It really was a great time away in beautiful surroundings, with more quality time to really focus on the Lord and what He wanted to say to us.   Lee Abbey is such a special place and has been used for over 70 years in the Lord’s service to bless many people.  The Community that lives and works there are an amazing group, who looked after us and fed us so well!  But also ministered to us in worship leading, pastoral input and just each of them wanting to be used by the Lord to

Grief changes us. Whether a loss is recent or many years ago, the death of someone important can leave questions, pain and emotions that feel hard to name, let alone share. After Easter, Emmanuel will be running The Bereavement Journey, a nationally recognised programme that offers a gentle, thoughtful space to explore loss, grief and the impact bereavement has on our lives. Through a series of short films, honest stories and guided group conversations, participants are suppo

A Rocha, the charity who run eco church, have a calendar of monthly eco activities to help us appreciate the beauty and diversity of creation, think about how we can reduce our impact, and how we can improve our local environment For January, you are invited to take part in the RSPB  Big Garden Bird Watch. The RSPB’s Big Garden Birdwatch (Friday 23-Sunday 25 January) is the world’s largest garden wildlife survey! Last year, nearly 600,000 people took part and over nine millio

It is an incredibly exciting time to be part of Emmanuel. We are seeing God move in wonderful ways, with our worshipping community growing to over 200 people and our home groups now supporting 120 members. However, being "a light to the city" in 2025 brings with it a new set of healthy pressures. As we grow, we have reached a strategic "inflection point" where our current resources are stretched to their limit. The Reality of Our Growth  For nearly three years, we have been o

Do you remember the first time you stepped into a church? It might have been a long time ago or only last week, but that feeling is memorable. What should I do? Where do I sit - not in someone else’s seat! Who will I talk to? So why are churches such intimidating places? Once over the threshold, how can we help people begin to feel the love of Jesus and the warmth of his people? As a Church Warden here at Emmanuel, I’ve watched people arrive, looking anxious and a bit lost, u

In our The God Who Sees  series we have been encountering God in some of the most human and vulnerable places in the Bible. Two weeks ago we watched Hagar in the wilderness, alone and afraid, meet the Angel of the Lord who sees her. Last week before we stood with Moses at the burning bush and saw that same divine presence that does not simply speak for God but is  God to Moses. In both scenes, God shows himself to those who are afraid, confused or uncertain about their purpos

and the Christmas Story continues... Thank you to everyone who helped make Christmas at Emmanuel Church possible. To those who served tea, mulled wine, and mince pies, to carol singers, welcomers, and everyone who gave time, energy, and creativity—you made it all happen. Because of you, thousands were able to gather, sing, reflect, and celebrate the good news of Jesus’ birth. Your service and generosity brought warmth, joy, and welcome to so many across the city. Together we

Ordered for Growth Together Have you ever wondered what it looks like for a church to grow well, faithfully, and together? At Emmanuel, we are seeing God at work in exciting ways, and we want to celebrate it—and reflect on what comes next. Vision Sunday on the 18th January is a chance to join us as we explore how a growing church responds to the opportunities and challenges God brings. We will look at Acts 6, when the early church, guided by prayer and wisdom, faced the pres

There is something profoundly beautiful about being truly seen. Not just noticed in a crowd or acknowledged with a polite nod, but deeply, truly known. Recently, over fifty of us gathered at The Well , a prayer space here at Emmanuel designed for that very purpose: to pause, breathe, and meet Jesus. I was moved to tears reading the reflections left behind. One person spoke of letting go of past trauma; another felt a heavy burden of anxiety lift; many simply savoured the "oas

📅 Tuesdays, Starting 13th Jan 2026 🕙 2:00pm - 4:00pm 📍 Emmanuel Church What's it all about ? What is Kintsugi Hope – A Journey of Healing and Hope Kintsugi Hope is a 10 week wellbeing journey that partners with churches across the UK to offer a safe, welcoming space where people can explore emotional, relational, and spiritual health. The name comes from the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with seams of gold. The idea is simple but powerful — when brokenness is me

