
Events List Navigation
September 2024
Harvest Thanksgiving & BBQ
Join us next Sunday as we celebrate God’s gift of the world and its fruits, as well as reflect on how we can be grateful for these blessings and share them with others. We encourage you to bring donations of non-perishable food which can be passed out to those in need in our local community, through the Roberts Centre. Following the service, we will be holding a parish BBQ as we take part in Portsmouth’s Citywide Harvest celebrations. Please book…
October 2024
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: 19th Sunday after Trinity – 6th October 2024 – St Mary’s Portsea
To watch our livestream, you can go to our Facebook page or our YouTube channel. To follow along, you can find the order of service here. If you would like to sing along, you can find the hymn sheet here. You can find our notices for the week here.
St Faith’s Patronal Mass
A celebration of the life of the Church of St Faith’s and the community it serves, with guest preacher Revd Julie Jackson (assistant priest of St Luke’s Southsea, and Messy Church Co-Ordinator & Find My Voice Co-lead for the Parish).
Organ Recital by Chris Milburn
Join us for a less ‘traditional’ Organ Recital given by Chris Milburn, former parishioner & chorister who frequently practiced on our organ when he was younger. Since then he has gone on to have a varied career, including sourcing the Compton Theatre Organ in Titchfield Festival Theatre – an instrument remarkable for its additional percussion, bells & whistles. Entry to this concert is free, with a retiring collection in aid of the Music Foundation, supporting the musical education of young…
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: 20th Sunday after Trinity – 13th October 2024 – St Mary’s Portsea
To watch our livestream, you can go to our Facebook page or our YouTube channel. To follow along, you can find the order of service here. If you would like to sing along, you can find the hymn sheet here. You can find our notices for the week here.
Celebrating Christ’s Presence – 21st Sunday after Trinity – 20th October 2024 – St Mary’s Portsea
To watch our livestream, you can go to our Facebook page or our YouTube channel. To follow along, you can find the order of service here. If you would like to sing along, you can find the hymn sheet here. You can find our notices for the week here.
St Mary’s 2024 Autumn Fair
Come along to St Mary’s Autumn Fair! This year, as well as our usual selection of stalls offering bric-a-brac, books, and cakes; there will also be Christmas stall to get you prepared for the upcoming season, and a variety of international snacks alongside our refreshments.
November 2024
Commemoration of the Faithful
As we mark All Souls, join us for our Commemorations of the Faithfully departed – a time to remember and pray for, by name, those who we have loved and who have died. There will be three services to mark this occasion. On November 2nd at 6pm at St Mary’s, the choir will also be singing Faure’s Requiem. Then there will be a service at St Faith’s, at 9:30am, on November 5th; and finally another service, again at St Mary’s,…
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: 4th Sunday before Advent – 3rd November 2024 – St Mary’s Portsea
To watch our livestream, you can go to our Facebook page or our YouTube channel. To follow along, you can find the order of service here. If you would like to sing along, you can find the hymn sheet here. You can find our notices for the week here.
Organ Recital by Philip Drew and David Hansell
Join us this Friday for the last in our concert series for 2024, with a recital of organ duets played by Philip Drew and David Hansell. Entry is FREE, with a retiring collection in aid of the Music Foundation – the church’s associated charity which supports young people in Fratton with musical education and opportunities. This concert has a diverse and exciting mixture of music – showcasing the organ with duets that bring out the character and tonality of the…
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: Remembrance Sunday – 10th November 2024 – St Mary’s Portsea
Mark Remembrance Sunday with us as we hold an Act of Remembrance during our mass. To watch our livestream, you can go to our Facebook page or our YouTube channel. To follow along, you can find the order of service here. You can find our notices for the week here.
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: 2nd Sunday Before Advent – 17th November 2024 – St Mary’s Portsea
To watch our livestream, you can go to our Facebook page or our YouTube channel. To follow along, you can find the order of service here. If you would like to sing along, you can find the hymn sheet here. You can find our notices for the week here.
