Puppet workshop a hit at methodist church (From Watford Observer)

Puppet workshop at Abbots Langley Methodist Church

1:33pm Monday 21st November 2011 in News By Amie Mulderrig

Families flocked to Abbots Langley Methodist Church on Saturday for a puppet workshop.

More than 45 people, old and young alike, filled the church in Langley Road, to learn about puppets and how to use them, courtesy of Peter and Diane Hellyer from One-Way UK.

Reverend Gill Hulme said: “We decided to organise a puppet workshop to show that church doesn’t always have to be serious - that it can be lots of fun too.

“Some visitors wanted to use puppets in their Sunday schools, for storytelling preaching, for school assemblies and even for work with bereaved children.

“There were two Messy Church teams there from Carpenders Park and South Oxhey and also from Abbots Langley, and a number of teenagers and younger children who had great fun trying out the different types of puppets, as did the adults.

“We were introduced to puppets in the shape of walruses, sheep, camels, crayons and dogs in bags, as well as the more usual human ones.

“We worked hard on lip-synching techniques, learned about how not to let your puppet ‘die’ on stage, how to create props and choose the right songs.

“We had a great deal of fun and laughter in the process, although our arms ached with trying to keep the puppets at the right height.

“For our own area, we hope to form a puppet ministry team as an offshoot of Abbots Messy Church with our older children, given how much they enjoy this method of storytelling.

“We also heard how puppets are a successful ministry in residential homes for the elderly, especially dementia patients and are a non-threatening way to tell stories for young and old alike.

“Everyone, it seems, likes puppets and can remember their favourites from childhood.

“They also, of course, present the good news of the Gospel in an accessible and fun way.”

For further details of forthcoming puppet ministry courses visit: www.onewayuk.com.

For details of Messy Church at Abbots Langley (next one December 14, 3.30pm to 6pm) contact the St Lawrence Parish office on: 01923 261795 or Reverend Gill Hulme on 01923 261717.