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.

A New Sermon Series Exploring the Psalms at Emmanuel Church We all live inside a story. The real question is: do we remember which one? It is so easy for the busyness of life to crowd out what is most true. We drift, we get distracted, and we forget who we are and whose we are. That is why I am so deeply expectant as we step into our new sermon series, "Remember: The Story We Live In." The Psalms are far more than ancient poetry or individual prayers. They are the worship book of God’s people, shaped over generations to ground us in the truth. Week by week, they call us to stop, look back, and remember: who God is, what He has done, and where we fit in His great plan. Across seven weeks, we will trace the whole biblical narrative together: Week 1: Created for Praise – Rediscovering our generous Creator who gives us life, purpose, and breath. Week 2: Held by Promise – Resting in God’s covenant faithfulness across history. Week 3: Saved by Power – Celebrating the God who actively breaks in to rescue His people. Week 4: Forgetting God – Looking honestly at what happens when memory fails and worship drifts. Week 5: Abundance and Forgetting (Harvest) – Pausing in the midst of provision to honour the Giver. Week 6: Life in Exile – Finding language in lament for seasons of loss, disorientation, and longing. Week 7: Hope of the Coming King – Lifting our eyes to the ultimate restoration promised in Jesus. My deep prayer for us as a church family is that this series won't just inform our minds, but re-form our hearts. As we grow together as disciples, hungry for God's word and hopeful for His future, learning to remember His story is what equips us to be a genuine light to the city of Plymouth. Ultimately, every single Psalm points us straight to Jesus, the true King who holds our lives and our city together. Join us this Sunday as we learn how to live inside His story all over again! Grace and peace, Peter Shaw

Isn’t it amazing how God answers prayer? But sometimes the answer isn’t what was wanted or expected. This summer I was lucky enough to have a holiday in Austria. Over the last 20 years, I have been to the Kitzbuhel Alps many times and walked up most of the mountains in this area. The highest mountain is the Groser Rettenstein and over the years, I have summitted this mountain several times. As I have ‘advanced in years’, I have realised that climbing mountains isn’t as easy as it used to be! Even so, as soon as I saw the Groser Rettenstein, I was desperate to climb it one last time. I studied the maps and the bus timetables to work out the easiest way to achieve this, and prayed. ‘Just once more, Lord, please’. As the week went on, I realised that the gentler walks were becoming more satisfying. I wasn’t desperately focusing on that mountain. By the middle of the week, I knew God was answering my prayer. Whenever I looked at the mountain, I felt a beautiful peace and a knowledge that God was telling me that I didn’t have to climb the mountain: I’d done it and didn’t need to prove anything. I was able to look at the mountain and praise God for the beauty of his creation and accept that I am no longer able to do the things I used to. I can now look up at the majestic mountains and thank God for the many wonderful memories I have of conquering those summits. Thank you, Lord, for answered prayer.

