Search Results

We are excited to share an update on a significant new missional journey that our Parochial Church Council (PCC) has agreed to embark upon: an intentional 12-month commitment to the community of Laira and St Mary's Church. Why Laira? Many of you will already be familiar with this journey. Over a number of years, we have led and organised services at St Mary’s. Over the past year we have hosted prayer meetings at St Mary's, spoken about this possibility in sermons, and seen many members of our church family serve at community events in Laira. Alongside this, we have spent time listening to residents and local organisations about the hopes and challenges facing the neighbourhood. Those conversations have revealed both need and opportunity. Like many communities, Laira has experienced the gradual loss of local community spaces, contributing to increased loneliness and isolation. Yet, again and again we heard a desire for St Mary's to remain a place of belonging, wellbeing and hope for local people. A little while ago, regular Sunday services at St Mary's were paused. This was not an act of abandonment but a purposeful decision to create space to listen, pray, build relationships and discern what God might be calling us to next. What Are We Discerning? The question before us is not simply, "How do we save a building?" Rather, we are asking a deeper question: Is God inviting us to establish a new worshipping community in Laira that brings hope to the neighbourhood and places Jesus Christ at the centre of its renewal? We believe this is the right question because churches exist not primarily for buildings, but for people and for the glory of God. Our desire is to see a vibrant, local, Jesus-centred community emerge in Laira, shaped by local people and rooted in the life of the neighbourhood. How Will We Do This? The PCC has agreed to a 12-month period of mission and discernment running until 31st July 2027. During this time we hope to see St Mary's increasingly used throughout the week by residents, community groups and organisations working to strengthen wellbeing, family life and community resilience. As part of this journey, we are exploring the Church and Community Mobilisation Process (CCMP) developed by Tearfund. CCMP begins with a simple conviction: God has already placed gifts, skills, resources and potential within every community. Rather than bringing ready-made solutions, the church seeks to discover where God is already at work and encourage local people to become active participants in the flourishing of their neighbourhood. This approach resonates strongly with Jesus' instructions in Luke 10. When He sent out the disciples, He told them to look for the "person of peace" and discover the resources God had already placed within the communities they visited. We want to enter Laira in that same spirit—listening carefully, building relationships, and discerning where the Holy Spirit is already at work. 8 What Would Success Look Like? As your Team Rector, I want us to remain both hungry for God's leading and hopeful about what He may do. At the same time, good leadership requires realism and faithful stewardship. We face genuine challenges. Emmanuel is currently operating without the Associate Priest, our leadership team is carrying significant responsibilities, and a major transition lies ahead in May 2027 when Darryl and Bev retire after many years of faithful ministry at St Paul's. We want Emmanuel, St Paul's and St Mary's all to flourish together rather than one church thriving at the expense of another. The St Mary's building also requires substantial investment to make it warm, watertight and fit for purpose. For these reasons, we will be looking for clear signs of viability by July 2027: · A Credible Building Pipeline – secured funding and realistic plans for necessary building improvements. · An Emerging Worshipping Community – the beginnings of a regular local gathering centred on Jesus, with emerging local leaders. · Sustainable Ministry – a realistic staffing and volunteer model across the parish, developed in partnership with the Diocese. What If These Things Do Not Emerge? Importantly, this 12-month commitment is a commitment to mission and discernment, not a commitment by Emmanuel to assume long-term responsibility for the St Mary's building. By 31 July 2027, we will need to see clear evidence of sustainable mission, a credible funding pathway, sufficient ministry capacity across the parish, and agreed legal arrangements with the Diocese. If these conditions are not in place, Emmanuel will not assume long-term responsibility for the building, and responsibility for its future should remain with the Diocese. Whatever the outcome, our desire to seek the welfare of Laira will remain. Discernment is not about forcing a particular result; it is about faithfully following where God leads. Please Pray As we begin this next chapter, please pray for the people of Laira, for those already serving in the community, and for wisdom as we seek to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. We step forward with humility and hope, trusting that God is already at work ahead of us and praying for the grace to join in with what He is doing. If you would like to know more or have any questions, please do get in touch.

