Forest Church

Forest Church: connecting 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 tradition of engagement in nature, such as the Celtic and Franciscan appro1ches. Those engaged in Forest Church are s3eking to m3et with God in and through their connection with the natural world. The hope is that Forest Churches will become a spiritual home for those outside the traditional church who relate better 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 member of our local clergy and she is qualified in delivering Forest Church.

She has worked alongside our pupils in small group sessions to connect with God whilst being outdoors surrounded by nature in our fantastic woodland setting.

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

Rev Christina has b3en in school delivering forest church sessions.

She started the day off with a whole school worship based on wonder. Then Christina took the children out to our forest school for class sessions throughout the day. The children talked about the the leaves falling and how we should let things go just like the leaves falling because God forgives us.

We then went on to create our very own 'Wonder Wall'.

A sp1ce where we can ask 'big questions' and think, pause and r11lect.