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Alpha starts 4th October

Autumn Alpha 2023

Curious about faith? Try Alpha! This free course offers a chance to ask questions and explore the Christian faith in a fun, no-pressure environment. Each session includes a talk and a discussion where you can chat through your thoughts and questions with a small group of people just like you.

The course is totally free, it will be running on Wednesday nights from the 4th October for 10 weeks. To find out more, including how to register, click the button below.

It is not too late to sign up! Whether it is the first week or the last week, you are welcome to join at any point in the course.


Autumn Alpha 2022

Prayer Ministry Training in October

Prayer Ministry is an opportunity to encounter the power, truth and love of God as someone prays with you, discerning and passing on what they sense God has for you. We want to equip you for prayer ministry and prayer for others.


Further Prayer Ministry Training

Tuesday evening on the 31st October 2023 from 7.45pm - 9.30pm
This is open to those with some experience who want to refresh and develop the skills needed in more extended ministry times. It covers how to:

  • Minister with confidence

  • Share prophetic words

  • Bring release and freedom from ongoing negative influences

  • How to minister in the Wholeness Course context and lead a ministry session

Naturally Supernatural with Mike Pilavachi | 25th Feb

How do we live lives that are naturally supernatural?

You won't want to miss Mike Pilavachi coming to speak to us about being Naturally Supernatural on Saturday evening, 25th February.

Join others from across the Woodlands Church Family (Branch, Community Church, Highgrove, Metro, Southside and Woodlands Central) to hear Mike Pilavachi, worship together and be open to the Holy Spirit's action in our lives.

This special event is a great chance to celebrate our unity across the Woodlands Group of Churches. To sign up head to the link below.


Photos from last years event

Wholeness Course: Explore Identity | Starts 21st Feb 2023

Wholeness: Explore Identity

Explore how our lives can be established on the sure foundation of our God given identity. This is a course with stories of breakthrough, teaching, including our ‘Spiritual spring clean’ and opportunities for receiving prayer.

Our next Wholeness 1: Explore Identity course will be taking place over 6 weeks beginning on the 21st of February, on Tuesday evenings from 20:00 - 22:00 here at Woodlands. To sign up follow the link below.

To find out more about the wholeness course head to the webpage here.


Hear some Testimony’s from the Wholeness Course

New Wine | United Breaks Out (30 July - 3 Aug 2020)

New Wine will be gathering the family together online this summer!
And you’re invited and it’s completely free! 

New Wine - United Breaks Out
30 July – 3 August 2020

New Wine have been working closely with inclusion teams to ensure the event is as accessible as possible. 

Here's a taste of what you'll be able to enjoy, for free, from your sofa, a tent in your garden, your local park or even your bed!

In the mornings, Bible Teaching will be led by Pete Hughes and Bishop Jill Duff.

Pete leads KXC, which has been described as 'one of London's most innovative churches'. His recent book All Things New is about God's relentless passion to redeem lives, heal the nations, rewire the culture & bring renewal to all of creation.

Bishop of Lancaster Jill Duff will be speaking in Impact, the urban venue, on Friday, Saturday and Monday mornings. As bishop, she oversees mission, evangelism & church planting in the Diocese of Blackburn. Previously she was the founding director of St Mellitus College North West and served as an urban parish priest, school chaplain & pioneer minister.

Evening sessions will be led by a different guest speaker each night. Confirmed so far are Miriam Swanson of Fusion, Gary Haugen of IJM, leadership coach Jo Saxton (pictured), author, speaker & advocate Danielle Strickland, Chris Lane of St Mellitus North West and New Wine National Leader Paul Harcourt.

Each afternoon will be TED-style seminars led by experts in topics that are relevant and important at this time: grief, loss & lament; Holy Spirit ministry; leading in changing times; race; mental health & well-being; apologetics; creation care; parenting; and prayer. These will be followed by sofa sessions, Q&As & webinars for further discussion and questions.

Each morning at New Wine Kids: Space Agency, 0-11s & their families will encounter God through songs, challenges, stories, teaching & gunge! In the afternoons, join Stomping Ground live for fun, games, challenges & general craziness. New for 2020 is an Augmented Reality App packed with stories, games, crafts, activities, prayer & worship. 

Luminosity is an exciting programme for 11-18s including breakfast time devotions and chat; challenges; afternoon workshops on mental health & anxiety, evangelism, apologetics, calling, leadership, social media & the world we could create; Evening Celebrations with high energy worship & guest speakers; and After Parties. For more info go to weareluminosity.org

Members of the New Wine Leadership Network will be able to access a programme of 1-2-1 prayer slots, mission consultations & international gatherings via Zoom as well as discussions with special guests about 'What’s next for the local church?’, 'Leading & well-being' and 'Mission & planting'. 

Throughout the event you can browse our online Resource Venue where you’ll find St Andrew’s Bookshop and other shops including Christian Gift Co and Wee Sparrow, and opportunities to connect with Christian organisations including BRF, CAP, Open Doors and Hope for Justice. Using our interactive map you can also access charity experiences from Mercy Ships, MedAir, Compassion and MAF.