Emmanuel Church is passionate about loving and serving our local community in practical ways. One of the ways we do this is by organising community litter picks to help care for the neighbourhood around us. Whether you're a regular at church or simply want to make a positive difference in Plymouth, we'd love you to join us. No experience is needed, and equipment can be provided. It's a great way to meet others, spend time outdoors, and help keep our local area clean and welcoming. Emmanuel Church is now a Litter Pick Hub which means we have our own stock of equipment available which includes litter pickers, bags, bag hoops, high vis vests,and protective gloves. This can be booked out individually or as a family/ group if you want to do your own litter pick. Speak to Debbie or Chris Houston for more info or email jane.bullard@emmanuelplymouth.co.uk

Kintsugi Hope is a journey toward healing, wholeness, and hope which is inspired by the ancient Japanese art of repairing broken pottery with gold. Throughout the course we will discover that our struggles don’t define us, but rather, they can make us stronger, more resilient, and even more beautiful. Our prayer is that everyone who comes finds safety and support without shame, discovering their true worth and confidence. Through a deep understanding of God’s unconditional love, we pray for each participant to be empowered to overcome challenges and live with renewed hope and purpose. Through supportive groups, open conversations, and a community of care, Kintsugi Hope creates safe spaces for people to share, grow, and rediscover hope. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, or simply want to walk alongside others, you are welcome. Through a 10 week course, starting on 9th September, we will be looking at anxiety, self esteem , depression, anger, perfectionism, shame, honesty, forgiveness, healthy relationships, disappointment and loss, self acceptance. We would love to see you! For more details contact Pippa Brown, Caroline Fice or Sue Newberry or check out this short video.

This week we are delighted to welcome The Revd Dr Danson Kihwaga to Plymouth. Dr Kihwaga is visiting us as part of our growing partnership with Church Army Africa (CAA), an inspiring organisation whose vision is to transform lives through holistic Christian mission. Our parish is privileged to support CAA's latest venture: The Emmanuel Centre in Nairobi. This exciting new training and conference facility will equip future generations of Christian leaders for mission and service across Africa. Church Army Africa is one of the few indigenous African mission societies affiliated with the Anglican Church. Since its founding in 1956, it has been committed to sharing the gospel not only in words, but through practical action that transforms communities. It established its own training institutions just two years later and today serves in eleven African countries as well as Madagascar. As Africa's cities have expanded at an extraordinary pace, CAA has become a pioneer in urban mission. Millions of people now live in informal settlements on the edges of major cities, and Church Army Africa has responded with compassion, creativity and hope. One remarkable example is the Centre of Urban Mission (CUM) in Kibera, Nairobi—one of Africa's largest informal settlements. What began as a simple medical outreach has grown into a thriving community development centre, offering healthcare, education, leadership training and support for local Christians already serving their communities, as well as those preparing for ministry. Dr Kihwaga brings a wealth of experience to this work. A respected researcher on church growth in Africa, he combines academic insight with the heart of an evangelist. Despite spending much of his time travelling across the continent, modern digital communications enable him to remain closely connected with his colleagues and the growing ministry of Church Army Africa. We are honoured to welcome Dr Kihwaga and look forward to hearing him speak at our evening Sunday gathering at Emmanuel. His visit offers us a wonderful opportunity to learn how God is working across Africa and to celebrate the difference that faithful partnership can make in changing lives and transforming communities.

