Events List Navigation
July 2023
Music for a Summer Afternoon, Strawberry Tea, and St Mary’s Tower Opening
Join us on a lovely summer afternoon with music, strawberry tea, and a chance to climb the church tower! From 1.30pm various musicians will be performing in the churchyard for free, with a collection in aid of the Music Foundation. Then, at 2.30pm you can enjoy a Strawberry Tea with a scone, jam and cream, and, of course, strawberries! Tickets for the strawberry tea cost £4 and are available in the church, or can be booked through 02392 822 990…
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: 5th Sunday after Trinity – 9th July 2023 – St Mary’s Portsea
To watch along, you can go to our YouTube stream, or our Facebook page. 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 Series 2023: Harvey James Stansfield
The Organ Project’s 2023 Organ Recital series continues at 7pm on 14th July, with a recital given by Harvey James Stansfield from the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Harvey Stansfield is in much demand as an accompanist, liturgical organist, and recitalist. He is currently in his final year of study for a BMus degree in organ performance at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, studying organ, harpsichord, and choral conducting. He has also performed in masterclasses given by David Briggs, Eric Lebrun and Steven…
Come and Sing: Your Favourite Choral Anthems
Come along and take part in an afternoon of singing glorious choral works in the majestic setting of St Mary’s Church in Fratton, concluding with a short informal concert at the end. This event is FREE, with an option of donating towards the St Mary’s Music Foundation, which helps support young musicians in Fratton with their musical education and opportunities. Feel free to come and sing along, or just to hear the final results at around 4:30pm! The choir will…
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: 6th Sunday after Trinity – 16th July 2023 – St Mary’s Portsea
To watch along, you can go to our YouTube stream, or our Facebook page. To follow along, you can find the order of service here. The hymn sheet is available here The weekly notices from the 16th July are available here.
Victorian Mo’Jive Tea Dance
As part of our Annual Organ Festival, and following the success of our 2022 Tea Dance, we are excited to be hosting another alternative interpretation of the Victorian Tea Dance, taking inspiration from the Mo’Jive dance style. During the Victorian era, dance halls across the country were opened for people to come in, enjoy tea and small sandwiches, and dance to the latest music trends. Derived from swing, lindy hop, salsa, and more, Mo’Jive relies on certain key moves which…
Eco Church Coffee Morning at St Faith’s
Join us for coffee, cake and chat as we support and recognise how we are caring for God’s earth in different areas of our life and work. In particular, we will be raising funds for A Rocha, who organise Eco Church, and celebrating St Faith’s Church achieving the Silver Eco Church status!
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: 7th Sunday after Trinity – 23rd July 2023 – St Mary’s Portsea
On Revd Sam’s final Sunday in the parish, we will gather to express our thanks for her ministry and to pray for her as she moves on. The service will be followed by a cake and a chance to chat. If you would like to make a donation towards a farewell gift for Revd Sam, please do so in a clearly marked envelope, or if paying by BACS reference: ‘Sam Gift’ After the cake and chat, for those who wish…
Parish Skittles Night
Come and join us for a fun night of skittles, food and conversation, and an attempt to beat the clergy at the Portsmouth Maritime Club! Tickets, £9 for adults or £5 for under 18’s, are available in both churches, or can be booked by emailing officeassistant@portseaparish.co.uk or phoning 02392 822990. Please provide your name with your menu choice from the following basket meals: Scampi, Sausage, Chicken Breast, Beefburger or Veggie Burger (all with chips and coleslaw).
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: 8th Sunday after Trinity – 30th July 2023 – St Mary’s Portsea
To watch the service, you can go to our YouTube stream, or our Facebook page. 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.
August 2023
Celebrating Christs Presence: 9th Sunday after Trinity – 6th August 2023 – St Mary’s Church, Portsea
To watch the service, you can go to our YouTube stream, or our Facebook page. 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.
Do Something Different Day
A Do Something Different Day for older people, with crafts, conversation, coffee and games, followed by a lunch and then afternoon tea and a film with popcorn. Tickets cost £6 to be paid on the day, but it is important that you book your place in advance by ringing the Portsmouth Deanery Office on 02392 822990, or emailing officeassistant@portseaparish.co.uk.
Outdoor Parish Mass & Celebration of Cycling
As part of our Patronal Celebrations, where we give thanks for the parish and all who live and work here, we will be holding an Outdoor Parish Mass in St Mary’s Church at 10am. Following this, there will be a Celebration of Cycling, where we will be celebrating cycling in the city with music and entertainment from Drumnation and our local Morris Dancers, arts and crafts activities, and a community picnic (please bring your own lunch). There will also be…
Choral Patronal Mass for St Mary’s
We will be joined by clergy, choirs and members of our local cluster of churches (St Luke’s, the Cathedral, the Church of the Ascension, St Saviour’s, and Holy Spirit, Southsea) for what should be a wonderful choral mass to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption and our Patronal Festival, with refreshments after. Our guest preacher will be the Venerable Luke Irvine-Capel, the Archdeacon of Chichester. You can watch the stream online on our Facebook page or our YouTube stream. To…
Celebrating Christs Presence: 11th Sunday after Trinity – 20th August 2023 – St Mary’s Church, Portsea
To watch the service, you can go to our YouTube stream, or our Facebook page. 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 Christs Presence: 12th Sunday after Trinity – 27th August 2023 – St Mary’s Church, Portsea
To watch the service, you can go to our YouTube stream, or our Facebook page. 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.
