St Mary’s is a cultural, community and spiritual hub in the heart of Fratton – don’t miss out on the many events and special services that happen here -join our events email list.
Details of services are available on the Services page and special services are on listed on the Events page
Public Worship
We will ensure that there will be space in each of our churches for those who wish to maintain social distancing and masks. Our hope is to enable everyone to feel that they are able to share in our common life as fully as they wish. If you have any concerns or suggestions please share them with Fr Bob. or one of the Ministry Team.
People of worship
We continue to ensure we are people of prayer, and how we can best be with God and with each other. Alongside this we have ensured that whatever we do is sustainable and creates a safe space for everyone. As a consequence of this:
St Mary’s will continue to be open each weekday (Monday to Friday) from 9am – Noon for Private Prayer
Please refer to the services page for the latest details for worship in church, streamed services and for Service Sheets.
You are invited to pause and pray with us at 9am and 6pm each day. Resources for daily prayer can be found online at the Church of England website and you can follow with a recording on SoundCloud here, or download the Daily Prayer app on to your phone. Or simply be still, light a candle and offer to God in prayer all that lies in your hearts and say the Lord’s Prayer.
Prayer Resources – Each day we are encouraging everyone to find some time and space to pause and pray with us. You may want to use this Celtic Office as a structure. In addition, a reflection from one of our Ministry Team will be streamed around noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
There are also 2 suggestions on ways of praying: using a Prayer Box; and using Centering Prayer.
We hope you will continue to pause to pray with us at 9am and at 6pm. There is also a Daily Reflection each day. If you need any support or can offer help please let us know.
With best wishes and prayers
Father Bob
Daily Prayer
As well as stopping to pray at 9am for Morning Prayer, and 6pm for Evening Prayer daily you may also want to share in Night Prayer (or Compline) the traditional way of reflecting on the day past and entrusting ourselves to God’s care through the night. The Church of England resources are available online using the same links shared above, or you can follow our Compline service here set to some beautiful music.
Funeral Liturgy at Home
You can find a simple liturgy for funerals to do at home for funerals you can’t attend available here.
Personal Faith Journey Project
Find an invitation and instructions on keeping a journal during the lockdown in our Personal Faith Journey Project.
We welcome you
The Parish of St Mary consists of three Churches and a wide cross section of people of all ages and backgrounds.
We welcome people who wish to explore their faith with us through the various groups and discussions that take place here. We also enjoy meeting together in relaxed and informal occasions and at special events and celebrations. The great thing about the Parish is the variety of ways in which we come together and I look forward to meeting you at some of them!
Whether you are a visitor, or a newcomer to one of the Churches, or are enquiring about Baptism or Marriage then I hope that you will visit us again for one of the services or activities listed here.
If you have any questions or want more information then please do get in touch with one of the clergy or other people listed on the contacts page.
With best wishes and prayers.
The Organ Project
The Organ Project has been established to interpret, restore, enhance and celebrate the heritage associated with 130 years of music-making in St Mary’s Church, Portsea.
The unique 1889 Walker pipe organ is at the heart of life within the Parish but is now in a critical condition where interim repairs are no longer sufficient to keep this nationally significant instrument from being lost.
We will engage with local communities, develop volunteer skills and enthuse visitors with an exciting programme of activities; interpreting the organs history, science, sound and function, and sharing its undoubted awe.
By restoring this organ to its original Victorian character, we will inspire a new generation of musicians, students and audiences, and further extend the outreach of a less-privileged, but dedicated Parish church, to the diverse inner-city community in Portsmouth and beyond.
The Organ Project will make a lasting difference for heritage, people and communities.
Parish Vision
The vision is of a Parish which seeks to value and affirm the gifts of all people and to provide a place of prayer, worship and welcome for all in the Parish. The desire is to develop ‘centres of excellence’ both of worship and of community involvement and use. The need is for the 3 Churches to recognise their interdependence and yet value their independence. To try to strike a balance between acknowledging the value of our common life, yet also valuing the qualities and style of the 3 Churches. The Trinity is being reflected on as a model for this. The Priorities are about building up the life of each Church and of the Parish and looking at how each Church needs to be developed as a resource for its local community. Each Church has a potential and these are being explored. In addition there is a need to build up the spiritual life of the whole Parish and to encourage people in their journey of faith.
A place of prayer, worship and welcome for all in the Parish
Parish Safeguarding
The Parish of Portsea is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults and creating protective and supportive environments where all people, and especially those who may be vulnerable, are able to worship and pursue their faith journey in safety.
We follow the national legal and procedural framework for safeguarding children and adults, and Church of England policy and practice. More information can be found here.
If you have a safeguarding concern about an adult or child, please contact our Parish Safeguarding Representative:
Jenny Stemp
jenny.stemp@portseaparish.co.uk | 07341 569 238
