Diocese of Portsmouth

News Stories


  • MY FAITH: Ordination confirmed God’s call for me to plant new church

    It was only when the Rev Fran Carabott was ordained at our cathedral that he felt he was truly part of the Church of England. It marked the culmination of a journey of faith that began after a tragedy, and included a strong sense of calling to plant a brand new church. He’s now leading St Margaret’s Church in Southsea, reaching to those in the local community in multiple ways. Read more

  • Ordination beckons for mum, despite doubts

    Mum Emma Andersen will be ordained this summer, despite assuming that God will shut the door before she gets there! Emma was so sure that God would say 'no' to the idea of her being a church minister, but she will be one of six people being ordained as deacon by our bishop on July 2. Read more

  • Chaplain who served in Falklands recalls conflict

    Naval chaplain the Rev Godfrey Hilliard was only 30 when he sailed with the naval task force to the Falkland Islands in 1982. He recalls the sense of peace that God gave him as he prepared to offer pastoral support to those on the frontline of war. He’ll also be at our cathedral on June 19 for a service to mark 40 years since the Falklands conflict. Read more

  • Southsea man honoured by the Queen for feeding the hungry

    The man who leads a group that feeds vulnerable people every Friday has been honoured by HM the Queen. Jim Campbell leads Friday Fridge, the weekly outreach in which those who are homeless, have mental health needs, are isolated or otherwise vulnerable, are welcomed into the church each week for a cafe-style get-together. During the pandemic, the team fed those who came to the church doors every Friday too. Read more

  • Vicar to climb mountain to fundraise for hospice

    Isle of Wight vicar Amanda Collinson plans to climb Mount Kilimanjaro – Africa’s highest peak – to help raise money for her local hospice. Her inspiration to do so comes from the care the hospice has given to friends, as well as her Christian faith. Read more

  • The 93-year-old who makes an eight-hour trip to play the organ

    This is 93-year-old Geoffrey Holroyde, who makes an eight-hour round trip each time he plays the organ at a historic Gosport church. He'll be stepping down as a regular organist on Easter Sunday after playing a significant role in restoring the organ in Holy Trinity Church, which was once played by Handel Read more

  • MY FAITH: Inspired by film of Jesus being crucified

    Vanna Pom grew up in a Cambodian village where only one family had a TV. By chance, that TV happened to be showing a film of Jesus being crucified. Seeing that film was the first step in a journey of faith that brought her to St Luke’s Church, Southsea. Read more

  • Church launches cafe for bus stop users

    Worshippers from Church of the Good Shepherd in Crookhorn have launched a cafe for those waiting for buses outside their church building. They were already offering hot chocolates and cakes to those at the bus stop twice a week. Now they've created the Bus Stop Cafe, open from 7am-10am five days a week, as part of their outreach. Bishop Jonathan visited this week to see it for himself. Read more

  • Pathway is our local theological college

    Hear from some of those who have enrolled onto the Portsmouth Pathway, our local theological college, as they train to become clergy or Readers Read more

  • MY FAITH: Ex-addict gets baptised in the sea

    A former alcoholic and drug addict was baptised in the sea after finding faith. Ady Hodgkinson was one of four people baptised together by C of E clergy the Revs Steve Daughtery and Heath Monaghan. Ady’s testimony includes a powerful experience of God’s Holy Spirit. Read more

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