News Stories
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22 Dec. 2025
in ChristmasThousands pack into Christmas carol services
Thousands of worshippers are packing into carol services around our diocese as we celebrate the birth of Jesus as our Saviour. Among the many services taking place are those that are candlelit, plus special crib services, Midnight Masses and Christmas Day celebrations. Our cathedral held four identical carol services, and Newport Minster held a special service in partnership with the Royal Foundation Read more
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15 Dec. 2025
in ChristmasChurches host drama productions on Christmas theme
Our churches have hosted drama productions for children and families this Christmas, telling the Nativity story with a fresh twist. Among them was a magical family show based on the Nativity staged in Horndean. There was also the annual Christmas spectacular hosted by Harbour Church, Portsmouth. And St Clare’s Church, Warren Park, also hosted the latest of the annual community pantomimes, which brought together a huge cast to enhance local community spirit. Read more
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6 Dec. 2025
in ChristmasFamilies flock to Christmas tree festivals
Families are flocking to Christmas tree festivals across our diocese. Our churches are hosting displays of trees that have been beautifully decorated by local community groups, as well as offering music, refreshments and activities during the day. Read more
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21 Nov. 2025
in ChristmasLive animals, tree festivals and other Christmas events planned
Our churches are planning all sorts of special events for Advent and Christmas this year – from live Nativities with real animals to Christmas musical spectaculars, and from festivals with decorated Christmas trees to family-friendly retellings of the story of Jesus’s birth. Read more
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13 Dec. 2024
in ChristmasDrama productions bring Christmas cheer
Re-enactments of the Nativity story and spectacular Christmas performances are helping our churches to tell the timeless story of Jesus’s birth. And an annual Christmas pantomime in one church has once again helped to bring the local community together. Read more
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9 Dec. 2024
in ChristmasWorshippers help those in need over Christmas
Worshippers in our churches will be helping those in need in various ways in the run-up to Christmas. They’ll be holding events to provide second-hand Christmas gifts, hosting Christmas meals for those who otherwise might feel isolated, and providing gifts for those on the margins who might not have received a present. 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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4 Jan. 2024
in ChristmasGenerous worshippers create happy Christmas for those in need
Churches across our diocese helped to make it a happier Christmas for families and those in need. Several provided food or Christmas hampers for those who might otherwise have gone without. Read more
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25 Dec. 2023
in ChristmasCathedral’s Midnight Mass broadcast on BBC1
Our cathedral’s Midnight Mass was broadcast live by the BBC as we began our Christmas Day celebrations. The service was led by the Dean and the sermon was preached by Bishop Jonathan. It was one of many carol services held during December as we celebrated Advent and Christmas. 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