Roberta j. Egli

Rev. Roberta Egli served as the founding and executive director of Messy Church USA from July 2017 until her retirement on March 31, 2026. Messy Church USA, a partner in the global Messy Church movement, is a ministry of All Age Faith Formation, a nonprofit that equips local churches to start a monthly worship based on the values of all-ages together, celebration, creativity, hospitality and centered on Christ. She is a retired elder in the United Methodist Church and served as a pastor in Oregon for over 13 years. Prior to her second career in pastoral ministry, she worked as Registered Nurse in a variety of settings. Roberta is married to Lynn Egli, and they have two adult sons and one beautiful daughter-in-law. She lives in Eugene Oregon where she enjoys daily walks along the Willamette River, singing in her church choir, reading, and cuddling up to their dog Jack!

DESCRIBE YOUR FAVORITE INTERGENERATIONAL EXPERIENCE/MEMORY: Introducing Holy Communion during Lent the first year of our Messy Church. Using bread dough, everyone made their own pretzel at our opening activity which was baked during Messy Church. in our gathered worship, I shared story of the pretzel and how it represents how God's love enfolds us all. We then used small pretzels as our communion bread. During the meal at end of MC, one four year old was dipping her leftover pretzel in her water and her father asked why to which she replied, "I am having communion".

WHY IS INTERGENERATIONAL MINSITRY VITAL TO THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH?: Intergenerational ministry is vital to life of church because every generation can learn discipleship from other generations. I have learned more about stories of the bible by hearing what other generations share in their conversations and play.