News Stories
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22 Aug. 2024
Canadian sailors remembered with 80th anniversary service
Worshippers remembered those who died aboard a Canadian ship that sunk off the coast of the Isle of Wight 80 years ago. A total of 59 sailors died when HMCS Alberni was torpedoed by a German submarine on 21 August 1944. Eight decades later, a bench and a memorial were unveiled in the Peace Garden in the grounds of St Lawrence Old Church, overlooking the spot where those lives were sadly lost. Read more
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14 Aug. 2024
Teenagers enjoy Spirit-filled activity holiday
Fifty young people from churches across our diocese enjoyed a Christian activity holiday led by youth leaders from the High Tide network. They tried fencing, archery, canoeing, kayaking and making clay sculptures – as well as worship, prayer and discussion. Read more
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7 Aug. 2024
in GeneralBishops issue joint statement about civic unrest
The Anglican and Catholic Bishops of Portsmouth have issued a statement calling for peace and unity in the wake of civic unrest around the country. They have also pledged to pray for those who feel afraid about becoming victims of violence during the current unrest Read more
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5 Aug. 2024
in GeneralHomecoming for former islander
Bishop Jonathan has appointed the Rev Karen Wilson to be the new priest-in-charge of the Haven Benefice, which includes Brading, Seaview, St Helens and Yaverland. She used to live on the Isle of Wight as a child, so this move feels like a real homecoming for her. Read more
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31 July 2024
in GeneralAnna Chaplaincy continues to grow, with commissioning service
Anna Chaplaincy in our diocese continues to grow as four new Anna Chaplains were commissioned recently at Newport Minster, enabling spiritual support to the elderly community within the parishes of Christ Church, Sandown and St John the Baptist, Niton on the Island. Read more
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29 July 2024
We’ll create Choir Church from local singing groups
Our diocese’s strategy includes a commitment to create new worshipping communities based on a love of choral singing. Those Choir Churches will be created by some of our parishes, often working alongside their local schools. Read more
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23 July 2024
in GeneralNew CofE Head of Education Policy worships at the cathedral
Sarah Shreeve has been an active worshipper at our cathedral for many years and has been part of the teams that lead Pompey Sundays on a Sunday morning and the monthly evening Taizé services, and is now about to start work as the new Head of Education Policy for the Church of England. Read more
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16 July 2024
Taizé trip was life-changer for young people
Bishop Jonathan led a trip to the Taizé Community in France with young people from two schools in our diocese. They had a chance to experience worship, Bible studies and community living alongside hundreds of young people from across the globe. And it was a highly significant spiritual journey for many of them Read more
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11 July 2024
in SchoolsCathedral displays hundreds of children’s clay sculptures
Our cathedral is hosting hundreds of clay sculptures made by Year 6 pupils who are attending Leavers’ Services this week. Each individual figure has been moulded by a different pupil, in the style of British sculptor Anthony Gormley, and brought to the cathedral by a pupil who is leaving their C of E primary school this summer. They now form a mass art installation at the ancient east east of the cathedral. Read more
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10 July 2024
in GeneralCelebrating 150 years of Christ Church Portsdown
Christ Church Portsdown is celebrating 150 years of its current church building with a series of events, including a service led by Bishop Jonathan in September. There’s also going to be an open day on Saturday 13 July, with activities for families and a timeline showing key moments in the church’s history Read more