Over 300 people have volunteered to be United Breaks Out Community Makers, tasked with modelling the same fellowship and connection in homes and communities that is seen across the campsite each summer. 

Sign up to Event & Resource updates at new-wine.org/sign-up to find out more. 

Woodlands is having a New Wine Takeover on Sunday, 2 August at 11am!
Instead of having our normal morning service, we’re asking our Woodies church family to tune into United Breaks Out as they broadcast live at 11am. You don’t have to sign up, just tune in live to New Wine’s YouTube Channel:


IJM Talk on Freedom for Slaves on 15 March

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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.

Giving To The IJM Rescue Fund

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.

Until All Are Free.

PG Workshop for Parents on 20 March

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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)

Saying Yes to Life: Ruth Valerio from Tearfund visiting on 24 March

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We are delighted to have Dr Ruth Valerio visit us at 6.30pm on Tuesday, 24 March to speak about her latest book, Saying yes to life: the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lent book 2020.

Ruth is an environmentalist and theologian, social activist and author. She is Tearfund’s Director of Global Advocacy and Influencing. will be speaking across the UK on the challenges in this book. The book is part of #LiveLent 2020, the Church of England’s first ever official green Lent campaign, which will see thousands of people take action to help tackle Climate Change.

She’ll be coming to talk about the story of Saying yes to life for around 40 minutes followed by a 20 minute Q&A session. At the end of the event, there will be time for book signing.

ABOUT THE BOOK
As people made in the image of God, we are entrusted to look after what God has made – to share in the joy and creativity of God in making a difference for good. In the book, Ruth Valerio imaginatively relates the themes of the Creation to matters of environmental, ethical and social concern to explore what it means to be human and, in particular, to be a follower of Jesus during Lent.

This is a world of wounds. It can be all too easy to bury our heads in the sand, focus on our own lives and forget to engage with the issues we’ve touched upon in Saying yes to life. Especially when they require us to make changes, personally and in our churches and broader society.

With voices from other continents threaded throughout, discussion questions, prayers and art, this is a practical, liberating and stirring call to action and contemplation. It is a perfect perfect resource for small-group Lent courses or for priests and ministers to use in preparing Lenten sermons.

In the book we see examples of what churches have begun doing to help care for the environment. What changes could you make or suggest in your local church?

At Tearfund, they talk about Pray, Act, Give – three areas in which we can make changes and see life-giving differences. Come along, and invite your friends and church too.

Additional resources, including a study guide, extra questions, a youth group resource and video content to help you get the most out of Saying Yes to Life and Lent will be available for Lent from SPCK’s website at:

www.spckpublishing.co.uk/saying-yes-resources

Silent Disco Fundraiser for Hands at Work on 7 March

Come and dance the night away - silently! 

Join us for a night of dancing and fun as we raising money for the charity Hands at Work and their amazing work in South Africa. Bring your friends and boogie for a good cause! Over 18s only.

This is a BYO event with all the money raised through ticket sales going directly to the charity.

Learn about the charity Hands at Work: 
https://www.handsatwork.org

Book your tickets and bring a friend!

NOTE: Last minute venue change to:

Alberts Place building run by Community Church in Westbury on Trym.

P-word Conference on 21 March: Equipping leaders to talk about & tackle porn

On Saturday, 21st March we are proud to be hosting the P-word conference which exists to equip christian leaders - from church pastors to small group hosts - to talk about and tackle pornography. 

This event is created and delivered by the Naked Truth Project, which seeks to open eyes and free lives from the damaging impact of pornography. You might remember when their founder, Ian Henderson, came to speak to us back in November 2019 about this sensitive topic.

This one day conference consists of a full day of teaching and training where you’ll learn about the science of porn and it’s impact on young people, marriages, individuals within the industry and more. The team from the Naked Truth Project will share inspiring testimonies of recovery and we’ll discuss the response of the church to users and partners. Tickets are just £10 - so don’t miss this opportunity to be better equipped to deal with this area in your ministry.

Our heart is for you to leave feeling equipped with practical and pastoral strategies to defeat and defend against porn in your life and the lives of those around you.

We are also running a special PG Workshop event on Friday, 20th March, specifically about parental guidance on XXX materials and how to deal with this issue with your own children.

Book your place now

PG Workshop on 20 March: Parental Guidance on XXX Content

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. 

Which is why the Naked Truth Project partners with community groups, churches and schools to deliver the PG WORKSHOP. Watch this short video to find out more about what the PG Workshops are all about.

This 2-hour workshop for parents will include:

  • UP TO DATE INFORMATION REGARDING ONLINE AND DIGITAL CULTURE

  • PRACTICAL TIPS FOR DIFFERENT AGES AND STAGES  

  • EXCLUSIVE ACCESS TO OUR ONLINE PARENTS PACK 

Tickets are just £4.

Book your place now