The Living Presence

The Living Presence

In May we will be preaching on the Holy Spirit. Our conviction is that we need a deeper work of the Holy Spirit in our lives together. We too often reduce the role and scope of the Holy Spirit to church gatherings only. We want to look at the work of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament and how this still has relevance in our lives today. Join us as we pray ‘Come Holy Spirit’. 

Our evening talks in this series at Woodlands Central will look at the below topics:

  • The Creating Spirit - 10th May

  • The Empowering Spirit - 17th May

  • The Anointing Spirit - 24th

  • The Prophetic Spirit - 31st May

Download our discussion notes to go deeper with the topics each week.

The Living Presence - Discussion Notes

See you on Sundays or catchup on the Livesteam!


Pentecost Power

Pentecost Power

It's impossible to overstate the importance of Pentecost and the work of the Spirit. Jesus is introduced in all four gospels as the one who will 'baptise in the Holy Spirit' and his promise to the disciples before his ascension in Acts 1 is that in a few days they will be baptised with the Holy Spirit. The work of the Spirit is essential in all Christian life and ministry and in the imitation of Christ in character and conduct. We can do nothing on our own. This mini-series looks at preparing for power, the experience of empowering and living an empowered life.

Our Evening talks in this series at Woodlands Central will look at the below topics:

  • Preparing for Power - 17th May

  • Pentecost Power - 24th May

  • Transforming Power - 31st May

Download our discussion notes to go deeper with the topics each week.

Pentecost Power - Discussion Notes

See you on Sundays or catchup on the Livesteam!


Finance Manager Vacancy

Join our Finance Team!

 The Woodlands Church Family (WCF) is a vibrant, growing family of churches with eight sites located across the city of Bristol. Our vision is to transform Bristol through the love and power of God as we create spirit-filled, visible communities of faith in neighbourhoods across the city. 

Each congregation is distinct in their style, but we all share the same vision, mission and values to be communities which are welcoming of everyone, authentic in our faith, empowered by the Holy Spirit and expectant of all that God will do in us and through us.  

We have an exciting opportunity and are looking to appoint a Finance Manager to join our WCF Finance Team.   

You will be working with our WCF Finance Committee to provide high quality financial information and support to the Senior Leadership Team, Trustees and Finance Committee of Woodlands Church Family. 


The Role 

Candidates should be highly motivated, enthusiastic, able to take initiative, work well in a team and be committed to see the church community grow in their faith and reach the city for Jesus.   

Key areas of work for the position of Finance Manager include: 

  1. Management reporting 

  2. Budget and Reconciliation of income and expenses for Conferences, Weekends Away and other events  

  3. Controls and Procedures 

  4. Restricted Funds 

  5. Audit and Year End 

  6. Payroll 

  7. Giving and Gift Aid 

  8. Investments 

  9. Budgets 

  10. Line management of Finance Administrator 

  11. Governance support 

When undertaking this role there may be times when you come across confidential information, therefore it is imperative that you are highly discreet and maintain confidentiality.  

 Find out more about this role:

Reporting and Line management 

Accountable to the WCF Finance Committee and line managed by a member of that committee 

Occupational Requirement 

As a church family we want to make disciples who make disciples. We therefore seek to create a culture and environment in our churches where every team member and volunteer is able to encourage and inspire one another and the many people who pass through the doors each day, to pursue that vision. 

As a member of the staff team, you will be joining a faith community that meets to worship and pray together every week, and we share prayer and worship moments throughout the day. Around the building, you’ll often come across teams or individuals praying over their work and really speaking the language of faith. 

Therefore, the role has an occupational requirement that the post holder be a follower of Jesus and a worshipping member of a local church to ensure protection of our strong Christian ethos and values, and our charitable objective of advancing the Christian faith. We also want to ensure all team members thrive and flourish in this environment.  

Benefits 

  • Health and wellbeing programme 

  • Team events 

  • In-house training and support of personal and professional development 

Relocation 

If relocating to Bristol, Woodlands Church Family will reimburse reasonable relocation expenses. 

 

Terms 

This is a permanent, contracted part-time position for 4 days/30 hours per week. This role follows a hybrid model, which offers the flexibility to work from home as needed, with core in-office hours for team working, collaborating with colleagues and meetings. Core in-office hours are negotiable and can be discussed at interview. 

The salary band for this role is £35k - £40k, depending on experience. The annual holiday entitlement is 25 days pro rata plus 8 days bank holiday pro rata. 

Travel between the different sites will be required. 

The detailed terms and conditions will be contained in the post-holders Contract of Employment and the staff handbook. 

There will be a six-month probationary period with a review point after 8 weeks. An appraisal will take place to confirm completion of the probationary period and appraisals will take place annually thereafter.  

The post is subject to satisfactory references. 