September 2023
Pitch and Putt
Our third Pitch and Putt tournament, followed by breakfast at the 10th Hole. If you wish to join us, please let Fr Rajiv know at rajiv.sidhu@portseaparish.co.uk
Celebrating Christs Presence: 13th Sunday after Trinity – 3rd September 2023 – St Mary’s Church, Portsea
To watch the service, you can go to our YouTube stream, or our Facebook page. 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.
Parish BBQ Lunch
As we gather after the summer holidays, this will be a chance for us to catch up with each other and enjoy one another’s company over a BBQ lunch. Please make sure to buy tickets, found in the church, in advance. You are then invited to join the Ministry Team for the Sponsored Bike Ride, covering 15 places of worship in the city centre in around an hour. If you would like to join us, please meet us in the…
A Sung Mass for the Birthday of Our Lady
Join us in the continuation of our patronal celebrations as we celebrate the Birthday of Our Lady with a sung mass. You can find a livestream of the service on our YouTube channel or our Facebook page.
Nearly New/Bric a Brac Sale
Coinciding with the Historic Churches Bike Ride, we will be holding a Nearly New/Bric a Brac Sale. If you can help, please speak to Shirley at St Mary’s. Also, if you have items that we could sell then please do bring them in advance. From 10am till 12pm, the tower will also be open for visitors to climb and enjoy the stunning views of the city. The last entry to the tower will be at 11:30. Terms and conditions apply:…
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: 14th Sunday after Trinity – 10th September 2023 – St Mary’s Portsea
To watch the service, you can go to our YouTube stream, or our Facebook page. 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: 15th Sunday after Trinity – 17th September 2023 – St Mary’s Portsea
To watch the service, you can go to our YouTube stream, or our Facebook page. 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.
Music Foundation Concert – Emily Hicks
Our next St Mary’s Music Foundation concert will welcome the Dorset-based Soprano Emily Hicks, who will be singing a recital of songs for a late summer’s afternoon, including music by Handel, Puccini and Menotti. We do hope you’ll be able to join us for this FREE concert of music, in aid of the Music Foundation, which helps to provide young people in Portsmouth with musical education and opportunities.
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: 16th Sunday after Trinity – 24th September 2023 – St Mary’s, Portsea
To watch the service, you can go to our YouTube stream, or our Facebook page. To follow along, you can find the order of service here.
St Mary’s Choir Open Evening
If you know of any children (particularly aged 7-11, but older children are welcome) who enjoy singing, may be interested in learning about the church choir and what we do, and would like the experience of singing in the magnificent space of St Mary’s, then please do bring them to our Choir Open Evening to see what it’s about. We look forward to welcoming you! If you cannot make this date but are interested, or are an adult looking to…
Messy Harvest
Allow children to explore the theme of Harvest with activities that use music, art, craft and play to focus on God’s creation and climate justice.
October 2023
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: Harvest Thanksgiving – 1st October 2023 – St Mary’s Church, Portsea
Let us, with thankful hearts, reach out and show our love and care for those around us, as we celebrate Harvest with a thanksgiving service and bring items of dried, tinned food to share with the Robert’s Centre. There will also be a similar service at 9:30am at St Faith’s Church. Afterwards you can join us at 12pm at St Mary’s for a light lunch and light-hearted entertainment to celebrate the Harvest season, and to support Portsmouth’s Citywide Harvest. Please…
The Licensing of The Revd Wendy May Jacobs
Join us at St Faith’s Church for the licensing of Rev. Wendy May Jacobs as the Associate Vicar with responsibility for St Faith’s, by the Bishop of Portsmouth, Rt Rev. Jonathan Frost. We will also be celebrating with a eucharist for the eve of St Faith’s day. Please RSVP to portsmouthdeanery.admin@portsmouth.anglican.org or 02392 822 990. Clergy and licensed readers are invited to robe (in an alb and red stole), but please indicate if you intend to do so.
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: 18th Sunday after Trinity – 8th October 2023 – St Mary’s Church
To watch the service, you can go to our YouTube stream, or our Facebook page. 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.
Mass & Light Lunch for St Wilfrid’s Day
We will be marking St Wilfrid’s Day with a (slightly later) morning mass at St Faith’s, followed by a light lunch. Please let Fr. Bob or Maggie know in advance if you would like to join us for lunch on that day.