What difference can one ordinary life make? Jesus once told his followers, "You are the light of the world... let your light shine before others" (Matthew 5:14-16). It is a simple but profound invitation to bring hope, kindness and truth into the places we live every day. This Summer, we're exploring what that looks like in a new six week sermon series called City Lights. Whether you're a long time Christian, exploring faith for the first time, or simply curious about the Bible, this series asks practical questions that all of us wrestle with: Why am I here? What do I do when the world feels broken? How can I make wise decisions in a confusing culture? Is it possible to disagree well? Should faith have anything to say about politics and public life? How do I build a life that lasts rather than simply surviving from one week to the next? Together we'll discover that faith isn't just about what happens on a Sunday morning. It shapes how we work, raise families, study, serve our communities, care for our neighbours and respond to the challenges of everyday life. Each week we'll explore one of these themes: Vocation: Discovering purpose and recognising that our lives have meaning. Lament: Facing the hurts of our city honestly while holding onto hope. Critical Thinking: Learning to think wisely in an age of endless opinions. Good Conflict: Finding a better way to disagree with grace and truth. Political Engagement: Considering how Christians can seek the good of the communities where they live. Sabbath and Place: Building lives rooted in rest, faithfulness and lasting hope. At Emmanuel, our vision is to be a light to the city. We believe that happens not through extraordinary people doing extraordinary things, but through ordinary people following Jesus wherever he has placed them. If you're looking for hope, purpose, or simply a place to ask life's bigger questions, we'd love to welcome you to City Lights.

Throughout August, our Sunday evening 6:30pm gathering will take on a slightly different shape. As many of our home groups take a break over the summer, we want to create a space where we can continue to grow together, build community, and deepen our prayer lives. Each evening will begin with a couple of songs of worship before we watch a session from The Prayer Course: Unanswered Prayer together. After each video, we'll spend time discussing what we've heard, asking honest questions, and encouraging one another as we seek God. The course explores one of life's most challenging questions: How do we keep trusting God when our prayers seem to go unanswered? Through biblical teaching, personal stories, and practical reflection, it helps us grow in faith, even in seasons of waiting, disappointment, and mystery. Whether you've wrestled with unanswered prayer for years or are simply looking to deepen your relationship with God, these evenings are for you. They are also a great opportunity to meet others over the summer when many of our regular groups are taking a break. Don't worry if you're away for a Sunday or miss a session. Each episode is available online, so you can easily catch up before joining us again. We'd love you to come along, bring a friend, and journey with us this August as we learn to pray with greater faith, honesty, and hope. When: Sundays in August, 6:30pm Where: Emmanuel Church If you'd like to explore the course or catch up on any sessions, you can find them here: https://unanswered.prayercourse.org/sessions/