We have a legal responsibility to ensure that all our employees have the legal right to live and work in the UK. Therefore, please only apply if you are eligible to work in the UK as we will have to verify this before you can start work.


How to apply 

The closing date for applications is midnight on Friday 22nd of May 2026. However, this vacancy will close once we have sufficient applications. 

If you would like an informal conversation to discuss questions about the role please contact the Lead Recruiter, Ed Marsh at ed.marsh@woodlandschurch.net.

If shortlisted, the first interviews will take place week commencing Monday 8th of June 2026. 

Please download and complete the Woodlands Church Family application form.

Please send your completed application to our HR Team at hr@woodlandschurch.net


Community Life Conference 9th May

The Community Life Conference explores and celebrates the challenges and joys of community life both in shared living contexts but also in our wider community life as church. Liz Oldfield author of the popular “The Sacred Podcast” shares about community as the vital context for growing as disciples of Jesus through love, accountability, and everyday faithfulness. Open to anyone.

Children's Minister Vacancy

Join our Children’s Ministry Team!

The Woodlands Church Family (WCF) is a vibrant, growing family of churches with eight sites located across the city of Bristol. Our vision is to transform Bristol through the love and power of God as we create spirit-filled, visible communities of faith in neighbourhoods across the city. 

Each congregation is distinct in their style, but we all share the same vision, mission and values to be communities which are welcoming of everyone, authentic in our faith, empowered by the Holy Spirit and expectant of all that God will do in us and through us.   

Children are a priority for us at Woodlands Central, and we want to see them finding a place of belonging in church and in God’s kingdom as well as being equipped to be mini ministers wherever they go. It’s a growing and creative area of our church life, with huge potential for more, to both support families as they disciple their children but also to explore what role we have in reaching the many children in our city who have no connection to church. Our vision is to see children building strong foundations in their faith and to grow to be ‘Confident, Connected and Equipped’.  

At our Woodlands Central congregation, we have an exciting opportunity for someone to join our Children and Families team as a Children’s Minister.  


Role  

Candidates should be highly motivated, enthusiastic, able to take initiative, work well in a team and be committed to see the church community grow in their faith and reach the city for Jesus.    

Key areas of work for the position include:  

  1. Planning and leading groups working with children aged 0-11. With the option to focus on a specific age group.   

  2. Helping to support and equip a team of volunteers, and resource the different Sunday morning groups.  

  3. Working with the children's team to review and develop processes to ensure the ministry continues to grow.  

  4. Exploring opportunities to work with children outside our church and develop meaningful partnerships with local/connected schools.   

  5. Helping lead and resource special events for children and families.  

 

Previous experience in children's work or ministry would be ideal, and relevant qualifications will be considered.   

For full details of the role, please see the Job Description.

 

Terms 

  • This is a permanent, part-time contract at 2.5 days/18h 45m per week with a requirement for Sunday hours. 

  • The salary band for this role is £26,000 - £28,000 pro rata, depending on experience. 

  • The annual holiday entitlement is 25 days pro rata plus 8 days bank holiday pro rata. 

  • The role will be based at Woodlands Central in Clifton.  

For full details, please see the Role Summary and Terms.

 

Occupational Requirement 
The role has an occupational requirement that the post holder be a follower of Jesus and to be a worshipping member of the Woodlands Church Family, Woodlands Central (if not already) to ensure protection of our strong Christian ethos and values, and our charitable objective of advancing the Christian faith. We also want to ensure all team members thrive and flourish in this environment.  

Right to Work in the UK 
We have a legal responsibility to ensure that all our employees have the legal right to live and work in the UK. Therefore, please only apply if you are eligible to work in the UK as we will have to verify this before you can start work.


How to Apply 

To apply for this role, please download and complete the Woodlands Church Family Application Form

Please send your completed application to our HR Team athr@woodlandschurch.net 

If you would like an informal conversation to discuss questions about the role please contact the Lead Recruiter, Lorna Savage at lorna.savage@woodlandschurch.net.    

The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 31st May 2026. This vacancy will close once sufficient applications are received.  

If shortlisted, interviews will take place on Wednesday 10th June 2026.   


April Prayer Calendar

Pray each day

Each month, you’re invited to pray for church and all that is happening with our monthly Prayer Calendar. You can view and download the calendar below as a PDF.

Small is Beautiful

Small is Beautiful

Followers of Jesus are called to make disciples. Discipleship happens therefore in the context of relationship. Christians meet in varied sized groups, but the truth is the larger the context the poorer it is at making disciples. Large gatherings are great for lots of things and play their part in the discipleship process, but the most effective mediums for discipleship are small.

Our evening talks in this series at Woodlands Central will look at the below topics:

  • Mentoring, Elijah & Elisha - 19th April

  • Mentoring, Paul & Timothy - 26th April

  • The Power of a Small Group for discipleship - 3rd May

  • Small is Church too - 10th May

Download our discussion notes to go deeper with the topics each week.

