OVER 80 children, parents and grandparents packed into St Michael’s Church in Bude on Wednesday, February 20 for their latest ‘Messy Church’ event.

Five times a year throughout half-terms and school holidays the church opens its doors for a themed morning with donations received going towards funds for the ‘The Four Saints’ churches of St Michael’s, Stratton, Launcells and Marhamchurch as well as equipment to run the sessions.

The most recent topic was ‘Jesus, Light in the World’ as helper Di McDougall explains. She said: “It went brilliantly, we have six craft tables and at each table children make something. Today’s theme was ‘Jesus, Light of the World’ and all of the crafts are based around that. They made things such as glittering stars, glass lanterns, shiny mobiles and candles made out of paper.

“We have children from anything from four days old to to about 15, but most of them are about four and six.”

The day starts at 10.30am and usually goes on until around lunchtime. They get underway with a welcome and a quiz attached to the theme before at about 11am they start the craft tables while there’s toys for the little children and a chance to listen to a story and sing a couple of songs. At around midday, lunch, which on Wednesday was hotdogs and onions, was served.

Di added: “We have a lot of regular families and also people who are on holiday. They then often take ideas back to their own churches. We don’t charge for the sessions but donations are appreciated, and we usually get about £40 or £50.”

The next ‘Messy Church’ event is at St Michael’s on Wednesday, April 10, again starting at 10.30am.

The theme is based on Palm Sunday.