Even though we are not able to gather together in person this Easter, we'll be looking to encourage you throughout Holy Week in a number of ways.
You can tune into daily online devotions, book a one-hour prayer slot in our virtual 24/7 prayer room and watch our Good Friday and Easter Sunday services.
So, whatever your experience of church or faith, we pray that this Easter time will be a special time.
Check out our Easter Page for more information and ways to connect during Holy Week.
29nd March 2020 - 11am Service
Connecting with God in a Crisis
This is the second of our broadcasted services after the Coronavirus pandemic made us unable to meet face-to-face until further notice. It is before the lockdown and social distancing became mandatory.
We would love to see people from our church family step forward to become emergency foster carers.
Bristol has an amazing group of more than 300 foster carers, many of whom have come to fostering after their birth children have grown up or following a different career. There are also many kinship caring grandparents, providing care for their grandchildren.
This means that a large proportion of carers are at heightened risk from the virus and many will need to self-isolate, with more expected in the coming weeks. There are already 25 fostering households having to self-isolate.
As the city becomes more vulnerable and families less resilient, the Council is expecting an increase in the number of children who will need the City’s support and care.
We are asking Christians in Bristol who may be able to open their home to a vulnerable child to complete an online form and then Home for Good will be in touch with next steps…
Want to reach out in a practical way to show God’s love and kindness?
We have made up some really simple cards that you can download, print, personalise and give out to your neighbours.
You can even take photos of what you get up to to share what you do online with #coronakindness.
We are now posting a video devotional each day from Monday to Friday to bring encouragement and inspiration to our church family. Hope you enjoy it. Connect online with us to get these each day on social media.
22nd March 2020 - 11am Service
God’s Will in a Crisis
1 Timothy 2:1-8
This is the first of our broadcasted services after the Coronavirus pandemic made us unable to meet face-to-face until further notice. It is before the lockdown and social distancing became mandatory.
For this service on Mothering Sunday, we hear from our senior pastor Dave Mitchell as he talks to us about God’s will to rescue and save us in a crisis. He reminds us that God does not want anyone to perish. He also talks about how we can respond to a global pandemic, by praying for our city and nation and the world. How we need to connect and encourage each other during these unprecedented times. And we need to help and serve people, being generous wherever possible, looking out for the most vulnerable people and those on the frontline.
Join us on Sundays at 11am for a new way to do church together online.
You can watch the service here on our website on the homepage, or you can subscribe to our YouTube channel to live-chat with other members of our church family.
Find our how you can connect online with us on social media and also reach out to love and serve your community.
If you are a family with children at home, you can also join our private Facebook Group for families for a special Facebook Live service at 9.30am.
We think we have some opportunities for creative and exciting ways to express our love for God, for one another and the world at this time…
This page was updated on 18 March 2020 and will be kept up-to-date with the latest advice and actions we are taking.
Government advice and direct medical directives to faith communities has been Keep Calm and don't carry on! The need to avoid transmission of the virus by all means possible to allow the Health Service to prepare for and cope with this unfolding epidemic, means the most loving thing we can do for our wider community is to take unprecedented steps to reduce spread of infection now.
On 17 March, leaders of the Woodlands Group of Churches met (a metre or two apart from one another) to pray about and plan our response now that we are not able to gather together in person for the time being. Our team of staff and volunteers are all now working from home as well.
We think we have some opportunities for creative and exciting ways to express our love for God, for one another and the world at this time…watch this short video message from pastor Dave Mitchell.
Live Streaming of a Weekly Church Service
We will express our worship on Sunday by live streaming behind closed doors. We were really encouraged that on 15 March, our first ever live stream service attracted 3,000 views. We will be working to get the best possible production quality for future services. We will be posting a link on our homepage and also using Facebook Live.
Opening a 24/7 Prayer Room
We plan to open a 24-7 prayer room at Woodlands to keep a worship space open and to facilitate constant prayer for our nation and wider world (details to follow).
Encouraging People to Volunteer
We want to mobilise volunteers in Church to serve our City and the most vulnerable. In the first instance, visit The Noise website to help out and volunteer at a food bank to make sure no one is short of food at this time. Many of our food banks in the city are staffed by teams of older people, who are now unable to volunteer.
