Towards Truly Intergenerational Messy Church 2017 MAKE IT MESSY! Parkville 03/06/17 Towards Truly Intergenerational Messy Church Introduction and Overview Being intergenerational What is meant by “intergenerational” What this means for Messy Church Some helpful resources to explore

Children & Families person for the UCA Synod of Victas Encouraging healthy ministry with children and their families Providing effective educational resourcing for ministry with children and their families Consultancy Advocacy Resourcing Training

Intergenerational is not just a fad or a good idea… An intentionally intergenerational environment is more likely to encourage and sustain lifelong discipleship for all ages

Intentionally intergenerational Simply having multiple generations in the same space doesn’t make the experience intergenerational

Being intergenerational More than what we do, being intergenerational is about who we are – our values, beliefs and attitudes

What is meant by “intergenerational”? Some descriptions

I Some descriptions of “intergenerational” “Two or more different age groups…together learning, growing, living in faith through in-common experiences, parallel learning, contributive occasions, and interactive sharing” - James White “Intentional intergenerational strategies…encourage interpersonal interactions across generational boundaries…sense of mutuality and respect is encouraged between participants” – Alan Harkness

What do we mean by “intergenerational”? Distinguishing between Mono-, Multi-, Cross- and Inter-generational

What do we mean by “intergenerational”? Multi-generational Tolerance, Live Alongside Superficial and polite interaction Cross-generational Some sharing, listening, learning Little individual/collective transformation Inter-generational Comprehensive mutuality, equality & reciprocity Individual/collective transformation more likely

What does this mean for Messy Church? Messy Church can be truly intergenerational For Messy Church to be truly intergenerational requires… intentionality on the part of leaders/volunteers leaders/volunteers who “are” intergenerational modelling and articulation by leaders/volunteers of what it truly means to be intergenerational

Some resources to explore The many useful resources to assist you in your Messy intergenerational adventures include… Messy Togetherness (Martyn Payne) Generations Together (John Roberto et al) Intergenerational Christian Formation (Holly Allen) Belonging and Becoming (Mark & Lisa Scandrette) All Age Worship (Lucy Moore) Party on Together (Beth Barnett) Engage Together/Intergenerational lectionary-based resources

Towards Truly Intergenerational Messy Church 2017 MAKE IT MESSY! Parkville 03/06/17 Towards Truly Intergenerational Messy Church Introduction and Overview Being intergenerational What is meant by “intergenerational” What this means for Messy Church Some helpful resources to explore