Children from St Cuthbert's Church, Copnor, taking part in their Easter egg trail

Experience Good Friday and Easter Sunday with one of our church congregations, as we remember Jesus' death and resurrection.

Most of the churches in our diocese will have reflective services on Good Friday to help us recall Jesus' suffering on the cross. There will also be joyous occasions on Easter Sunday as we celebrate his resurrection and the new life that brings.

At Portsmouth Cathedral, there's a special informal service at 10am on Good Friday that tells the story of Easter and the last days of Jesus’ life in a way that children of all ages can understand.

You’ll move around the cathedral hearing different bits of the story before finding out the meaning of hot cross buns as enjoy tucking into them after the service.

That's followed from 12noon by 'At the Foot of the Cross', a reflective service that includes addresses, readings, prayers and music led by the Very Rev Nicholas Frayling, former dean of Chichester Cathedral. The 'Liturgy of the Passion' follows at 2pm, and that evening, you can come and hear Stainer's 'Crucifixion' from 7pm.

On Saturday April 19, the Easter Liturgy at 8pm will be followed by baptisms and confirmation.

And on Easter Sunday, there will be 300 eggs to find in the cathedral grounds in the traditional Easter egg hunt after the 10.30am Eucharist. The bishop will be preaching at that service.

The dean of Portsmouth Cathedral, the Very Rev David Brindley, said: “In the cathedral we are offering a wide variety of worship for Easter, and have a couple of services that have families particularly in mind. Come and join us to share the meaning of Easter with your children, you’re assured of a warm welcome.”

Christians from across Portsmouth will congregate for a sunrise service at 6am on the top of Portsdown Hill, next to Mick's burger van. The short service will bring together Christians of all denominations.

Children and young people will lead a special Good Friday service at St Mary's Church, Fratton, from 12noon. That will be followed at 1pm by 'Reflections on the Cross' and at 2pm by 'The Liturgy of the Cross'.

It will host a vigil and first mass of Easter from 8.30pm on Saturday. Then the Easter Sunday celebrations at St Mary's include a special Eucharist at 10am.

Over on the Isle of Wight, there will be Good Friday fun for families at All Saints Church, Gurnard. Easter crafts, decorating eggs and a chill-out zone will be on offer from 10am-12noon. Contact Terrie Burland for details on 07745-809965.

St Simon's and St Jude's Churches in Southsea will run a joint Messy Church activity on the afternoon of Good Friday. It happens from 2.30pm-4pm inside St Jude's at the top of the Palmerston Road shopping precinct. 

Holy Rood Church in Stubbington will host 'Risen', a concert that will help to celebrate Jesus's resurrection, from 7.30pm on Easter Sunday. Tickets (£5 and £2.50) are available on 01329-661154 and the proceeds will help two charities based in the Philippines.

And on the same evening, the latest 'Or?' alternative worship event at St Cuthbert's Church, Copnor, will involve food, wine and discussion. For details, see www.facebook.com/or.alternativeworship