Can We Talk 2

Messy Church Again

         Messy Church had its monthly session today. The holiday took a few regulars out of town. So, there were 7 adults supporting and participating with one autistic young woman in a wheelchair. Her mother usually stays with her, but today she brought her in and left. Someone called her when we were done.

         We cut out stars, folded in half, glued three of them together so that they would stand up, and sprinkled on glitter. The young woman, whose name I will not share here, cut her own with a little guidance. After I was done, I discovered the intent was for us to use paper plates to catch the glitter. Oh, well. We place little disposable battery-operated candles in front of the free-standing glittery stars. All of us took ours home. Then we had a snack and a lesson on light.

         We all changed to bird food. You take dried bread, punch a small hole in it, and spread a thin layer of peanut butter. You thread a length of yarn through the hole, using your peanut butter knife, and tie it off. Then sprinkle bird seed on the bread. We set them aside to dry up a bit, but carried them home on the plate to keep the seed and peanut butter undisturbed.

         We sang a song, then had a story book read to us. Someone had to push the wheelchair closer to the book, so that she could see the pictures. It was a Christmas story that featured birds.

         I thought it was kind of nice that seven adults were there to support and encourage this disabled young woman and let her feel like friends. We were all equals. Often, we have small children who play with toys and puzzles. It's all about fitting in, feeling like this is your space. Noise and movement are welcome. It certainly does not hurt me to spend an hour and a half or so to be nice to someone who has trouble belonging. We are all God's children, regardless of ability.