News Stories
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1 Dec. 2023
in ChristmasPortsmouth church hosts Radio Solent carol concert
BBC Radio Solent came to St Mary’s Church in Fratton to record their annual Christmas carol concert. Worshippers donned Santa hats and Christmas jumpers as they sang traditional carols and listened to some pop classics. Radio Solent presenters Lou Hannan and Alun Newman introduced the carols and interviews with listeners who had made a difference in their local communities. Read more
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28 Nov. 2023
in SchoolsProject to get families chatting is launched
Our education team is working with churches, families and schools on a project designed to get children talking about faith. Parents are using a selection of books that can normally be found in school libraries to kickstart those conversations about important issues. This ‘Chatting Faith’ project is happening across Portsmouth and Winchester dioceses and is part of the national C of E’s Growing Faith initiative. Read more
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27 Nov. 2023
in ChristmasCathedral choir to premiere new carol on BBC
Our cathedral choir will give the TV premiere of the Church of England’s new Christmas single. They’ll sing a new version of ‘The First Nowell’ at Midnight Mass, which is being broadcast live on BBC1 on Christmas Eve. This version of the popular carol has been written by renowned composer Bob Chilcott, and is being sung at our cathedral’s carol services and across the country – as well as being released on music streaming services. Read more
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20 Nov. 2023
in GeneralBishop Jonathan appoints new priest for Copnor
Bishop Jonathan has appointed the Rev Clive Gardner to be the new priest-in-charge of St Cuthbert’s and St Aidan’s, Copnor, in Portsmouth. He’ll start his work there in Spring 2024 after being team vicar in the parish of Wimbledon for the past 11 years. Read more
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16 Nov. 2023
in GeneralOfficer to give advice on island church buildings
Funding from the national Church of England will help our diocese to employ an officer based on the Isle of Wight to advise on repair and conservation of our church buildings. Read more
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13 Nov. 2023
in GeneralNewport Minster ‘at risk’ no more
The final phase of a project to transform Newport Minster is now underway. The internal refurbishment is expected to be complete by Spring 2024. Meanwhile, the repairs to the outside of the building have ensured the minster has been taken off the ‘at risk’ register. Read more
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30 Oct. 2023
Funding boost to develop island churches
Church of England parishes in the Isle of Wight have been given extra funding in a broad initiative to support and develop their congregations. A five-year, £2.7m project aims to plant a new congregation in Ryde, whilst equipping existing ones to have more engagement with schools and explore new ways to serve the local community. The national Church of England has announced that it will invest more than £1.2m of its strategic funds in the project. The other £1.5m would come from the Diocese of Portsmouth to fund clergy positions.
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16 Oct. 2023
in GeneralNew icon hopes to draw people in
An artist in Leigh Park has painted a new icon of St Francis which is now on display in her home church of St Francis, Leigh Park. The painting was unveiled in conjunction with the sixtieth anniversary of the church building. Read more
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15 Oct. 2023
in GeneralArchbishop worships with three different congregations
Archbishop Justin worshipped in three very different congregations on the final day of his three-day visit to our diocese. He helped St Wilfrid’s Church, Cowplain, celebrate its centenary in the morning, visited the innovative family service at Christ Church Gosport in the afternoon, and was part of Evensong at St Peter’s, Petersfield in the evening. Read more
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14 Oct. 2023
in GeneralArchbishop tells prisoners and community leaders about transformation
Archbishop Justin visited inmates in HMP Isle of Wight to talk to them about transformation, before heading across the Solent to meet community leaders from across Portsmouth to talk about the transformation of our society. He visited a family fun day held to celebrate the sixth anniversary of a church plant, before rounding off his day with ratings and officers in HM Naval Base. Read more