Helping You to Love Your Neighbours
We’ve made printable CoronaKindness Cards that you can download, print, personalise and give to your neighbours. This is a great way to reach out in a practical way to show God’s love and kindness to the people around you. Share what you are doing online with the hashtag #coronakindness to be part of a global trend.
Finding Alternatives for Midweek Groups
Midweek groups have been advised not to meet and each group will have to work out how best to support one another according to risk, technical resources, etc. We shared practical tips with all our small group leaders already, so they can support their members.
Providing Inspirational Content Online
Woodlands team members will be encouraging our church family with online resources including:
Study resources for some enforced contemplative time to build up your faith
Soul care alongside the practical care we all need
Opportunities for prayer requests to be made online
Daily devotional videos starting soon!
Reminders for everyone to pray at noon, wherever you are, whatever you are doing
Connect with Woodlands on Social Media
We will be posting regular updates on social media and sending more regular emails to church members. Be sure to connect with us to stay up-to-date with what’s happening.
Like our public Facebook page (official updates)
Join our Facebook group for church members (private place to connect, post requests for help or prayer)
Join our Facebook group for families with children (private group of 9.15am regulars)
Follow us on Instagram
Follow us on Twitter
Subscribe to our YouTube Channel
Fill in a contact card if you want to be added to our email lists
If You Need Help
If you feel unwell, please follow the current national guidance.
If you, or members of your household fall ill and/or self-isolate please tell your homegroup leader and let us know via email. This is a time where we need to be supporting, loving and encouraging one another.
Future Steps
This is an ever changing situation and we will continue to respond to any changes in the advice we receive.
This is a time to look out for our neighbours, particularly the vulnerable and elderly, to avoid panic buying and be messengers of faith hope and love.
We would love you to pray for our World and nation, we will be interceding for our nation in these extraordinary times.
Do pray for our health professionals who will be under enormous pressure right now.
15th March 2020 - 11am Service
March for Justice: Freedom for Slaves with Esther Swaffield from IJM
Filling our hearts with mercy & compassion
Our focus for this month's series is March for Justice and we will be looking back at lessons from The Prophets as we consider how we as Christians deal with some of the challenging issues facing the world today. Sermon topics will cover freedom from slavery, creation care, Fair Trade and the persecuted church.
For this service, we welcomed Esther from International Justice Mission, the largest anti-slavery organisation in the world. They work across the globe, partnering with law enforcement to protect those living in poverty from oppression.
In the last 20 years, IJM have rescued over 53,000 people from slavery and violent oppression and are seeing whole nations change as a result of this transformative work; in some countries seeing up to an 86% reduction of people in slavery. But it’s no mean feat. It takes everyone from investigators who find victims, to aftercare staff who support those who have been rescued, to the local church across the globe who pray, give and advocate for the end of slavery, like Woodies…
Woodies has committed to raise £5,000 for IJM to fund the equivalent cost of a rescue: Right from undercover investigation, to rescue and aftercare, to bringing the criminals to justice.
Find out more and make a one-off donation:
https://www.woodlandschurch.net/ijm
15th March 2020 - 9.15am Service
Too Busy…For Church with Brad Askew
Bible Passage: Matthew 11:28-30
We are taking a month to do our own mini preaching series at the 9.15am. We want to speak into some of the needs, concerns/realities that we have as a congregation. We want to address the topic of being too busy and how do we follow Jesus when we’re in such a busy/full time of life.
This week as Brad looks at 'Too Busy for Church - he reflects on the scriptures in Matthew…
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Recommended Book:
The ruthless elimination of hurry by John Mark Comer (£10.99 with free shipping)
Recommended Podcast:
Fight Hustle, End Hurry Podcast
We believe that justice and seeing people released from bondage and slavery are key values of the Kingdom of God. Jesus even started his public ministry by announcing that He had come “to set the captive free.” It is exciting that Woodlands Group of Churches is now a partner church working with International Justice Mission (IJM) to do just that!
