When looking after older generations gets Messy!
You’ve heard of Messy Church, but what about Messy Vintage, the spin-off version for older people? Founder Katie Norman explains why it could be ideal for many Elim churches
“When our team runs a Messy Vintage session in a care home we are basically offering church to the people who live there,” says Katie Norman.
“It’s a different way of doing church and it’s such a blessing for everyone who takes part.” Katie is talking about the now-global initiative which she launched in 2011 from her home church in Jersey, as an offshoot of Messy Church.
If you’ve never heard of Messy Vintage, its parent organisation BRF Ministries describes it as “a way into worship for older people, regardless of their background or faith journey, [that] can be adapted for any setting – in the community, in churches or in care homes.” Katie explains it was born when her home church recognised that some people attending needed a less traditional church set-up.
“We had people with additional needs who used to come to our Sunday worship and I noticed that when we did a more lively Messy Church-style service they came alive and participated,” she says.
Katie felt the church should be doing more to support them and approached the leadership. What if she started something for people with additional needs or for older people for whom neither traditional church or Messy Church was quite the right fit?
And so, in February 2011, Messy Vintage was born – following the familiar structure of Messy Church with themes, worship times, crafts and simple Bible messages, but adapted to suit Katie’s older group and running midweek to make it easier to attend.
And the gatherings were so successful that six months later she had another idea. If Messy Vintage worked for people who could get to church, what about taking it to people who couldn’t?
So ‘Messy Vintage on-the-road’ was born too, bringing church to people in care homes and high-dependency dementia units. Katie explains that all Messy Vintages have the same theme, but activities are tailored to the needs of each group.
“When you’re in a Messy Vintage church setting people can mostly do the crafts themselves so it’s more about the team chatting with them instead and lending a helping hand if required.
“When you’re in care homes it can be very different. In many instances we need to work one-to-one, or the team can work alongside the group.”
Katie says the impact she has seen through Messy Vintage has been enormous. “Some people love the conversations. They love the team, the laughter, and there’s time for tears too.
“In dementia units the staff talk about how Messy Vintage makes a huge impact. They say residents come alive cognitively and embrace the sessions which are tactile and one-to-one. They help with mental and physical awareness and people get the opportunity to mix with others too.”
Katie tells the story of a session where a lady was celebrating her 100th birthday. “Our theme was Adam and Eve and we began by singing All Things Bright and Beautiful.
“I said to her, ‘I bet you’ve sung this song many times, Beryl!’
“She told me she’d had a son with Down’s Syndrome. She sang that song to him every night, though she wasn’t sure if it was for his benefit or hers, to help her through a very difficult time.
“That story probably wouldn’t have come out if we hadn’t sung that song.”
At another session, a lady whose behaviour had been difficult surprised the group when she suddenly got up to pray. “I’d never heard anything like it – it was beautiful!” Katie says.
“We don’t try to understand it but just go with it. I’ve seen so many incidents where people come alive, tell you really deep things or suddenly sing when they don’t normally speak.
“At another session one dear gentleman said in the worship, ‘Some of us sing in tune, some of us don’t, but it doesn’t matter because what matters is that we are all singing together.’”
Try it and you won’t look back
What would Katie say to Elim churches wondering whether Messy Vintage is something they could try?
“Go for it!,” she says. “There are so many older people who don’t have as much social contact as they should because they don’t have opportunities or transport.
“At Messy Vintage they come into a setting where they’re loved and accepted. There’s fun, joy and a simple gospel message.
“Try it and you won’t turn back because it’s very much needed and very special. It’s a wonderful outreach and a great way to serve your community.”
Messy Vintage: a snapshot
What – A Christ-centred, inclusive and sociable ministry for older people, regardless of background or faith.
Where – Can be adapted for any setting – churches, care homes, dementia settings.
Sessions – Similar to Messy Church, sessions include worship, crafts, a simple Bible message and, in church or community settings, afternoon tea.
Support – The Messy Vintage book written by Katie Norman and Jill Phipps contains 52 session plans.
This article first appeared in Direction Magazine. For further details, please click here.
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