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The Bells of Emmanuel Church and the Joy of Bell Sunday The bells of Emmanuel Church have been part of the soundscape of the area for more than a century, calling people to worship, marking moments of celebration, and reminding our community of God’s enduring presence. As we mark Bell Sunday, it feels especially fitting to reflect on the story, beauty, and ministry of our much‑loved bells. A Gift of Craftsmanship and History Our tower, completed in 1897, was designed to house a full ring of bells—and in 1904, that vision came to life. All eight bells were cast in 1904 by John Warner & Co., a respected London foundry known for its bold, resonant tone. Originally intended for St Matthias, North Hill, the bells found their permanent home at Emmanuel, where they have been faithfully rung ever since. The ring is often described by visiting bellringers as a “grand and gutsy old 8”, with a warm, distinctive voice that carries across Mannamead, Hartley, Compton, and beyond. The tenor bell, weighing nearly 20 cwt, anchors the ring with a deep and generous E♭. A Living Tradition Whether ringing for Sunday worship, weddings, civic occasions, or quiet weekday practice, the team offers their time and skill as an act of service. Visitors often comment on the clarity and beauty of the sound. One listener recently shared that they sat in a nearby park for half an hour simply to enjoy the ringing, describing it as “flawless” and “as fine as anything heard in London’s great churches.” Bell Sunday: A Time to Give Thanks Bell Sunday - 17th May 2026 - is a national celebration that invites churches to honour the ministry of bells and bellringers. It reminds us that bells are not merely historical artefacts—they are instruments of worship. They proclaim joy, hope, and the presence of God in our midst. At Emmanuel, Bell Sunday gives us the chance to: Give thanks for our ringers and their dedication Celebrate the heritage of our 1904 Warner bells Pray for those who hear the bells, that they may be drawn closer to God Invite new ringers to join this unique and rewarding ministry A Call That Still Matters In an age of digital noise, the sound of church bells remains wonderfully human. They are rung by real hands, in real time, for real people. They remind us that the church is alive, active, and rooted in its community. As we mark Bell Sunday, may the bells of Emmanuel continue to ring out God’s praise—today, tomorrow, and for generations to come. Thinking About Trying Bellringing? Join Us! Bellringing is one of Emmanuel’s most joyful and welcoming ministries—and we’d love to have you involved. You don’t need musical experience, great strength, or any special background. If you can climb the tower stairs and enjoy learning something new, you’ll fit right in. What you’ll find: A friendly, supportive team A skill that’s both relaxing and mentally stimulating A chance to serve the church in a unique and meaningful way Plenty of laughter during practice nights When we meet: Practice is on Thursday evenings from 7pm to 9pm, with ringing for Sunday services and special occasions. If you’d like to come along, watch a practice, or have a go, simply speak to one of the ringers, contact the parish office or contact the tower captain at cawardle@aol.com. We’d be delighted to welcome you up the tower.

