Churchwarden Marion Lacey, second from right, with some of her team

Who wants to come into a messy church?   Marion Lacey, one of the churchwardens in the Parish of Whaley Bridge, hopes that lots of families will want to visit Holy Trinity Church on Buxton Road on Sunday 15 July.

‘Messy Church’ is a Church of England programme that has been running nationally for a few years, trying to get people who don’t attend church regularly to attend an informal event.  This is the first one in Whaley Bridge.  Families are invited to drop in to Holy Trinity between 3.30pm-5.30pm and stay for tea.

The messy part of the afternoon will be the children’s games and creative crafts, taking place around tables.  The normal rows of chairs will be in smaller groups for a more relaxed feel.

There will be a short service and Bible story telling. And then everybody will be asked to share a meal – sandwiches, pizza, cakes and jelly.

Churchwarden Marion is co-ordinating a team of nine women organising the event.,  She said:  “If it’s a success, we’ll have a Messy Church three times a year.  We’ve chosen Sunday afternoon, because working mums would find it difficult during the week.  Everybody is very welcome. “