01/10/2026
JANUARY NEWSLETTER & UPDATE
Dearest friends and supporters,
“Church” today looks different than it did 50, 20, 10 and even five years ago. As we enter 2026, The Sanctuary at Woodville is humbled to serve the needs of the body of Christ and our area community in an ever-evolving ministry climate.
Once a traditional church for nearly 200 years, our building now welcomes some 100 different people through our doors every week — but they aren’t all coming for a traditional Sunday service, as was once the case. These individuals include seeking Christians for individual and group “Quiet Days”, conferences & retreats, worship and prayer services, as well as members of our community of all walks and faiths for outreaches such as Alcoholics Anonymous, counseling, piano lessons, exercise classes and more.
We help to enhance the experiences and retreats of our guests. As one woman who recently created and led an Advent retreat at our building wrote to us, “Your hospitality, food, and welcoming space created the perfect atmosphere for the retreat; the feedback I received for all three was unanimously positive. I couldn't have done the retreat without you.”
In this modern time, it remains our Spirit-led mission to serve as a pillar of the community. To love and serve one another as Christ taught us. To “Be still, and know that I am God” — Psalm 46:10.
In this new year of 2026, we continue to seek to walk forward boldly into what God has for us, how to best serve others using this wonderful space that the Lord has gifted us with to share with YOU.
As is the case for many ministries, funds are extremely limited and tight. While we are in need of financial support, we know that God’s Kingdom is so much bigger than our dollars and cents. Not
everyone is able or called to make monetary donations, so we ask that you might prayerfully consider giving in other ways — through your time by volunteering to help serve at retreats, to help keep up our facilities through cleaning and maintenance, to briefly meet with newcomers to “pray in” guests at Quiet Days, and more.
Should you feel called to give financially, we are seeking to raise $4,500 to help us close our year end budget shortfall to support our ministry efforts moving forward. These funds will help us
continue by God’s grace to keep our lights on, to grow our ministry and offer the space back to you and others with the purpose of going deeper with God and loving the community. We also have some lingering financial needs related to our Community Room repair following the tree damage to our building last spring (see blow). You can donate at SanctuaryAtWoodville.org/Donate or mail a check to PO Box 155, Woodville, MA 01784.
Whether the Lord provides us with one dollar or one million dollars, our desire will stay the same: to best use our available resources to serve God, God’s people and His Kingdom.
We hope your Christmas and holiday seasons were blessed with God’s graces. We are extremely grateful for each and every one of you!
Happy New Year and blessings,
Gethin Coolbaugh & The Sanctuary leadership
P.S. WE NEED YOUR HELP
Last March, a large tree crashed through the roof of our Community Room during a wind storm. By God’s grace, no one was hurt despite people being in the building at the time. That room is the most historic part of the building and was built
with traditional post and beam construction. The building inspector said that style of construction helped avoid the need for a complete demolition — and that the prayers in this place are working!
While the building has been re-constructed by God’s grace and the Community Room is now functional again, there are still some remaining financial needs to cover non-insured expenses and preventative tree removal on the property.
We need an additional $3,500 to cover the costs of the tree removal and the rebuilding of the exterior 32-foot rock wall that is structurally integral to the property just behind the building (it was partially knocked down when the tree fell).
Your prayerful consideration is appreciated. If led to give, you can donate via cash, check (payable to “Sanctuary at Woodville,” PO Box 155, Woodville MA 01784) or via PayPal/Venmo at SanctuaryAtWoodville.org/Donate. Please denote “Tree/Rock Wall Fund” in your donation.
