As part of Fratton Together’s 12th annual Festival of Lights, there will be a parade down Fratton Road on 14 November, starting at the Victory Business Centre (PO1 1PJ) at 7pm and finishing at St Mary’s Church.Over the past month, local residents have had the opportunity to attend free lantern-making workshops. Inspired by Portsmouth Creates’ “In Our Words” campaign, each lantern has been influenced by ideas of literature, literacy, and storytelling. Those who participated in the workshops will be joining in with the parade, contributing an amazing variety of hand-crafted lights, each one expressing the individual creativity found in members of the local community. Please note that if people would like to bring their own lanterns they must be battery powered; no naked flames will be allowed.The procession will be led by the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth and the Batala Samba Band, who will provide a joyous marching beat. Upon arrival at St Mary’s Church, there will be various performances from local performing groups, including the Portsmouth Academy Dance Company and St Mary’s Church choir. The evening will end with a performance by Batala Samba Band.Anna Potten, Fratton Together’s events organiser, said: “We have been particularly pleased with this year’s lantern making . Lots of people who have seen the parade before but never got involved have attended. We were particularly pleased to welcome students from Portsmouth Academy for the first time, who helped to create large lanterns as part of the Portsmouth Creative Educational Partnership’s “Under One Banner” project.”The Venerable Bob White, chair of Fratton Together and vicar at St Mary’s Church, said: “As the winter nights draw in, Fratton’s Festival of Lights is an excellent reminder that the light we find to fight off the dark comes from our neighbours and our friends. We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone in another celebration of the special community that surrounds Fratton.”
Sunday Oct 5th Harvest 2025God’s Generosity and our responseOver the last 3 years, we have joined with others in our Deanery in encouraging our Churches, Ecumenical Partners and other groups in our communities to join together in raising an awareness of the Harvest Season and the increasing food poverty in our society.The pressure on Food banks, Larders and Pantries and others who distribute food to those struggling financially continues to increase. It continues to be a challenge to those groups to ensure a supply of food, as well as volunteers and funding. At Harvest we have a chance to respond to these needs. This can be done in all sorts of ways, but we hope you might like to donate food to support the Robert’s Centre at our Harvest CelebrationsOr you may want to give some time as a volunteer to help at the Fratton Pantry – please let Fr Bob know if you could do thisIn addition this year we are encouraging people to also perhaps make a financial donation to support the Kitchen of Hope based at St Simon’s. You may have been aware of all the protests and tensions in our city around Asylum Seekers who are living in the city. It is important that we seek to do what we can to support those who are targeted as people, rather than aa an object of fear.There have been discussions with the City of Sanctuary organisation about how best we may do this Revd Jackie Twine describes the Kitchen of Hope Kitchen of Hope is a project that has been running at St Simon’s Church, Southsea for over 18 months. The project helps asylum seekers and volunteers to prepare and cook food together from around the world. We share the meal with anyone who wants to join us in the spirit of fellowship and unity. It’s a wonderful opportunity to learn more about each other’s cultures and customs around a table of friends. Many asylum seekers (at the hotel especially), have limited access to cooking the food they love for themselves and enjoy this opportunity to cook and eat together. We feel it’s a ‘holy habit’ and mirrors Christ’s own tradition of sharing food with all sorts of people in the spirit of inclusivity without discriminationPreparing for Harvest - Reflecting on God’s GenerosityAs the days turn colder, the Autumn leaves begin to fall, and the evenings get darker our thoughts turn to Harvest This year we are joining with parishes across the country in reflecting on God’s Generosity.As we prepare for our own Harvest, we would like all of us to find time and space in the coming days to think about God’s generosity Try to find a few minutes each day to pause – perhaps light a candle – and reflect on the day.As you are still and reflect perhaps read again the stories of creation in Genesis (yes there are at least 2 stories in Chapter 1 & 2)In Genesis God creates all things and at the heart of that creation is humanity – He invites us to be stewards of all