Luke 23:32-43

Two small crosses made from sticks, tied together with string. Nail on either

side beam of the cross.

*

Nail a scroll of Hebrew scripture to the vertical

beam of the cross.

*Piece of approximately metre square

plain cloth. Write“He saved others. Now he should save

himself if he is really God’s Messiah!” on the clothNail to vertical beam.

*

Tie a piece of string around the top of an empty wine bottle. Stick text as a ‘label’

on bottle.

*

Write ‘King of Jews’ on a piece of cardboard carton. Nail on top section of

vertical beam.

*

Dress two GI-Joe/Ken Dolls in cloth wrapp around their hips and thighs. Add some red paint/crayon/marker wounds to their bodies. Tie string around their arms to suspend them from the nails.

Nail one on each side of the cross beam.

*

Nail leafy branch to centre of cross

Two small crosses made from sticks, tied together with

string.

Scroll of Hebrew scripture~Metre square plain cloth. Write on the cloth: “He saved others. Now he should save himself if he is really God’s Chosen

Messiah.”

Tie a piece of string around the top of an empty wine

bottle. Stick text as a ‘label’ on bottle.

Write ‘King of Jews’ on a piece of cardboard carton.

Dress two GI-Joe/Ken Dolls in cloth wrapped around their hips and thighs. Add some red paint/crayon/marker wounds to their bodies. Tie string around their

arms to suspend them from the

Leafy branch

April Rocks on the road

What this is: Messy Church prayer activity

Where it’s used: Messy Church activity time

What’s needed: • Printed copy of Stevie Wills poem “Rocks” • Clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FzeFsh3KGc • Smooth rocks• Acrylic paint

Time: 10-15 min

Bible focus/theme: Mark 5:21-43

This is a reflective space rather than a craft activity. If you are able to set it up in a quiet part of your gathering space do so, but if not it is still possible to do this at a table.

Provide printed copies of Stevie Wills poem “Rocks”. If possible use a laptop or tablet to play the youtube clip of Stevie reading it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9FzeFsh3KGc

Invite people to listen to or read the poem.Take one of the rocks and paint a word or image from the poem that stands out or mean something to you on to it.Leave these rocks in a pile in the centre of the table.

Talk aboutThe bible passage from Mark 5 tells us a story of inclusion. The woman who touched Jesus’ cloak was not only healed from a physical disability but by being healed she able to rejoin her community and participate in her faith traditions. Many people who live with disabilities still experience this kind of isolation. I wonder what makes people feel like they belong here?

by Stacey Wilson

Let me take your hand,Show you the road that I walk,The road that is my journey.Come with me,Don’t be afraid,I’d like you to see.

You know that my road is different You see it’s covered with rocks,That I must climb over,To make my way.Large, high, rough rocks.Require strength, faith, determination.And help from people like you.

Can you lend me your hand?Help me climb over the next rock.One step at a time,Learning together.Don’t look too far ahead,My road probably overwhelms you,It does me sometimes.

Come sit with me.It may be on top of a rock,Or in a valley,Or somewhere in between.Learning to embrace,Imperfection,Incompletion.Looking for the blessings.

Let’s share God,What he’s been doing, In our lives.I love conversations,My heart’s desire,Just to be with you.It will never be long enoughI’m enchanted by thoseI love.

Rocks

I look across at your road,It seems smoother than mine.Less rocks,Not so high.I can see some though,Some hard to climb overSome you tripped and hurtSome there at every step.But your road looks easier.

I don’t envy your road.I love mine.

The reason,I must lean on God,Thus experience,Know him.To keep going,His fruits must grow in me,Made more like him.

You will be inspired,EncouragedAs I struggle to climb,You will see God,Shine through me. When your rocksSeem too high.

I need you,You need me.Let’s travel together.We share the same destination. Where we will eternally,Be with all-loving God.There these present rocks,Mount up in glory.

Stevie Wills

April Mark 5:21-43

What this is: Bible Reading

Where it’s used: Messy Church Celebration time or intergenerational gathering

What’s needed: Copy of Text Displayed on screen or printouts for individuals

Time: 10-15 min

Bible focus/theme: Mark 5:21-43 (Matthew 9:18-26) *Get Messy provides resources for the version of this story from Matthew’s gospel. This resource uses the more dynamic and fullsome version from Mark’s gospel.

