Let’s face it, there’s a lot happening here at Woods Chapel, and it can be hard to know where to jump in. Growth Track is the perfect next step. It helps us get to know you, and it helps you discover the groups and serving opportunities that are a great fit for your gifts and story. 

This year, we’re making a change to how we offer Growth Track. In the past, it was a three-week class. Now we're moving to a single, 2-hour experience, making it simpler and easier to attend. 

We’re also updating our language from “Membership” to “Partnership.” We want to emphasize that we are not just joining a church — we are linking arms in mission together, using our gifts to help connect people to Jesus. 

Our new Growth Track Class will be on January 25 from 10:00 AM–12:00 PM in Room 306, and childcare is provided. During this time, you’ll meet church leaders, hear who we are, share your story, and discover how you can be part of what God is doing through Woods Chapel. You’ll also have the opportunity to become an official Partner.

We believe your gifts and experiences can help us live out our mission of building a movement where all are included, accepted, and loved.

You can save your seat HERE.

Learn more about Growth Track and access the online classes HERE.

Technology is everywhere in our lives, and it can be both a great tool and a real challenge. This group creates a safe, trusted space to learn how to use technology wisely, stay alert to potential risks, and ask questions without fear of judgment. Together we'll explore the benefits, the pitfalls, and the mysteries of the digital world so you can feel more confident and secure online.

This class meets every 4th Sunday at 11 AM from September 2025 through February 2026.

Sign up HERE.

Current team members or individuals looking to get involved in serving at The Table, Clothing Closet, and Food Pantry will come together for a morning of fellowship, learning, and aligning our resources to make an impact in 2026!

Join us Saturday, January 31, 9:00 AM-12:00 PM at our Raytown Campus, which is located at 5413 Blue Ridge Cutoff, Raytown, MO 64133.

Please RSVP HERE.

Our Partnership in Guatemala

Woods Chapel is excited to partner with Children’s HopeChest, an organization we’ve worked with before, now serving communities in five countries—including El Paraíso, Guatemala. Together, we’re building a long-term, relationship-based partnership focused on sustainable community development.

At the heart of this partnership are Friendships—a monthly sponsorship that supports a child’s education, health, environment, and spiritual formation, while creating a meaningful, personal connection through letter writing.

Friendship Sundays: February 1 & 8
On these Sundays, our congregation will have the opportunity to become a Friend to a child in El Paraíso. Sponsorships are $45/month, and children in the community will choose their HopeChest Friend—honoring dignity and deepening connection. We need at least 75 Friends to begin; 105 Friends will enable full programming in the community.

Looking ahead, Woods Chapel will also:

• Participate in partner visits to Guatemala, focused on relationships and meeting your HopeChest Friend

• Support key community projects like clean water access, medical care, and improved facilities

• Celebrate a Match Party later this winter, when children choose their Friends

Our first partner trip to Guatemala is planned for summer 2026.

This is more than sponsorship—it’s friendship, partnership, and a shared journey of hope.

I WANT TO BE A FRIEND! SIGN UP HERE.

Are you new to Woods Chapel and want to meet the staff? Join us after services for a time to meet the pastors of Woods Chapel! Bring your questions and hear about the mission of connecting people to Jesus Christ by building a movement where all are included, accepted, and loved. There will be some light snacks and a chance to meet other new people at the church.

Located in Room 306.

You’re invited to Soul Sisters every first Monday of the month in Room 323 from 5:00-7:00 PM.

Loving someone who struggles with addiction can be heavy, confusing, and sometimes isolating. You should not be going through this alone.

We meet every first Monday to share the journey, and offer understanding, encouragement, and hope. This is a safe place to talk, listen, and connect with others who truly understand.

Sign up HERE.

On the first Saturday of each month, we will meet at Woods Chapel Church at 10:00 AM to assemble sack lunches as a community. We will then go out and deliver to those in need in the community. Come and join us for community and learn how to serve together as a group!

Sign up HERE.

If you have any questions, please contact Adam Dean.

Check out our Lent Study Kickoff after each service on February 8 to find the perfect group for you during the season of Lent!

We believe people grow best in community. Community, though, doesn’t happen just on Sunday mornings. It happens in homes, coffee shops, and restaurants! Small Groups focus on sharing, accountability, caring, discussion, praying, and doing life together.

Our Partnership in Guatemala

Woods Chapel is excited to partner with Children’s HopeChest, an organization we’ve worked with before, now serving communities in five countries—including El Paraíso, Guatemala. Together, we’re building a long-term, relationship-based partnership focused on sustainable community development.

