Rvd Charlie licensing into new post
Date & Time: 26th February 2012 16:30.
She will be licensed to her new role during the Evensong service at Salisbury Cathedral. You are all invited! A coach is being organised to take people up to Salisbury. For more information contact the church office; 02392 321380
Wedding Fair
Date & Time: 3rd March 2012 10:30.
St Mary's invite you to their third annual Wedding Fair. Wedding cars - cakes - photographers - stationery - hair & hats - even chair covers! Refreshments available in St Mary's Tearoom. Admission is free.
Concert - Angelic Voices
Date & Time: 9th March 2012 19:30.
Angelic Voices - the chapel choir of St John's, Southsea - consists of over 30 boys aged between 9 and 16 having a reputation for giving highly polished and entertaining performances. This is a concert not to be missed. The programme will contain both popular music (I am Sailing, Bright Eyes, The Rhythm of Life) and secular (Panis Angelicus, Ave Maria, Jerusalem) ... and much, much more. Tickets £8.50 / £5.50 (concessions) available from the Church Office.
At St Mary's you'll find a varied programme of events and activities throughout the year. Some of our regular activities can be summarised under the following five headings - do contact us if you'd like to know further details:
PASTORAL CARE
The church family at St Mary's is a loving one and we seek to care not only for each other in times of need, but also for those in the wider community who may be going through difficult times. Our Bereavement Support Group ('Tea and Company') meets on the first Sunday of the month at 2.15pm in Portchester Parish Hall; our Pastoral Visiting Team regularly visit the sick and housebound and take Communion to them if requested; we pray each day for those who have asked for our prayers, remembering especially those who have left prayer requests on the prayer board in church.
CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE
Children and young people are welcome at all of our services and events, but there are some which are arranged especially with them in mind. We've already mentioned the Family Eucharist at 10am on the fourth Sunday of the month, but you might also like to find out more about the Junior Church which meets during the 10am service on other weeks. We also have two lively Youth Groups which meet regularly throughout the year and a Toddler Group ('St Mary's Lambs') which meets at 10.30am on a Wednesday morning. Special events and services take place for young people at various points in the year, especially around Christmas and Easter, so do watch this space for further details!
NURTURE & COURSES
At St Mary's we know that there is always more to learn about our faith. For this reason we offer a variety of courses for those who are new to the Christian faith, and also for those who have been growing in the faith for many years. Several House Groups meet each week; a Men's Breakfast Group meets monthly; and courses are held each year during the season of Lent and occasionally during Advent. Each year we hold an Emmaus Course for those who are new to the church or who want to find out more - this course also serves as an ideal way to prepare for Confirmation. Younger children prepare to receive Communion for the first time by joining one of our 'Belonging' courses. We also regularly run Parish Quiet Days and Pilgrimages.
SOCIAL EVENTS & GROUPS
At St Mary's we enjoy each other's company and are always delighted to welcome new friends to any of our social events. The social calendar for the year can range from Pub Quiz Evenings and Mediaeval Banquets to Parish Pantomimes and Barn Dances. A variety of groups and clubs meet on a regular basis too - the Choir, the Craft Group and the Drama Group to name but a few. There are also plenty of opportunities to get involved in church life at all levels, from arranging the flowers to helping out at the Christmas Fayre. There is even a programme of musical concerts throughout the year, with performances ranging from the Hampshire County Youth Choir to the St Petersburg Choir.
OUTREACH
The congregation at St Mary's seek to reach out into the wider community with the joy and hope of our faith. We regularly lead assemblies and lessons at each of the six local schools, visit and lead worship in local Care and Nursing Homes, and support a variety of local and world-wide charities. Last year we raised over £3000 for the charity 'Send A Cow'; this year we are raising funds for the local Hospice. We also run a Café to help welcome the many visitors and tourists which come to explore the Castle and Church site. The church building is open daily 9am-6pm in the summer months, and 9am-4pm in the winter months. You are welcome to pop in at any time to say a prayer, to light a candle, or simply to find a place of quiet and peace.
