Unexpected // Woodstock City Church

Unexpected Community

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 11:45:00 GMT

Speakers: Elaine Scott, Meg Davidson, Lily Mann, and Steen Jones

In the final episode of the Unexpected series, Elaine is joined by Meg Davidson, Steen Jones, and Lily Mann for a candid group conversation about how God uses relationships to meet us in life’s most unexpected seasons.

The conversation explores what community actually looks like in real life. How to take a first step when you have been burned before. How to pursue connection when you feel too busy, too tired, or too guarded. They also discuss how community can look different depending on season, personality, and capacity, from small groups to serving, mentoring, and simply showing up consistently.

This conversation is for anyone feeling alone, hesitant to try again, or unsure where they fit. It is a reminder that while the unexpected may change our lives forever, we were never meant to walk through it by ourselves.

For more information or to experience other talks, videos and events, visit us online at www.woodstockcity.org

Unexpected Forgiveness

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 11:30:00 GMT

Speakers: Elaine Scott and Meg Davidson

In this episode of Unexpected, Elaine sits down with Meg Davidson for a raw and thoughtful conversation about forgiveness when the harm is real, ongoing, and deeply personal.

In this conversation, Meg reframes forgiveness not as a moment or a moral checkbox, but as a posture. She shares how forgiveness is not about minimizing harm, forgetting the past, or restoring unsafe relationships. Instead, it is an internal, ongoing decision to release the debt someone owes you while still maintaining wisdom, boundaries, and self-protection.

Throughout the episode, Meg speaks candidly about the damage caused by well-meaning but poorly timed spiritual advice, especially when forgiveness is demanded instead of modeled. She reflects on how pressure to “forgive immediately” once kept her from faith altogether, and how presence, patience, and trust ultimately opened the door to healing and belief.

This episode is for anyone struggling to forgive someone who still has access to their life, anyone carrying old wounds into new seasons, or anyone who has wondered if forgiveness is even possible after deep betrayal. It is an honest reminder that forgiveness is not about excusing the past, but about choosing freedom, truth, and healing one step at a time.

For more information or to experience other talks, videos and events, visit us online at www.woodstockcity.org

Unexpected Loss

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 11:15:00 GMT

Speakers: Elaine Scott and Lily Mann

In this episode of Unexpected, Elaine sits down with Lily Mann for a thoughtful and deeply moving conversation about loss, grief, and learning how to move forward without rushing the process.

Throughout the conversation, Lily shares about losing family members at a young age and she reflects on what grief really is, and what it is not. She speaks candidly about the pressure she felt to hold everything together, the exhaustion that followed, and the moment she realized she could no longer carry grief alone. Lily also opens up about the role counseling played in her healing, the importance of allowing joy and sorrow to coexist, and how grief continues to change as life moves forward.

This episode is for anyone walking through loss, supporting someone who is grieving, or wondering how to move forward when life no longer resembles what they hoped for. It is an honest reminder that grief does not disappear, but it can become a companion rather than an enemy, and that healing often begins with permission to feel, rest, and trust again.

For more information or to experience other talks, videos and events, visit us online at www.woodstockcity.org

Unexpected Blessing

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 11:00:00 GMT

Speakers: Elaine Scott and Steen Jones

In this first episode of the Unexpected series, Elaine sits down with her longtime friend and teammate, Steen Jones, for an honest and deeply personal conversation about life when it does not go according to plan.

In this episode, Steen shares what a hard parenting season really looked like behind the scenes. The impact on her marriage, the constant weight of caregiving, learning when to push and when to release control, and the quiet decisions that helped them stay connected instead of growing resentful. She shares how counseling, assuming the best in one another, and extending grace became lifelines, not just for surviving the hard years, but for building the joyful, connected family they experience today.

This conversation is for anyone walking through an unexpected season. For parents, couples, caregivers, and anyone wondering if the hard part will ever end. It is a reminder that even in the fog, God is present, working quietly, and often preparing something far better than we can see in the moment.

For more information or to experience other talks, videos and events, visit us online at www.woodstockcity.org

Invited: A Few Final Thoughts

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 09:00:00 GMT

Guilt-Free Quiet Times: 7 Myths about Your Devotional Time with God by Emily E. Ryan

Check out the website for our women's ministry at Woodstock City Church at www.woodstockcity.org/wc-women. There, you can sign up to get a text reminder when we release new resources and events for women!

Invited: God and Our Wiring, Part 2

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 09:00:00 GMT

This episode is part two on how our temperament, the way God wired us, can shape our relationship with Him. Today's conversation focuses on the deep blue, or melancholy, temperament and the delightful yellow, or sanguine, temperament. We'll learn from our two guests how their wiring plays into their relationship with God along with temperament expert, Kathleen Edelman.

Website: https://isaidyouheard.com
Instagram: @kathleenedelman
Facebook: I Said This, You Heard That
LinkedIn: Kathleen Edelman

People can buy the books on Amazon: I Said This, You Heard That 2025 Edition
A Grown-Up's Guide To Kids' Wiring
I Said This, You Heard That App can be found in the App Store.

Check out the website for our women's ministry at Woodstock City Church at www.woodstockcity.org/wc-women. There, you can sign up to get a text reminder when we release new resources and events for women!

