We all use them everyday but have you ever really thought about what they are made of? I certainly hadn’t. A couple of years ago a friend gave me a ‘ Who Gives a Crap ’ bamboo toilet roll to ‘try’.The quality and effectiveness were as good as what I was normally using, but apart from that it was a loo roll in the end!   I decided to do some research. Everyday 1 million trees are cut down to make regular toilet paper. Using bamboo is more environmentally sustainable. It is reg

A space for encounter, restoration and mission Monday 30 th  March to Friday 3 rd April: 6am to 10pm Our prayer room, The Well, will reopen for the week before Easter, situated in the Oval Room at Emmanuel, accessible through the sliding glass doors. How can I take part? By spending an hour alone with God at The Well, engaging with a creative interactive prayer journey based on events of the day before the crucifixion  How can I book a timeslot? 60+ timeslots of 1 hour in Th

Worship at Emmanuel: A Heart to Serve, A Passion for Jesus One of the great privileges of our life together at Emmanuel is gathering to worship Jesus. Week by week, voices are lifted, instruments are played, and together we turn our hearts toward the living God. Worship is not a performance. It is a response. It is the people of God meeting with God. Behind this is a faithful team who serve with humility, dedication, and love. Our worship team give their time, prepare diligen

In our ongoing Lenten series, "The Cut Flower,"  we have been reflecting on the beauty of Western civilization—and the sobering reality that this beauty is fading because it has been severed from its Christian roots. If we want to see the "flower" of our society bloom again, we have to look honestly at the soil. This Sunday, we are digging deep into the difficult but necessary themes of Social Sin and Confession.  We are asking: What are the toxins in our culture that we have

Right now, our Churchwarden Pam and our Children and Youth Lead Holly are in Kenya as part of Emmanuel’s growing global friendships. Why Kenya? Over the past year, we have developed a connection through Bishop Tim, who lived and worked for many years in the Nairobi area. Through this relationship, Emmanuel is supporting Church Army Africa in the building of the new Emmanuel Centre at Carlile College. Carlile College is an education ministry of Church Army Africa. Its mission

A Lenten Journey Toward Transformation The West is often described as a "cut flower" —strikingly beautiful, yet disconnected from the soil that gave it life. As author Ayaan Hirsi Ali famously observed at the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship (ARC)  conference, we are currently enjoying the bloom of Western civilization while the stem withers, severed from the Christian heritage that once anchored our values, our ethics, and our sense of purpose. Hirsi Ali, who recently sh

Have you thought about a Carbon Fast for Lent? Eco Tip for February As we continue to explore Emmanuel being an Eco Church, here is a green  action suggestion for February. This Lent, take part in Climate Steward’s Carbon Fast. Lent is a time when Christians traditionally fast and focus on God. The Carbon Fast will help you consider ways to live more simply, give you new ideas to cut your carbon footprint and invite you to focus on God and consider the whole of his creation.

It was so good to see so many of you on Sunday. As we look at the big shifts ahead for Emmanuel, I am increasingly convinced that we cannot rely on strategic planning alone. We need a spiritual breakthrough. As I mentioned in the service, there are some challenges—spiritual and operational—that are only "broken" by prayer and fasting. Jesus himself pointed to this after his disciples struggled with a particularly difficult situation, reminding them that certain breakthroughs

“Pray without ceasing. In everything gives thanks for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  1 Thessalonians 5: 17-18. Almost two years ago when we were looking for a church to join in Plymouth I had the fortune to sign up for a walk on Dartmoor with Peter Terrell. In our discussion I mentioned the importance of finding a church where prayer was important. Peter replied: “then you should join us on Friday morning for our Early Birds prayers.” I did, and have been part

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