If we are yet to meet, I am Jonathan and I have recently moved to Plymouth with my wife Chris to take on the role of Superintendent Minister at PMCH. Chris and I have much to give thanks for. Since moving from Sheffield, you have made us feel so welcome and we thank God for your kindness, your friendship and the warmth with which you have received us.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:18, we read: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

I love this verse! Thanksgiving is a spiritual discipline that lifts our eyes towards God, helping us to recognise and acknowledge all that we have to be thankful for.

In this season of harvest, we give thanks for God’s provision for us and for the opportunities we have to help provide for the needs of others. And as the church has reconvened after the summer break, we give thanks to God for one another, for the fellowship we share and for the friendships that are formed here.

This is also a season to give thanks for those who have recently joined our church. Perhaps you are a student, you have recently moved to Plymouth, or you have simply been looking for a church to call home. If so, please accept my sincere and heartfelt welcome. We want you to feel at home among us. Please introduce yourself to someone on the welcome team, who will be happy to tell you more about what we do as a church and how you can get involved.

As we begin our second month together, I look forward with excitement to all that God has in store for us, not only this month, but in the weeks, months and years ahead.

So, yes, let us give thanks to God, in Jesus’ name!

With every blessing

Rev Jonathan

News from PMCH

Staff Update

We want to let you know that, after three years on the PMCH staff team, Amber has moved on from her role with us to begin a new job with a homelessness charity.

Since joining the staff team in 2023, Amber has given so much to the life and ministry of PMCH, and we are very grateful for all she has contributed through her hard work, care and commitment.

We will be praying for Amber and her family as they begin this new chapter, asking that God would bless them and guide Amber as she uses her gifts in this new role. We are also delighted that this isn't a goodbye! Amber and her family will continue to be very much part of our PMCH church family, and we look forward to continuing to share life and faith together, even though Amber will no longer be with us as a member of staff.

Please join us in thanking Amber for all she has given to PMCH and in praying God's blessing on her and her family for the future

What’s coming up in October

YTH Mission Trip to Madagascar

A team of 10 young people with 2 of our Youth leaders are travelling next July/August to experience Jesus in a different culture. We will be running a holiday club for local children, as well as meeting and spending time with the local community. To fund the trip the team will be holding a variety of fundraising endeavours. They will be speaking about the trip on Sunday 04 October at our morning service and running a cake stall after the service. Please support them in any way you can.

Christmas Boxes for Romanian Children

Our Christmas Box Appeal will launch Sunday 04 October. A £25 donation sponsors a gift-filled box for a child in the Tarlengeni or Zizin Mission Houses in Romania. Gift certificates are available if you’d like to donate in someone’s name this Christmas. We’ll have a table set up on Sunday mornings with more info, cash and contactless payment available or bank transfer reference of ‘Romania’.

Harvest Service & International Bring & Share Lunch | 11 October

We’re looking forward to celebrating Harvest on Sunday 11 October! Please bring along non-perishable food donations for the Foodbank. The Creative Team would also love you to bring fresh fruit and vegetables for our Harvest displays. These will be donated to the Foodbank after the service.

After the service, we’ll be gathering for a Bring & Share Meal as we celebrate the many different cultures represented in our church family and warmly welcome new students to Plymouth.

Please sign up HERE or add your name to the sign-up sheet at church and make sure read our Food & Hygiene Policy.

MWiB Cream Tea & Quiz for Solar Aid | Thursday 15 October

MWiB invite you to an Afternoon Tea and Quiz whilst supporting and learning more about Solar Aid. Come & join us, all are welcome. Tickets are £5 and available to purchase from the PMCH office.

Marriage Course | Wednesday 07 October | 7:30pm - 10pm

We are excited to have Care for the Family visit PMCH in October. Tickets are currently 2 for £15, so now is a great time to book HERE

“Could your relationship be on autopilot? It doesn’t have to stay that way! Drifting apart is one of the biggest reasons why many couples decide to call it quits. But there are simple ways to prioritise each other and stop just going through the motions. Going the Distance is a live event from Care for the Family, which offers a rare chance to stop, take stock and invest in your relationship. You’ll explore practical ideas of how to communicate well, deepen connection with each other and intentionally set the course for your relationship. This event will help you spot warning signs, avoid roadblocks and continue your journey together, for a vibrant and lasting marriage.”

Visit cff.org.uk/goingthedistance for more info.

Light Party | Friday 31 October | 4pm

We would love you to join us for our space themed Light Party at Plymouth Central Hall. Get ready to take off into the stars with bouncy castles, crafts and activities, as we learn about how God created the universe! For families with children 11 and under, £2 per person. Come dressed as a cosmic character. Book HERE

Volunteer Opportunities with Transforming Plymouth Together

Homelessness is a growing issue in many of our cities and rough sleeping in Plymouth has doubled since 2023. As Christians we are called to welcome the stranger, practise hospitality and put our faith into action by responding to the practical needs of others.

Isaiah 58:7 asks:

“Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter?”

Last winter, churches across Plymouth opened their doors to provide warmth, safety and hope through Project 58:7. This project is a collaboration between Transforming Plymouth Together, pathdevon and four city centre churches in Plymouth.

Behind every night shelter is a team of volunteers making it happen – preparing the space, welcoming guests, serving food and drinks, listening, chatting and simply being present. This winter, we want to grow that team! To find out how you can support this ministry contact Transforming Plymouth Together at www.transformingplymouthtogether.org.uk/project-587

Thank you for helping to offer a WARM welcome at PMCH!

As many of you have seen, our heating project in now complete - meaning we will be able to offer a considerably warmer welcome to thousands of people as they come into our building this winter!

We want to say thank you to everyone who donated and gave generously to support this project (alongside the chairs!) as part of our Gift Day appeal.

In particular we want to acknowledge the generous grants received from The Benefact Trust and TMCP (Trustees for Methodist Church Purposes). We are so thankful for their support, which ensured this major project could be completed in time for the coming colder months.

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.

Harvest 11 October – Non-perishables - Cans, jars, packets, toiletries etc

08 Nov – Christmas

06 Dec – Tinned Meat

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.

03 Oct – Foodbank

07 Nov – JC's

05 Dec – Foodbank

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

Coming up this month

Sunday 04 October

11am Morning Worship led by Paul Courtney

7pm Evening Service & Communion led by Jonathan Haigh

Sunday 11 October - Harvest

11am Morning Worship led by Jonathan Haigh

International Bring & Share Meal after the morning service

7pm Evening Service led by Jonny Libby

Sunday 18 October

11am Morning worship & Communion led by Jonathan Haigh

7pm Evening Service led by Paul Smith

Sunday 25 October

11am Morning Worship led by Jonny Libby

7pm Evening worship led by
David Evans

Groups

Bible Study - Tuesday 2pm

Knit & Natter - Wednesday 12pm

Youth

New4U - Monday 6:30 - 8:15pm

X:Clamation - Friday 6:30 -8:15pm

Children & Families Groups

Totstop - Tuesday 9:30-11am

Messy Church - Saturday 17 October

Friyay Club - Friday 23 October

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