Portsmouth Choral Union: Haydn’s The Creation
Come and experience the awe-inspiring performance of Haydn’s The Creation at St Mary’s Church, performed by the Portsmouth Choral Union! Tickets cost £18 for adults or £2.50, and can be bought on the door by card payment only or online at the Portsmouth Choral Union’s website.
Once a Sea
Join us for another art installation in St Mary’s Church, developed by Heinrich & Palmer who previously brought us the Ship of Gods. Created specifically for St Mary’s Church, Once A Sea reflects back to 35 million years ago when Portsmouth was covered by sea, in part inspired by the flints which make up the outside of the church. The exhibition combines archival imagery, high-speed film, microscopy, and 3D laser scans of the church to create a millennia-spanning, awe-inspiring projection.…
December 2024
Music and Readings for Advent
As we mark the beginning of Advent, when we prepare for the birth of Christ, join us for a service of Advent music, performed by candlelight. You can watch the livestream of the event on our Facebook page or our YouTube channel.
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: 2nd Sunday of Advent – 8th December 2024 – St Mary’s Portsea
To watch our livestream, you can go to our Facebook page or our YouTube channel. To follow along, you can find the order of service here. If you would like to sing along, you can find the hymn sheet here. You can find our notices for the week here.
The PCU’s Carols and Christmas Music
Join the Portsmouth Choral Union (PCU) for their family-friendly celebration of Christmas. Interspersed with audience carols, join the PCU, Castle Primary School Choir, and St Mary’s Church’s organ in performances of traditional carols and festive music. Pieces to be performed include ‘Carol of the Bells’, ‘The Light Will Lead Me’, and two carols written by current choir members. Tickets cost £18 for adults or £2.50 for children and students, and can be bought in advance on the PCU’s website, or…
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: 3rd Sunday of Advent – 15th December 2024 – St Mary’s Portsea
To watch our livestream, you can go to our Facebook page or our YouTube channel. To follow along, you can find the order of service here. If you would like to sing along, you can find the hymn sheet here. You can find our notices for the week here.
Carol Singing
You are invited to join us in traditional carol singing around some local streets. Meet us outside the church at 6pm, and make sure to wrap up warm!
Churches Homeless Action Carols
A celebration of Christmas and the distribution of vouchers collected via local churches and groups to agencies who will be supporting those in need over the Christmas season. A chance for us to share a ‘gift’ with others.
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: 4th Sunday in Advent – 22nd December 2024 – St Mary’s Portsea
To watch our livestream, you can go to our Facebook page or our YouTube channel. To follow along, you can find the order of service here. If you would like to sing along, you can find the hymn sheet here. You can find our notices for the week here.
9 Lessons and Carols
A traditional telling of the Christmas Story through readings and carols sung by the congregation and choir. The service will be followed by sherry and mince pies. You can watch this service livestreamed online, either on our Facebook page or our YouTube channel.
St Mary’s Nativity Service
The Christmas story is told by our local children and young people, as we celebrate the sharing of the greatest gift.
St Mary’s Midnight Mass
Join us, with St Mary’s Choir and a team of talented instrumentalists, as we give a joyful greeting to the Christ child. You can find a livestream of the service on our YouTube channel or our Facebook page. To follow along, you can find the order of service here.
Christmas at St Mary’s
Join us at either 9am, for a quieter service following the Book of Common Prayer (which has been used for 500 years), or 10am, for our Christmas service, as we come together to give thanks for the coming of Christ. You can watch a livestream of the 10am service on our Facebook page or our YouTube channel. To follow along, you can find the order of service here. If you would like to sing along, you can find the hymn…
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: 1st Sunday after Christmas – 29th December 2024 – St Mary’s Portsea
To watch our livestream, you can go to our Facebook page or our YouTube channel. To follow along, you can find the order of service here. If you would like to sing along, you can find the hymn sheet here. You can find our notices for the week here.