I've always believed that everyone deserves the opportunity to hear about Jesus. Growing up alongside my younger brother, who has complex additional needs, and through supporting children at churches and events, I've increasingly found myself thinking about what that looks like in practice. Because sometimes joining in isn't quite as simple as walking through the door. Joining In Looks Different It's very easy to look around a church service, children's group or event and decide who is listening. Someone sitting still, looking towards the front and joining in at all the right moments? Definitely listening. Someone fiddling with something, moving around, looking somewhere completely different or stepping out of the room? Maybe not. Except sometimes it's that second person who can tell you almost everything that was said. Something I've learnt through supporting people with additional needs is that behaviour is often communication. What might look like distraction or disengagement can be somebody telling us that something about the environment isn't working for them. Just because somebody needs to move doesn't mean they can't listen. Just because the music feels too loud doesn't mean they don't want to worship. And needing to step away doesn't mean somebody doesn't want to be part of what is happening. A Football and a Conversation About Jesus I saw this particularly while serving on the kids’ team at HTB Focus. On the first day, I was paired with a child I knew little about, except that they liked football. We spent a lot of time kicking a ball around, building trust and having small conversations about Jesus. When things became overwhelming, they could use a quieter space and choose when they were ready to join in again. That evening, their parent emailed to say it was the first time they had ever returned from a kids' group at an event without having a meltdown. Perhaps even more importantly, they wanted to come back the next day. It reminded me that joining in doesn't always look like sitting through every activity. Sometimes it looks like kicking a football around and talking a bit about Jesus. Small Things Can Make a Big Difference Often, accessibility doesn't require something complicated. Ear defenders can make a loud environment manageable. A fidget can help someone concentrate. Knowing what is happening next can make an unfamiliar group feel much safer. Sometimes simply having the freedom to move, sit somewhere quieter or step outside for a few minutes can make all the difference. That's something we're beginning to put into practice at Emmanuel. In the cupboard closest to the glass door, you'll now find ear defenders, pop-its, fidgets and wobble cushions, available for anyone who finds them helpful - adults as well as children. They're small things, but sometimes small things remove surprisingly big barriers. Jesus says in Mark 10:14, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them." We might never intentionally stop somebody from coming to Jesus. But sometimes barriers exist that we simply haven't noticed because they aren't barriers for us. Perhaps one of the best questions we can learn to ask is not: "Why aren't they joining in?" But instead: "What would help you join in?"

A testimony from a member of our church community I’ve always had a relationship with God, but it was at best distant and I would typically try to talk to him when I was asking for something or needed an answer. Walking past Emmanuel Church on Christmas Eve in 2025 I felt compelled to just go in and try to re-connect with God, and that evening became so much more than that. Over previous years I had visited other Churches for friends’ weddings and baptisms, but this Church felt different and when Peter (the rector) invited me to Alpha on that Christmas Eve, it felt personal. I had no idea what to expect from Alpha although I had a healthy dose of scepticism that there would be lots of good Christians trying to persuade me that I needed to attend church more and be a better human being. In reality it wasn’t like that at all. As a small group we watched videos together that answered many questions and enabled lots of comments and observations through honest conversation in what felt like a safe place. My overall experience was that of not being judged, which was helpful as well as being a conducive way to explore. I was grateful for that. I also met like-minded souls on the journey, some of whom had the same questions and somehow that seemed to make it easier to open up our conversations. Having gone through that journey with them, I now refer to most as true friends, and that kind of friendship has a high value in any context, and yet it somehow seems more special because of our time together. Almost 18 months later, I still have questions, and I still have huge moments of doubt and feelings of condemnation. But I have moved a little bit closer to Jesus, and I am coming to realise that he never really left me. In my dark moments I don’t feel so alone and I know that when we talk he really is listening. I’m also learning the importance of being still and listening closer to Gods whispser. In my light moments I know that Jesus is somehow orchestrating his plan, and that in some way I don’t fully understand, he is allowing me to live an amazing life. I feel blessed that he does. Thank you to Alpha.

