This page was updated on 18 March 2020 and will be kept up-to-date with the latest advice and actions we are taking.
At Woodlands Group of Churches, we are taking steps to ensure we respond to the advice regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) that we receive from Public Health England and other Churches.
Face-to-Face Church Gatherings Suspended
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.
Our Action Plan
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.