January 2025
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: Epiphany Sunday – 5th January 2024 – St Mary’s Church, Portsea
To watch our livestream, you can go to our Facebook page or our YouTube channel. To follow along, you can find the order of service here. If you would like to sing along, you can find the hymn sheet here.
Messy Epiphany
Join us for another session of Messy Church, our free, family-friendly sessions for young people to explore the church. This time we’ll be exploring Epiphany, the time when the three kings visited Jesus. There will be a variety of craft and fun activities to help us, including lolly stick stars & kings, crowns, and an obstacle course (because the kings’ journey to Jesus was not straightforward!). Registration is at 9:45am, before the activities start at 10am, and finish with hearing…
Celebrating Christs Presence: Feast of the Baptism of the Lord – 12th January 2025 – St Marys Church
To watch our livestream, you can go to our Facebook page or our YouTube channel. To follow along, you can find the order of service here. You can find our notices for the week here.
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: 2nd Sunday of Epiphany – 19th January 2025 – St Mary’s Church Portsea
To watch our livestream, you can go to our Facebook page or our YouTube channel. To follow along, you can find the order of service here. If you would like to sing along, you can find the hymn sheet here. You can find our notices for the week here.
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: 3rd Sunday of Epiphany – 26th January 2025 – St Mary’s Church Portsea
To watch our livestream, you can go to our Facebook page or our YouTube channel. To follow along, you can find the order of service here. If you would like to sing along, you can find the hymn sheet here. You can find our notices for the week here.
February 2025
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: 4th Sunday before Lent – 9th February 2025 – St Mary’s Church Portsea
To watch our livestream, you can go to our Facebook page or our YouTube channel. To follow along, you can find the order of service here. If you would like to sing along, you can find the hymn sheet here. You can find our notices for the week here.
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: 2nd Sunday before Lent – 23rd February 2025 – St Marys Church Portsea
To watch our livestream, you can go to our Facebook page or our YouTube channel. To follow along, you can find the order of service here. If you would like to sing along you can find the hymn sheet here. You can find our notices for the week here.
March 2025
St Mary’s presents ‘Dick Whittington’
The clergy and congregation of St Mary’s & St Faith’s present ‘Dick Whittington’, a pantomime for the whole family. Join us at St Faith’s Church for either an afternoon performance at 2.30pm or an evening performance at 7pm. Tickets cost £4 for adults or £2 for those under 16. You can book tickets by contacting 02392 822 990 or officeassistant@portseaparish.co.uk
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: Sunday before Lent – 2nd March 2025 – St Mary’s Church Portsea
To watch our livestream, you can go to our Facebook page or our YouTube channel. To follow along, you can find the order of service here. If you would like to sing along you can find the hymn sheet here. You can find our notices for the week here.
Shrove Tuesday – Pancake Races & Food
Join us as we celebrate Shrove Tuesday, before Lent begins. We’ll be holding a series of pancake races, eating African food, and then competing in a quiz. Tickets cost £3 for adults and £2 for those under 16; they must be booked in advance, either through officeassistant@portseaparish.co.uk or from the back of church.
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: Ash Wednesday
Join us as we mark the beginning of the Lent season. At 12pm, there will be a quiet service with the imposition of ashes. Later, at 7pm, we will be holding a special sung mass, again with the imposition of ashes.
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: 1st Sunday in Lent – 9 March 2025 – St Mary’s Church, Portsea
To watch our livestream, you can go to our Facebook page or our YouTube channel To follow along, you can find the order of service here. If you would like to sing along, you can find the hymn sheet here. You can find our notices for the week here.
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: 2nd Sunday in Lent – 16th March 2025 – St Mary’s Church Portsea
To watch our livestream, you can go to our Facebook page or our YouTube channel To follow along, you can find the order of service here. If you would like to sing along, you can find the
Music Foundation Concert Series 2025: Grant Hardy
Join us for an afternoon of classical music and musical theatre with St Mary’s Choir’s own, very talented, tenor – Grant Hardy! From Purcell and Handel to Lloyd Webber and Bernstein, come along for a varied musical experience. This is a FREE concert in aid of The Music Foundation with a retiring collection to support Endometriosis UK, whom Grant will be further supporting by undertaking a skydive in the summer.
