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.

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Autumn Alpha 2022

Both/And: Now and Not Yet | Nigel Savage | 24th September 2023 at 6.30pm

This September, our preaching series called 'Both And' will help us set vision for the term ahead. The series acknowledges we have diversity and nuance in much of what we think about God, theology and Church practice…and that actually this is a strength of our community, not a weakness.

Come on the journey with us either in person or on the weekly livestream.

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.

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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

Both/And Spirituality | Dave Mitchell | 17th September 2023 at 6.30pm

This September, our preaching series called 'Both And' will help us set vision for the term ahead. The series acknowledges we have diversity and nuance in much of what we think about God, theology and Church practice…and that actually this is a strength of our community, not a weakness.

Come on the journey with us either in person or on the weekly livestream.

Both/And Spirituality | Clare Thompson | 17th September 2023 at 11am

This September, our preaching series called 'Both And' will help us set vision for the term ahead. The series acknowledges we have diversity and nuance in much of what we think about God, theology and Church practice…and that actually this is a strength of our community, not a weakness.

Come on the journey with us either in person or on the weekly livestream.

BISC: September's Mission Partner

Each month at Woodlands Central, we have a monthly offering where we raise funds to support a mission partner, either locally or globally.

For September, we want to support the work of BISC, a local organisation offering welcome, hospitality and community for international students - a home away from home in Bristol. BISC is a Christian charity supported by local churches, welcoming international students of all faiths and none.

www.bisc.org.uk

 You can give financially at our offering or you are also welcome to give online.

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VOLUNTEER AT BISC WELCOME MEALS
If you’re able to give your time, BISC need volunteers for their Welcome Meals for international students. For two weeks in September, BISC will be running evening meals for international students at their centre (45 Woodland Rd, BS8 1UT).

Every year, students say how these meals help them connect with others, integrate into the local community and discover that they are not alone in Bristol. 

BISC welcome meals will be on 19, 20, 21, 22 and 26, 27, 28, 29 September. Meals will be led by a kitchen-trained chef and BISC are seeking volunteers to support them with baking, food preparation, setting up and hosting meal times, as they welcome new students each evening. 

Sign up online!
www.bisc.org.uk/welcomevolunteers2023 

 WHAT WILL VOLUNTEERS DO?

Baking team (12.30-3pm):
We need a couple of volunteers each lunchtime to help us prepare desserts for the evening meals.

Food prep and set up team (3-6pm):
We need a small group of volunteers to help with food preparation, set up and some cleaning.

Hosting team (6-10pm approx.):  
Hosting volunteers will be responsible for greeting guests, taking meal orders, serving, enjoying a meal with a table of students, clearing and washing up. This is the ideal slot for church small groups to join us as a ready-made team of up to 12. 

A Both/And Church | Dave Mitchell | 10th September 2023 at 6.30pm

This September, our preaching series called 'Both And' will help us set vision for the term ahead. The series acknowledges we have diversity and nuance in much of what we think about God, theology and Church practice…and that actually this is a strength of our community, not a weakness.

Come on the journey with us either in person or on the weekly livestream.

Monthly Prophecy Clinics

We believe that God speaks to us every day, if we only take the time to listen.

On the second Sunday of each month, we run a prophetic clinic in the afternoon at Woodlands. Prophecy Clinics are bookable slots where our team will pray, listen and ask God to speak prophetically into your life. Teams will not necessarily know you or your previous experience. So if you are seeking God’s wisdom or a bit of encouragement, a prophecy clinic slot might be a really helpful and timely thing.

The purpose of these clinics is two-fold, to give an opportunity for people to hear what their heavenly Father has on his heart for them, who he has made them to be, and what he is calling them to do and also for those who are part of the team running the clinic to grow in the gift of prophecy by spending time listening to God for others.

What happens on the day at the clinic:  

Prophecy Clinics are in person at Woodlands. You will be introduced to a team of three or four people who will briefly pray for you and then spend some time, in quiet, listening to God for you.  The team members will then share what they feel God is saying and one of the team will write down a summary of what is shared, so that you can take it away with you (or you can bring a recording device or phone that can be used to record your session).  Each appointment will last around 20 mins.

You can book a 25 minute session between 5pm - 6.30pm on the second Sunday of the month.

Visit the Diary to book.

A Both/And Church | Rachel Riddall | 10th September 2023 at 11am

This September, our preaching series called 'Both And' will help us set vision for the term ahead. The series acknowledges we have diversity and nuance in much of what we think about God, theology and Church practice…and that actually this is a strength of our community, not a weakness.

