Church in the Wild Jersey
Outdoor Ministry | Nature Connection | Community & Wellbeing
Reimagining church grounds and local outdoor spaces as places of welcome, play, connection, reflection, worship and community life.
Church in the Wild Jersey brings together over 16 years of experience in Children's and Family Ministry, Church leadership, outdoor learning, therapeutic nature-based practice and community engagement.
With more than 10 years in Children's and Family Ministry at St Paul's Church Jersey, including Outdoor Church, Schools work and community outreach, followed by her role as Children and Families Development Officer for the Deanery of Jersey, Sophie has extensive experience of developing Ministry, supporting Churches and creating opportunities for children, families and communities to connect.
Alongside this, Sophie established Nature Base, developing nature-based learning, outdoor wellbeing programmes, community projects and consultancy in the creation of natural play and gathering spaces.
Through Church in the Wild Jersey, these experiences come together to support Churches in exploring new ways of connecting with their communities, both within their church grounds and in the wider natural environment.
Bringing Church Outdoors
Church in the Wild is about more than taking traditional Church activities outside.
It is about recognising the possibilities that Church grounds, gardens, woodland and local green spaces offer for gathering, play, worship, wellbeing and connection.
Outdoor spaces can become places where children explore through their senses, families play and spend time together, communities build relationships, and people find opportunities for stillness, reflection, prayer and encountering God in nature.
From Wild Church, Forest Church and outdoor Messy Church to community nature play, sensory experiences, seasonal gatherings and reflective spaces, there are many ways for Churches to engage with people beyond the walls of their buildings.
Church in the Wild encourages Churches to explore how their outdoor spaces can become welcoming, inclusive and actively used places for the whole community, whilst also nurturing care for creation and the natural environment.
Working Alongside Churches
Church in the Wild Jersey is already working alongside Churches to develop Outdoor Ministry, Community Outreach and opportunities for children and families to connect through nature.
This includes supporting Wild Church gatherings, developing nature-based community play sessions, and working with Churches to explore how their grounds and surrounding outdoor spaces can be used more creatively.
Drawing on experience in both church ministry and natural space development, Sophie supports Churches to consider not only what their outdoor spaces could become, but also how people might use and experience them.
This might include creating natural gathering areas, sensory and playful spaces, places for quiet reflection and prayer, or opportunities for community activities and seasonal celebrations.
The focus is on helping churches develop outdoor spaces and experiences that are welcoming, accessible, meaningful and responsive to the needs of their communities.
Research & Development
Sophie is currently studying for a Diploma in Ecotherapy, exploring the relationship between nature, wellbeing, connection and therapeutic outdoor practice.
As part of this work, she is undertaking research with Churches to better understand how they currently use their grounds and local outdoor spaces, the challenges they encounter and the resources, training and support they would find most valuable.
The aim is to develop practical, accessible resources that help churches confidently explore Outdoor Ministry, community engagement and opportunities for nature connection.
Let's Explore the Possibilities
Whether your church has a large churchyard, a small garden, a paved area or access to a nearby green space, there may be opportunities to create meaningful outdoor experiences for your congregation and wider community.
Church in the Wild Jersey welcomes conversations with Churches, Dioceses, Organisations and Project Partners interested in exploring Outdoor Ministry, Community engagement, Natural Spaces and Collaborative resource development.
Get in touch to explore how we might work together.
Church in the Wild Jersey operates as a separate strand of Sophie's professional work, complementing her nature-based learning, wellbeing and consultancy practice through Nature Base.