The Organ Project Recital Series 2023 – Simon Taranczuk
The Organ Project’s 2023 Organ Recital series continues at 7pm on 13th October, with a recital given by Simon Taranczuk, Director of Music at King’s Worcester. Join us for a fantastic free recital, with a retiring collection for the Music Foundation, performed on our recently-restored 1889 J.W. Walker & Sons pipe organ. Refreshments will be included, with no booking required. For programme details, please visit The Organ Project’s website. Simon Taranczuk was born in Portsmouth in 1974 and went to…
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: 19th Sunday after Trinity – 15th October 2023 – St Mary’s, Portsea
To watch the service, you can go to our YouTube stream, or our Facebook page. 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 Annual Music Foundation Concert
Come and support our choristers as we share the work of the Music Foundation, which promotes musical education in the local community, with this free concert.
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: 20th Sunday after Trinity – 22nd October 2023 – St Mary’s, Portsea
To watch the service, you can go to our YouTube stream, or our Facebook page. 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.
Parish Autumn Fair
Join us for our Autumn Fair, a chance to help the church raise funds to continue its work in the local area. Among other opportunities, you can find hidden treasures among our traditional stalls (including books, clothes, and knick knacks), take time to chat over some refreshments, and test your luck in the raffle!
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: Last Sunday after Trinity – 29th October 2023 – St Mary’s, Portsea
To watch the service, you can go to our YouTube stream, or our Facebook page. 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.
November 2023
Requiem Mass for All Souls
A service at which we remember and pray for those we have loved and who have died. The choir will be performing Matthew Coleridge’s Requiem. You can find a livestream of the service on our Facebook page or our YouTube channel. To follow along, you can find the order of service here.
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: 4th Sunday before Advent – 5th November 2023 – St Mary’s, Portsea
To watch the service, you can go to our YouTube stream, or our Facebook page. 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 Organ Project’s 2023 Recital Series: John Sharples
The Organ Project’s 2023 Organ Recital series continues at 7pm on 10th November, with a recital given by John Sharples, Assistant Organist at Arundel Cathedral. Join us for a fantastic free recital, performed on our recently-restored 1889 J.W. Walker & Sons pipe organ. Refreshments are included, with no booking required. For programme details, visit The Organ Project’s website. John Sharples began organ lessons in Halifax Parish Church, in Yorkshire, while still at school. As a student he was organ scholar…
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: Remembrance Sunday – 12th November 2023 – St Mary’s Church, Portsea
Join us this Remembrance Sunday for our Eucharistic service, with an Act of Remembrance. To watch the service, you can go to our YouTube stream, or our Facebook page. To follow along, you can find the order of service here. You can find our notices for the week here.
Royal British Legion’s Service of Remembrance
Join us and the Royal British Legion for a Service of Remembrance, including the laying of wreaths at the cross of sacrifice in the churchyard.
See the SUN!
The SUN will be shining for a whole week on November 16th-22nd, as a giant illuminated art installation comes to St Mary’s Church! For the first time ‘SUN’, an ambitious and unique experience created from a collaboration between astrophysicists and artists, will be seen on the south coast. You can see visit the SUN at St Mary’s Church, Fratton Road, Portsmouth, PO1 5PA on the 16th from 7.30-9.00pm, and on the 17th- 22nd between 5.00pm-9.00pm Using data from NASA’s Solar…
Celebrating Christ’s Presence – 2nd Sunday before Advent – 19th November 2023 – St Marys Portsea
To watch the service, you can go to our YouTube stream, or our Facebook page. 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 Christs Presence: 1st Sunday before Advent – 26th November 2023 – St Mary Church Portsea
To watch the service, you can go to our YouTube stream, or our Facebook page. 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.
Friends of St Mary’s AGM
We would like to invite you to become a member of the ‘Friends of St Mary’s.’ The Friends support the young people of the Parish, those exploring their faith, our baptism and confirmation candidates, those getting married and ensure that the events in the life of the parish are promoted, displayed and recorded as part of our witness to those who come into our churches. Over the years The Friends has supported the two churches in the Parish to carry…
December 2023
Messy Advent
A family-friendly morning exploring Advent with crafts and activities as we wait for the coming of Christ
The Victory Carol Concert by The Renaissance Choir
Get into the true spirit of Christmas with a candlelit concert of traditional carols and special festive music. Come and enjoy the church’s gorgeous acoustics and a wonderful performance by the Renaissance Choir. The conductor for the evening will be Peter Gambie, with our own Director of Music Brian Moles as the organist. Wine, soft drinks and mince pies will be available, with free car parking adjacent to the church. Tickets are £10 online or on the door. For under…
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: 1st Sunday of Advent – 3rd December 2023 – St Mary’s Church, Portsea
To watch the service, you can go to our YouTube stream, or our Facebook page. 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.
An Advent Candlelit Carol Service
A special service of music for Advent reflecting on the light coming into the darkness.