News Stories
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5 Sept. 2025
in General“My family has flashbacks when protesters surround hotel”
A churchgoing asylum seeker says his family live in fear when protesters chant outside the hotel they have been placed in. He has revealed something of what life is like when waiting in a hotel for an asylum claim to be processed. Read more
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4 Sept. 2025
in GeneralTwo Bishops of Portsmouth issue statement about asylum
The Church of England and Roman Catholic Bishops of Portsmouth have issued a joint statement on asylum in the wake of protests outside a hotel in Southsea. They have urged a more constructive and compassionate approach to dealing with asylum claims, as well as people’s real concerns about immigration. Read more
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26 Aug. 2025
in GeneralNaval chaplaincy is always available
The chaplaincy team on HM Naval Base Portsmouth is always available for naval personnel, civil servants and even external contractors who work there. Read more
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20 Aug. 2025
MY FAITH: Navy pioneer faced challenges to faith
Leroy Osbourne was the first black Chief Petty Officer in his branch of the Royal Navy. He had to cope with a variety of challenges to his faith, both in the Navy and afterwards. Now he’s involved with St Mary’s Church, Portchester, helping with children and young people, and with the building itself. Read more
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20 Aug. 2025
in GeneralEuropean Holiday at Home in Copnor
A new, temporary gateway to Europe opened up at the end of July in the heart of Copnor as volunteers at St Cuthbert’s Church laid on a virtual travel extravaganza for older people in the area. Read more
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18 Aug. 2025
in EnvironmentEco-friendly transformation of city centre church
Part of the transformation that has taken place at St Margaret’s Church, Southsea, has included a full refurbishment of their energy and heating system. This story was originally written and published by the national Church of England Environment & NZC team. Read more
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16 Aug. 2025
Teenagers encounter God on activity holiday
Dozens of teenagers from church youth groups across our diocese encountered God on the latest High Tide summer residential holiday. The 11 to 18-year-olds spent five days at the YMCA centre in Fairthorne Manor, near Botley. They enjoyed abseiling, climbing, paddle boarding, a firepit, silent disco and escape room – as well as inspiring worship, teaching about the life of Joseph, and prayer. It was the fifth High Tide holiday organised in the past five years. Read more
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11 Aug. 2025
Urban role will be new challenge
Bishop Jonathan has appointed the Rev Dan Greenfield to be the new vicar of St Margaret’s Church in Southsea. Dan, who is currently associate priest in Crofton parish, will take on the leadership of this congregation, which was launched as a church plant in 2017 and is now fully engaged with its local community. Read more
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29 July 2025
Bishop leads two pilgrimages to Taizé
Bishop Jonathan has helped to lead two pilgrimages to the ecumenical Taizé Community in France - one for students from two Isle of Wight schools, and one for young adults from churches across our diocese. Read more
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14 July 2025
New vicar aims to grow congregations
Bishop Jonathan has appointed the Rev Fran Carabott to be the new vicar of Cosham and Wymering – with a brief to grow the congregations at both churches. Fran has a track record of church-planting, leading the group that created the new congregation at St Margaret’s Church in Southsea and ensuring its buildings were used to engage local families. He’ll begin his new role in September. Read more