Soup Lunch for Bishop’s Lent Appeal
Join us for a soup lunch after our Noon service, a chance for community and to support the Bishop’s Lent appeal (supporting Tearfund, USPG, and Vista; more details on the dioceses’ website)
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: 3rd Sunday in Lent – 23rd March 2025 – St Mary’s Church Portsea
To watch our livestream, you can go to our Facebook page or our YouTube channel To follow along, you can find the order of service here. If you would like to sing along, you can find the hymn sheet here. You can find our notices for the week here.
Choral Evensong
A traditional service of Choral Evensong will be held on Sunday at 4pm – a time of peace and reflection for our “Living Hope” Lenten reflections. The music for the service will be: Responses – Plainsong Office Hymn: Maker of Earth, to thee alone (Caithness) Psalms 12 & 13 (Anglican Chant – Walmisley, Ouseley, Harker, Buck) Setting: Walmisley in D minor Anthem: O Vos Omnes – Croce Final Hymn: As Jacob with Travel (Jacob’s Ladder)
Celebrating Christ’s Presence – Thanksgiving Mass for the Feast of the Annunciation
A Thanksgiving Mass as we keep the Feast of the Annunciation at St Mary’s. During the service, we will be giving thanks for the lives of the recently departed from our community, including Rita Fergusson, David Yates, Jean Alford; Arthur Haselden and Fr Michael Brotherton. The service will be livestreamed on our YouTube channel, you can the order of service here and the hymn sheet here.
Portsmouth Choral Union: Passion Music and Feel the Spirit
Join the Portsmouth Choral Union as they perform Will Todd’s ‘Passion Music’, a fusion of jazz and choral music which journeys through the Passion story, and John Rutter’s Feel the Spirit, a cycle of seven well-loved spirituals. Alongside the choir will be conductor David Gostick and a jazz band including a saxophone, trombone, and piano. Tickets can be bought in advance on the PCU’s website or on the door by card payment only. Adult tickets cost £18, while tickets for…
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: Mothering Sunday – 30 March 2025 – St Mary’s Church Portsea
To watch our livestream, you can go to our Facebook page or our YouTube channel To follow along, you can find the order of service here. You can find our notices for the week here.
April 2025
Messy Holy Week
Join us for a morning of Holy Week crafts & activities to help families explore the hope and joy of the Easter story. Activities include egg painting, biscuit decorating, an egg and spoon race, and the construction of a tomb from cardboard boxes. Registration will begin at 9.45am, with activities continuing until 11.15am when there will be a story and songs.
Celebrating Christ’s Presence – 5th Sunday in Lent – 6th April 2025 – St Mary’s Church Portsea
To watch our livestream, you can go to our Facebook page or our YouTube channel To follow along, you can find the order of service here. If you would like to sing along, you can find the hymn sheet here. You can find our notices for the week here.
Passiontide Meditation
This coming Sunday sees a special Meditation for the season of Passiontide: one of the most important points of the church year. Please join us for this special service of Readings and music – featuring a selection of beautiful and captivating choral works, organ preludes and piano pieces, in the glorious space of St Mary’s Church. Free entry, with a retiring collection in aid of the Music Foundation.
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: Palm Sunday – 13th April 2025 – St Mary’s Church, Portsea
Join us at 9:30am at St Faith’s Church as we process through Fratton with palm crosses, streamers and a band as we begin the journey to the Cross, remembering Jesus’ own entry into Jerusalem. The procession will arrive at 10:00am at St Mary’s Church where we will hold our Sunday eucharist as a parish. If you do not feel able to partake in the procession, join us at this point for our Sunday service and to hear the Passion Narrative.…