Grace and peace to you all.
We’ve only been in the new building 18 months but we’re starting to accumulate some logos. Have you noticed? We’ve got the following (so far):
We’ve got the Bronze Eco Church Award – an excellent starting point for the coming couple of years, as we try and lead a greener church life. We’re now trying to get Silver by recycling and reusing more, including this in our preaching and teaching and prayers, and some other innovative ways too.
Emmanuel is also a part of the Inclusive Church Network – and the only one in Eastbourne. So this means if you’re young, old, neuro-diverse, transgender, Black, white, able-bodied or have a disability, gay, married, straight, widowed, divorced, single – we’re all made in God’s image and all are welcome.
Recently we’ve become a Fairtrade Church too – to be honest we’ve continually used Fairtrade goods and products for some time, but have recently decided to formally declare this and so are eligible to be recognized as such.
And no logo award for it, but if memory serves we did get an ‘honourable mention’ from the Sussex Heritage Trust too!!
What about our denominational logos? You’ll know these well:
The Methodist ‘orb’ symbolizes the world and it’s four corners if you like – with the cross clearly visible through it. The URC cross and fish logo make the cross even clearer, and the fish has been the symbol of God’s church since the very earliest days. The small groups of ‘followers of the way’ needed a secret sign to show their faith to others and the fish perfectly suited this. (For a longer explanation grab me after a service).
We may be accumulating logos – and if it’s in areas of healthy church life – food justice, inclusivity and care for our environment – then let’s do our best to keep going! These logos say something about what sort of church and people we are now, and are trying to be.
The cross, of course, is our central, and most important symbol. For a start, it’s the only one etched in (reconstituted) Portland stone at the very front of our church. The cross is on our Communion table, in our denominational symbols, in handprint art in the café space and various other places too. In our Reformed tradition, we prefer our cross bare (rather than with Christ shown) because it emphasizes the resurrection over the crucifixion. The cross, as curious and stark as it may be, as simple and clear as it may be, is the logo that has pride of place, and through which any other logo should be seen. We try and be green, to be compassionate, to be just, to be welcoming… precisely because of the cross and our identity bound up with that of Christ.
This Easter, I am sure we will once more cover our cross in church with flowers, beauty and life – reminding us once more of the strength of God’s love and light over death and darkness. It’s the one logo we never have to earn, never have to work towards, never have to achieve – because God has done all that for us already.
Blessings to us all for the end of Lent, and the beginning of Easter.
Rev. Paul Tabraham
Excerpt taken from Emmanuel Magazine April 2025. 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.