Dear friends,

As you read this at the beginning of March, I’m tempted to begin with a comment about the weather - though in Plymouth that’s hardly groundbreaking! If you’re reading this after yet another spell of persistent rain, take heart: spring really is on the way…

This Sunday we have the privilege of welcoming Ron from Open Doors to preach at our morning service. Open Doors does extraordinary work supporting persecuted Christians across the world - strengthening the church where faith is costly, providing practical help, training, and advocacy, and standing alongside those who suffer for the name of Christ. It is both humbling and inspiring.

As we hear from Ron, I’d encourage us not only to listen but to pray - particularly for our Nigerian members here at PMCH who carry understandable concern for loved ones at home. For many believers in Nigeria, following Christ involves real danger and uncertainty. May we be a church family that surrounds one another with prayer, standing together in faith and love.

There is also very joyful news to share. After much waiting and praying, we are delighted that a minister has now been matched with PMCH. Jonathan will be joining us in September, along with his wife, Chris. We thank God for His guidance and provision. There are more details below, but for now, please do continue praying for them - for preparations, for farewells, and for the new chapter that lies ahead for all of us.

I continue to be thankful for the many signs of God’s faithfulness among us. Thank you for the way you continue to serve, give, pray, and encourage one another. May we remain attentive to where God is at work, here in our city and across the world, and ready to respond.

Jonny

News from PMCH

Stationing Update – introducing Jonathan and Chris Haigh

As many of you will now be aware we are delighted to have appointed a new minster for PMCH! Jonathan and Chris Haigh will be moving from Sheffield to join us here in Plymouth from September 2026. Jonathan has been a Methodist minister for over 30 years and is very accustomed to city centre ministry. During their recent visit, Jonathan and Chris shared how they felt very called to join us and had been praying for us for many months. There was unanimous agreement across the Invitation Committee.

The Methodist Chruch’s Stationing process has not been without its frustrations as we have journeyed through numerous unsuccessful rounds. But we rejoice that we now have a match! As we approach almost two years of having no superintendent minister in post it is a great relief to have reached this point. We can reflect with thankfulness at all that God has done in and through us during that time and we are excited for all that is to come. I want to pay tribute to the Staff Team and many volunteers across the life of the church that have all stepped up and taken on additional duties and responsibilities over the last two years to ensure the worship and witness of PMCH has continued to thrive.

Can I invite you to pray for the churches that Jonathan leaves behind in Sheffield as they enter a period of time without a minister from September – that they would experience the same outpouring of God’s Spirit and provision that we have seen here in Plymouth as they so graciously release the Haigh’s to join us this autumn.

Paul Courtney

On behalf of the Leadership Team and Invitation Committee

What’s coming up in March

Prayer Meeting | Wednesday 04 March | 7:30pm

Our prayer meeting will still be at Central Hall but in a new location this month as the Prayer Chapel in currently unavailable. Please use the main doors and people will be there ready to show you where to go.

Open Doors Worship Event | Thursday 12 March | 7:30pm

Come and join us as we hear about the work of Open Doors and how they support Christians around the world who face persecution for their faith. Anneliese from Open Doors, together with guest speaker 'Mussie Eysau', an Eritrean believer who was forced to flee persecution, will lead us in prayer for the persecuted church worldwide. This gathering is an opportunity to set aside time to stand alongside fellow believers in prayer for the many whose faith puts their lives on the line.

The Cory Band | Saturday 28 March | 3-5:30pm

World-Class Music, straight from the Welsh Valleys

Join the award-winniing Cory Band for an afternoon concert you’ll never forget. Experience the brilliance, precision, and passion of one of the world’s finest brass bands. Book tickets HERE

Holy Week & Easter at PMCH

We’ll be meeting every evening during Holy Week at 7pm, starting Monday when our Youth are creating prayer stations to help us slow down, reflect and pray. On Tuesday we’ll be focussing on worship, and Wednesday will be led by another of our Home Groups. On Maundy Thursday, Dave Martin will lead a Tenebrae Communion Service in the main church. Good Friday will be a quieter, reflective service at 11am. Then on Easter Sunday - Communion on the Hoe at 6:30am, breakfast rolls will be served at 10am, and then we’ll celebrate with a jam packed service including Baptisms and activities for our young people at 11am, with a quieter service at 7pm

All information about services can be found HERE and don’t forget to book in for breakfast rolls using the link

We’ve also put together an A4 sheet with all the service details and a simple introduction to what Easter is all about, please take some away with you and have a think about who you might invite along!

Soft Play Café Easter Egg Hunt

Tuesday 31 March & Wednesday 01 April

9.30am Soft Play Cafe opens, 10.30am Easter egg hunt & Easter Bible story Visit pmch.org.uk/soft-play-cafe or pick up a flyer to book

A new venture for Catherine Hodgins

My name is Catherine Hodgins and I’m the team leader of the Faith in Action Group on the PMCH Leadership Team. I’ve recently started working as a Health and Wellbeing Champion with Transforming Plymouth Together, supporting churches to reduce poverty and inequality.

This role focuses on raising awareness of cancer prevention, early detection, and improving access to screening, especially for marginalised groups who face health inequalities throughout their cancer journey.

I’m working with church and community groups to support individuals and equip volunteers to speak confidently about cancer and encourage people to seek advice and screening.

I’m running a workshop at St Mark’s Church on 28 March to explore how we can better support those affected by cancer. I’m also working alongside the Plymouth Cancer Champions Project, which offers cancer awareness training on prevention, symptoms, screening, and signposting to further support.

If you’d like to find out more or attend a session, please contact me at Catherine@transformingplymouthtogether.org.uk.

Romania Trip | 11-18 September 2026

Each year a team consisting of mixed ages and experience, travel to Romania as a group. One team undertake a variety of building projects and another focus on children’s work on the Roma village providing education and social care. If you are interested in Joining us please speak to Nigel or Helena as soon as possible as we will be finalising numbers this week.

Plymouth Foodbank

Foodbank Sundays

Please support our Foodbank by donating items each month. We provide item suggestions for Foodbank Sunday but any items of food or toiletries will be gratefully received.

01 March - UHT Milk

05 April – Tuna/Fish

03 May - Rice

07 June - Bottle of Squash

Foodbank Prayer Meeting

Join us on the first Saturday of each month 9:30am - 12 as we pray for the Foodbank and the people we connect with at our sessions.

14 March

04 April

02 May

06 June

Please email Mark for more info mark@plymouthfoodbank.co.uk

Coming up this month

Sunday 01 March

11am Morning Worship led by Ron from Open Doors

7pm Evening Service & Communion led by Paul Smith

Sunday 08 March

11am Morning Worship led by Mark Oliver

7pm Evening Service Martin Earl

Sunday 15 March

11am Morning worship & Communion led by Paul Smith

7pm Evening Service led by Jonny Libby

Sunday 22 March

11am Morning worship led by Jonny Libby

7pm Evening worship led by Paul Whitell

Palm Sunday 29 March

11am Morning worship led by Jonny Libby

7pm Evening worship led by Mark Haydon

Weekly Groups

Youth Groups
X:Clamation Monday 6:30 - 8pm
New4U Friday 6:30-8:15pm

Children & Families Groups

Totstop Monday & Thursday 9:30am

Messy Church 07 March 9:20am

For more information on services and groups at PMCH please visit www.pmch.org.uk