Held, Upheld, and Loved: Reflections on New Life and Church Family ✨ They say it takes a village to raise a baby, but for us, we have found that it takes a church family. Emmanuel Church is a place where community comes together to reflect God’s unconditional love, holding and caring for one another through every season of change, difficulty, and need. In Paul’s letter to the Romans, we are reminded that "in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others" (Romans 12:5). Never was the reality of that truth made clearer to me than when we recently welcomed our third baby, Finneas, into the world—and straight into the arms of the most caring extended family you could ever ask for. Inundated with Love in Thought, Deed, and Action From the moment Finn arrived, our home was filled with tangible expressions of God's grace. There were hand-knitted cardigans, beautiful cards, flowers, chocolates, and even homemade fruitcake that literally sustained us during those bleary-eyed 2am night feeds! The bath salts, face cream, and bubble bath dropped on our doorstep made me, as a mother, feel so deeply seen and loved. For at least a month, not a single day went by without someone dropping in, sending a thoughtful message, making a phone call, or posting a card—living out the call to "encourage one another and build each other up" (1 Thessalonians 5:11). Whether it was someone answering a quick question (even for a third-time parent!), replying to a late-night text, or popping to the shop to grab Infacol for our unsettled baby, we saw Paul's words brought to life: "Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2). In every practical gesture, we saw Jesus. We didn't feel like simply members of a church congregation; we felt wrapped in the warm, living embrace of an extended family in Christ. Faithfulness That Breathes Life The prayers offered for us were a true lifeline. The time and effort people took to pray for Finn’s health and healing from colic and a suspected dairy intolerance, for my own physical recovery, and for our whole family as we adjusted breathed God's peace and fresh life into us when days felt like a blur, punctuated at times by frustration, sadness and a desperation for our baby to be content and happy. I remember struggling into church when Finn was just four days old — perhaps something I wouldn’t recommend doing again! — but I went because I knew I would be held. Physically, emotionally, and spiritually, I knew it would be okay because someone would always be there to hold the baby... and, in turn, hold me in Christ's love. Known, Cherished, and Belonging From the moment Finn was first introduced on stage at church and we, as bleary-eyed parents, smiled with pride, we felt an overwhelming tide of warmth toward him. Today, he is truly known by his church family, loved deeply, and checked in on regularly. Having heard these familiar, loving voices for months, he is now completely comfortable in their arms as they speak to him as if he were their own. Even through his early struggles and now as he is getting older, more wriggly and the interest can naturally wane, the ongoing support and love has never wavered. It has been profoundly humbling to see the positive impact Finn has had on our congregation across all generations—from the youngest to the oldest. Watching the unfiltered joy and happiness he brings to others has been a profound reminder of how God’s love flows back and forth when a church family lives, loves, and walks together as one body.

As the vibrant hum of activity settles at Emmanuel, our church family is left with hearts overflowing with gratitude for all that God accomplished through this year’s Summer Light Factory. Across five action-packed mornings, our building was filled with laughter, creativity, high-energy games, meaningful questions, storytelling, and energetic worship—complete with the occasional shaving foam pie! Far beyond the crafts and games, the week was marked by what lies at the heart of Emmanuel: serving with love, building authentic community, and sharing the life-changing truth of the gospel. Serving with Joy, Loving One Another Putting on an event like Summer Light Factory requires huge dedication, but above all, a desire to serve generously. From the moment the red carpet was rolled out and doors opened, the warmth across our volunteer team was clear to see. Over 50 leaders, actors, and helpers gave their time, energy, and prayers to ensure every child felt known, valued, and loved. "It has been an amazing week! I have loved going round seeing lots of happy faces, some I know well and others we have only met this year. I hope I get to see you all again at our next event!" Joy was a common theme across the entire volunteer team. "Seeing the church filled with so much joy and laughter every single morning was incredible. Serving together didn’t feel like work at all—it was an absolute privilege to help create a place where these children felt so loved, valued, and welcome." "I just love spending time with the children and helping them to know something about how much God loves them." Where Friendships and Confidence Flourished One of our greatest privileges as a church is creating a safe environment where children can step out of their comfort zones, build real confidence, and form lasting friendships. Across the five mornings, quiet moments turned into encouragement as kids worked in teams, created at craft tables, and cheered each other on during games and on-stage drama. "Thank you so much for this week, it’s been a great blessing! On the first day my child came out saying, 'I've had the best day ever!' It has done him the world of good spending time with other kids. For him to keep returning each day is a true testament to you guys. You are awesome...we love Emmanuel Church!" Introducing the Next Generation to Jesus At Emmanuel, our deep calling is to be a clear light for our city. Bringing Bible stories to life allowed children to discover just how deeply valued they are by God, inspiring a genuine desire to learn more. "We were so impressed with the engagement of the children and their readiness to learn and listen. They were able to answer and ask lots of questions at the end, which was so rewarding for us as leaders and teachers." "Children arrived in our den each morning and wanted us to open the Bible with them, reading and talking about the stories of Jesus and linking it through to the memory verses they learnt each day. The most rewarding thing of the week was to hear children becoming interested in and eager to hear the word of God and continuing this learning and discovery at home." "It wasn't just great fun—it was meaningful. Hearing my son sing the songs at home and talk about Jesus with so much excitement has been amazing!" Looking Ahead The biggest takeaway? "You should do it more often; I would love it if I could go for another week!” To all the families who joined us—thank you for trusting us with your children. We can't wait to welcome you back to our Sunday morning children's groups and other upcoming activities already in the pipeline!

