News Stories
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30 Oct. 2025
New Harbour congregations are created
Two new congregations are being created as part of Harbour Church. The all-age service at St Alban's Church, Copnor, began in September, while the new contemporary service at All Saints, Commercial Road, is scheduled to start in January. Both of these churches have been helped by funding from the national Church of England, which has enabled two new team vicars to be recruited - as well as refurbishments to both church buildings. Read more
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29 Oct. 2025
Mini-stroke gave me impetus to think about confirmation
Bishop Jonathan confirmed 22 Isle of Wight candidates during a service at St Mary's Church, Brading. Among them was Lynne Ferguson, who recalls how suffering a mini-stroke three years ago gave her the impetus to think about church. As soon as she walked into St Mary's, Brading, it felt like home. So this service did genuinely feel like an affirmation of her Christian commitment Read more
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28 Oct. 2025
in GeneralAttendance at our churches rises for fourth year
Statistics have shown that attendance at CofE churches in our diocese has risen for the fourth year in a row since the Covid pandemic. There are now 8,000 worshippers in our churches each week. The figures reflect a similar rise at national level. However, the figures are still below the pre-pandemic levels reached in 2019. Read more
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25 Oct. 2025
in GeneralCathedral offers space for homeless to sleep
Our cathedral will welcome 12 rough sleepers each night from the end of October to March 2026, as part of a partnership with the Society of St James. They'll bed down for the night in Becket Hall, the cathedral's hall in St Thomas's Street, opposite the cathedral itself Read more
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23 Oct. 2025
Bishop Jonathan enters House of Lords
Our bishop, the Rt Rev Jonathan Frost, has become one of the 26 bishops who sit in the House of Lords. He was summoned by HM the King to take his place on the benches, as one of the most senior bishops in the Church of England. And he was formally introduced to the House of Lords on October 23. Read more
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22 Oct. 2025
in EnvironmentYoung people give rallying call for greater care for creation
Students from Christ the King College joined other speakers to share at the first Net Zero Carbon conference on the Isle of Wight last Saturday at Newport Minster, giving a rallying call to worshippers to tackle the root causes of environmental degradation and climate change. Read more
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21 Oct. 2025
in GeneralChaplains are integral to hospice care
Chaplains are integral to the care that hospices give to their patients, families and staff. Spiritual issues are woven into end-of-life care, and to bereavement support. The Rev Vickie Morgan is the chaplain at the Mountbatten Hospice on the Isle of Wight Read more
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16 Oct. 2025
in GeneralNew pioneer minister commissioned on island
Ali Mascarenhas was commissioned as a lay pioneer in a special service at St Mary’s Church, Brighstone. Ali has led work in this parish over the past four years on projects including working parties in the churchyard, nature talks, a group creating mosaics and outdoor Celtic worship. Read more
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13 Oct. 2025
in GeneralNew priest appointed for Hayling Island
Bishop Jonathan has appointed a new associate priest to work in the parish of Hayling Island. The Rev May Barker will work alongside the interim priest-in-charge, the Rev Nick Todd. Read more
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7 Oct. 2025
in EnvironmentSolar panels installed at Southsea church
Solar panels have been installed on the roof of St Jude’s Church in Southsea – to help reduce carbon emissions and to save money on energy costs. The 36 panels should save the church at least £300 a month in energy costs, and will prevent three tons of CO2 entering the atmosphere each year. Read more