At the heart of this partnership are Friendships—a monthly sponsorship that supports a child’s education, health, environment, and spiritual formation, while creating a meaningful, personal connection through letter writing.

Friendship Sundays: February 1 & 8
On these Sundays, our congregation will have the opportunity to become a Friend to a child in El Paraíso. Sponsorships are $45/month, and children in the community will choose their HopeChest Friend—honoring dignity and deepening connection. We need at least 75 Friends to begin; 105 Friends will enable full programming in the community.

Looking ahead, Woods Chapel will also:

• Participate in partner visits to Guatemala, focused on relationships and meeting your HopeChest Friend

• Support key community projects like clean water access, medical care, and improved facilities

• Celebrate a Match Party later this winter, when children choose their Friends

Our first partner trip to Guatemala is planned for summer 2026.

This is more than sponsorship—it’s friendship, partnership, and a shared journey of hope.

I WANT TO BE A FRIEND! SIGN UP HERE.

Everyone is welcome—whether you're thinking about being baptized yourself, considering it for a family member, or just want to learn more.

In this class, we will talk about what baptism represents and why it matters in our faith journey. Across different Christian traditions, baptism holds different meanings, and we’ll take time to reflect on how we, as United Methodists, understand this sacred and grace-filled act.

Baptism is offered during our regular worship services and also during our special Lake Baptism event in early September. If you want to know about its purpose, power, or its place in your life, this class is a great place to start!

Room 305.

Sign up HERE.

In honor of the Winter Olympics, we will be having a Winter Olympics themed youth group on Sunday, February 15! We will also be having an extended worship time after.

A tournament inspired by our very own ping pong champion, Adam Dean. Guaranteed to be a blast! No sign up required, just show up with your best ping pong gear.

Join us for Creation Care 103 as we welcome Tracy Twombly of Sow Wild Natives Nursery for an inspiring and practical evening. Tracy will share why native plants matter and how what we choose to plant in our own yards can make a powerful difference.

As people who care deeply about protecting God’s beautiful creation, we’re always looking for ways to live that out right where we are. This event will help you see how your backyard can become part of a healthier, more hopeful ecosystem. Native plants support local wildlife, strengthen resilient ecosystems, reduce pollution, and even save water and money.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just getting started, you’ll leave encouraged and equipped to care for creation in meaningful, tangible ways.

📅 February 16
⏰ 6:30 PM

Mark your calendars—we can’t wait to see you there!

Join us on February 18 as we celebrate Ash Wednesday. We will be offering the following options:

7:30 AM - 9:00 AM: Drive-Up Ashes & Prayer + Communion

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM: Come & Go Ashes + Communion

• Free cookies and hot cocoa will be available in the Coffee Bar during the Come & Go Ashes from 6:00-7:30 PM.

What is Ash Wednesday? It’s the first day of Lent, which is the forty-day period leading up to Easter. For centuries, it’s been a special time for followers of Jesus to take care of some spiritual business that sometimes doesn’t get taken care of during the rest of the year.

Why ashes? Ashes are an ancient symbol to remind us of two things: First, our mortality (from dust you came and to dust you return). Knowing this reminds us to make the most of our days by living out the great commandment and great commission—Love God, love people, and share the Good News of Jesus in all we say and do.

Secondly, ashes remind us to repent. The idea is to use the days between Ash Wednesday and Easter to do some spiritual housekeeping--a spiritual spring cleaning. Just like with your home, you take time to clean all the dirty nooks and crannies, the closets where junk accumulates, and the spare room where stuff gets dumped. Spiritually speaking, we tend to collect habits, hurts, and hang-ups that cloud our lives, impede our relationships, smudge our minds, and distract our souls. We should do some clean-up work with God’s grace and guidance so that Easter can be a new, fresh, and clean beginning.

During the students’ usual Wednesday small group time, they’ll meet in the Coffee Bar, receive ashes, and talk about the meaning of Ash Wednesday.

Give hope. Give blood.

Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. It is essential for surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses, and traumatic injuries. Whether a patient receives whole blood, red cells, platelets, or plasma, this lifesaving care starts with one person making a generous donation. 

Date: 2/19/2025
Start Time: 10:00 AM
End Time: 2:00 PM
Where: Woods Chapel United Methodist Church, Lecture Hall

Sign up HERE.