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35 Emmanuel is an incredibly loving church. When Tudor and I first arrived just over a year ago, we were given a warm welcome and felt at home right away. And then I was diagnosed with lymphoma (for a second time). We were new to Plymouth so this could have been a lonely and painful time, but instead we felt loved and cared for by so many people at Emmanuel. We made friends who visited, supported and prayed with us. My prayer triplet was a complete gift. My mother was so thankful that she has told lots of people about this amazing loving church! One thing I am learning is that just as I celebrate some truth of God becoming rooted in my life, he takes me deeper. He challenges me not to be complacent but to look for more. I believe that in this season of change at Emmanuel, that God is calling us to go deeper in our love for one another. This isn’t easy, it is more than being friendly, more than the odd text or shared social event, more than meeting together to pray. This love is sacrificial. It is about how we treat one another when the going gets tough, when changes are made that we don’t like, and when we feel pressurised and overwhelmed. Our whole faith is based on sacrificial love. We all know: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 God’s love is so much more than a warm hug or word of encouragement. He was prepared to die for us. Indeed, Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” John 10:11 And “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:12-13 And in his first letter, John sums it up like this, This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 1 John 3:16 We may not be called to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters but what about being willing to lay down our opinions, our shibboleths, our way of doing things? I am not talking about our beliefs and our theology but the practical ways we work together. There are lots of people in new roles and others who are trying to juggle far too many at Emmanuel at the moment. This means that things will be being done differently to how we may be used to, it means that some things may be stopped to allow a new work to begin, and it means that some people may be very stressed. It is in this situation that we are called to love one another with a sacrificial love and not with an entitled attitude. It is when we truly need the fruit of the Spirit. That fruit does not grow through our efforts alone but by giving space to the Holy Spirit to work in us and change us. For me this love is shown in how we disagree with one another, how we forgive when we have been hurt and how we are willing to try new things. It will be seen in how we complain when things aren’t how WE want them to be. How we speak to one another, and about one another, matters. Are we prepared to put our opinions aside, to die to self, not just in our personal lives but in our corporate life as a church? It means: Surrender: Letting go of what you want to obey God. Transformation: Moving away from a self-centred life toward loving God and other people. A Daily Choice: Treating your old selfish habits as dead and choosing to honour God every single day. It isn’t easy. We will mess up but it is when we get it wrong, when we chose God’s way over our own appearance or reputation, when we admit our wrong attitudes, when we say sorry to others and when we speak to one another about things instead of talking about it behind people’s backs or in the privacy of our homes. Then our love will become REAL and DEEP. I have some pearl jewellery. Some is cheap and cheerful, and the others are quite valuable. At first sight you might not know the difference. But the expensive ones are formed in an oyster. It starts as a small piece of grit that irritates the oyster until it eventually forms a beautiful pearl. Love that reflects the love that we have received from God comes not out of our own efforts to be “nice” and “loving” but from the small irritations of rubbing along with people and working out what it is to love sacrificially. Peter quoted this prayer of John Stott in the service on Sunday (2nd August). Maybe it will ground us in God’s love if we too pray it each day. Good morning heavenly Father, good morning Lord Jesus, good morning Holy Spirit. Heavenly Father, I worship you as the creator and sustainer of the universe. Lord Jesus, I worship you, Saviour and Lord of the world. Holy Spirit, I worship you, sanctifier of the people of God. Glory to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. Heavenly Father, I pray that I may live this day in your presence and please you more and more. Lord Jesus, I pray that this day I may take up my cross and follow you. Holy Spirit, I pray that this day you will fill me with yourself and cause your fruit to ripen in my life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Holy, blessed and glorious Trinity, three persons in one God, have mercy upon me. Amen.

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