Church event invites families to explore nature and slow down outdoors

Families in Gwynedd are being invited to swap screens for streams, woodland walks and pond dipping as part of an outdoor church event taking place in a local nature reserve near Penrhyndeudraeth this summer.

“Messy Church Goes Wild”, organised by Bro Moelwyn Ministry Area in the Diocese of Bangor, will take place on Saturday 13 June and aims to bring people together outdoors to explore nature, learn about wildlife and spend time together in a relaxed setting.

The event will begin with pond dipping sessions where children and adults can discover the wildlife living in the water, before taking part in a woodland walk leading to a series of craft and activity stations in the forest.

Organisers say the day is designed to be open to everyone, including people who would not usually attend church.

Many of the families who attend Messy Church events are not regular churchgoers but come for friendship, creativity and a safe space where children can explore and have fun together.

The event will end with a short time of reflection and thanksgiving for the natural world, followed by a shared meal.

Across the Diocese of Bangor, churches have increasingly used outdoor events and nature-based activities to engage local communities, particularly families and young people who may not otherwise come into contact with church life.

At a time when many families are looking for opportunities to slow down and spend more time outdoors, organisers hope the event will help people appreciate local wildlife and encourage conversations about caring for the world around them.

Organiser Yvonne Furber says, “We want everyone to appreciate, nourish and care for the amazing things God gives us. It’s about helping people discover the world around them and understand why it matters.”

“Messy Church Goes Wild” takes place from 11am to 1pm on Saturday 13 June. The exact location is provided on booking. Everyone is welcome.

Churches Count on Nature is a citizen-science initiative which runs in June every year, aimed at getting out in the natural world and counting different species in order to collect data that can be used in the future for conservation and environmental protection. This year, it runs from 6-14th June.