Events List Navigation
December 2023
Reindeer Drive for Christian Aid
A beetle drive with a festive seasonal difference to raise funds for Christian Aid for Gaza. Tickets cost £2.50 on the door.
Handel’s Messiah – Portsmouth Choral Union with Southern Pro Musica
Conductor: David Gostick Portsmouth Choral Union with Southern Pro Musica Tenor: Nicholas Sharratt Soprano: Luci Briginshaw Alto: Rebecca Lodge Birkebaek Bass: Edwin Kaye PCU sang The Messiah for the first time in 1896. With W.E Green as Musical Director this became an annual event for the choir until 1963, when it had been performed 68 times in consecutive years! PCU last performed it in 2015. This performance will be the 82nd by Portsmouth Choral Union. An amazing achievement! Handel composed…
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: 3rd Sunday in Advent – 17th 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.
Carol Singing with St Mary’s Choir
Join our choir and members of our congregation as we spend an hour singing carols around local streets.
Nine Lessons & Carols at St Mary’s
A traditional telling of the Christmas Story through readings and carols sung by the congregation and choir, followed by sherry and mince pies. You can watch the service on YouTube or our Facebook page. To follow along, you can find the order of service here.
Celebrating Christ’s Presence – 4th Sunday in Advent – 24th December 2023 – St Marys 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.
The Nativity at St Mary’s
The Christmas story presented by our children and young people, as we celebrate the sharing of the greatest gift. If you are interested in your young ones being involved, please contact vicar@portseaparish.co.uk ASAP.
Christmas Eve Mass at St Faith’s
Come join us as we mark the season by following the Star, and singing with joy at the Light, Life and Peace He brings
Midnight Mass at St Mary’s Church
We joyfully greet the Christ child in a special service, with the Choir of St Mary’s and instrumentalists. You can watch a livestream of the service on our YouTube channel (https://youtu.be/IkncreVGQZk) or our Facebook page. To follow along, you can find the order of service here.
Christmas Day at St Mary’s Church
Come and give thanks for the greatest gift we have ever been given at our traditional Parish Mass & Carols at 10am. Alternatively, start the day at 9am with a quieter service from the Book of Common Prayer, with words that have been used for over 500 years. You can find a livestream of the 10am service on our YouTube channel or our Facebook page. To follow along, you can find the order of service here. If you would like…
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: 1st Sunday after Christmas – 31st December 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.
January 2024
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: Mass for the Epiphany – 6th January 2023 – St Mary’s Church, Portsea
The Feast of the Epiphany when we reflect on the gifts of the Magi and the star they followed. 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.
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: The Baptism of the Lord – 7th January 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. You can find our notices for the week here.
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: 2nd Sunday after Epiphany – 14th January 2024 – 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.
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: 3rd Sunday after Epiphany – 21st January 2024 – 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.
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: 4th Sunday after Epiphany – 28th January 2024 – 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.
February 2024
Parish Candlemas Mass
Come and join us as we celebrate the Feast of the Presentation of the Lord. As we celebrate Simeon welcoming Jesus as the light to lighten the nations, we will also be welcoming those exploring their faith and preparing for confirmation this year.
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: 2nd Sunday before Lent – 4th February 2024 – 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.
Music Foundation Concert Series – Michael Stoddart
The Music Foundation is delighted to welcome back Michael Stoddart, travelling here from France, to play for us on our recently restored Walker organ. A former organist and Director of Music at St Mary’s, Michael is very much looking forward to returning for his performance. His varied programme of music will include Bach, Sweelinck, Bridge, Gabrielli, Messiaen and Duruflé. Entry for this concert is free with refreshments available, and a retiring collection in aid of the Music Foundation.
Valentine’s Coffee Morning
Come and enjoy coffee, cake, and conversation as we support Hope Into Action and welcome those planning their weddings this year.
Portsmouth Vintage Kilo Sale
Worth the Weight are coming back to Portsmouth. Use this opportunity to grab a bag as you enter and pick & mix your vintage clothing, all for £20 a kilo! Tickets cost £2-£3, you can find the full details and book in advance on their Eventbrite page.
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: 1st Sunday before Lent – 11th February 2024 – St Marys 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.
Shrove Tuesday Celebrations
Join us for pancake races (6pm), food (chilli and rice, served at 6.30pm), and a quiz to raise funds for the Lord Mayor’s Appeal (7pm) as we come together to celebrate before the beginning of Lent. Tickets cost £5 per person, and can be bought at the back of church or by emailing officeassistant@portseaparish.co.uk
Ash Wednesday at St Mary’s
At noon, we will be holding a quiet service, including the imposition of ashes, to celebrate the start of Lent. Later, at 7pm, there will be a sung mass, again including the imposition of ashes, to mark the beginning of Lent. You can watch the sung service on our YouTube channel or our Facebook page. To follow along, you can find the order of service here.
Adrian – The Alternative Pantomime
Come and enjoy a traditional pantomime, performed by members of the Parish (and some of the clergy!) on a fun and relaxed afternoon. There will be a matinee performance at 2.30pm and an evening performance at 7pm. Tickets are available at both St Mary’s and St Faith’s churches, or by contacting 02392 822 990 or officeassistant@portseaparish.co.uk. Tickets cost £4 for adults, or £2 for under-16s. You can also buy a £10 family ticket which permits 2 adults and 2 children.
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: 1st Sunday of Lent – 18th February 2024 – 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 Christ’s Presence: 2nd Sunday of Lent – 25th February 2024 – 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.
