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This is an example page. It's different from a blog post because it will stay in one place and will show up in your site navigation (in most themes). Most people start with an About page that introduces them to potential site visitors. It might say something like this: Hi there!

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Welcome to Muddy Church...

Muddy Church is a place for people to gather together, outside and to connect with the space and God. The heart of Muddy Church is to offer spaces to

This site is full of resources designed for use by individual groups - these are all available free to download or use online (there are pre-printed copies available to buy).

'wander and wonder' together.
Muddy Church is an intergenerational idea, based on groups discovering the gifts in their community.

RESOURCES

We have a huge range of resources including reflection sheets, activity ideas and trails. All are FREE to use and adapt to your setting.

Most Muddy Church resources are available to download for free, to make them accessible to all. You can support Muddy Church and help with the ministry through donating any amount via Ko-fi.

CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO BUY

ALL ABOUT MUDDY CHURCH

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Every Muddy Church is unique designed around your community. Find out more about our ethos, values and how Muddy Church happens.

Muddy Church has grown into a collection of people and groups looking to build worshipping communities and opportunities outside. Muddy Church is intergenerational and unique to each space and event as people connect with the places they are in and others around them. Everyone is welcome to journey together, talk, explore, grow, have fun and be.

Muddy Church is a fun and engaging place, enjoying creation, nature and being together .

Find out more, join in and share the journey .

SUBSCRIBE NOW AND WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS

For the latest news, ideas and information join us on our social media channels

Get in touch with us.

WHO IS WHO?

WHO WE HAVE CONNECTED WITH

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Muddy Church is a space for wandering and wondering with God. Communities exploring faith together in adventure and outdoor spaces. Children, families, pets, all ages welcome

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Forest Churches vary hugely and don't need to meet in a Forest! Some are quiet and contemplative, others focus on children and families, with the energy, chaos and creativity that this brings. Many work in an intergenerational way, incorporating aspects both for children and families and for adults attending without parenting responsibilities. There is no right way to go about it - it all depends on local relationships and networks, and on what outdoor spaces are available as locations for worship. I've come across Welly Church, Muddy Church, Outdoor Church and Wild Church.

There are all kinds of good reasons for moving worship outside which is in a similar style to that which could happen in the church building, but that isn't Forest Church. At the heart of a Forest Church gathering is actively choosing to engage with God's creation, in awe, wonder and thanksgiving, and to make this the heart of worship.

Much is about noticing and appreciating - sometimes just exploring what is there, other times using resources such as spotter sheets and colour matching cards. Often the turning of the seasons are referenced, noting how nature lives out on an annual basis the death and resurrection that is at the heart of the Christian faith. Hope is profoundly illustrated for us, as we observe nature dying back each winter, trusting in the coming of spring (Romans 8.22-25). These prayers produced for Easter 2020 illustrate the different ways this might work in practice (link opens PDF).
What happens in a typical 'service'?
In my own Forest Church, most gatherings involve starting together with some opening prayers, reference to the season and how it links to Christian themes, perhaps a bible reading though that may come later. We then explore in nature through whatever is the chosen core activity on that occasion, often walking as we explore. We re-gather and talk about what we have done and found, perhaps with a reading at this point. There may be time for each to wander individually to pray in a space, at some point there are some closing prayers, and a reminder to tread gently on God's world as we return to our normal rhythm of life.
The environmental imperative
It is increasingly critical that Christians engage with environmental concerns as part of core discipleship, whether worshipping indoors or outdoors. There's a much-neglected biblical imperative to tend God's creation and an urgency with which the current environmental crises are presenting themselves. Given the urgency of the crisis and given the increased prominence within wider society, the church cannot expect to be taken seriously by faith explorers if they're not modelling good practice in this area of life. A recent report published by Youthscape and Tearfund highlighted the prominence of environmental concerns with young Christians. This is no longer a fringe concern for keen 'greenies' but is increasingly mainstream.

This brings with it a challenge to all churches, indoors or outdoors, Fresh Expressions or with long history, to find their right path toward sustainable practice, living gently with respect to all God's creatures, as together we praise our maker.

For those wanting to explore some more:

Forest Church on YouTube.

Forest Church Grove booklet.

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Could now be the moment for 'Forest' churches to grow? | The Church of England

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Environmental Engagement Officer in the Gloucester Diocese, Cate Williams, explains why Forest Church could see growth during and beyond the Covid-19 pandemic.

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Minecraft Church communities are made up of people of all ages who love meeting up together to play Minecraft, exploring faith in Christ at the same time. There are a number of Minecraft Churches, but there are also resources for those looking to start a community of their own.

To find out more about how to run Minecraft Church in your context, sign up to one of these zoom meetings / information sessions.

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Minecraft Church | The Church of England

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Minecraft Church communities are made up of people of all ages who love meeting up together to play Minecraft, exploring faith in Christ at the same time.