The Well at Emmanuel: A space for encounter, restoration and mission Over fifty people recently stepped into The Well, a prayer space inspired by Jesus’ meeting with the Samaritan woman in John 4. It was designed as a place to pause, breathe and meet the One who gives living water. The week finished with four hours of worship that carried us right up to midnight. The room included a simple well, a short film, space for confession and thanksgiving, creative prayer activities a

As we celebrate the good new of Christ’s birth, how can we remember to care for God’s creation? Average carbon emissions for a person in the UK are 22kg per day but average Christmas Day emissions in UK are 513kg per person! ( The Guardian 24 th December 2024- interesting article if you want to read more: The average Briton causes 23 times more CO2 on Christmas Day) Here are a few ideas of how we can reduce the impact of our celebrations on the planet. While some of them ma

Plymouth is Growing – and So Are Its Universities! Did you know Plymouth’s student population is set to grow by 22% over the next 15 years? By 2040, more than 25,000 students will be studying at the city’s three universities — Arts University Plymouth, Plymouth Marjon University, and the University of Plymouth. One of the people helping to shape this exciting future is Professor Claire Taylor, Vice- Chancellor of Marjon University. Claire, who became Vice-Chancellor in 2023,

As we get ready for advent, how can we reduce the impact we have on the planet? Advent is the time to prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ and Colossians 1:15-17 tells us The Son is the firstborn over creation and all things were created through him. So how could we celebrate this season in a way that cares for creation? Ideas for a greener advent: Advent calendars have become increasingly commercial and plastic. Consider either a traditional paper advent calendar, or a

A prayer space at Emmanuel What is ‘The Well’? A prayer space at Emmanuel from Monday 17 to Friday 21 November from 6am to 10pm, for personal encounter with Jesus and transformation by the Holy Spirit.  Why ‘The Well’? 12 people recently met to pray at Emmanuel and received a vision of the well in John 4, where the Samaritan woman encounters Jesus and is transformed. She then invites everyone to come and see him. How can I take part? By spending an hour alone with God at The

Excellent. Then why not join us as we travel around the local care homes, bringing joy and celebration to our cherished residents. Click the care home to register your interest... Where ? Date ? Time ? Greenacres Thurs 4th Dec 2.00pm Seymour Court Fri 5th Dec 11.00am Chatsworth House Fri 12th Dec 2.00pm Hartley Park Wed 17th Dec 11.00am Thorn Park Wed 17th Dec 2.00pm Charlton House Fri 18th Dec 1.30pm QR codes available at the back of church for speedy registration. Just ask

Emmanuel's Flower Ministry presents a wonderful opportunity to glorify God, to celebrate and remember, and to bless the people in our church family and local community. Flower arrangements can be sponsored in memory of a loved one, to commemorate a happy event, or simply as a gift to the church family. When you sponsor the flowers, you will be given the opportunity to suggest a colour scheme, and to write a short message of dedication to be featured in the weekly Lamp Post.

We’ve been loving a new worship song at Emmanuel recently – “Jesus Name Above All Names”  by KXC. If you haven’t heard it yet, you can listen here: 🎧   Watch on YouTube Where it comes from The song draws from one of the most powerful passages in Scripture – Philippians 2:9–11 , where Paul writes that God exalted Jesus and gave him “the name above every name,” and that every knee should bow  and every tongue confess  that Jesus Christ is Lord. It’s a song that doesn’t shy awa

October 2025 Last week there was a breaking-the-ground ceremony for the new Church Army Centre in Nairobi, which Emmanuel are helping to fund. The bishop of Nairobi, the Rt. Rev. Jonathan Kabiru, wielded a pickaxe on the first trench for the foundations. It is expected that the project will be completed by this time next year. Meanwhile we hope to visit and see its progress and then be on site for the opening ceremony. Church Army Africa (CAA) have decided to call the new bui

Christmas Table – Volunteer Roles This Christmas Day, we’re opening our doors for Christmas Table  — a festive meal for anyone who would...