IJM is the largest anti-slavery organisation in the world. They work across the globe, partnering with law enforcement to protect those living in poverty from oppression. We are looking forward to welcoming guest speaker, Leo Akron, from IJM Ghana to speak to us on Sunday, 15th March 2020 at the 11am service and tell us more about their inspirational and life changing work.
In the last 20 years, IJM have rescued over 53,000 people from slavery and violent oppression and are seeing whole nations change as a result of this transformative work; in some countries seeing up to an 86% reduction of people in slavery. But it’s no mean feat. It takes everyone from investigators who find victims, to aftercare staff who support those who have been rescued, to the local church across the globe who pray, give and advocate for the end of slavery, like Woodies…
Read their latest Fact Sheet to find out how and where IJM are working around the globe to end slavery. For good. You can also watch the video below to learn more about IJM.
Woodies has committed to raise £5,000 for IJM to fund the equivalent cost of a rescue: Right from undercover investigation, to rescue and aftercare, to bringing the criminals to justice. Although the precise details of this rescue will depend on the situations that the investigators uncover, the largest rescue IJM has conducted to date, was of 564 people in one single operation: a bonded labour case, in South Asia.
The Woodies contribution will be raised primarily by earmarked giving. To take part in this fundraising campaign and support the rescue, visit the secure giving page below to make a one-off donation:
Thank you for your financial and prayer support which will have a tangible effect on bringing freedom to people's lives. You can join the IJM in praying for justice, simply send them an email to join the network.
8th March 2020 - 7pm Service
March for Justice: Prophetic Witness with Rob Scott-Cook
Filling our hearts with mercy & compassion
Our focus for this month's series is March for Justice and we will be looking back at lessons from The Prophets as we consider how we as Christians deal with some of the challenging issues facing the world today. Sermon topics will cover freedom from slavery, creation care, Fair Trade and the persecuted church - plus a Heart of Worship special on the last Sunday in March.
8th March 2020 - 9.15am Service
Too Busy…For Jesus? with Ruth Morgans
We are taking a month to do our own mini preaching series at the 9.15am. We want to speak into some of the needs, concerns/realities that we have as a congregation. We want to address the topic of being too busy and how do we follow Jesus when we’re in such a busy/full time of life.
Recommended Book:
The ruthless elimination of hurry by John Mark Comer (£10.99 with free shipping)
Recommended Podcast:
Fight Hustle, End Hurry Podcast
8th March 2020 - 11am Service
March for Justice: A Fair Trade? with Clare Thompson
Bible Passage: Amos 8
Filling our hearts with mercy & compassion
Our focus for this month's series is March for Justice and we will be looking back at lessons from The Prophets as we consider how we as Christians deal with some of the challenging issues facing the world today. Sermon topics will cover freedom from slavery, creation care, fair trade and the persecuted church - plus a Heart of Worship special on the last Sunday in March.
8th March 2020 - 11am Service
March for Justice: A Fair Trade? with Clare Thompson
Bible Passage: Amos 8
Filling our hearts with mercy & compassion
Our focus for this month's series is March for Justice and we will be looking back at lessons from The Prophets as we consider how we as Christians deal with some of the challenging issues facing the world today. Sermon topics will cover freedom from slavery, creation care, Fair Trade and the persecuted church - plus a Heart of Worship special on the last Sunday in March.
At Woodies, we are keen love God's creation and our People + Planet group is key in helping us to reduce our impact on the environment as a church. Throughout 2020, we want to challenge everyone in church to do the same - so each month we’ll be having an EcoChallenge.
This month’s EcoChallenge is to try out a new Meat/Dairy Free recipe. You’ve probably noticed that eating vegan or plant based foods and diets are having a bit of a moment now. This isn’t a fad - there are a lot of good reasons for this!
Eating Less meat and dairy is good for the planet
It needs much less land to grow crops to feed humans, than to grow crops to feed to animals which are then fed to humans. This means through reducing our meat consumption we could more easily meet the demands of feeding a growing global population and also allow more space for nature too. Moreover, cows and sheep belch out lots of methane, a particularly potent greenhouse gas. Emissions from livestock account for 14-18% of global man-made greenhouse emissions. Significantly reducing the amount of animal foods we consume has a key role to play in limiting the damage of climate change.