A summary of the sermon - 26th April 2026 Bp Tim reflects on powerful experiences of the Holy Spirit, beginning with visits to a Pentecostal church in Birmingham led by two women with striking ministries—one a street preacher, the other focused on deliverance and the Spirit’s power. A vivid moment is recalled where a drug addict was transformed within minutes—delivered, converted, speaking in tongues, and preparing for baptism—raising the central question: is the Holy Spirit merely an idea, or a lived reality? The message emphasizes that Christian faith is not just intellectual but experiential. Drawing on theologians like Irenaeus and Jonathan Edwards, the speaker highlights that true faith involves being “fully alive” in God and grounded in real spiritual experience, not just emotion or theory. Personal testimony reinforces this: discovering the Holy Spirit as a teenager opened up a deeper dimension of faith and awareness of God’s work globally, especially through the growth of Pentecostal and charismatic movements. Biblical passages from Acts show that the Holy Spirit is given as a real, transformative power through the risen Christ. Paul’s dramatic conversion illustrates this: once a violent persecutor, he is turned around by God into a missionary to the Gentiles. His journey also shows that spiritual growth takes time—through reflection, struggle, and preparation before fruitful mission begins. Paul presents us with the Holy Spirit as the God who turns us around: turns around our whole being in our context and culture. Everything is turned around to God and to his mission to be used in this service. Tim connects this to the church’s present mission, particularly engaging with the local community and learning from global perspectives, such as African Christianity, which often has a stronger awareness of the spiritual realm: the Spirit, our spiritual nature and the reality of spirts (good and evil). The Holy Spirit is described as active, powerful, and present—not only in individuals but across cultures and the wider world. Theologically, in answering the question ‘Who is the Holy Spirit?’, the Spirit is affirmed as “the Lord, the giver of life,” worthy of worship alongside the Father and Son. The Spirit empowers, sustains, and guides believers through all stages of life: getting our life together, giving our life away in service, and finally giving our death away, offering our later years as a blessing to others. Three key images of the Spirit are presented: The sustainer of life, like a hand supporting growth. The one who heals and renews, brooding over a broken world to bring life from trauma. The flame of God, calling believers not just to routine faithfulness but to passionate, Spirit-filled living. The conclusion is a challenge: the Holy Spirit is real and active, calling individuals and the church into deeper experience, transformation, and mission. Rather than settling for routine or intellectual faith, believers are invited to “burn for God”—to live fully alive in the Spirit’s power and purpose.

Christianity has been part of African history for a very long time—much earlier than many people realise. One of the earliest recorded stories describes an Ethiopian official who encountered the faith and brought it back home. Over the centuries, Christian texts were translated into local African languages such as Coptic (from the 2nd century) and Ethiopic (from the 4th century), and later into Arabic (8th century). This all happened long before translations appeared in early English, and well before Europeans began exploring or settling in Africa from the 16th century onwards, or the later colonial expansion of the 19th century. In fact, African communities were already shaping and expressing Christianity in their own languages and cultures. After the Second World War, as African nations gained independence, there was also a rise in African-led churches that reflected local traditions and perspectives. From at least the 1st century AD, if not before, and on into the 19th century, there were large movements of people within Africa. This helps explain the rich mix of cultures found in countries like Kenya today. Christianity in Kenya grew within this diverse cultural setting. European missionaries arrived in the mid-19th century, before colonial settlers came in the 1890s. While both Catholic and Protestant groups worked on translating religious texts, it was local Africans—using their own languages and networks—who played the biggest role in spreading the faith and establishing Christian communities. Partnerships Today Today, Kenya has many active Christian communities. Some have historical links to European churches. For example, the Anglican Church of Kenya has roots connected to the Church of England but is now a large, independent organisation with many more regular attendees than its English counterpart. One example of ongoing international cooperation is a partnership between regions (called dioceses) in Kenya, southwest England, and parts of the Middle East. This three-way connection began in 2005 and focuses on sharing ideas, experiences, and support across very different cultural settings. Like many international relationships, this partnership was disrupted during the Covid pandemic, when travel stopped. However, people stayed in touch through digital tools like WhatsApp and social media. Now, local community partnerships are beginning to restart, with an emphasis on learning from each other and working together in practical ways. Upcoming Event For anyone interested in learning more, a group from St Monica’s in Thika, Kenya, will be visiting Plymouth. They will be at Emmanuel Church on 4th July, where visitors can hear about life in their community and their future plans. There will also be opportunities to meet them and hear their perspectives. The visit is open to everyone, and the aim is to encourage shared understanding and connection between people from different backgrounds. If you’d like to attend, go to https://emmanuelplymouth.churchcenter.com/calendar/event/221539420 for more details – everyone on is welcome!