March 2024
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: 3rd Sunday in Lent – 3rd March 2024 – 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 Christ’s Presence: Mothering Sunday – 10th March 2024 – St Mary’s Church Portsea
Join us as we give thanks for all who care for us, and pray for all those who we care for, as we mark Mothering Sunday. 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.
St Mary’s Confirmation Service
We welcome Bishop Jonathan as he comes to confirm members of our community. Join us in supporting them as they make the next steps in their journey of faith.
Horse Race Night in aid of St Mary’s Music Foundation
A family-fun evening of playing race night, a board game approximation of horse-racing, to help raise funds for St Mary’s Music Foundation as the choir prepares to sing at Bristol Cathedral in April. Tickets cost £2 for adults from officeassistant@portseaparish.co.uk, while kids enter for free; also consider bringing some spare loose change to enter our raffle and participate in small 50p bets. Bring your own snacks and drinks.
St John Passion by Bob Chilcott, performed by Portsmouth Choral Union
Come to hear a performance from Portsmouth Choral Union and our newly restored organ. They will be performing Chilchott’s St John Passion, a dramatic yet optimistic re-telling of the Passiontide as told in St John’s Gospel. Tickets cost £17.50 for adults or £2.50 for children and students. They should be bought online on the PCU’s website, or they can be bought on the door by card payments only. Conductor: David Gostick Evangelist: Nicholas Sharratt
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: 5th Sunday in Lent – 17th March 2024 – 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.
God So Loved the World: A Devotion on the Passion
Please join us for a special service of readings and music, reflecting on and telling the story of the Passion. There will be a retiring collection in aid of the work of the Music Foundation, which supports young people in the city by providing musical education and opportunities.
Messy Holy Week
Join us for a free, family-friendly morning as we explore Holy Week and the hope and joy of the Easter story with a variety of crafts and activities.
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: Palm Sunday – 24th March 2024 – St Mary’s Church Portsea
As we remember Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, join us in a procession from St Faith’s to St Mary’s Church, before our Sunday Eucharistic service. To watch the 10am service, 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 Holy Week here.
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: Holy Week – St Mary’s Church Portsea
Join us during Holy Week for a series of masses and reflections at 7pm on the 25th, 26th, & 27th March. We will be joined by the Bishop’s Chaplain, Amanda Collinson, who will be reflecting on people who watch and pray at the cross. The services will be livestreamed and can be found on our Facebook page, or our YouTube channel separately for Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. To follow along, you can find the order of service here. If you…
Holy Week at St Faith’s
Join the St Faith’s community as they celebrate Holy Week: On Maundy Thursday, as we remember Jesus’ meal with his disciples, there will be a Eucharist of the Last Supper at 6pm, followed by the opportunity to watch and pray in silence until 8pm. Then, on Good Friday, there will be a Liturgy of the Cross at 2pm, marking the last hour of Jesus as he was crucified on the cross. Finally, on Easter Sunday, there will be a celebratory…
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: Maundy Thursday – 28th March 2024 – St Mary’s Church Portsea
Join us as we remember the last supper Jesus shared with his disciples, how he treated us with care and respect in his washing of their feet, and the prayers and betrayals which occurred in the Garden of Gethsemane To watch along, 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.
The Journey to the Cross
On Good Friday, our young families will be exploring the Journey to the Cross, reflecting on each station of the cross and applying it to our lives today.
Reflections On and the Liturgy of the Cross
On Good Friday, join us as we reflect on the sacrifice Jesus made for us on the cross. There will be Reflections on the cross, interspersed with quiet moments for prayer, from 1pm. Then at 2pm there will be a Liturgy of the Cross. To watch the Liturgy of the Cross, 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…
The Vigil & First Mass of Easter
On Holy Saturday, we transition from the darkness of the night into the coming of the Light of the World as we mark Christ’s resurrection and our new life in him with celebration and joy! To watch along, 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: Easter Day – 31st March 2024 – St Mary’s Church Portsea
Join us in our Sunday Eucharist as we come together to celebrate the resurrection of Christ. There will be a traditional Eucharist from the Book of Common Prayer at 8am, following a service structure which has been used in the Church of England for centuries. Alternatively, come along to our family-friendly Easter Day service at 10am! To watch the 10am service, you can go to our Facebook page or our YouTube channel. To follow along, you can find the order…
Choral Evensong & Benediction for Easter Day
The choir of St Mary’s will sing a traditional service of Choral Evensong followed by Benediction as we continue to celebrate the resurrection of Christ.
April 2024
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: 2nd Sunday of Easter – 7th April 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. You can find our notices for the week here.
Music Foundation Concert Series – David Oldfield
The Music Foundation is delighted to welcome back David Oldfield for a concert in aid of the foundation’s work supporting local young musicians. Having previously played in 2020, before restoration efforts began, it is great that he can now give a recital on our recently restored Walker Organ. His varied programme of music will include pieces by musicians such as Bach, Mendelssohn, and Stanford, alongside many others. Entry for this concert is free, with a retiring collection in aid of…
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: 3rd Sunday after Easter – 14th April 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. You can find our notices for the week here.
Easter Bunny Drive for Christian Aid
Join us for a seasonal beetle drive to raise funds for Christian Aid – make sure to bring your bunny ears!
Celebrating Christ’s Presence: 4th Sunday of Easter – 21st April 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. You can find our notices for the week here.
A Farewell Service for Fr Rajiv
Join us as we thank Fr Rajiv for his curacy at St Mary’s, say farewell to him, and wish him well in his future ministry in Pontypridd. Tea and cake will be served at 3pm, before a service at 4pm. You can watch the service online on our Facebook page or YouTube channel, and follow along with the order of service here.