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Plymouth is Growing – and So Are Its Universities! Did you know Plymouth’s student population is set to grow by 22% over the next 15 years? By 2040, more than 25,000 students will be studying at the city’s three universities — Arts University Plymouth, Plymouth Marjon University, and the University of Plymouth. One of the people helping to shape this exciting future is Professor Claire Taylor, Vice- Chancellor of Marjon University. Claire, who became Vice-Chancellor in 2023, leads this faith-based university — originally founded from the Anglican colleges of St Mark and St John — with vision and energy. Under her leadership, Marjon is developing new courses to meet the needs of a changing world and strengthening its research work. The university has a strong reputation for high- quality teaching and for preparing graduates who want to make a difference — especially in tackling social inequality and serving the community. You’re warmly invited to hear Professor Claire Taylor share her story and her vision for the future of education and leadership in today’s fast-changing culture at Community Cafe on Satuday 6th December @ 10:30am!

As we get ready for advent, how can we reduce the impact we have on the planet? Advent is the time to prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ and Colossians 1:15-17 tells us The Son is the firstborn over creation and all things were created through him. So how could we celebrate this season in a way that cares for creation? Ideas for a greener advent: Advent calendars have become increasingly commercial and plastic. Consider either a traditional paper advent calendar, or a reusable fabric or wooden advent calendar. Reducing Christmas cards :are there places where you could display one card to a group ( for example work, Church or schools), or think about e mail cards. Money saved could be donated to charity.  Think about setting up a reverse advent calendar at work where people can bring in items for charity for example, food for food bank, hygiene items for the hygiene hub, small gifts for the homeless ( socks hats and gloves are very much appreciated at Shekinah). Think about using natural materials such as fabric, wool or wood  for Christmas decorations especially if you are replacing older plastic items.   For more ideas you might want to read a book such as:  Dreaming of a Green Christmas: Sustainability and creation care for busy people by Olivia Warburton. ( Available online from BRF ministries). Or look for ideas on the A Rocha Eco Church website.

A prayer space at Emmanuel What is ‘The Well’? A prayer space at Emmanuel from Monday 17 to Friday 21 November from 6am to 10pm, for personal encounter with Jesus and transformation by the Holy Spirit.  Why ‘The Well’? 12 people recently met to pray at Emmanuel and received a vision of the well in John 4, where the Samaritan woman encounters Jesus and is transformed. She then invites everyone to come and see him. How can I take part? By spending an hour alone with God at The Well, engaging with a creative interactive prayer journey based on John 4:1-40.  How can I book a timeslot? 70 timeslots of 1 hour in The Well are bookable  here . Please book now to secure a timeslot. Can I bring a guest to my timeslot?  Yes, but bear in mind that The Well is designed for individual prayer and response with privacy. Can I pray at night too? The hours from 10pm to 6am are also bookable, as commitments to spend time in prayer at night at home when The Well at Emmanuel is closed. Resources will be available via the Church app.  How can our wider community take part? From 11am to 1pm each day, The Well will be open for public use. Bear in mind there is no guarantee of privacy or silence during these hours. I don’t have an hour to spare. How can I join in?  By praying wherever and whenever you can, using the resources that will be on the app, and/or by visiting The Well at Emmanuel any time between 11am and 1pm for shared use, without needing to book. How will ‘The Well’ end? On Friday 21st, from 8pm to midnight, ‘The Well’ will end with 4 hours of prayer and worship together, Worship @ TheWell. If I have time, how can I prepare for my timeslot? Preparation isn't essential or expected. If you have time, you may want to read John 4:1-40, asking the Lord to speak, and help you hear his voice. You can book a slot here.

Excellent. Then why not join us as we travel around the local care homes, bringing joy and celebration to our cherished residents. Click the care home to register your interest... Where ? Date ? Time ? Greenacres Thurs 4th Dec 2.00pm Seymour Court Fri 5th Dec 11.00am Chatsworth House Fri 12th Dec 2.00pm Hartley Park Wed 17th Dec 11.00am Thorn Park Wed 17th Dec 2.00pm Charlton House Fri 18th Dec 1.30pm QR codes available at the back of church for speedy registration. Just ask Linda Wheeler if you want more information.