Come on the journey with us either in person or on the weekly livestream.

Both/And: Creative Tension | Tim Dobson | 3rd September 2023 at 6.30pm

This September, our preaching series called 'Both And' will help us set vision for the term ahead. The series acknowledges we have diversity and nuance in much of what we think about God, theology and Church practice…and that actually this is a strength of our community, not a weakness.

Come on the journey with us either in person or on the weekly livestream.

Both/And: Creative Tension | Dave Mitchell | 3rd September 2023 at 11am

This September, our preaching series called 'Both And' will help us set vision for the term ahead. The series acknowledges we have diversity and nuance in much of what we think about God, theology and Church practice…and that actually this is a strength of our community, not a weakness.

Come on the journey with us either in person or on the weekly livestream.

September 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 September calendar below.

Student Welcome Team Needed

This September, thousands of students will be coming to study at university in Bristol. For many, this will be their first time away from home, and more importantly their first time away from home cooked meals.

So, what better way to welcome these lovely Freshers than by feeding them? We’re going to be giving away thousands of hot dogs and we need your help!

Our annual Woodies Student Welcome is happening from Tuesday to Thursday, 19th - 21st September 2023.

If you have any questions, email students@woodlandschurch.net.

Both/And Series for September

Both/And Series

This September, our preaching series called 'Both And' will help us set vision for the term ahead. The series acknowledges we have diversity and nuance in much of what we think about God, theology and Church practice…and that actually this is a strength of our community, not a weakness.

Here’s what our messages will be looking at each week:

• 3rd September: Creative Tension

• 10th September: A Both/And Church

• 17th September: Both/And Spirituality

• 24th September: Now and Not Yet

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MESSAGES FROM THIS SERIES

Philippians 4 | Dave Mitchell | 27th August 2023 at 6.30pm

This August, we're looking the book of Philippians. While in prison, Paul wrote one of the most encouraging letters in all the Bible. Reading a chapter a week, we'll be exploring how to live with a God-given purpose in the midst of everything life throws at us. Choosing joy, no matter what.

Come on the journey with us either in person or on the weekly livestream.

The Quiet Service

You’re invited to our quiet Service

Join us on the 1st Sunday of each month for The Quiet Service.

It’s a reflective, contemplative space for anyone that is looking for something a little quieter than the evening service in the Main Hall.

Join us in the Crypt from 6.30pm

Prayer Week 2023

At Woodlands, love to pray and each September we celebrate Prayer Week, where we come before God together and offer him what is on our hearts.

Prayer Week is happening from the 10th - 17th September 2023. It is a lovely time of fellowship, where we look forward and prepare ourselves spiritually for the coming season. The week consists of daily events and a 24/7 Prayer Room that can be booked by individuals or groups.

Here’s how you can get involved:

• Book a slot in our 24/7 Prayer Room

• Come to morning prayer meetings, happening Monday to Friday from 7.15am - 8.15am in the Foyer

• Come to an Evening of Prayer & Worship event on Tuesday, 12th September at 7.30pm

• Set an alarm at 12 noon every day to pray the Lord's prayer

• Fast on Tuesday, 12th September in advance of the evening event (Learn about fasting)

• Try using an app to help you pray, such as Lectio 365, Prayer Mate or Inner Room

Philippians 3 | Ella Harbord & Rachel Riddall | 20th August 2023 at 6.30pm

This August, we're looking the book of Philippians. While in prison, Paul wrote one of the most encouraging letters in all the Bible. Reading a chapter a week, we'll be exploring how to live with a God-given purpose in the midst of everything life throws at us. Choosing joy, no matter what.

Come on the journey with us either in person or on the weekly livestream.

Philippians 3 | Tim Dobson | 20th August 2023 at 11am

This August, we're looking the book of Philippians. While in prison, Paul wrote one of the most encouraging letters in all the Bible. Reading a chapter a week, we'll be exploring how to live with a God-given purpose in the midst of everything life throws at us. Choosing joy, no matter what.

Come on the journey with us either in person or on the weekly livestream.

Philippians 2 | Matt Dobson | 13th August 2023 at 6.30pm

This August, we're looking the book of Philippians. While in prison, Paul wrote one of the most encouraging letters in all the Bible. Reading a chapter a week, we'll be exploring how to live with a God-given purpose in the midst of everything life throws at us. Choosing joy, no matter what.

Come on the journey with us either in person or on the weekly livestream.