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Meet THE TEAM We are run by a dedicated team passionate about helping people grow in their faith and build strong community connections. The team includes vicars, ministry leaders, operational staff and volunteers who work together to serve the church family and wider community. Committed to biblical teaching, worship, discipleship, and outreach, they aim to reflect the love of Christ in all they do. Peter Shaw Team Rector / Vicar Holly Martin Children's & Youth Minister Kathryn McGuinness Pastoral Lead Tim Dakin Preaching / Chair of Mission Committee Pippa Brown Preaching / Leading / LLM John Phillips Chair of Finance & Treasurer Darryl Cree Vicar of St. Paul's Sally Dakin Clergy Lead at St Marys / Preaching / Leading Emmanuel Robin Brown Team Vicar / Alpha Lead Ryan Thornton Worship & Operations Intern Linda Wheeler Church Warden / Care Home Ministry Tim Lyddon Preaching / Leading / LLM Pam Edwards Churchwarden / Preaching / Leading / LLM Chris Benson Operations Support Bev Cree Parish Deacon at St Paul's and Emmanuel

Emmanuel Church, Plymouth. A light for the city. Join us for worship and community. info Services What's on 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 LORD'S PRAYER Each week focuses on a phrase of the prayer, showing how Jesus models worship, surrender, trust and hope for His followers. sermon series ❤ STUDENTS We love to welcome students to our church community. info When We Fail: Finding the Way Forward This year has not been short on examples of failure. Angela Rayner lost her job after the stamp duty fallout. Kier Starmer dismissed... Ryan Thornton 5 days ago 2 min read Trauma Unseen For many people, the word trauma conjures up images of obvious wounds: a soldier returning from war, a survivor of a devastating... Chris Benson Sep 9 2 min read Remembering 9/11 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... Chris Benson Sep 2 2 min read more posts SIGN UP Scan to download our Church Centre App to get the most out of Emmanuel

NICE to meet you We know it can be daunting starting something new, but we are here to make sure you feel welcomed into your church community Hi, welcome to Emmanuel Church Plymouth We’re so glad you’re checking us out, and we’d love to get to know you and help you feel at home here. A great first step is signing up on our church portal – it’s the best way to stay in the loop with everything going on at Emmanuel. You can sign up for events, update your contact details and receive our weekly emails that keep you up-to-date with all that’s happening. We also run newcomers events, which are a great opportunity to meet some of the team and others who are new to Emmanuel. You can also join a Connect Group or one of our serving teams – both brilliant ways to build friendships and get involved in church life. If you’ve got any questions, feel free to drop us an email – we’d love to hear from you and help you get connected. SIGN UP FIRST STEPS Some simple steps to help you start your journey with us Sign up Visit Connect Attend Register on our portal Come to a service Lets get social Join an event Welcome Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. Romans 15:7

Learn more about our local community, from food ministry, seniors, events & child contact. Local Community School Assemblies Each week, one of our clergy take an assembly at Compton CofE VC Primary School which forms a regular contact with the children who often use our church building for various events. The School are always happy to help advertise our children's events. After School Club Each Wednesday, after school assembly, our children's worker leads a Christian after school club. Click here for more information or to help with this ministry. child contact Child Contact Child Contact Child Contact, runs each week, is an Emmanuel initiative led by members of the congregation and local community to enable parents, otherwise separated by court ruling, to meet their children under supervision. It is the only place they can do this for free in Plymouth. Click here for more information or to help with this ministry. Seniors care home ministry There are many residential care homes in the parish. Members of the congregation form teams to conduct simple services during the year and carol services around Christmas. Click here if you would like more information about this ministry. Craft and chatter On Monday afternoons, meeting in the church Oval Room from 1.00pm for craft and chatter! Bring your hobby, whatever it is, sit round the table and chat. Click here for more information Food Ministry St Paul's Food Aid Our sister church, St Paul's Efford, run a year-round larder for their surrounding community. Also, at Christmas, they distribute 60-70 hampers of festive food. Emmanuel participates in this ministry by collecting food in church and from outlets in the City. Click here if you are interested in helping with this ministry. events Social Calendar One of the aspirations of our church is to be one big family. Our Social Calendar is available on a tri-fold card in church. It has events every month which variously suit every age and stage of life! You're welcome at everything, whoever you are! Fairs Each year we hold summer (June) and Christmas (November) fairs. An opportunity to engage with and serve our local community, and perhaps to raise some funds for missions we sponsor. Carols round the Lamp As Christmas approaches, we spend a family Friday evening in the church grounds singing carols, sharing the Nativity story, munching on mince pies, sipping glühwein or mulled wine, and having fun with the children.. Another chance to engage with and serve our local community.