Emmanuel's Flower Ministry presents a wonderful opportunity to glorify God, to celebrate and remember, and to bless the people in our church family and local community. Flower arrangements can be sponsored in memory of a loved one, to commemorate a happy event, or simply as a gift to the church family. When you sponsor the flowers, you will be given the opportunity to suggest a colour scheme, and to write a short message of dedication to be featured in the weekly Lamp Post. After being enjoyed by the congregation in our Sunday services, the flowers are collected and bunched, before being delivered to a person in our community as a gift from the church family. If you would like to sponsor the flowers, please contact Kim Gregory via the church app. Go to 'bookings', then 'flowers in church', where there is a form to fill out Alternatively, you may contact the church office. Call for volunteers - We are looking for people who can dismantle the arrangements, bunch the flowers and deliver them to recipients on Mondays or Tuesdays. Please contact the church office if you feel that you could help. Blessings, Kim Gregory

We’ve been loving a new worship song at Emmanuel recently – “Jesus Name Above All Names”  by KXC. If you haven’t heard it yet, you can listen here: 🎧   Watch on YouTube Where it comes from The song draws from one of the most powerful passages in Scripture – Philippians 2:9–11 , where Paul writes that God exalted Jesus and gave him “the name above every name,” and that every knee should bow  and every tongue confess  that Jesus Christ is Lord. It’s a song that doesn’t shy away from declaring who Jesus is. The lyrics celebrate him as the “miracle making, city wall shaking, prodigal chasing, Lazarus raising”  God. It’s bold, faith-filled and full of life. Why we love it One of the things I love about this song is that it’s not just great for Sunday worship – it’s brilliant to have playing at home. We’ve noticed that when we’ve got worship music on in the background, our kids start picking up the tunes (and sometimes the theology gets… interesting). For example, our youngest was once asked by a teacher to “do it again” and apparently started singing “Do it again, Lord!”  A bit out of context, but at least worship is sinking in somewhere! It’s a simple way to fill your home with truth and joy. The songs we play shape the atmosphere – and little hearts often soak up more than we realise. Singing over one another After the service last Sunday, someone mentioned they wanted to sing this song over  a family member who’s going through a hard time. I loved that. What a beautiful thought – to speak (or sing) the name of Jesus over the people we love. That’s really what this song invites us to do: to remember that the name of Jesus still carries power, hope and peace today. Why not try it this week? Pop the song on while you’re making dinner or driving to work. Let it lift your eyes and remind you who’s really in charge. You might even find yourself (or your kids) humming it through the day. “Jesus, You’re the name above all names, Over my fear, over the storm – Jesus is Lord.” Let’s keep making our homes places where His name is sung, even in the ordinary moments. With love and hope,  Peter

October 2025 Last week there was a breaking-the-ground ceremony for the new Church Army Centre in Nairobi, which Emmanuel are helping to fund. The bishop of Nairobi, the Rt. Rev. Jonathan Kabiru, wielded a pickaxe on the first trench for the foundations. It is expected that the project will be completed by this time next year. Meanwhile we hope to visit and see its progress and then be on site for the opening ceremony. Church Army Africa (CAA) have decided to call the new building, the Emmanuel Centre. It will provide conference and training facilities for those in the ministry of evangelism, and for those working in community development in the newly emerging informal settlements – which are coming up just behind the high-rise buildings in the photo. Alongside this project in Nairobi, Emmanuel has established a parish link with St Monica’s Church in Thika.  A number of Emmanuel members will be visiting both Nairobi and Thika in February 2026. We’ll visit the CAA building project and explore possible links with the CAA Primary School. We’ll also visit St Monica’s and share fellowship with the congregation, and explore how our children’s and youthwork can connect with theirs. Alongside this we’ll visit some slum contexts and learn about the challenges Christians face as they minister and reach out to people in these settings. The aim of the visit is to make friends with Christians in other parts of the world, to learn about other people’s contexts and to be encouraged in our own mission engagement in Plymouth. Rt Rev Tim Dakin Chair of Mission Committee

