You can now attend a Kintsugi Hope session online. Dr Stephen Warren a retired GP & Kintsugi Hope ambassador is running 3 online sessions with opportunities for conversation. Kintsugi means “joining with gold”. It is a centuries-old Japanese technique for repairing pottery with seams of gold- hence the theme of restoration. Kintsugi Hope is a Christian charity promoting wellbeing. Participants are OK not to be OK and find hope through sharing together over relevant material. In each session there will be a PowerPoint presentation with opportunities for discussion and reflection. When Time: Tuesday evenings 7:20 for 7:30pm until 9pm via Zoom Sign up to any or all three subjects. 13th October "Anxiety- who cares" 27th October "Resilience-strength to carry on" 10th November "Disappointment & Loss- silence doesn't mean absence" Where For ZOOM LINK please email: stephen.warren@kintsugihope.com We advise against participation shortly after a bereavement or currently receiving support or active treatment for a mental health disorder or self-harm. Courtesy of Plymouth Christian Centre & Rediscover Church Plympton

Last Sunday, I shared a figure with our congregation that felt both sobering and clarifying: across the entire city of Plymouth, the best available estimate suggests that around 4,000 people gather to worship on any given Sunday. In a city of over 260,000, that means those actively walking in the way of Jesus on a Sunday morning represent roughly 1.5% of our population. A few days later, I gathered with fellow Anglican clergy to discuss our regional vision. Across the Church of England in Plymouth, Sunday attendance sits at around 1,100 people—just 0.4% of our city. Sitting in a room with those numbers is heavy. The sheer scale of the challenge can easily induce a quiet panic, tempting us to turn inward in a posture of self-preservation. When institutional survival becomes the main focus, we risk making "church growth" an anxious obsession—treating people as targets and numerical targets as our savior. To be honest, meetings focused on stats like these are rarely easy. Yet amidst the general gloom, something genuinely surprising emerged. A few of our more mature clergy—leaders who have served in parish ministry for decades—began sharing what they are seeing on the ground. For the first time in their ministry, they are noticing young people unexpectedly showing up, asking big questions, and exploring faith. To hear seasoned priests admit they have never seen anything quite like this brought a quiet, hopeful perspective to the room. God is quietly at work in places we aren't always looking. Long-Haul Faith: A 25-Year Horizon If we are going to serve this emerging generation well, we have to lift our eyes beyond short-term fixes and embrace a long-haul vision—a 25-year horizon. For many of us, a quarter-century vision means planting seeds under whose shade we may never personally sit. It means building for a future beyond our own lifetimes. But true Kingdom work has always been intergenerational. We are simply standard-bearers in a long relay race, called to be faithful in our leg of the journey so that those who come after us can run further. The Tipping Point in a "Village City" In his book Center Church, Tim Keller writes about reaching a cultural "tipping point." Drawing on sociology, he notes that when a committed movement reaches a critical mass, its presence begins to visibly shape the social fabric and civic health of an entire city. While large, sprawling metropolises like London or New York might need 10% or more to shift the culture, Plymouth is different. Plymouth has the soul and social density of a large village. Networks overlap at the school gates, local sports clubs, workplaces, and neighborhood streets. In a tightly connected city like ours, the tipping point is likely much lower—perhaps 3% to 5% (around 8,000 to 13,000 committed believers). If a movement of that size lives out the gospel in every pocket of Plymouth, almost every single resident would personally know, live next to, or work alongside a follower of Jesus. Recovering the "Patient Ferment" How do we move from 1.5% toward that tipping point over the next 25 years? Not through anxious marketing or heavy institutional pressure, but through what historian Alan Kreider calls a "patient ferment." In The Patient Ferment of the Early Church, Kreider explains how the early church grew from a tiny minority of 1.5% to a culture-shaping movement across the Roman Empire. They didn't do it through grand public campaigns. Instead, they focused on deep discipleship—living out an attractive, counter-cultural way of life marked by peace, radical generosity, hospitality, and sacrificial love. Their growth was subterranean, quiet, and steady. Like yeast working through dough, their patient presence transformed classical society from the inside out. Seeking the Kingdom First Over this past summer, I have been wrestling deeply with what it truly means for us at Emmanuel to be a "light to the city." Light does not force its way into a dark room, nor does it panic about its size. Light simply shines, exposes darkness, brings warmth, and changes the atmosphere by its presence. Being a light to Plymouth isn't about meeting numerical targets by a certain date; it is about the light of Jesus quietly, beautifully transforming our city through us as we seek His Kingdom first (Matthew 6:33). The surprising green shoots among our young people remind us that God is already at work. Our calling is to join Him—patiently, faithfully, and joyfully—trusting that the seeds we sow today will bear fruit for generations to come. Join the Conversation: I will be speaking much more on this vision, the early church's "patient ferment," and what it means for Emmanuel to be a light to Plymouth this Sunday evening as part of the student surf. I would love for you to join us as we pray, reflect, and look to the future together.

