Forest Church

NEW Spring 2026: Forest Church

Welcome to the New Adventure!

Forest Church is a New Places for New People project set up this year by a group from the York Methodist Circuit, with support from the Yorkshire North and East District and the Connexion! It's not a new idea though, in the past it was common to worship outdoors – what better way to celebrate and praise God than to be physically stood on God's Holy Ground?! Recently, there has been growing interest in going back to this nature-connected, spiritual connection. 

Though we (as 'leaders') are coming to Forest Church from our own Methodist experience, it's roots are in Celtic Spirituality, Wisdom Traditions and nature itself. Also drawing inspiration from Forest Schools, we let nature be the teacher, the connector between ourselves and the Divine (or the Force, if you're a Star Wars fan!).

Everyone is welcome, no matter your age, abilities or background. There's no sign up fee or test to pass, no need to behave in a certain way or know all the answers. Simply a space to come and be your unique self, to sit in nature and feel like you belong there.

Forest Church York is being set up in 3 places (to begin with), Haxby, Acomb and Heworth. 

Haxby

We use Whole Life Community Garden as our main space for Forest Church in Haxby. Just a 3 minute walk from the Methodist Church gets you to the garden, which makes the church the perfect place to have a conversation over a meal afterwards.

We had our first Forest Church at the end of April, and the general pattern of worship for Forest Church in Haxby will be the last Sunday of the month.

Acomb

Acomb Methodist Church have a lovely garden at the back of their building, and so we are using this space for Forest Church there. They are fortunate enough to have a garden studio with big glass doors facing into the garden – ideal for a bite to eat after worshipping!

We are running a Forest Church 'taster session' at Acomb Fest in July, and another Forest Church at the beginning of August. Following that, our regular pattern of worship at Acomb will most likely be the first Saturday of the month.

Heworth

Just a short walk (around 7 minutes) from the Methodist Church in Heworth is the gorgeous Glen Gardens. Now that we have permission from York City Council and the Friends of Glen Gardens, we will be using this lovely space as our main place of worship in Heworth, again heading back to the Methodist Church for food and a chat afterwards! 

We're hoping for an Autumn start here!

What now?

For more information, you can check out our commonly asked questions below, click HEREto head over to our website, or you can find us on Social Media: just search 'Forest Church York' and look for our logo on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok! 

You can also get in touch with Lorraine, our Forest Church Co-Ordinator, to be added to our newsletter!