Grace and Peace,
Do you know what the Tribes of Israel, the Judges, the Disciples, and the gates in the New Jerusalem all have in common? That’s right – there were 12 of them. I remember some years ago leading a Guild session on interesting Biblical numbers, their meaning and significance behind the actual literal number, and 12 fits very much into this.
In both the Old and New Testaments, the number 12 has a resonance and a significance.
- The 12 of the Twelve Tribes of Israel represents a sense of unity and togetherness – each arising from a son of Jacob. Each tribe rooted in identity and belonging.
- The 12 judges in the Book of Judges. Some of these will be familiar to you in name – Samson, Deborah, Gideon for example. Others will be less so. For example, Ehud – a left-handed assassin, and Abdon, who had 40 sons (remember this is before the child-benefit cap was introduced). The fact that there were 12 judges suggests a continuity with the Hebrew people’s origins and governance – and therefore a completeness to the order of things.
- Jesus chose 12 disciples or apostles to follow him – although of course the Bible names many other people who followed him, listened to him, and who were connected to his life and ministry – Mary Magdalene, Martha and Mary, Nicodemus to name just a few. But when Judas was no more, the remaining disciples chose a replacement, Matthias: eleven was incomplete, twelve felt complete somehow.
After 12 years, life in Eastbourne is drawing to a close, and although I knew many, many months ago that it would be, it is still a very strange feeling for it to be coming to an end. There’s lots still to be said, lots to hear, and that will come in the weeks ahead. I think many of you will know that 12 years is the longest I have lived anywhere in my life, it’s been the place for Claire and I to live and work and make many relationships and many connections and and obviously where Matt and Evan have done most of their growing up.
In terms of ministry, 12 years in one sense does have an air of completeness to it. As churches we initially combined together through our worship and fellowship, then through our governance and structures, then through our physical space and premises. We’ve had to end a great deal of things, but we’ve started many new things too. Having been in the new premises for almost three years, the first chapter of Emmanuel could be said to be drawing to a close.
Isn’t it a rather wonderful thing, though, that even though my 12 years of ministry in Eastbourne may be ending, that there is still so much which is incomplete, still to take place, opportunities still to come? Rev. Jonathan and his family will be in your midst in a couple of months, finding their feet, settling in, and helping point Emmanuel in new directions. Twelve might signify a completion of my time of ministry in Eastbourne, but God’s story through Emmanuel people is far from complete – and that’s exactly the way it should be.
My last written word can only be one of thanksgiving:
Thank you to you all for your vision and energy, your remarkable gifts in bringing everything into being that needed to. A more gifted, passionate and prayerful people would surely be hard to find.
Thank you to all for your support and prayers for me, Claire, Matt and Evan over the years and particularly recently – we appreciate them all and it feels very special to be held in love and prayer by people I am supposed to be ministering to – and yet who so often minister to me.
Thank you for bearing with me and for forgiving me – when I have been slow to grasp good things or made mistakes (too many to mention here!).
And on behalf of us all, thanks be to God for holding us all in these years. Knowing how much God’s presence of love and strength has been with us gives me hope for the future – that we’ll all continue to be held in the years to come.
More grace and peace
Rev. Paul
Excerpt taken from Emmanuel Magazine July/August 2026. The magazine, published ten times annually, features articles contributed or authored by our members. It includes a delightful blend of testimonials, devotions, book reviews, prayers, jokes, upcoming events, and more. Grab your copy of the latest magazine at the church foyer. If you prefer to receive a copy by mail or email, feel free to reach out to us.