News Stories
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19 Dec. 2023
in GeneralVentnor man to return as vicar
The Rev Tom Burden, who grew up in Ventnor, will return home to become vicar of Ventnor and Bonchurch. He is currently interim director of an Anglican school in Jerusalem, which has attempted to bring communities together despite the current conflict. He says only the offer of becoming vicar of his hometown would have enticed him back to the UK. Read more
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18 Dec. 2023
New clergy chosen to lead Ryde project
Bishop Jonathan has appointed two new clergy to lead the project to help revitalise our churches in Ryde. The Rev Heath Monaghan will become team rector of the five churches in Ryde and the Rev Olly Mitchelmore will become team vicar. They’ll help to lead the project that aims to create brand new congregations and to help the existing congregations to engage with their local community. Read more
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14 Dec. 2023
in GeneralNew chaplain appointed for island hospice
The Rev Vickie Morgan has been appointed as spiritual care lead for the Mountbatten Hospice on the Isle of Wight. She had been Priest-in-Charge of Blendworth, Chalton, Idsworth and Rowlands Castle until recently. She’ll also be helping out at the Haven Benefice on the island over Christmas. Read more
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11 Dec. 2023
in GeneralPriest to serve back in his village
Bishop Jonathan has appointed the Rev Tony Forrest to be interim priest-in-charge for a group of parishes in the Upper Meon. He’ll be licensed in January as the interim priest in East Meon, Langrish, West Meon and Warnford. Read more
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4 Dec. 2023
in ChristmasCommunity panto leaves audience in stitches
Hundreds of locals turned out to watch the Leigh Park and Warren Park Community Panto Players perform ‘Snow White’ in St Clare’s Church, Warren Park. The large cast included the vicar, the Rev Jonathan Jeffery, performing as Dame Dotty Dumpling, plus members of the congregation and community. Read more
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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