News Stories
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26 March 2026
in GeneralTwo clergy appointed to chair community boards
Two Portsmouth priests have been appointed to chair ‘Pride in Place’ boards that will help to allocate much-needed funding to parts of the city. The Ven Bob White will chair the Landport neighbourhood board and the Rev Hugo Deadman will chair the Paulsgrove neighbourhood board. Each board will have £20m of government funding to invest in their area. Read more
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25 March 2026
in GeneralNew counselling service is a safe space for you
A brand new counselling service has been created for adults in Portsmouth. Our diocese’s Council for Social Responsibility has created Compass Counselling, based in the city’s Central Library, as a response to the increase in people with mental health issues. It aims to be accessible to all. Read more
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24 March 2026
Church-planter will create two new congregations
Bishop Jonathan has appointed the Rev Mack Deptula as a new church-planter in Fareham. He will lead a group from St John’s, Fareham, to plant a new congregation at St Peter and St Paul Church – and subsequently lead a group to plant a new worshipping community in the Welborne development. Mack is currently a curate in Exeter and church-planter in Exwick. Read more
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18 March 2026
in GeneralRefurbishment of historic island church is complete
The refurbishment of All Saints Church in Ryde will be complete in time for the church to re-open on Palm Sunday. The historic building has been closed for refurbishment, but will open its doors in time for a traditional and a contemporary service to take place on March 29th, followed by Holy Week and Easter services. The building now includes underfloor heating, a limescale floor, audio-visual facilities and a modern cafe, to serve current and future generations. Read more
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16 March 2026
in GeneralNew Southsea vicar excited to step out in faith
Bishop Jonathan has appointed the Rev Steve Clarke to be the new vicar of St Jude’s Church, Southsea. He is currently the vicar of St Andrew’s, Whitehall Park, in north London, where he has been for 12 years, and was previously a curate and pioneer minister in Gloucester Cathedral. The bishop expects to licence him to his new role on July 20th. Read more
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10 March 2026
in EnvironmentClergy spend day focussed on climate care
Clergy and Readers from across our diocese focussed on creation care for the latest Bishop’s Study Day. Around 100 of our ministers gathered in our cathedral for a day looking at our natural environment, the theology behind creation care, and practical ways in which our churches might make a difference. The day included input from external speakers, discussion, and a panel answering questions. Read more
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27 Feb. 2026
in GeneralNew Archdeacon comes ‘home’ to Isle of Wight
Bishop Jonathan has appointed the Ven Barry Dugmore to be the new Archdeacon of the Isle of Wight. And for Barry, whose work took him to the island and who was ordained and served as a priest within our diocese, it feels like coming home. He will become the most senior Anglican cleric on the island, supporting our parishes in ministry and mission, in succession to the Ven Steve Daughtery. Read more
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13 Feb. 2026
in GeneralPortsmouth Prayer Breakfast hears about resolving conflict
The fourth annual Portsmouth Prayer Breakfast brought together community, civic and religious leaders from across the city. They shared breakfast together and heard from guest speaker Emma Jenkings about the beauty of conflict and how to resolve such conflict. Read more
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12 Feb. 2026
in GeneralLENT APPEAL: Giving hope to those working in sex industry
One of the three charities that will receive donations via the Bishop’s Lent Appeal this year is Vista, which is based in Harbour Church, Portsmouth. It offers hope to those trafficked into this country, or trapped in the sex industry, as the story of Bianca shows. Read more
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10 Feb. 2026
LENT APPEAL: Chance to see Tearfund projects in Rwanda
As part of our Bishop’s Lent Appeal for 2026, our Head of Safeguarding Emily Hassan will travel to Rwanda with Tearfund. She’ll be seeing some of the projects there that our generous contributions during Lent 2026 will be paying for. These Tearfund projects include training for church leaders in how to transform their local communities and bring them out of poverty. Read more