Emmanuel Church, Plymouth. A light for the city. Join us for worship and community. 👋 HELLO new here? Gatherings Visit Us What's on Vacancies 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 The gifts of the holy spirit This series will explore, who is the Holy Spirit, Discernment, The Gifts of the Holy Spirit and Waiting on the Spirit sermon series our gatherings Join us on Sundays and Throughout the Week for various gatherings. We would love to meet you. Click below for more information about when and where we gather. more info Who is the Holy Spirit? A summary of the sermon - 26th April 2026 Bp Tim reflects on powerful experiences of the Holy Spirit, beginning with visits to a Pentecostal church in Birmingham led by two women with striking ministries—one a street preacher, the other focused on deliverance and the Spirit’s power. A vivid moment is recalled where a drug addict was transformed within minutes—delivered, converted, speaking in tongues, and preparing for baptism—raising the central question: is the Holy Spirit Tim Dakin Apr 27 2 min read Christianity in Africa Christianity has been part of African history for a very long time—much earlier than many people realise. One of the earliest recorded stories describes an Ethiopian official who encountered the faith and brought it back home. Over the centuries, Christian texts were translated into local African languages such as Coptic (from the 2nd century) and Ethiopic (from the 4th century), and later into Arabic (8th century). This all happened long before translations appeared in early Tim Dakin Apr 27 2 min read Somewheres...Anywheres This sermon, part of the Cut Flower series on the decline of European Christianity, explores how the power of the Holy Spirit releases the life of Jesus into the world and offers a hopeful alternative to today’s divided society. Using David Goodhart’s distinction between “anywheres” and “somewheres,” +Tim reframes these groups positively as “seekers” (those shaped by mobility, education, and career) and “dwellers” (those rooted in place, relationships, and community). Rathe Tim Dakin Apr 14 2 min read more posts Scan the QR code to download the Church App, for more info on events, what's happening and how to get involved

VACANCIES Work with us At Emmanuel, we’re passionate about serving our city, growing disciples of Jesus, and creating spaces where people of all ages can encounter God and belong in community. Our staff team and volunteers work together across worship, children and youth ministry, pastoral care, community outreach, and the life of the parish. We’re always looking for people who share our heart for the church and for Plymouth. We do not currently have any vacancies in Emmanuel Church, however, if you would like to be considered about future opportunities and roles which may become available do email -> recruitment@emmanuelplymouth.co.uk Parish Profile

Our sermon series are more than just Sunday messages, they’re shared journeys of faith. SERIES SERMON Shared journeys of faith Our sermon series are more than just Sunday messages, they’re shared journeys of faith. Each series focuses on a key theme, Bible passage, or real-life question, explored together over several weeks. This approach helps us dig deeper into God’s Word, understand His truth more clearly, and live it out more fully in our everyday lives. Whether we’re walking through a book of the Bible verse-by-verse or exploring how the Gospel speaks into today’s challenges, our sermon series are designed to connect God’s timeless truth to your life here and now. Join us each week as we grow together as a community of believers, following Jesus and making Him known in Plymouth and beyond. The Gifts Of The Holy Spirit April - May 2026 We will be exploring, What is the Holy Spirit, the Gifts of the Holy Spirit and Waiting on the Spirit view The God Who Sees: From the Well to the Waters January - February 2026 At the well, we met a Jesus who sees us, knows us, and invites us deeper. This series journeys through Scripture to reveal a God who has always seen His people and called them into deeper waters. view The Lord's Prayer September - October 2025 Focusing on a phrase of the prayer, showing how Jesus models worship, surrender, trust and hope for His followers view Humble June - August 25 A powerful and honest journey as we explore what it truly means to be a humble, healing, and hope-filled church community. view The Cut Flower: Rooting a Fading West March - April 2026 Each week explores the spiritual disciplines that root us again in Christ, restoring depth, resilience, and hope in a fading culture. view In the Beginning November - December 2025 Exploring God’s plan from creation to promise, showing how He invites us into relationship, guides our steps, and calls us to hope, faith, and obedience. view Jonah August 2025 The book of Jonah isn’t just about a runaway prophet and a big fish, it’s about our struggles with obedience, compassion and God’s mission. view