At Emmanuel Plymouth, we believe that God’s Kingdom is for everyone. You are welcome. You matter. You belong. We were recently blessed to welcome Venerable Joseph, the Archdeacon and Rector from our sister church, St Monica Thika, Kenya. In a powerful, timely message, Joseph challenged us to examine our hearts and look outward at the community around us. He tackled the human tendency toward "us versus them" mentalities, urging us to dismantle social, political, and economic barriers so that we can welcome everyone to God’s table. Drawing from Isaiah 56:7, he reminded us of a timeless truth: God’s house is a house of prayer for all nations, not just a select few. Lessons for a Transformative, Inclusive Faith Exploring the early church's journey in Acts 9–12, Joseph outlined six core lessons that call us to look beyond our own comfort zones and reach out to the world: · 1. God Transforms Everyone and Every Situation (Acts 9:1–19) Using the dramatic transformation of Saul to Paul, we are reminded that no one is beyond redemption. No matter your background, your mistakes, or your current circumstances, God’s grace is bigger. · 2. God Only Requires Our Obedience (Acts 9:10–31) Like Ananias, who was sent to welcome a former enemy, God uses ordinary people to accomplish His mission. We are called to step out in faith and be obedient to God’s nudge, even when it feels uncomfortable or intimidating. · 3. God’s Power Is With Us (Acts 9:32–43) We do not step out into our community in our own strength, but by the power of the Holy Spirit. Just as Peter experienced, God equips us with His power when we move in His name. · 4. God Shows No Favouritism or Partiality (Acts 10) This is the core of our message: God does not play favourites. As Ephesians 2:19 declares, "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of His household." Salvation is a free gift for all, and our mission is to reflect this radical inclusivity. · 5. Building a Missionary, Reaching-Out Church (Acts 11) A healthy church is an outward-looking church. Like the early believers, we are called to build a community that actively matures in faith, multiplies disciples, and reaches out to those who feel disconnected or left behind. · 6. The Power of Prayer in Our Lives and Ministry (Acts 12) When faced with opposition or cultural hurdles, the early church turned to prayer. A praying church becomes a powerful, resilient church, allowing God’s mission to flourish against all odds. Jesus Broke the Barriers—And So Should We When we look at the ministry of Jesus, a powerful truth emerges: with God, there are no outsiders. Jesus repeatedly shattered the cultural norms of His day. He dined with tax collectors, touched the untouchable, and spoke with social outcasts. When critics grumbled that He welcomed the wrong kinds of people, Jesus responded directly: "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." — Luke 5:32 The Takeaway: Is There Room at Your Table? As Joseph beautifully concluded, God’s table has never had limited seating space, and His invitation is meant to be completely barrier-free! This leaves us with an inspiring, outward-looking challenge for our daily lives here in Plymouth. Look at the spaces you inhabit—your neighbourhood, your workplace, your school, your friendship groups. Who is standing on the outside? Who are you waiting to invite to the table of Christ? No matter who you are, what your story is, or where you come from: You are welcome here. Reflecting on Venerable Joseph’s message, Peter shares final encouraging thought for the Emmanuel Plymouth family: "Joseph's words serve as a beautiful, challenging reminder of what it truly means to be the Church. Building a 'barrier-free' Kingdom isn't just a theological concept—it starts with the practical choices we make every day to open our hearts and our homes. Let’s be a community known not by who we keep out, but by how wide we open our doors to everyone God sends our way." Recommended Reading: The Gospel Comes with a House Key To help us practically live out this vision of radical hospitality, we highly recommend reading "The Gospel Comes with a House Key" by Rosaria Butterfield. In this inspiring book, Butterfield introduces the concept of "radically ordinary hospitality"—using our everyday homes, tables, and routines to show the love of Christ to a sceptical world. She demonstrates how a simple, consistently open door can dismantle prejudices, build deep community, and turn strangers into family. It is a fantastic, hands-on resource for anyone looking to turn the "No Outsiders" message into daily practice.

If you have been sitting in our current sermon series through the book of Acts, you know that the Holy Spirit is deeply challenging our assumptions about comfort, stability, and what it means to be A Light for the City. Last Sunday, in the evening I looked at Acts 4 and a famous quote by a bishop who noted that "wherever the Apostle Paul went there was a riot; wherever I go, they serve tea." For decades, Western secularism has tried to confine our faith to the private living room, turning the explosive power of the resurrection into a polite, safe, cultural monument. The tragedy of the modern West is that our post-Christian culture has been exposed to just enough institutional Christianity to lose its power. We inoculated an entire generation against the real thing. But the vaccine is wearing off. A New Hunger Across the UK Last week, a brilliant new documentary was released called Awakening in the UK. If you haven't watched it yet, it is an absolute must-see. The film tracks a profound spiritual movement bubbling under the surface of our long-labeled "post-Christian" nation: a sudden, intense openness to the Gospel, a surge in radical prayer movements, and a deep Hunger for the presence of the Holy Spirit. YouTube The documentary highlights stories of churches rediscovering total dependence on God, and crucially, young adults and youth encountering Jesus for the very first time. The secular fortresses are cracking, and people are searching for reality. Let’s stop playing it safe. Let's stop protecting our comfort. Let's watch the resurrected King transform our city.

