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This year has not been short on examples of failure. Angela Rayner lost her job after the stamp duty fallout. Kier Starmer dismissed Peter Mandelson over his ties to Epstein. Leaders stumble, excuses fly, and the headlines move on. The pattern is familiar: something goes wrong, the instinct to protect reputation kicks in, and blame is quickly shifted elsewhere. But if we’re honest, it’s not just politicians. It’s us. In our own lives—at work, in families, in church—failure comes knocking. Mistakes are made, words are spoken too quickly, things slip through the cracks. And more often than not, our first reaction is the same: hide, defend, explain away. It feels safer than honesty. Yet the truth is, failure is part of being human. And what matters is not that it happens, but how we respond when it does. The First Response When mistakes surface, our natural instinct is rarely the healthiest one. We excuse ourselves, point fingers, or retreat. It’s uncomfortable to admit weakness. But in those very moments, an opportunity lies hidden. Instead of scrambling to protect our pride, what if we learned to pause, reflect, and grow? At Emmanuel, we’ve been exploring a different pattern. A way of responding that doesn’t ignore mistakes, but turns them into building blocks: Give Thanks – not for the failure itself, but for God’s presence with us even in it. Gratitude re-centres our perspective. Ask for Guidance – slowing down long enough to invite God to show us what really happened and what could be different next time. Reflect on Feelings – honestly naming the frustration, disappointment, or shame rather than burying it. Seek Forgiveness & Give Thanks – owning our part, making amends if needed, and receiving grace afresh. Look Forward – choosing not to stay stuck in regret, but stepping out with new hope and clarity. Not Just Triumphs In life, it’s easy to share our triumphs. The new job, the exam result, the project that worked. But real strength is found when we also share our failures—with trusted friends, with church family, with God. Accountability is uncomfortable, but it’s also liberating. To say, “This is where I went wrong, and this is what I’m learning,” is to let failure shape us rather than shame us. A Community That Learns Together What would it look like for Emmanuel to be a church where failure isn’t final? A place where it’s safe to admit mistakes without fear of being written off. A place where people ask each other not just, “What’s going well?” but also, “What didn’t go as planned, and what might God be teaching you through it?” Because the truth is, failure will always be part of our story. But in God’s hands, it’s never wasted. It becomes formation. It grows humility. It builds resilience. And most of all, it draws us closer to the One whose strength is made perfect in our weakness. As we look ahead, our challenge is not to pretend perfection, but to walk in honesty. To give thanks, seek guidance, reflect, forgive, and move forward. To carry one another not just through the wins, but through the losses too. And to remember: the real mistake isn’t failing. The real mistake is refusing to learn.

Can you recall what you were doing on September 11th, 2001, at about 1.45pm? Each year, as the calendar turns to September 11th, hearts across the world recall the horrific scenes of that day when acts of terror claimed the lives of thousands and scarred countless others. For Christians, the anniversary of 9/11 is not only a day of remembrance, but also an invitation to reflect upon how faith in Christ shapes our response to tragedy, loss, and the ongoing realities of violence in the world.   Scripture consistently calls God’s people to remember. Israel was instructed to set aside memorials so that future generations would not forget either God’s deliverance or human suffering. To remember the events of 9/11 is to honour those whose lives were cut short, to hold in prayer the families who still grieve, and to stand alongside survivors who continue to carry wounds both visible and hidden. Christian remembrance is never cold recollection; it is rooted in compassion, a willingness to share in another’s burden. The anniversary inevitably raises questions of justice, anger, and the desire for retribution. Many struggled—and still struggle—with Jesus’ command to forgive “seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22) . Forgiveness does not excuse wrongdoing or diminish evil, but it does prevent hatred from taking root in the heart. As Christians, we are called to seek the difficult path of forgiving those who harm us, entrusting ultimate judgment to God. This calling remains deeply countercultural in the face of terror, yet it is the path Christ himself walked on the cross. Remembering 9/11 also compels Christians to renew their commitment to peacemaking. The Beatitudes remind us: “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9) . On this anniversary, believers should ask: how can we contribute to reconciliation in our families, communities, and world? How can we ensure that cycles of hatred and division are broken rather than perpetuated? Christian remembrance is never passive; it should stir us into active pursuit of peace.   Most importantly, the anniversary must be viewed in the light of resurrection hope. Terror seeks to instil fear and despair, but Christ’s triumph over death declares that evil will not have the final word. As Christians, we do not remember 9/11 as those without hope. We entrust the dead to God’s mercy, we trust in Christ’s promise of eternal life, and we live in the assurance that one day, God will wipe every tear from every eye (Revelation 21:4) . For Christians, the anniversary of 9/11 is not merely about recalling a past event. It is a sacred opportunity: to weep with those who weep, to practise forgiveness, to recommit ourselves to the work of peace, and to affirm the hope that is ours in Christ. In this way, remembrance becomes more than memory—it becomes an act of faith, hope, and love that points to God’s redemptive purposes even amid the darkest hours of human history.

