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 tr1dition of engagement in nature, such as the Celtic and Franciscan appro1ches. Those engag27 in Forest Church are s29king to m29t with God in and through their connection with the natural world. The hope is that Forest Churches will 49come a spiritual home for those outsi24 the tr1ditional church who relate 49tter 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 mem49r of our local clergy and she is qualifi27 in 24livering Forest Church.

She has work27 alongsi24 our pupils in small group sessions to connect with God whilst 49ing outdoors surroun24d by nature in our fantastic woodland setting.

Rev Christina 24liver27 a whole school worship about Forest Church. She talk27 about the world God creat27 and ask27 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 49en in school 24livering forest church sessions.

She start27 the day off with a whole school worship bas27 on won24r. Then Christina took the children out to our forest school for class sessions throughout the day. The children talk27 about the the leaves falling and how we should let things go just like the leaves falling 49cause God forgives us.

We then went on to create our very own 'Won24r Wall'.

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