creation.In the modern world we have become detached from that creation in many ways – and take so much of it for granted; treating things as if they are ours by right, rather than recognising them as a gift. In the lives we lead we are often challenged by difficult situations or face issues that can overwhelm us. Our minds can become focused on the things that are wrong, or we do not want, and we fail to see beyond them to the gifts God continues to generously give us.Look back at the last day and pray that you may see beyond the things that overwhelm us and may glimpse moments or signs of God’s generous love.Create a list of those things and looking at it recognise the breadth and depth of God’s love and generosity shown towards you.Our Harvest response to God’s GenerosityThere is a long history and tradition within the Jewish and Christian faith of offering to God some of the gifts he has shared with us. This took many forms but included offering gifts in various forms in thanks for life itself, there has also been a long tradition of that offering being used to support our common life of faith and worship, and to meet the needs of those in need, including the stranger or outcast.Next Sunday is our chance to continue that offering to God in thanksgiving for the Harvest and all he has given us, even life itself.If you created a list of the generosity of God, then think about what you will offer to Him at our Harvest.It could be gifts of food for others to share – please think about what you would like to receive if you were struggling with life and finances and donate those thingsIt could be a financial donation to support the work of Kitchen of Hope in our city – please place in a clearly marked envelope (or if paying by BACS mark as ‘Harvest’)It could be by making a commitment regularly give to the Church to support all that we are and do. This can be done in a variety of ways – and there will be a form next week where you can identify what you would like to do.It could be by offering your time as a volunteer to help us in our worship, or in our various projects and activities Again next week’s form wll enable you to make that commitment,Use this week to think and pray about what you Harvest Response is this year!Harvest 2025We will celebrate Harvest this year – starting withMessy Harvest at St Mary’s at 10am on Saturday Oct 4th. Come and explore the feeding with 5 loaves and 2 fishes through art, craft and activity. The morning ends around 11.30am with a free lunch.Harvest Thanksgiving at both St Mary’s and St Faith’s we will hold a Harvest Service at 10am on Oct 5th. Bring your gifts of food, donations of money and response forms to offer to God in thanksgiving for all he has given you.Harvest Supper Sunday Oct 5th 3.30pm at St Mary’s. This year we will be holding a Barn Dance (With a live band) ending with a sharing of food (if you would like to offer items let us know). Tickets are available – please book in advance if you can.Then on Monday Oct 6th we celebrate St Faith’s Day at 7pm at St Faith’s Church with a service giving thanks for that Church and praying for Landport and all who are part of that community.It was with sadness we heard of the death of Revd Sarah. There will be a service of thanksgiving at St Luke’s at 2pm on Tuesday Oct 7th. St Luke’s have asked for offers of cakes or help in serving drinks on that day – please let Fr Bob know if you can help with cakes or serving.There will also be a Requiem Mass at St Mary’s – giving thanks for Revd Sarah’s ministry with us – on Weds Oct 15th at 7pm.Two dates for the diary (more details to follow)Friday Oct 24th 7pm : Emma, Jon and Lucas Chapman are organising a Wrestling Evening at St Mary’s to raise funds for the Music Foundation Tickets are available.Saturday Nov 1st -10am – Parish Autumn Fair at St Mary’s – details of stalls and items needed to follow …Best wishesFr Bob
The Parish of St Mary For Children & Young People You are invited to join us for some special activities as we explore the Easter Story.Please come along on Sunday April 13th for our outdoor procession from St Faith’s Church at 9.30am This will end at St Mary’s Church and there will be activities led by our team. At the end of the morning there will be a special gift for all our children and young people. The morning’s activities will end around 11.15am We hope to see you there.Then later in the week Good Friday April 18th 11am Activities and reflection for Good Friday for Children and Young People at St Mary’s followed by Hot Cross Buns.Easter Day April 20th 10am Easter Day celebration at St Faith's and at St Mary's WITH DISTRIBUTION OF CHOCOLATE EGGS! COME AND JOIN THE CELEBRATIONS! For more information about Holy Week and Easter, please call Fr Bob on 92 822687, The Church Office on 023 92 81444 Or visit our website portseaparish.co.uk or social media @portseaparish
