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On 1st May 1927, an Order in Council from King George V came into force founding the Diocese of Portsmouth out of the Winchester Diocesan Arch-deaconaries of the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth. Neville Lovatt was consecrated as the first Bishop of Portsmouth and the Church of St Thomas of Canterbury, Portsmouth became his Cathedral Church. During the year there will be a number of big diocesan gatherings beginning with a service (non eucharistic) in Winchester Cathedral at 11.am, on Saturday 4th May, when the Bishop of Winchester will preach. This return to the Mother Church from which the Portsmouth Diocese sprang, will be an occasion of thanksgiving and re-dedication for mission. All parishes have been invited by the Bishop to come to the service in this great Cathedral and there will be plenty of space for all in the longest nave of any cathedral in England. All Churchwardens have received an invitation to lunch as the special guests of the bishop in the Guildhall afterwards. The rest of us (including the clergy) will picnic in the cathedral grounds. Diocesan bellringers, our cathedral choir and organist will lead the music and the bishop will be accompanied by various ecumenical representatives from Hampshire. Then a team of pilgrims will set off from Winchester Cathedral on a three-day walk to Portsmouth. The churchwardens will then process with the bishop along the High Street to the Guildhall for their lunch. Other events during the year include: 27th/29th May: Diocesan Visitation by the Archbishop of Canterbury. (Lecture by the Archbishop on Tuesday 28th, 7.30.pm in the Cathedral.) 22nd June: Jubilee Fun Day in the Church Grounds at St George's. 14th July: Diocesan Open Air Eucharist on Southsea Common. 5th October: Diocesan Festival Eucharist in the Cathedral. The Stepping Out Prayer: God of our pilgrimage, you have willed that the gate of mercy I will be writing again about the Diocesan Jubilee in the coming months. With my prayers and blessing: MALCOLM FERRIER. |
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page last updated 16 MAY 2002 |