Small is Beautiful - Discussion Notes

See you on Sundays or catchup on the Livesteam!


Mentoring, Elijah & Elisha
19th April at 6:30p.m. with Clare Thompson

Resurrection Life

Resurrection Life

Having celebrated the risen Jesus on Easter Sunday, we want to explore the reality of a resurrected Jesus. What does that mean for us today to know Jesus as our risen Lord? We’re going to look at 3 encounters Jesus had and how his resurrection life changed the lives of those he met. Our prayer is that the same resurrected Jesus will meet us and change us today. 

Our morning talks in this series at Woodlands Central will look at the below topics:

  • Living Faith - 12th April

  • Living Hope - 19th April

  • Living Mission - 26th April

Download our discussion notes to go deeper with the topics each week.

Resurrection Life - Discussion Notes

See you on Sundays or catchup on the Livesteam!


Living Hope
19th April at 11 a.m. with Hazel Askew

Living Faith
12th April at 11 a.m. with Dave Mitchell

Youth Minister Vacancy

Join our Youth Ministry Team!

The Woodlands Church Family (WCF) is a vibrant, growing family of churches with eight sites located across the city of Bristol. Our vision is to transform Bristol through the love and power of God as we create spirit-filled, visible communities of faith in neighbourhoods across the city. 

Each congregation is distinct in their style, but we all share the same vision, mission and values to be communities which are welcoming of everyone, authentic in our faith, empowered by the Holy Spirit and expectant of all that God will do in us and through us.   
Central to our plans to reach this city for Jesus are young people! In Bristol, there are 90,000 young people who don’t have regular contact with church or faith. We would love to see this change!    
At our Woodlands Central congregation, we have an exciting opportunity for someone to join our team as a Youth Minister, working alongside the Full Time Youth Minister and reporting to the Senior Youth Director and Congregational Leaders.


The Role
Candidates should be highly motivated, enthusiastic, able to take initiative, work well in a team and be committed to see the church community grow in their faith and reach the city for Jesus.    

Key areas of work for the position include:  

  1. Outreach to the City

  2. Develop & Deliver Youth Programmes 

  3. Youth Discipleship & Development 

  4. Champion & Grow Youth Ministry  

For full details of the role, please see the Job Description

Terms

  • This is a permanent, part-time contract at 2.5 days per week. Hours on a Friday evening and Sunday morning will be required.

  • The salary band for this role is £26,300 - £27,000 pro rata, depending on experience. 

  • The annual holiday entitlement is 25 days pro rata plus 8 days bank holiday pro rata.

  • The role will be based at Woodlands Central in Clifton. Travel between the different sites will be required.

For full details, please see the Role Summary and Terms

Occupational Requirement
The role has an occupational requirement that the post holder be a follower of Jesus and to be a worshipping member of the Woodlands Church Family, Woodlands Central (if not already) to ensure protection of our strong Christian ethos and values, and our charitable objective of advancing the Christian faith. We also want to ensure all team members thrive and flourish in this environment. 

Right to Work in the UK 
We have a legal responsibility to ensure that all our employees have the legal right to live and work in the UK. Therefore, please only apply if you are eligible to work in the UK as we will have to verify this before you can start work. 


How to Apply 

To apply for this role, please download and complete the Woodlands Church Family  Application Form.

Please send your completed application to our HR Team athr@woodlandschurch.net 

If you would like an informal conversation to discuss questions about the role please contact the Lead Recruiter, Jack Saunders at jack.saunders@woodlandschurch.net.    

The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 17th May 2026.  

If shortlisted, the first interviews will take place online on Wednesday 3rd June 2026.  

If you are taken through to the second stage in the interview process, interview dates will be either the 12th or 14th June 2026. We will consider other interview dates for candidates not able to make either of those.   


Self Sacrificial Love

Self Sacrificial Love

The Way of The Cross

At the heart of Jesus’ ministry is His self-sacrificial love exemplified by the way of the cross that He chose. The challenge to His disciples is to follow the way of self-sacrificial love ourselves. In this Lenten season our Sunday evening series will be exploring what it means to put that into practice. Jesus told his followers to take up their cross daily, and Paul writes ‘offer your bodies to God as living sacrifices holy and pleasing to God. This is your spiritual act of worship’. These are hard words but paradoxically point to the pathway of life and freedom.’

Self sacrificial Love is at the heart of the ministry of Jesus and the example he sets us to follow. It is the grounding principle of this sermon series. It points the way to Easter.

Our evening talks in this series at Woodlands Central will look at the below topics:

  • Sacrifice and Discipleship - 1st March

  • Sacrifice and Leadership - 8th March

  • Sacrifice and Worship - 15th March

  • Sacrifice and Resources - 22nd March

  • Sacrifice and Salvation - 29th March

Download our discussion notes to go deeper with the topics each week.

