A FUN packed service was held to welcome a new curate to a parish near Worcester.

Reverend Mark Badger, rector of Kempsey and Severn Stoke with Croome d’Abitot, became curate in charge at the parish of Norton St James.

At a licensing service, more than 50 children and their families joined the regular congregation at St James the Great in Norton, near Worcester, to enjoy craft activities based around the story of Noah and the flood.

The Messy Church session included icing, glue, paint and animals with the Bishop of Dudley, the Right Reverend Graham Usher, telling the story from a makeshift ark.

The iSingPop team led the worship and one of the prayers was said by Jack Bradley, a pupil from Norton Juxta Kempsey Primary School, who gave thanks for the silly things Reverend Badger does at his school.

Reverend Badger said: “We are so grateful to Bishop Graham for agreeing to conduct the licensing within one of our new Messy Church sessions as we wanted to show how important young people and their families are within the life and ministry of our parishes.

"We are not sure if this has ever been done before, but judging by the wonderful response and incredibly positive feedback, it’s certainly an option for the future!”

The licensing took place on Sunday, March 12.