Building real friendships, exploring faith, and having loads of fun along the way. Aimed at ages 11 to 17, we meet regularly for games, food, discussion, and time to dig into what it means to follow Jesus in everyday life. YOUTH Aged between 11 -17 Our youth activities are all about building real friendships, exploring faith, and having loads of fun along the way. Aimed at ages 11 to 17, we meet regularly for games, food, discussion, and time to dig into what it means to follow Jesus in everyday life. Whether you're already part of church or just curious, you’re always welcome. We create a space where everyone is valued, listened to, and encouraged and our committed team is here to support young people through every high and low. Sundays 10:30am Flames 11 to 13yrs Flames is our group for young people aged 11 to 13. We start off together in the main 10:30am service, joining the whole church family for worship. After a short time at the front to share what we’ll be up to and receive a prayer, we head over to our own group in the church hall. There, we dive into Bible-based discussions, fun activities, and time to grow in faith together. Flame re-join the main service either at the communion rail or during the final hymn if it’s a morning prayer service. Sundays 6pm Bereans 14 to 17yrs Named after the truth-seeking believers in Acts 17, Bereans is our youth group for ages 14 to 17. We begin the evening service together in church, joining in worship before heading to the youth room for our own time of teaching, discussion, and prayer. Bereans is a space where young people can explore big questions about life and faith, dig deeper into the Bible, and encourage each other in following Jesus. Whether you're confident in your faith or just curious, everyone is welcome. Thursdays 5:30 - 7:30pm Connected 11 to 17 Our weekly youth group is open to anyone aged 11 to 17 and meets during term time in the church hall. It’s a relaxed, welcoming space where friendships grow and faith can be explored at your own pace. Each week we share a meal together, because good food and good conversation go hand in hand! There's time for fun and games, as well as space to chat, ask questions, and dive into meaningful discussions about life, faith, and what it means to follow Jesus today. Whether you're part of the church or just looking for a place to belong, you’re always welcome.

A LIGHT FOR THE CITY Our purpose at Emmanuel is to be 'a light for the city' reflecting Jesus, the light of the world. 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. VALUES We have values to guide our members' behaviour, shape our culture, and ensure alignment with our mission and vision. Hungry We seek to know and experience more of God through prayer, worship, and the Bible. We long to grow deeper in faith, seeking spiritual transformation and relying on the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Our hunger fuels our commitment to heartfelt worship, persistent prayer, and a life of service. Hopeful We seek to be a people of hope, rooted in the promises of God and the resurrection of Jesus. We believe in His power to bring transformation. Our hope leads us to be forward-looking, courageous in prayer, and bold in sharing the good news of Christ. Holy We seek to reflect the holiness of God, as revealed in the Bible, in every aspect of our lives as a royal priesthood. Set apart for His purposes. Meditating on and studying the Bible, empowered by the Holy Spirit, we pursue lives of holiness, both individually and as a community. 7 Priorities Our priorities exist to fulfill our core purpose and vision. These priorities guide the church's activities, resource allocation and overall direction; ensuring we effectively serve our members and the wider community. 1: Growing Disciples The best thing anyone can do is become a disciple of Jesus, the light of the world. We aim to grow in breadth and depth.We aim to welcome 50 new people to faith, or reaffirmation of faith. Home-groups and prayer triplets grow from 100 to 150 and are flourishing. We aim to establish a mentoring program. "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19) 2: Pastoral Care We aim to establish a structured pastoral care programme that nurtures the spiritual, emotional and physical well-being of every individual. As we grow we want to ensure we continue to provide compassionate and holistic support that fosters a sense of belonging and spiritual well-being within our church community. "Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2) 3: Children We want to engage younger by reaching children and supporting their parents, carers and teachers. We aim to double the number of children who worship at Emmanuel. Raising children in our culture is hard and we want to support all those that play a role in raising children. "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6) 4: Young People We want to engage younger and triple the number of youth who worship and are growing in their discipleship at Emmanuel, reaching out into schools and uniform groups. Engaging with young people during their formative years, through relevant and inspiring Jesus centred ministry helps them navigate life's challenges as committed faithful followers of Jesus. Young people are the leaders of today, not just tomorrow. "How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word." (Psalm 119:9) 5: Young Adults This is our smallest demographic in the church, but the biggest within walking distance of our building. We aim to establish three young adult homes groups. Young adults set the culture of the world around them and we want to help disciple them into Christ-centred maturity to be a light to the city. "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." (1 Timothy 4:12) 6: Seeking the Welfare of the City We aim to discover a theology of God’s mission centred on the common good, discerning and participating in God's work within the city of Plymouth, and establishing a unified approach to urban welfare with three key projects. We will also learn and discover from global Christian communities to enhance our efforts and partner with a project in a global South city facing similar challenges of urban welfare. ‘Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” (Jer 29:7). 7: Trauma-Informed Church Working in partnership with others we aim to discover what is is to be a trauma informed church by 2026 and to have developed new and expanding existing ministries as a compassionate response. The impact of COVID and the challenges of consumerism and individualism means there is a lot of trauma, loneliness and darkness in our communities. We want to shine the light of hope in our fast-changing world. "The LORD is near to the broken-hearted and saves the crushed in spirit." (Psalm 34:18)

