News Stories
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4 Dec. 2024
in EnvironmentSilver Eco Church award for Farlington churches
Two Farlington churches each received Silver Eco Church awards in November, following two years of progress since achieving Bronze awards in 2022. The eco-initiatives in their churches were led by a small group of enthusiastic volunteers who meet monthly to consider how they can improve their care for God’s creation and reduce their carbon footprint. Read more
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28 Nov. 2024
Paulsgrove project aims to create new congregations
Some of the strategic funding we’ve received from the national Church of England will go towards a new project in Paulsgrove. We’ll employ a new priest who’ll help to set up four brand new congregations connected to St Michael’s Church. Read more
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26 Nov. 2024
in ChristmasChurches can be oases of calm in run-up to Christmas
Churches across our diocese will be hosting carol services, Nativity re-enactments and Christmas tree festivals to mark Advent and Christmas this year. And many of them will be part of the national Church of England’s ‘Calm and Bright’ campaign, aiming to turn our churches into places of calm and reflection amid the busyness of Christmas preparations. Read more
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18 Nov. 2024
New priest speaks of hope in dark times
The new priest-in-charge of Rowlands Castle has shared how her faith helped her through some dark times. It also brought hope and healing before her current appointment. She’ll be licensed by Bishop Jonathan in February. Read more
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12 Nov. 2024
in GeneralBishop Jonathan responds to the Makin report
Bishop Jonathan has reaffirmed his commitment to the primary importance of safeguarding across our diocese in the wake of the Makin Report. Read more
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2 Nov. 2024
Major investment will help diocese to rejuvenate
The national Church of England has endorsed our diocese’s strategic plans for the next five years, offering an investment of more than £1m a year towards our projects. The diocese’s vision and strategy aims to rejuvenate our diocese by a programme that includes reviving our leadership to inspire mission, revitalising our parishes to create pathways to discipleship and renewing our diocese with church plants and new worshipping communities. Read more
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1 Nov. 2024
We’ll study, eat, pray and lament together
Clergy and lay leaders in the Western Wards of Fareham are already meeting to eat and pray together and support each other in ministry. It’s this kind of mutual support that will help our leaders to Revive their faith, ready to lead our diocese’s revitalisation plans Read more
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1 Nov. 2024
Church provides pathways into new faith
Worshippers at St Jude’s Church in Southsea are created new pathways into faith for those who don’t currently come to church. They provide free events to attract people into the building, offer them a chance to find out more about faith and can then lead them towards discipleship, in line with the Revitalise strand in our strategy. Read more
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1 Nov. 2024
in SchoolsSpecialist help for pupils at Brading is vital
Brading C of E Primary is one of three Church of England schools that the Isle of Wight Council would like to close. We argue that all three are vital for their communities. Among other things, the expertise at Brading C of E Primary in special needs provision makes a massive difference to pupils such as Maddie Wells Read more
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30 Oct. 2024
in SchoolsBishop urges council to pause school closure plans
Bishop Jonathan has urged the Isle of Wight Council to pause proposals for six island schools to close, to allow time for proper consideration of alternative proposals. Both he and our Diocesan Board of Education have formally responded to the council's proposals during its consultation phase. Read more