Self Sacrificial Love - Discussion Notes

See you on Sundays or catchup on the Livesteam!


Sacrifice and Salvation
29th March at 6:30 p.m. with Dave Mitchell

Sacrifice and Resources
22nd March at 6:30 p.m. with Tim Dobson

Sacrifice and Worship
15th March at 6:30 p.m. with Nigel Savage

Sacrifice and Leadership
8th March at 6:30 p.m. with Dave Roderick

Sacrifice and Discipleship
1st March at 6:30 p.m. with Clare Thompson

Question Mark

Question Mark

Key Questions in Mark that Lead to the Cross

In this new March series, we’re exploring the defining questions in the second half of the Gospel of Mark - questions that lead us step by step toward the cross and the empty tomb. Each question invites us to look again at who Jesus is, what He came to do, and what it truly means to follow Him.

We’ll wrestle with identity, goodness, authority, suffering, and resurrection hope. Along the way, we’ll see how easy it is to think in merely human ways and how desperately we need revelation from God to see clearly.

The aim is to help those who are still exploring faith consider the most important question they will ever answer “Who is Jesus?” while also inviting long-time believers into a deeper understanding of Christ’s mission, His authority, and the life-changing power of His death and resurrection.

Our morning talks in this series at Woodlands Central will look at the below topics:

  • Who do you say I am? - 8th March

  • Why do you call me Good? - 15th March

  • By what Authority? - 22nd March

  • My God, My God, Why have you Forsaken me? - 29th March

  • Who will Roll the Stone? - 5th April

Download our discussion notes to go deeper with the topics each week.

Question Mark - Discussion Notes

See you on Sundays or catchup on the Livesteam!


Who Will Roll Away the Stone?
5th April at 11 a.m. with Nigel Savage

My God, My God, Why have you Forsaken me?
29th March at 11 a.m. with Jake Perrins

By What Authority?
22nd March at 11am with Dave Mitchell

Why Do You Call Me Good?
15th March at 11am with Anna Anderson

Who Do You Say I Am?
8th March at 11am with Clare Thompson

March Prayer Calendar

Pray each day

Each month, you’re invited to pray for church and all that is happening with our monthly Prayer Calendar. You can view and download the calendar below as a PDF.

February Bible School "What does the Bible say about Money?"

Ed Marsh takes us through what the Bible teaches us about money

Join us for Lent 2026

As Lent begins we want to invite you to join with us thinking about and celebrating the Easter story.

For many churches around the world Lent is like a journey where we join together with the whole church world wide, including our brothers and sisters in the persecuted church. It’s a time of drawing closer to God and thinking about the events of that one week that changed the course of human history.

In 2026, Lent begins on Wednesday 18th February and ends on Thursday 2nd April.

This year, why not choose a bible reading plan that will help you follow the story of Jesus’ journey to the cross? Lent culminates in Holy Week, when as a church we try to find ways of pausing each day to remember the specific events of that week, including our Good Friday service and Easter Sunday celebration at Woodlands.

Nowadays there is a wealth of free digital bible plans available online and in apps.


DIGITAL LENT RESOURCES

The following resources are available through the Bible App which is completely free, with no advertising and no in-app purchases, or access plans direct from their website version of the Bible online.

  • Mark: Living the Way of Jesus in the World
    A 40-day devotional journey through Mark’s Gospel – designed to help you see Jesus afresh and deepen your wonder at God at work in the world. Each day, there’s a ‘First Thought’ to stimulate your own, a question from the day’s passage to chew over, a prompt to consider your response in your context, and a short prayer to conclude.

 
 

Additional free app based daily devotionals from 24-7 Prayer:

  • Lectio 365 
    A free daily devotional resource that helps you pray the Bible every day, inspired by Lectio Divina, a way of meditating on the Bible that’s been used by Christians for centuries.

  • Lectio for Families 
    Free devotional app that helps families read the Bible and explore faith together.

  • Inner Room 
    A Lent prayer series, available through the Inner Room app. The app has morning, afternoon, and evening prayers designed to bring you back into the presence of God for a few minutes throughout your day. This year their theme is ‘what’s shaping you?’, with an invitation to choose to be shaped by God this Lent. 

Workplace Conference 7th Feb

At the start of the year, it is good to take a review of our lives, reflect on God's love and how we can serve him whole-heartly for 2026. 

For many of us, we spend a significant amount of time in the workplace. How is our faith relevant there?

We are running a morning workplace conference on Sat 7th Feb called Illuminate. Illuminate is a short programme to explore how you can be a positive influence in shaping the culture of your organisation in a way that truly reflects God’s Kingdom in your workplaces. It is an opportunity to consider the impact you can have in your organisation, and what God might want to say through you.