Hello friends, On Sunday, I mentioned a brilliant interview that I recently watched, and I wanted to give it a proper plug here for anyone looking for something uplifting and thought-provoking to dive into this week. The interview is on The Diary of a CEO podcast, where host Steven Bartlett sits down with Professor John Lennox. For those who might not know him, John is an Emeritus Professor of Mathematics at Oxford and a wonderful Christian apologist. He has spent his life showing that brilliant science and deep faith in Jesus do not just coexist, they actually beautifully complement each other. It is an absolutely fascinating conversation. They dive into some big, heavyweight questions that I know many of us wrestle with. How do we hold onto hope in a rapidly changing world? What does the rise of Artificial Intelligence mean for our identity and our future? What I loved most was how John reframes the conversation around AI. He reminds us that while technology can mimic human tasks, it can never replicate human consciousness or the unique soul God gave us. In a world trying to use technology to solve big human problems, John beautifully points out that Jesus solved our deepest need over 2,000 years ago on the cross. His life-changing work is where our true hope rests. Whether you are fully tracking with us in your faith journey, or if you are simply exploring the big questions of life, this interview is full of grace, intellect, and hope. As we try to be a hungry, hopeful, and holy people here at Emmanuel, listening to wisdom like this helps us grow as disciples so we can be a true light to our city. You can watch the full episode on YouTube, or listen to the audio on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. If you give it a watch or a listen, do let me know your thoughts. I would love to hear what resonated with you! With every blessing, Peter

The Orchard Women’s conference in Birmingham on Saturday 10th October 2026 Join us for a special day for women to be led by other inspirational women of God. It will be a day of worship, teaching, interviews and plenty of space to respond, receive prayer ministry and connect with others from across the UK. This day is designed for all women and teenagers to be empowered by the Holy Spirit and to step boldly and purposefully into every season of life. It is aimed to help us become women sustained by the truth of God’s Word, to be unswayed by the values of the culture around us, and to know that we are women who are imperfect but completely loved. The youth stream will give space to inspire and encourage girls aged 11–18 to see their worth, know how deeply God loves them and discover that God has a purpose for their life. The dream is to empower the next generation by declaring truth over their lives and allowing space for encounter with the Holy Spirit! As well as passionate worship, powerful teaching and prayer, there will be afternoon breakout sessions. These will range from dance and creative music workshops, to seminars on how to survive school as Christians, to chilled pamper and prayer space and so much more. Interested? We are hoping this year to take a minibus up to this event, so if you would like to be a part of this special day do chat with Steph or Pippa. To discover more: The Orchard Women's Conference 2026 — The Orchard

At Emmanuel, our heartbeat is to be “a light for the city”—reflecting the hope, love, and life of Jesus into our local community. Whether you have been part of our family for decades or are just looking in from the outside, you will know that a healthy community is one that constantly pauses to listen, dream, and align its heart with God's direction. Right now, Emmanuel is entering an exciting new season filled with fresh potential, significant new horizons, and key moments of transition. To welcome everything the future holds, our leadership team is inviting the whole Emmanuel community to a special Day of Prayer and Fasting on Monday, 8th June. Looking Ahead: Key Areas of Focus We are dedicating this day to focusing our vision on four specific areas, asking for God’s guidance and wisdom as we plan for the future: The Future of St Mary’s Laira: We are in a vital season of looking ahead at the long-term mission and structural direction for St Mary’s. We want to ensure our presence in Laira continues to be a vibrant, relevant light for that neighbourhood. Navigating Transition with St Paul’s: Revd Darryl, the vicar of St Paul’s, is approaching his retirement. We are immensely grateful for his years of faithful service to our community. While the future steps for St Paul's are not yet fully known, we want to pray for their church family during this time of transition, asking for wisdom as we look at how to best support one another in the wider community moving forward. An Update on the Child Contact Centre: It is with a mix of sadness and deep gratitude that we share the news regarding the closure of our Child Contact Centre. As the only free supported centre in Plymouth, it has been a literal lifeline for separated families. While this specific chapter is closing, our heart as a compassionate, trauma-informed church remains completely unchanged. We are praying for the families affected, honouring the incredible volunteers who poured their lives into this work, and asking how we can best serve local families in new ways moving forward. Investing in the Next Generation: Our big vision is to significantly expand our work with children, youth, and young adults across Plymouth. Over the last three and a half years, our teams have worked incredibly hard to maintain our momentum during a prolonged vacancy in our Associate leadership position. With local transitions ahead, we know our resources will be stretched. We are actively praying for fresh provisions, financial support, and new team members to help us strengthen our foundation and accelerate these vital ministries. Great Possibilities and Fresh Horizons There is no denying that seasons of change require energy and focus. Saying goodbye to a beloved ministry, navigating local leadership transitions, and carrying gaps in our team asks a lot of our staff and amazing volunteers. Yet, as we look at the landscape of Emmanuel, the overwhelming story of this moment isn't the stretch—it is the unbelievable, God-given potential right in front of us. We are a church sitting on the cusp of an incredible harvest. The opportunities within walking distance of our building are immense. We aren’t gathering out of scarcity; we are gathering because we are full of expectation! We believe God is using this season to prepare our canvas for something beautiful and new. How to Join Us on Monday, 8th June Whether you regularly practice prayer or are simply curious to see how our community discerns the future, you are incredibly welcome to participate: 1. Prayer and Fasting Throughout the Day Many in our community will be choosing to fast during the day on Monday, skipping meals as a tangible expression of our hunger for God's presence, using that time instead to focus on reflection and prayer. (If medical reasons prevent you from fasting from food, many choose to fast from media, technology, or simply dedicate specific moments of the day to quiet reflection). 2. Gathering Together in the Evening The culmination of our day will be a united gathering in the church building at 7:30pm. This will be a focused time of corporate worship, prayer, and listening for what the Holy Spirit is saying to us as a community as we step into these new opportunities. Please clear your diaries for Monday, 8th June. Let’s come together with open hearts, seek His face, and watch how He leads Emmanuel to be an even brighter light for Plymouth. "The LORD is near to the broken-hearted and saves the crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18

