Since starting as Operations Manager with Emmanuel Church in July, I’ve been discovering what it means to work somewhere where God is right at the centre of everything. I do like to begin the day with a plan. Ideally, a neat one. Possibly colour-coded. A tidy to-do list, a sensible order of events, and the quiet confidence that I know roughly what is going to happen next. And then God, with perfect timing and a wonderful sense of humour, very often says, “That’s lovely, Jane, but let’s try this instead.” Emmanuel PCC is funding seven hours of my time to support St Mary’s, Laira, which is currently dealing with some serious structural and roof repairs — the sort of thing that makes you look upwards in church for both spiritual and practical reasons. Last week I arranged the very first meeting of the Friends of St Mary’s, and I was feeling quietly pleased with myself. Slides prepared? Yes. Agenda ready? Yes. Attendees invited? Yes. Refreshments sorted? Of course. I was practically glowing with administrative virtue. Then, the night before the meeting, I had a phone call asking whether the bell ringers could come at exactly the same time as the meeting. My first thought was, “Well, that will certainly add to the atmosphere.” My second thought was, “Oh it might be noisy” But in the spirit of adventure I said yes. At the start of the meeting, things began to unravel with impressive speed. The slides absolutely refused to appear on the projector screen, the bells were ringing with heroic enthusiasm, and hearing one another became less of a meeting technique and more of an extreme sport. It had all the ingredients of organised chaos — although, if I’m honest, the organised part was becoming increasingly theoretical. At that point, the only sensible options were to laugh, breathe, and pretend this had been the plan all along. And then, wonderfully, two teenage girls joined us and shared what life is like for young people in Laira. They told us where they spend time, what they enjoy, and what they would love to see locally. It was honest, helpful, and genuinely encouraging — the sort of contribution no slide deck could have improved on. So we carried on — bells, missing slides, raised voices, good humour and all — and somehow ended up having exactly the conversations we needed to have. Then, right at the end, a face appeared at the door. He had heard the bells and wondered whether he could help. It turned out he was a structural engineer who lived on the same street as the church, and he said he would be happy to offer some of his time. Honestly, you could not make it up. My carefully planned meeting had been cheerfully hijacked by bell ringing, technical failure, teenage honesty, and one very timely structural engineer. It was not quite the agenda I had printed — but it may well have been exactly the agenda God had prepared.

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.

Venue Hire About How to book Prices Policy Whether you're planning a community event, training day, children's party, meeting or celebration, Emmanuel Church offers a range of flexible, well-equipped spaces available for hire. Conveniently located, our rooms provide a welcoming environment for groups, organisations and individuals, with options to suit a variety of needs and budgets. Register an account by entering your contact details and creating a password. Returning users can simply log in. Check availability using the online calendar to find a suitable room, date and time for your booking. You can view availability by day, week or month. Complete your booking details by selecting the room, entering your event name, date, time and any other information requested by the venue. Add any extras and review your booking, including attendee numbers, special requirements or optional add-ons offered by the venue. Accept the terms and conditions and submit your request. Your booking will usually be provisional until it has been approved by the venue team. Watch Hallmaster video on 'How to Book' Price per hour or part hour Main Hall Mon-Fri (Daytime): £25ph Mon-Fri (After 6pm): £35ph Sat: £35ph Youth Room (Upper Hall) Mon-Fri (Daytime): £20ph Mon-Fri (After 6pm): £23ph Sat: £23ph Oval Room (Church) Mon-Fri (Daytime): £20ph Mon-Fri (After 6pm): £23ph Sat: £23ph Meeting Room Mon-Sat: £10ph Church Price available on request Regular bookings of 5 or more sessions – 10% off Community and charitable groups discounted rate available on request. Please include the time to set up and close down in your booking. One-off bookings for meetings or special events incur a £10 charge for a caretaker. For parties there is a minimum booking time of 3 hours which applies from time of arrival (including time to set up). Emmanuel Church reserves the right to obtain and check references before accepting any booking The spaces are subject to availability and a minimum booking of one hour. Emmanuel Church welcomes community groups, local businesses, and individuals to use its buildings and facilities. All users must read, understand and agree to these conditions before any booking is confirmed. Download View full calendar Main Hall Main Hall Main Hall 1/2 Main Hall This spacious and versatile space is ideal for larger meetings, training events, conferences, parties and community gatherings. With flexible seating layouts and plenty of room to adapt the space to your needs, it provides a comfortable and welcoming environment for a wide range of occasions. 84 sqm (Level Access) Ideal for larger meetings and events Theatre style for 100 people Cafe style for 80 people Flexible setup options for a range of event types Wooden floor with room divider if needed TV screen for projection Accesible toilet with baby changing Commercial kitchen available on request (Can be used for hot drinks only as part of hire charge) Access: All areas are accessible for wheelchair users. Cost: Mon-Fri (Daytime): £25 per hour Evening (After 6pm): £35 per hour Saturday: £35 per hour Book space Main Hall Main Hall Main Hall 1/2 Oval Room Perfect for medium-sized meetings, workshops, and community events, this welcoming and adaptable space comfortably seats 25-30 adults. Its flexible layout makes it easy to configure for presentations, discussions, training sessions, or group activities, providing a practical and inviting setting for your event. 30sqm (Level Access) Suitable for up to 25 people. Two tables that fit 6 people each. TV screen for projection. An area for making hot drinks. Accessible toilet with baby changing facilities Access: All areas are accessible for wheelchair users. Cost: Mon-Fri (Daytime): £20 per hour Evening (After 6pm): £23 per hour Saturday: £23 per hour Book space Youth Room Youth Room Youth Room Youth Room 1/4 Youth Room A versatile space ideal for meetings, workshops, courses, and community events. With seating for 30-50 adults, the room can be configured to suit your needs, whether you're hosting a presentation, running a training session, or bringing people together for collaborative activities. 42spm (Step access) Suitable for 50 people theatre style or 30 people seated round tables Carpeted area TV screen for projection One toilet Coffee bar area for drinks Access: Steps access only Cost: Mon-Fri (Daytime): £20 per hour Evening (After 6pm): £23 per hour Saturday: £23 per hour Book space Main Hall Main Hall Main Hall 1/2 Meeting Room A meeting room space, suitable for sole working, 121 meetings, small groups. With seating for 8 adults, the room can be configured to suit your needs. 8sqm (Level Access) Suitable for 8 people Comfortable seating Accesible toilet with baby changing Access: All areas are accessible for wheelchair users. Cost: Mon-Sat: £10 per hour Book space Main Hall Main Hall Main Hall 1/2 Church Offering the character and charm of a traditional church with pew seating, this spacious venue can host up to 200 guests. Complete with a raised stage, sound and projection equipment, and a generous refreshment area at the rear, it's ideal for services, concerts, presentations, and community events. Traditional church with pews Can hold up to 200 people Stage area with sound and Audio visual equipment Large servery at rear of church for drinks and buffet style food Access: All areas are accessible for wheelchair users. Cost: Price available on request Book space

