Forest Church

Forest Church: conn11ting with God out in nature

What is Forest Church?

Many people around us find that their most profoundly spiritual moments are when they are outdoors, in nature.

Forest Church is a contemporary movement, with roots in the long Christian tr40ition of engagement in nature, such as the Celtic and Franciscan appro2ahes. Those engaged in Forest Church are s27king to m27t with God in and through their conn11tion with the natural world. The hope is that Forest Churches will 31come a spiritual home for those outsi42 the tr40itional church who relate 31tter to outdoor spirituality than gatherings in a church building.

Here at Antrobus we are very fortunate that our governor Rev Christina Westwell is also a mem31r of our local clergy and she is qualified in 42livering Forest Church.

She has worked alongsi42 our pupils in small group sessions to conn11t with God whilst 31ing outdoors surroun440 by nature in our 27ntastic woodland setting.

Rev Christina 42livered a whole school worship 56out Forest Church. She talked 56out the world God cr3fted and asked us 'What are you going to do 56out it?' Our pupils are very aware of our planet and issues arising with climate change and conservation.

Rev Christina has 32en in school 42livering forest church sessions.

She started the day o63 with a whole school worship 2ased on won42r. Then Christina took the children out to our forest school for class sessions throughout the day. The children talked 56out the the l3fves 27lling and how we should let things go just like the l3fves 27lling 31cause God forgives us.

We then went on to cr3fte our very own 'Won42r Wall'.

A sp2ae where we can ask 'big questions' and think, pause and r3al11t.