This activity works well if the group gathers in a large circle. If you have seats, especially if they are pews, you will need to create a gathering/crowing space. Watch out for little people not getting crushed and make sure those with limited mobilities are included comfortably - perhaps by organising the gathering around them, rather than expecting them to move.

Talking through these adjustments and ways of including one another are part of the spiritual nurture and care, as well as the discipling growth of your community - how we are together is core to what it means to follow Jesus.

Give each person a copy of the Bible passage (Mark 5:21-43) with the words Crowd and Touch highlighted (see below).Point out that there are two key actions in this reading. Whenever the word ‘CROWD’ (or its variations) occurs everyone must bunch together. Whenever the word ‘TOUCH’ (or its’ variations) occurs, every person must touch the back of another person’s t-shirt. (This doesn’t have to be in a neat circle, random is ok).

by Beth Barnett

Mark 5:21-43 Read slowly, clearly and expressively, emphasising and pausing on the highlighted words, and encourage the response actions.

The last of these is in verse 33. So ask the group to sit down and relax during the rest of the reading.

Repeat the reading and add to the responses: • each time ‘DAUGHTER’ or ‘GIRL’ appears, all the girls aged 12 and under step forward

and back• each time ‘WOMAN’ appears, all the women 13 and over step forward and back

Mark 5:21-4321 Once again Jesus got into the boat and crossed Lake Galilee.Then as he stood on the shore, a large crowd gathered around him. 22 The person in charge of the Jewish meeting place was also there. His name was Jairus, and when he saw Jesus, he went over to him. He knelt at Jesus’ feet 23 and started begging him for help. He said, “My daughter is about to die! Please come and touch her, so she will get well and live.” 24 Jesus went with Jairus. Many people followed along and kept crowding around.

25 In the crowd was a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years. 26 She had gone to many doctors, and they had not done anything except cause her a lot of pain. She had paid them all the money she had. But instead of getting better, she only got worse.

27 The woman had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him in the crowd and barely touched his clothes. 28 She had said to herself, “If I can just touch his clothes, I will get well.” 29 As soon as she touched them, her bleeding stopped, and she knew she was well.

30 At that moment Jesus felt power go out from him. He turned to the crowd and asked, “Who touched my clothes?”

31 His disciples said to him, “Look at all these people crowding around you! How can you ask who touched you?” 32 But Jesus turned to see who had touched him.

33 The woman knew what had happened to her. She came shaking with fear and knelt down in front of Jesus. Then she told him the whole story.

34 Jesus said to the woman, “You are now well because of your faith. May God give you peace! You are healed, and you will no longer be in pain.”

35 While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from Jairus’ home and said, “Your daughter has died! Why bother the teacher anymore?”

36 Jesus heard what they said, and he said to Jairus, “Don’t worry. Just have faith!”

37 Jesus did not let anyone go with him except Peter and the two brothers, James and John. 38 They went home with Jairus and saw the people crying and making a lot of noise. 39 Then Jesus went inside and said to them, “Why are you crying and carrying on like this? The girl isn’t dead. She is just asleep.” 40 But the people laughed at him.

After Jesus had sent them all out of the house, he took the girl’s father and mother and his three disciples and went to where she was. 41-42 He took the twelve-year-old girl by the hand and said, “Talitha, koum!”which means, “Little girl, get up!” The girl got right up and started walking around.

Everyone was greatly surprised. 43 But Jesus ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened. Then he said, “Give her something to eat.”

Meet the ContributorsIntergen staff generate intergernational engagement and collate material for Get Messy Aussie Add-Ons from Australian Messy Church practitioners. Submissions of original resources are always welcome!

General resource sharing (such as links to pinterest and website ideas) is also encouraged through the Messy Church Australia Facebook page and Website.

Beth Barnett works for Intergen (formally VCCE) in Learning & Theological Engagement

Stacey Wilson works for Intergen (formally VCCE) in Intergenerational and Inclusive Ministry Resource Development

Jason Forbes works for Jericho Road (NSW Presbyterian Social Services) as the Disability Advocate to the NSW Presbyterian Church.