News Stories
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5 March 2025
in GeneralLENT APPEAL: support for women in sex industry
Some of the donations to the Bishop’s Lent Appeal in 2025 will go towards the work of Vista at Harbour Church, which helps women who are in the sex industry, or who have been trafficked. Read the story of Esther, who is one of those they have helped in recent years. Read more
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4 March 2025
in GeneralBishop urges prayers for national leaders
Bishop Jonathan urged prayers for the leaders of NATO countries as they work out the best way to help Ukraine against Russian aggression. He was speaking at our Diocesan Synod meeting the day after a meeting between President Trump and President Zelenskyy in the White House Read more
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3 March 2025
in EnvironmentEnvironment focus for island visit
Environmentalist and campaigner Ruth Valerio came to the Isle of Wight to talk to schools and churchgoers about environmental issues Read more
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27 Feb. 2025
in SchoolsFlourish lunchtime club sparks interest
The weekly lunchtime club at Horndean C of E Junior School is part of the Flourish project there, which aims to create new voluntary worshipping communities in schools. Read more
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26 Feb. 2025
in SchoolsArreton Primary School wins Isle Dance 2025 competition
Arreton Primary School’s interpretation of a young couple’s love story that ends with the need for specialist care from Mountbatten Isle of Wight won February’s hard-fought Isle Dance 2025 competition. Read more
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25 Feb. 2025
in SchoolsFlourish project launched in island school
Our ‘Flourish’ initiative has been launched at schools across our diocese, including at The Bay CofE Primary School in Sandown. It includes a monthly Messy Church, collective worship and art and craft sessions on the primary site. And there’s a popular Breakfast Club and a Christian Union on the secondary site. Read more
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24 Feb. 2025
Project aims to plant two generations of church
An ambitious project aims to plant a church in Fareham – that then plants a second church. A new mission priest will lead a group of worshippers from St John’s Church in Fareham to plant a contemporary congregation in the town centre church of St Peter and St Paul. In time, that congregation will also plant a new church within the brand new development at Welborne. Read more
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23 Feb. 2025
in GeneralSailors are back near the coastline they love
Bishop Jonathan has appointed the Rev Alex Coakley-Youngs to be the new team vicar at Harbour Church, based at All Saints Church in the centre of the city. He and his wife Emma know the area well, having both been involved with sailing around our coastline Read more
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20 Feb. 2025
in SchoolsDiocese paves the way for legal challenge over island schools
Our diocese has begun a process paving the way for a potential Judicial Review of the Isle of Wight Council’s plans to close three CofE schools. A formal ‘Letter before Claim’ has been sent to the Isle of Wight’s legal team, setting out the diocese’s case ahead of possible legal proceedings. Read more
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11 Feb. 2025
Alpha Course helped to transform our lives
Margaret Bower and Serena Meah were both suffering before they came across Christ Church, Sandown, on the Isle of Wight. Margaret found a new sense of purpose and Serena discovered that her anxiety had declined as they embraced faith and churchgoing. Read more