If you joined us at Emmanuel this past Sunday, you would have felt a definitive theme blowing through our church family. In the morning, Robin opened up the Scriptures to explore the beautiful, sometimes daunting topic of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. In the evening, we took a deep dive into the gift of prophecy—demystifying it, stripping away the sensationalism, and spending some holy, high-grace time simply practising listening to God for one another. One of the great highlights of the day was confronting a quiet epidemic in the Western church: practical cessationism. While many of us intellectually believe that God can speak, we often live our day-to-day lives as functional cessationists, making decisions entirely on our own steam without ever stopping to ask, "Holy Spirit, what are you saying?" But as we saw through personal stories, church history, and the explicit commands of Scripture, our God is a living Father who actively pursues His children. Our primary calling isn't just to do things for Him, but to simply enjoy Him and hear His heart of love for us. The Tools for the Journey To help us step out of practical skepticism and into a lifestyle of conversational prayer, Robin highly recommended a fantastic book in the morning service: "How to Hear God: A Guide to Prophetic Prayer" by Pete Greig. Pete Greig (founder of the 24-7 Prayer movement) is a trusted friend to the global church, and his writing perfectly aligns with our values at Emmanuel. He approaches the supernatural with a profound sense of humility, a deep hunger for more of God, and a thoroughly biblical grounding. The book acts as a brilliant companion to the discernment frameworks we looked at on Sunday. If you are wondering how to distinguish between your own random thoughts and a genuine impression from the Holy Spirit, Greig offers a warm, down-to-earth, and practical guide to filtering what you hear. It perfectly complements our church’s ABC model (ensuring what we receive is Affirming, Biblical, and Christ-like) and helps us lean into our three-legged stool of discernment: Scripture, Circumstances, and Holy Spirit Impressions. Moving Forward Together We don't want Sunday to just be a nice memory; we want it to shape our culture as a Light for the City. In a world filled with trauma, loneliness, and noise, Plymouth desperately needs a church that knows how to listen to the whisper of God and carry His words of comfort and strength into our communities. Whether you consider yourself a seasoned pray-er or a complete beginner who is naturally skeptical, we want to encourage you to grab a copy of How to Hear God. Let’s read it together, chat about it in our home groups, and continue to grow as disciples who know the voice of our Shepherd. “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” — John 10:27 Copies of "How to Hear God" can be ordered online, or speak to one of the leadership team on Sunday if you’d like help sourcing a copy!