St Paul's Efford, join us for our Sunday service at 10am. Welcome to St paul's Church EFFORD ONE BIG FAMILY We're a community of Christians who seek to follow Jesus Christ in our daily lives. Church is so much more than the building we meet in each week. It's a vibrant community of people of all ages. We help each other to follow Jesus Christ as we live and work in Plymouth. MEET THE TEAM Looking Upward to our Lord in Prayer, Inward that his Word might shape our lives and Outward to fulfil our Great Commission our services Every week we meet on : sundays 10.00AM Main service Our main service aims to be lively and relevant to life, based upon teaching from the Bible. There is something for all the family with children's activities available. Be sure to stick around after the service for a refreshments and some great chat. 6.30pM evening service FIRST SUNDAY OF EVERY MONTH An informal but exciting meeting for Praise & Prayer. We sing together and we pray together for the needs of the world, the local community, and one another. our LOCATION 100 Efford Lane, Efford, Plymouth, PL3 6LT safe guarding statement If you have a concern about the safety of someone or the actions of someone working with children or vulnerable adults, please speak to someone. The Diocesan Safeguarding Team can be contacted here . Our Safeguarding Policy Statement can be viewed here . If you are a young person and you feel unhappy about something happening to you, you can call Childline on 0800 11 11 our team includes: Rev Darryl Cree Vicar of St. Paul's Rev Bev Cree Parish Deacon Rev Peter Shaw Team Rector Rev Robin Brown Team Vicar Rev Simon Springett Permission to Officiate get in touch If you would like to get in touch, please contact the office by emailing info@stpaulsefford.co.uk or call us on 01752 260317 Submit Thanks for submitting! back to emmanuel Church Up

Christmas at Emmanuel Church Plymouth It doesn’t take long before Christmas starts asking more of us. More shopping, more rushing, more expectations. Yet beneath all the noise is a deeper invitation: to slow down, make space, and rediscover the hope, peace, joy, and love found in Jesus. This Christmas, we invite you to join us for a season of Less Debt, More Depth. Whether you're exploring faith for the first time, returning to church after many years, or simply looking for a moment of calm in a busy season, there's a place for you here. Seniors' Carol Service Friday, 27 November 14:00–16:00 Celebrate the joy of Christmas with a festive afternoon featuring traditional carols. Together we'll enjoy the timeless songs and message of the Christmas season. Info Contemporary Carols Service Sunday, 6 December 18:30–20:00 As we anticipate the Christmas season, join us for a service of contemporary worship with a modern theme. Info Traditional Carols Service Sunday, 13 December 18:30–20:00 Prepare your heart for Christmas with a service of traditional carols, worship, and celebration as we reflect on the hope of Christ's coming. Info Crib Service Thursday, 24 December 16:00–17:00 A chance to bring the Christmas story alive through interaction with our young families. Info Christmas Day All-Age Friday, 25 December 10:30–11:30 Get together to celebrate the birth of our Saviour in the company of our church family, with joy and thanksgiving, gathering around the communion table. Info Create for Christmas 28 November 2026 18:45–21:30 Come and make your own Christmas wreath, get crafty and enjoy a relaxed festive evening. Delicious food, warm drinks, and great company, it’s the perfect way to start the season. Info Veterans Carol Service Friday, 11 December 18:00–20:00 Share an evening of carols and readings with our heroes in the Armed Services. Info The Quiet Christmas Service Sunday, 20 December 18:30–20:00 As excitement builds in the Christmas season, join us for a service of songs and worship with a quiter theme. Info Midnight Communion Thursday, 24 December 23:15–00:30 Welcome Christmas with a special Midnight Communion as we gather around the Lord’s table and celebrate the birth of Christ. Info