For many people, the word trauma  conjures up images of obvious wounds: a soldier returning from war, a survivor of a devastating accident, or someone who has endured public tragedy. But not all scars are visible, and not all traumas are spoken aloud. Across our communities, countless individuals carry private burdens that remain unseen, unheard, and often misunderstood. Personal trauma does not always announce itself. It can reside quietly within a person for years, shaping the way they think, feel, and relate to others. Childhood neglect, the sudden loss of a loved one, the pain of a broken relationship, or even the accumulated weight of small, repeated humiliations—all can leave deep marks. Yet because they are not easily explained, or perhaps not deemed “serious enough” by others, these experiences are often hidden. Experts suggest that the silence surrounding trauma is one of the most damaging aspects of recovery. “People frequently minimise their pain because they fear being judged or dismissed,” explains Dr. Aisha Clarke, a clinical psychologist. “This silence isolates them further and makes healing much harder.” In everyday life, we may encounter friends, neighbours, or colleagues who appear composed, cheerful, or successful, but who are quietly wrestling with memories or feelings that never fully leave them. Their struggles may emerge only in fleeting ways—difficulty sleeping, irritability, or avoiding certain situations. Because such signs are subtle, they often go unnoticed. The hidden nature of trauma also has wider social implications. Unaddressed, it can affect relationships, workplace productivity, and community life. A society that overlooks personal pain risks perpetuating cycles of misunderstanding and loneliness. Encouragingly, conversations about mental health are becoming more open. Campaigns in schools, workplaces, and churches are helping to dismantle stigma. But real change begins with listening—not only to those who feel able to share their stories, but also to the silences that suggest something unspoken. Trauma may be hidden, but its effects are real. By fostering compassion and gentleness in our daily interactions, we can create spaces where people feel safe to bring what is hidden into the light. After all, the burdens we cannot see are often the heaviest. If some of this resonates with you, please reach out. We are here to listen.

Meet THE TEAM We are run by a dedicated team passionate about helping people grow in their faith and build strong community connections. The team includes vicars, ministry leaders, operational staff and volunteers who work together to serve the church family and wider community. Committed to biblical teaching, worship, discipleship, and outreach, they aim to reflect the love of Christ in all they do. Peter Shaw Team Rector / Vicar Holly Martin Children's & Youth Minister Kathryn McGuinness Pastoral Lead Tim Dakin Preaching / Chair of Mission Committee Pippa Brown Preaching / Leading / LLM John Phillips Chair of Finance & Treasurer Darryl Cree Vicar of St. Paul's Sally Dakin Clergy Lead at St Marys / Preaching / Leading Emmanuel Robin Brown Team Vicar / Alpha Lead Ryan Thornton Worship & Operations Intern Linda Wheeler Church Warden / Care Home Ministry Tim Lyddon Preaching / Leading / LLM Pam Edwards Churchwarden / Preaching / Leading / LLM Chris Benson Operations Support Bev Cree Parish Deacon at St Paul's and Emmanuel

Emmanuel Church, Plymouth. A light for the city. Join us for worship and community. info Services What's on A light for the City We are committed to being a visible and transformative presence in Plymouth, shining the hope of Christ into our community. Through worship, transformed lives, and compassionate outreach, we share His love and bring renewal to our city. vision LORD'S PRAYER Each week focuses on a phrase of the prayer, showing how Jesus models worship, surrender, trust and hope for His followers. sermon series ❤ STUDENTS We love to welcome students to our church community. info When We Fail: Finding the Way Forward This year has not been short on examples of failure. Angela Rayner lost her job after the stamp duty fallout. Kier Starmer dismissed... Ryan Thornton 5 days ago 2 min read Trauma Unseen For many people, the word trauma conjures up images of obvious wounds: a soldier returning from war, a survivor of a devastating... Chris Benson Sep 9 2 min read Remembering 9/11 Can you recall what you were doing on September 11th, 2001, at about 1.45pm? Each year, as the calendar turns to September 11th, hearts... Chris Benson Sep 2 2 min read more posts SIGN UP Scan to download our Church Centre App to get the most out of Emmanuel

NICE to meet you We know it can be daunting starting something new, but we are here to make sure you feel welcomed into your church community Hi, welcome to Emmanuel Church Plymouth We’re so glad you’re checking us out, and we’d love to get to know you and help you feel at home here. A great first step is signing up on our church portal – it’s the best way to stay in the loop with everything going on at Emmanuel. You can sign up for events, update your contact details and receive our weekly emails that keep you up-to-date with all that’s happening. We also run newcomers events, which are a great opportunity to meet some of the team and others who are new to Emmanuel. You can also join a Connect Group or one of our serving teams – both brilliant ways to build friendships and get involved in church life. If you’ve got any questions, feel free to drop us an email – we’d love to hear from you and help you get connected. SIGN UP FIRST STEPS Some simple steps to help you start your journey with us Sign up Visit Connect Attend Register on our portal Come to a service Lets get social Join an event Welcome Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. Romans 15:7