At Emmanuel Church, Plymouth, we believe Jesus is the light of the world, and our calling is to be a light for the city. A huge part of that calling is investing in our children and young people. The Talking Jesus  research shows that most people come to faith before the age of 18. That’s my story too. I came to faith in my teens through outstanding youth work, and it changed the direction of my whole life. That’s why these roles are so important to me personally, and to our church family. We’re now recruiting for two new part-time positions to strengthen our ministry with children and young people: ✨ Schools Worker (17.5 hrs p/w)  – to build on our partnerships with local schools, leading assemblies, supporting Christian groups, and helping children discover pathways into faith. ✨ Youth Worker (20 hrs p/w)  – to lead our youth ministry, disciple young people, and create opportunities for them to grow as confident followers of Jesus. These roles could remain separate, or, if the right candidate comes forward, they could be combined into one larger role. At Emmanuel, we believe ministry flourishes when the right people are in the right place. Building a strong team matters to us, and we’re committed to helping people thrive in the gifts God has given them. As part of my own commitment to children’s and youth ministry, I help lead a youth Bible study and take weekly assemblies at Compton Primary – and it’s a real joy to grow that ministry. We are not asking someone to work alone, but to join a team where children’s and youth work is at the heart of what we do together. With the right team members, we believe God is opening even more doors to reach children and young people across Plymouth. 👉 Could this be you, or someone you know? If you love Jesus, have a heart for children and young people, and want to be part of a church that seeks to be hungry, hopeful, and holy as a forward-looking church family – we’d love to hear from you. To View The Role Description and Application Form Click Here Applications Close 30th October 2025, Interviews Start 6th November 2025. Salary: £27k - £31k FTE

Christmas Table – Volunteer Roles This Christmas Day, we’re opening our doors for Christmas Table  — a festive meal for anyone who would otherwise be alone or in need of community. It’s a chance to share food, friendship, and the love of Jesus together after our 10:30am Holy Communion service. We’ll serve a starter at 12:30pm, followed by dinner and pudding in the church hall. To make it happen, we’re gathering a joyful team of volunteers to serve, cook, decorate, and clear up. Led by the Wardens and Rector, this will be a team effort full of laughter, service, and gratitude. Set-Up Team (Christmas Eve) Help us prepare the space for our guests on Christmas Eve! This team will set tables, decorate the hall, prepare place settings, and make sure everything is ready for a warm welcome on Christmas Day. Great for those who love to create a festive atmosphere and can spare a few hours on Christmas Eve. Kitchen Team (Christmas Day)   Join the heart of the operation! The kitchen team will help cook, plate up, and serve our Christmas meal — from starters at 12:30 to pudding. You’ll work closely with the wardens, Pam and Linda to make sure every guest is well fed and feels loved. A great role if you’re happy in the bustle of the kitchen and serving others with joy. Washing Up & Pack-Down Team (Christmas Day Afternoon) Once the feast is over, this team helps with the practical blessing of washing up, tidying, and resetting the space. It’s a behind-the-scenes act of service that keeps the day running smoothly and helps everyone head home with full hearts and a clean hall. Perfect for those who don’t mind rolling up their sleeves and quietly making a big difference.

Come and be part of something special at Little Sparks  – our brand-new toddler group at Emmanuel! We’re looking for volunteers with a heart for children and families to help us create a safe, welcoming and fun space for little ones and their carers. By joining the team you won’t just be making the teas or setting out toys (though that matters too!) – you’ll be part of building relationships, offering kindness, and making parents and carers feel they belong. It’s a chance to share the love of Jesus in simple but powerful ways. What might you get out of helping?  Plenty of joy from little smiles and laughter. Encouragement from seeing families supported. New friendships with others on the team. And the deep satisfaction of knowing you’re planting seeds of faith and love that can grow into something lasting. Whether you’re a natural with toddlers, love chatting with adults, or just want to serve practically, we’d love to have you involved. Could you give a couple of hours on a weekday morning to help our youngest generation shine? Come and spark something wonderful with us. To find out more, click here  for the job description.

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

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