It’s good for you
Typical western diets high in red-meat, processed meat and other animal products are not very good for us. Meat also takes up space in our diets where we could get wider nutritional benefit from eating other sources of protein such as beans, pulses or nuts.
It’s good for animals
Modern industrial farming methods have developed to meet our demand for meat and dairy, and it is extremely debateable whether animals are generally treated in a humane way. Some would argue that an unnacceptable degree of suffering is inherent when we farm animals for food.
Now we hear from David from the Woodies People + Planet group, who has some great advice for us….
Reducing the amount of meat that I eat is something I have been working on for some years now. I haven’t gone vegetarian, much less vegan, although I have friends and family members who have and I often wonder whether I should too. I do however think quite hard though about how to limit the amount of meat and dairy I eat.
Here are some of the steps I’ve taken:
I’ve started buying oat milk or some other non-dairy milk for my breakfast cereal.
Not adding milk to the copious amounts of coffee I drink while at work.
On weekdays, my general rule to myself is that lunch must be vegetarian, preferably dairy free to. The staff at the sandwich shop by my office are starting to recognise me and my requests for a houmous and salad baguette. Soup is always an easy option too!
Finding some really good meat free recipes to cook in the evenings at home. This week I have really enjoyed making and eating a shepherd’s pie, but with braised green lentils instead of mince. It was very tasty, and fed us as a family for a couple of days in a row. The children ate it too!
Sometimes we go to cook a meat/dairy based dish by default, but there are a lot of very tasty, easy to cook vegetable based meals out there waiting to be tried.
So have a shot at this month’s EcoChallenge and find a new veg based recipe. Personally, my goal is to find some good use for the Tofu now sitting in my fridge - I am thinking a noodle soup could be a good use for it. I will let you know how it goes!
If you want some inspiration this North African Squash Stew is one of my favourites – it’s very tasty comfort food.
If you’d be interested in finding out more about our group, or have some feedback about the challenges, connect with us:
The internet has changed the landscape of childhood and adolescence.
As parents we may be aware of the new challenges and changes the internet has brought yet be uncertain how to practically respond. Some parents even feel overwhelmed, saying that their children have a better understanding of internet, tablets and apps than they do.
The PG workshop exists to address concerns, equip you with up to date information about online & digital culture, and give practical tips for different ages and stages. You'll also gain exclusive access to our online 'Parent's pack' containing useful links, step by step tutorials and conversation starters.
Find out more about the workshop here
(Purchase of this ticket will unlock a 20% discount code for ‘The P-Word conference’ the following day. Find out more here)
1st March 2020 - 7pm Service
March for Justice: Creation Care with Tim Dobson
Bible Passage: Genesis & more…
Filling our hearts with mercy & compassion
Our focus for this month's series is March for Justice and we will be looking back at lessons from The Prophets as we consider how we as Christians deal with some of the challenging issues facing the world today. Sermon topics will cover freedom from slavery, creation care, Fair Trade and the persecuted church - plus a Heart of Worship special on the last Sunday in March.
1st March 2020 - 11am Service
March for Justice: Creation Care with Rachel Riddall
Bible Passage:
Filling our hearts with mercy & compassion
Our focus for this month's series is March for Justice and we will be looking back at lessons from The Prophets as we consider how we as Christians deal with some of the challenging issues facing the world today. Sermon topics will cover freedom from slavery, creation care, Fair Trade and the persecuted church - plus a Heart of Worship special on the last Sunday in March.
1st March 2020 - 9.15am Service
Too Busy: For Me with Nigel Savage
Bible Passage: Matthew 11:28-30
We are taking a month to do our own mini preaching series at the 9.15am. We want to speak into some of the needs, concerns/realities that we have as a congregation. We want to address the topic of being too busy and how do we follow Jesus when we’re in such a busy/full time of life.
This week as Nigel looks at 'Too Busy for Me - he reflects on the scriptures in Matthew…
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Recommended Book:
The ruthless elimination of hurry by John Mark Comer (£10.99 with free shipping)
Recommended Podcast:
Fight Hustle, End Hurry Podcast
Woodlands Church, Belgrave Road, Bristol BS8 2AA