A Book Recommendation: 'From Genesis to Junia' by Preston Sprinkle In a world that so quickly divides and dismisses, this book offers a refreshing model for how Christians can seek wisdom, disagree well, and keep Jesus at the center. This summer I spent some time reading Preston Sprinkle’s book, From Genesis to Junia: An Honest Search for What the Bible Really Says About Women in Leadership. In it, Preston takes an honest, grace-filled walk through the whole biblical narrative. He traces the story of women from creation, through the life and ministry of Jesus, into the early church, and directly engages with the trickiest passages in Paul's letters. Beyond his conclusions, it proved to be one of the most helpful books I have read in a long time on how we can study hard, seek truth, and love each other well through difficult conversations. As a church family called to be a light to the city, the way we engage with Scripture, love one another, and process complex questions matters deeply. It impacts how we live out the life-changing good news of Jesus in Plymouth every single day. What I loved most about Sprinkle’s approach is his genuine humility. He begins his search without demanding a predetermined outcome. Instead, he walks through the overarching biblical story, from Genesis through the life of Jesus and into the early church, taking the key passages seriously and listening carefully to scholars on all sides. Most importantly, he handles the entire conversation with deep grace and kindness. It is a brilliant example of how we can seek God's truth passionately while holding love for our brothers and sisters at the very centre. Interestingly, the book has drawn thoughtful responses from across the theological spectrum. Leading scholars who disagree with his ultimate conclusions still commend his gentle, engaging, and accessible spirit. In a world that so quickly divides and dismisses, this book offers a refreshing model for how Christians can seek wisdom, disagree well, and keep Jesus at the center. While Sprinkle does eventually land on the conviction that women should exercise leadership and teaching ministry in the church, the value of this book goes far beyond its final conclusion. Whether you end up agreeing with him or not, the journey itself is immensely worthwhile. I highly recommend From Genesis to Junia  to anyone looking to dive into the Scriptures with an open heart. My prayer is that as we read, learn, and grow together, we would be a community marked by this kind of humble, hopeful, and Christ-like grace to everyone around us.

Emmanuel Church, Plymouth. A light for the city. Join us for worship and community. Hello Plan your visit A light for the City Following Jesus together as we serve Plymouth with hope, compassion, and a heart to see lives transformed. Learn More Saturday 31st October, 5pm A fun-filled evening celebrating light, hope, and the love of God Info Connect I'm New What's On Explore Alpha Gatherings Sunday: 8am - Short Traditional Book of Common Prayer Service 10:30am - A multi-generational service with groups for children and young people. 6:30pm - Relaxed worship, prayer and God’s Word Wednesday: 10:30am - Spoken Holy Communion Service. Safeguarding Your safety matters to us as a church community Info Read and Reflect Kintsugi Hope Online You can now attend a Kintsugi Hope session online. Dr Stephen Warren a retired GP & Kintsugi Hope ambassador is running 3 online sessions with opportunities for conversation. Kintsugi means “joining with gold”. It is a centuries-old Japanese technique for repairing pottery with seams of gold- hence the theme of restoration. Kintsugi Hope is a Christian charity promoting wellbeing. Participants are OK not to be OK and find hope through sharing together over relevant material. Emmanuel 3 days ago Planting Trees for a Generation We May Never See Last Sunday, I shared a figure with our congregation that felt both sobering and clarifying: across the entire city of Plymouth, the best available estimate suggests that around 4,000 people gather to worship on any given Sunday. In a city of over 260,000, that means those actively walking in the way of Jesus on a Sunday morning represent roughly 1.5% of our population. A few days later, I gathered with fellow Anglican clergy to discuss our regional vision. Across the Church Peter Shaw Sep 23 More Posts Scan the QR code to download the Church App, for more info on events, what's happening and how to get involved

Building real friendships, exploring faith, and having loads of fun along the way. Aimed at ages 11 to 17, we meet regularly for games, food, discussion, and time to dig into what it means to follow Jesus in everyday life. YOUTH Aged between 11 -17 Our youth activities are all about building real friendships, exploring faith, and having loads of fun along the way. Aimed at ages 11 to 17, we meet regularly for games, food, discussion, and time to dig into what it means to follow Jesus in everyday life. Whether you're already part of church or just curious, you’re always welcome. We create a space where everyone is valued, listened to, and encouraged and our committed team is here to support young people through every high and low. Sundays 10:30am Flames 11 to 13yrs Flames is our group for young people aged 11 to 13. We start off together in the main 10:30am service, joining the whole church family for worship. After a short time at the front to share what we’ll be up to and receive a prayer, we head over to our own group in the church hall. There, we dive into Bible-based discussions, fun activities, and time to grow in faith together. Flame re-join the main service either at the communion rail or during the final hymn if it’s a morning prayer service. Sundays 6pm Bereans 14 to 17yrs Named after the truth-seeking believers in Acts 17, Bereans is our youth group for ages 14 to 17. We begin the evening service together in church, joining in worship before heading to the youth room for our own time of teaching, discussion, and prayer. Bereans is a space where young people can explore big questions about life and faith, dig deeper into the Bible, and encourage each other in following Jesus. Whether you're confident in your faith or just curious, everyone is welcome. Wednesdays 5:30 - 7:30pm Illuminate Youth Group 11 to 17yrs Our weekly youth group is open to anyone aged 11 to 17 and meets during term time in the new youth room. It’s a relaxed, welcoming space where friendships grow and faith can be explored at your own pace. Each week we share a meal together, because good food and good conversation go hand in hand! There's time for fun and games, as well as space to chat, ask questions, and dive into meaningful discussions about life, faith, and what it means to follow Jesus today. Whether you're part of the church or just looking for a place to belong, you’re always welcome.

BEREAVEMENT JOURNEY The Bereavement Journey is for anyone who has been bereaved at any time and in any way The Bereavement Journey is an award-winning* series of films and discussion groups that gently guide people bereaved at any time through the most common aspects of grief and bereavement, enabling them to process the implications for themselves and discern next steps. The programme uniquely offers a final session on faith questions in bereavement, provided from a Christian perspective. This follows the main sessions and is optional, making The Bereavement Journey suitable for people of any faith or none. Find out more Sign up