Technology is everywhere in our lives, and it can be both a great tool and a real challenge. This group creates a safe, trusted space to learn how to use technology wisely, stay alert to potential risks, and ask questions without fear of judgment. Together we'll explore the benefits, the pitfalls, and the mysteries of the digital world so you can feel more confident and secure online.

This class meets every 4th Sunday at 11 AM from September 2025 through February 2026.

Sign up HERE.

Our WC Students and WC Kids are working with Something to Eat to make a bigger impact for hunger in 2026! Join us on February 28 for a city-wide meal packing event to supply area pantries with thousands of shelf-stable meals.

The WC Students will meet at 9:00 AM at the SMB then serve at the food packing event. Pick up at the SMB at 1:30 PM.

This city-wide meal-packing event will be a large, unified effort to fight food insecurity in Kansas City. In one weekend, we’ll pack thousands of meals for our neighbors, living out Jesus' call to serve in Matthew 25, "Whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did for me...." 

This event is about more than just one day - it's about growing our compassion to serve others as a way of life.

LOCATED: Summit Trail Middle School, 22201 W 118th St, Olathe, KS 66061

Ages three and up can participate!  Invite your grandparents, family, and friends to serve with you!  

Sign up HERE by January 30.

2026 Prom Boutique:

March 4: 1 PM-7 PM

March 5: Closed

March 6: 1 PM-7 PM

March 7: 9 AM-1 PM

Details: FREE! Over 1,000 Dresses, shoes, accessories, suits & tuxedos to choose from. All sizes and styles are available.

We are also accepting dresses, accessories, and suit donations.

What we accept: prom dresses, prom-appropriate shoes, purses, jewelry, shape-wear, men's tuxedos and suits, dress shirts, ties, and shoes.

You may drop off donations at the location and times below:

Monday - Thursday from 9 AM to 4 PM

Sundays from 8 AM to 12 PM

4725 NE Lakewood Way

Lee's Summit, MO 64064

There are several ways to get involved in the Prom Boutique. You can find all of the serving opportunities HERE.

2026 Prom Boutique:

March 4: 1 PM-7 PM

March 5: Closed

March 6: 1 PM-7 PM

March 7: 9 AM-1 PM

Details: FREE! Over 1,000 Dresses, shoes, accessories, suits & tuxedos to choose from. All sizes and styles are available.

We are also accepting dresses, accessories, and suit donations.

What we accept: prom dresses, prom-appropriate shoes, purses, jewelry, shape-wear, men's tuxedos and suits, dress shirts, ties, and shoes.

You may drop off donations at the location and times below:

Monday - Thursday from 9 AM to 4 PM

Sundays from 8 AM to 12 PM

4725 NE Lakewood Way

Lee's Summit, MO 64064

There are several ways to get involved in the Prom Boutique. You can find all of the serving opportunities HERE.

2026 Prom Boutique:

March 4: 1 PM-7 PM

March 5: Closed

March 6: 1 PM-7 PM

March 7: 9 AM-1 PM

Details: FREE! Over 1,000 Dresses, shoes, accessories, suits & tuxedos to choose from. All sizes and styles are available.

We are also accepting dresses, accessories, and suit donations.

What we accept: prom dresses, prom-appropriate shoes, purses, jewelry, shape-wear, men's tuxedos and suits, dress shirts, ties, and shoes.

You may drop off donations at the location and times below:

Monday - Thursday from 9 AM to 4 PM

Sundays from 8 AM to 12 PM

4725 NE Lakewood Way

Lee's Summit, MO 64064

There are several ways to get involved in the Prom Boutique. You can find all of the serving opportunities HERE.

Let’s face it, there’s a lot happening here at Woods Chapel, and it can be hard to know where to jump in. Growth Track is the perfect next step. It helps us get to know you, and it helps you discover the groups and serving opportunities that are a great fit for your gifts and story. 

This year, we’re making a change to how we offer Growth Track. In the past, it was a three-week class. Now we're moving to a single, 2-hour experience, making it simpler and easier to attend. 

We’re also updating our language from “Membership” to “Partnership.” We want to emphasize that we are not just joining a church — we are linking arms in mission together, using our gifts to help connect people to Jesus. 

Our next Growth Track Class will be on March 22 from 10:00 AM–12:00 PM in Room 306, and childcare is provided. During this time, you’ll meet church leaders, hear who we are, share your story, and discover how you can be part of what God is doing through Woods Chapel. You’ll also have the opportunity to become an official Partner.

We believe your gifts and experiences can help us live out our mission of building a movement where all are included, accepted, and loved.

You can save your seat HERE.

Learn more about Growth Track and access the online classes HERE.