Considered a model for prayer, covering worship, dependence on God, repentance and moral guidance in just a few sentences. LORD'S PRAYER Sermon series September 7th - October 26th, 2025 This 8-week sermon series unpacks the depth and beauty of the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9–13), guiding believers to a richer understanding of prayer as both relationship and dependence on God. Each week focuses on a phrase of the prayer, showing how Jesus models worship, surrender, trust, and hope for His followers. Our Father in Heaven Sunday 7th September Prayer begins with relationship. God is both our loving Father and the holy King of heaven. We approach Him with confidence and reverence. to be published Your Kingdom Come Sunday 21st September We long for God’s reign to break into our world. His kingdom brings justice, peace, and renewal. Praying this is aligning our hearts with His mission. to be published Give Us Today Our Daily Bread Sunday 5th October God cares for our daily needs, both physical and spiritual. Asking for “bread” is an act of dependence. Each day, He faithfully provides. to be published Lead Us Not into Temptation Sunday 19th October Life brings trials and spiritual battles. We ask God to guide us away from sin and protect us from evil. He is our refuge and strength. to be published Hallowed Be Your Name Sunday 7th September God’s name is set apart and worthy of honor. To hallow His name is to live for His glory. Our prayers call us to worship in word and deed. to be published Your Will Be Done Sunday 28th September True prayer surrenders to God’s plan above our own. We yield to His wisdom. Trusting His will brings peace and direction. to be published Forgive Us Our Sins Sunday 12th October We are forgiven by God’s grace through Christ. Prayer reminds us to extend that same grace to others. Forgiveness sets us free from bitterness. to be published For Yours Is the Kingdom Sunday 26th October Prayer ends with praise, lifting our eyes to God’s eternal rule. All power and glory belong to Him alone. This assurance fills us with hope and worship to be published

GIVING Giving to the church is more than just financial support, it's a spiritual act of worship, trust, and gratitude. When you give, you're helping to fuel the mission of the church: sharing the Gospel, supporting ministries, reaching the community, and caring for those in need. Your generosity sustains vital programs like youth ministry, local outreach, global missions, and weekly worship gatherings. It also helps maintain the church as a welcoming space where people can connect, grow in faith, and find hope. More than that, giving is a step of faith. It’s a way of putting God first, acknowledging that everything we have comes from Him, and choosing to be part of something bigger than ourselves. As Scripture says, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). Every gift—no matter the size—makes an eternal impact and builds the future of the church. Together, through faithful giving, we can make a difference that lasts far beyond today. If you would like to give financially to support the ministry of Emmanuel Church and linked Ministries, various options are available - standing order, online giving, debit card donation in church, cash in the church gifts box. If you pay income tax, we encourage you to use Gift Aid to enable us to claim back your tax from HMRC and increase your giving by 25%. Standing Order One of the easiest ways to give is by setting up a regular monthly gift by standing order through your bank. This is also one of the simplest ways for us to track the giving we receive. Bank Account Details: Account Name: Emmanuel Church Account Number: 00092249 Sort Code: 40-52-40 Give through Stewardship. Helping Christians be the best stewards of the resources God gives them. Give

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 Lord's Prayer September - October 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 Jonah August 25 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

BEREAVEMENT JOURNEY The Bereavement Journey is for anyone who has been bereaved at any time and in any way The Bereavement Journey is an award-winning* series of films and discussion groups that gently guide people bereaved at any time through the most common aspects of grief and bereavement, enabling them to process the implications for themselves and discern next steps. The programme uniquely offers a final session on faith questions in bereavement, provided from a Christian perspective. This follows the main sessions and is optional, making The Bereavement Journey suitable for people of any faith or none. Find out more Sign up

PRAY Prayer is woven into the heart of everything we are and do, whether in our Sunday gatherings, community initiatives or plans for the future. At Emmanuel Church, we’re committed to seeking God’s guidance and wisdom in all things. Sunday Prayer Ministry At each of our Sunday services, we offer a dedicated prayer ministry. Our trained prayer team is happy to pray with or for you, whatever you feel led to bring to God. After the service, you’re invited to speak with someone from the team if you'd like prayer support. PRAYER REQUEST We believe in the work of the Holy Spirit, who intercedes on our behalf in bringing prayer to God. We would be happy to pray for you or for someone else on your behalf. Request Prayer Just Getting Started? If prayer feels unfamiliar or intimidating, you’re not alone. We’d love to help. Chat with us after a service, or check out some of the resources below to help you. Learn to pray Church of England 7 day prayer guide Try Praying Start to Pray 247 Prayer APPS Helpful apps to support praying Lectio 365 Prayer Mate Bible

JOIN IN CONNECTING YOU WITH EACH OTHER AND JESUS We provide lots of ways for you to connect with your church and your faith Home Groups These are our church in miniature! Each week in school term time, 90 people meet in small groups of between 7-12 to read the Bible together, pray and enjoy each other's company. They are great places to get to know people well, grow in faith and look out for each other Find a group Men's Breakfasts Every couple of months, men of the church are invited to meet over a cooked breakfast to hear Christian testimony. It's a great time to invite enquiring friends too. Next one D.I.M.E.S Once a month, women of the church similarly meet to hear and share testimony Next one Annual House Party Every year in winter/early spring, we aim to take over a hotel somewhere for a weekend away for the church. Over a hundred people gather to unwind amidst the church family, hear a visiting speaker and relax! Next one