Join us this Sunday as we meet together to worship our God. Please see our Services page for further details.

Saturday, 8 May 2010

Time: 10:00am – 4:00pm

Venue: St Andrew’s Church, Plymouth.

During the day there will be the opportunity to worship God, hear talks from 2 Corinthians and to take part in two seminars of your choice. This year we are sharing our main speaker with the Bristol Conference; Susie Leafe will be helping us discover how knowing God means we can live purposeful, confident, hope- filled lives.

You will need to identify three seminars you would like to attend, we will endeavour to give you your first two choices:

1) Reaching out to friends and family
Do you long to bring those you know to Christ? come and explore ways to make personal evangelism more effective.

2) Finding Jesus in Isaiah
Is life getting on top of you? Is it all too much? Come and be comforted by our Shepherd King.

3) Guiding our children
Join us to discover practical ways for helping children develop a lasting love for God’s word.

4) An issue of identity
Let’s face it, we’re all insecure. Come and take a closer look at finding our identity in God.

5) Guiding our prayers
Come and discover how to develop a more prayerful life, without resorting to more lists.

6) Looking to the future
How can I know God’s will for my life? A chance to explore what the Bible says about the nature of His guidance.

7) The Titus Trend
Whether you feel young or old, come and discover how to make the most of cross-generational relationships.

Holiness without the guilt
Do you struggle with wanting to be more godly, but feel like a failure? Practical ways to live wholeheartedly for God.

The title has only been granted to a handful of other churches across the country – and it will be the only Minister in the Diocese of Exeter.

The change in status recognises the importance of Plymouth as a city and the historic role of St Andrew’s as a place of worship.

The Rt Revd Michael Langrish, Bishop of Exeter said: ‘This is an historic step for St Andrews and is intended to be one way of celebrating the significance of the city of Plymouth in the life of our diocese.

‘In recognising the historic role of St. Andrew’s as a place of celebration, worship and mission for the city, we are also recognising the importance of the city in the South West and its historic contribution to our national life.’

The announcement follows a petition by Plymouth City Council which noted the ‘remarkable inspiration’ of the church’s famous Resurgam motto during the last war and resolved ‘to request the Bishop of Exeter to grant our historic Civic Church of St. Andrew the style and title of Minster, in recognition of the very great esteem in which this Church and its record of service is held by the City of Plymouth.’

A special service to mark the granting of Minster status will be held at St. Andrew’s on 29 November.

The title of ‘Minster’ dates back to monastic times when it was used to describe a major centre of Christian mission. In recent years this medieval designation has been re-introduced and bestowed on a handful of parish churches in urban areas – including Sunderland, Doncaster, Stoke-on-Trent and Newport – to acknowledge their wide responsibilities for their communities. 

The Rector of St. Andrew’s, Prebendary Nick McKinnel, said: ‘We are delighted at the encouragement this gives us in our mission. We shall enjoy thinking in fresh and creative ways about our responsibilities for Christian witness and service.’

There has been a church on the site of St. Andrew’s since Saxon times and the first named vicar is recorded in 1087. Over the centuries the church has been associated with such notable figures as Catherine of Aragon, Sir Francis Drake, Sir John Hawkins, the Pilgrim Fathers, Captain Bligh of the Bounty and Sir Francis Chichester. In 1941 the church was burnt out in the Blitz and a wooden board bearing the word RESURGAM (I will rise again) was placed over the North door reflecting Christian hope in dark days. Today the six John Piper windows bring light and colour to the restored building.

Speaking in a radio broadcast in 1946, politician and solicitor Isaac Foot spoke of St. Andrew’s as Plymouth’s ‘most treasured possession’. ‘St. Andrew’s is at the very heart of the city. Plymouth and St. Andrew’s have, in a sense, grown up together and the church is regarded as the common inheritance of the people irrespective of their religious persuasion,’ he said.

Monday Evenings, 7.30pm – 9.30pm in the Lower Abbey Hall

How to read the Bible with Jonah

If you’ve every opened up the Bible and wondered where and how to start reading it, this 4 week course is for you.  Over four weeks we’ll look at the basic skills of reading and studying the Bible, how to tackle different Bible books and how to get the most out of reading God’s word.  We’ll be using the book of Jonah, as well as other Bible passages, as practical examples as we go.

No prior knowledge is necessary.  There is no cost for this course and no textbook to buy and read.

Course dates: 12th, 19th, 26th January and 9th February.  (No meeting on 2nd February)

For more information see Dan Wells.