Invited: God and Our Wiring, Part 1

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 09:00:00 GMT

This episode is part one on how our temperament, the way God wired us, can shape our relationship with Him. Today's conversation focuses on the powerful red, or choleric, temperament and the peaceful green, or phlegmatic, temperament. We'll learn from our two guests how their wiring plays into their relationship with God, along with temperament expert, Kathleen Edelman.
Website: https://isaidyouheard.com Instagram: @kathleenedelman Facebook: I Said This, You Heard That LinkedIn: Kathleen Edelman People can buy the books on Amazon: I Said This, You Heard That 2025 Edition A Grown-Up's Guide To Kids' Wiring I Said This, You Heard That App can be found in the App Store.
Check out the website for our women's ministry at Woodstock City Church at www.woodstockcity.org/wc-women. There, you can sign up to get a text reminder when we release new resources and events for women!

Invited: Sacred Pathway: Wonder

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 09:00:00 GMT

This episode is the final conversation on spiritual pathways. Listen to this chat about the three Contemplation pathways alongside our guest and our host Elaine who is also a contemplative!
https://woodstockcity.org/spiritual-pathways-assessment, Sacred Pathways by Gary Thomas, My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers, The Attributes of God by Daily Grace Co.
Check out the website for our women's ministry at Woodstock City Church at www.woodstockcity.org/wc-women. There, you can sign up to get a text reminder when we release new resources and events for women!

Invited: Sacred Pathway: Contemplative

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 09:00:00 GMT

This episode is part two of an exploration of spiritual pathways and how they help us connect with God in ways that speak to our hearts most. Listen to this chat about the three Contemplation pathways alongside our guest and our host Elaine who is also a contemplative!
https://woodstockcity.org/spiritual-pathways-assessment, Sacred Pathways by Gary Thomas, Mepkin Abbey Retreat Center (mepkinabbey.org), Women of the Word: How to Study the Bible with Both Our Hearts and Our Minds by Jen Wilkin, How to Read the Bible by David Platt, Blue Letter Bible App/website, Pause App by John Eldredge, Bible Study Fellowship (BSF), Present Over Perfect by Shauna Neiquist, Dwell Audio Bible App
Check out the website for our women's ministry at Woodstock City Church at www.woodstockcity.org/wc-women. There, you can sign up to get a text reminder when we release new resources and events for women!

Invited: Sacred Pathway: Action

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 09:00:10 GMT

This episode is part one of an exploration of the ways that our spiritual pathways can impact how we spend time with God. Knowing your pathway could help you discover why specific modes of communing with God feel more natural to you than others. Listen to our conversation about the three Action pathways with our guest, who represents all three!
https://woodstockcity.org/spiritual-pathways-assessment, Sacred Pathways by Gary Thomas
Check out the website for our women's ministry at Woodstock City Church at www.woodstockcity.org/wc-women. There, you can sign up to get a text reminder when we release new resources and events for women!

Invited: Toss the Baggage! Part 2

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 09:10:00 GMT

This episode is part two of a conversation that debunks three more myths when it comes to spending time with God. If you've ever felt pressure to meet specific standards in your quiet time, listen to the rest of the chat with our guest and release those expectations!
Check out the website for our women's ministry at Woodstock City Church at www.woodstockcity.org/wc-women. There, you can sign up to get a text reminder when we release new resources and events for women!

Invited: Toss the Baggage! Part 1

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 09:00:00 GMT

This episode is part one of a conversation that debunks three common myths when it comes to spending time with God. If you've ever struggled with doing your quiet time in just the "right" way, listen in on this conversation with our guest and drop that baggage!
Check out the website for our women's ministry at Woodstock City Church at www.woodstockcity.org/wc-women. There, you can sign up to get a text reminder when we release new resources and events for women!

Invited: Have a Plan

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 09:00:00 GMT

This episode unpacks one of the biggest issues we face when it comes to spending time with God: we need a plan! Maybe we've made it too complicated or too simple, or we simply don't know where to start. Listen to my chat with our two guests with very different but equally fulfilling approaches to planning their time with God.
The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren, Jesus Calling by Sarah Young, Habits of the Household by Justin Whitmel Earley, Lectio 365 App for daily reading plans, Daily Hope Emails (pastorrick.com/devotional), shereadstruth.com, thebiblerecap.com, bibleproject.com, practicingtheway.org.
Check out the website for our women's ministry at Woodstock City Church at www.woodstockcity.org/wc-women. There, you can sign up to get a text reminder when we release new resources and events for women!

Invited: Taking Action on Distraction

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 09:00:00 GMT

This episode focuses on how our distracted minds prevent us from focusing on God. But what if we're not as powerless over our minds as we think? Join us as we learn from our 2 guests how to take action when it comes to distraction!
youversion.com (NLT dramatized version)
Check out the website for our women's ministry at Woodstock City Church at www.woodstockcity.org/wc-women. There, you can sign up to get a text reminder when we release new resources and events for women!

Invited: Busyness

Mon, 28 Jul 2025 09:00:00 GMT

This episode tackles the ways busyness keeps us from spending time with God. No matter what your packed schedule looks like, join me and my very busy guest as we explore how to enjoy connecting with God even when your time is limited.
thebiblerecap.com dwellapp.io
Check out the website for our women's ministry at Woodstock City Church at www.woodstockcity.org/wc-women. There, you can sign up to get a text reminder when we release new resources and events for women!

Invited: Conference Recap

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 09:00:00 GMT

This episode is a recap of the Invited Conference. Listeners will hear the content from that evening, discovering three benefits available to us when we spend time with God.
Check out the website for our women's ministry at Woodstock City Church at www.woodstockcity.org/wc-women. There, you can sign up to get a text reminder when we release new resources and events for women!

Invited: Series & Concept

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 08:00:00 GMT

In this episode, listeners will meet the host, and learn about the concept and content for the Invited series.