Fratton’s Festival of Light and Once a Sea (Art Installation)Part of We Shine PortsmouthFratton Together once again invites the local community to join in with its Festival of Light, the tenth iteration of this annual event designed to gather us together and push away the darkness.The event starts on Friday 22nd November our Lantern Parade – starting at the Victory Business Centre (Somers Road North, PO1 1PJ) at 7.00pm and making its way towards St Mary’s Churchyard. As well as the shining lights from the lanterns which have been hand-crafted in local workshops over previous weeks, we will also be led by the energizing Batala Samba Band, who will also play in the Churchyard at 8pm.From Thursday 21st (until Saturday 23rd) In the churchyard there will be a series of light installations, activities, and refreshments as part of We Shine. Inside the church, following on from the success of exhibitions like the Moon, and the Sun, the light installation Once A Sea will be set up, remaining there from Thursday 21st – Wednesday 27th November.Once A Sea is a large scale sound, light, and projection installation created specifically for St Mary’s Church by Portsmouth based artists Heinrich & Palmer, the multi-media artist partnership who previously brought the Ship of Gods to St Mary’s Church.This installation was created specifically for St Mary’s Church, its title referring to the time over 35 million years ago when Portsmouth was covered by sea, and the older fossilized marine life that now makes up the chalk and flint cliffs of Portsdown Hill was thriving in a deep ocean – it is these flints were later used to build the exterior walls of St Mary's Church. 'Once a Sea' combines archival imagery, high-speed film, microscopy and 3D laser scans of the Church to take the viewer on an immersive journey through time.You can watch this fascinating projection transform the interior of St Mary’s Church from 5pm-9pm on the 21st-23rd November and 4.30-9.00pm (with nightly performances and activities from 6.30pm-7.15pm, including live music (Sun, Tue), Yoga ‘By the Sea’ (Mon), and dancing (Wed)) on the 24th-27th November.Entry to these are all free, but you need to book via Eventbrite for the Yoga Session.Father Bob White, vicar of St Mary’s and Chair of Fratton Together, said‘We are looking forward to welcoming people to come and celebrate our local community and the beauty of St Mary’s Church.The Lantern Parade has become an important annual community celebration seeking to bring light in our community life.It has been a special privilege this year, with thanks to the Arts Council Grant, to be able to work alongside Heinrich and Palmer in developing this new installation.amaamanHarbourThe artists Anna Heinrich and Leon Palmer said:“We are thrilled to be working with St Mary’s Church and Fratton Together again to develop this new work for St Mary’s, inspired by our home city.We have spent the last year developing the work drawing on conversations with the local community, archival imagery and our research into the area’s history and geological past.The University of Portsmouth has been very supportive providing technical assistance and advice, enabling us to explore some fascinating imaging techniques.We are very much looking forward to being part of the community of artists that are presenting their work at this year’s We Shine festival.”Artists website: https://heinrichpalmer.co.ukTo find out more about this installation and many others happening across the city visit https://weshineportsmouth.co.ukRevd Canon Bob WhiteVicar of St Mary’s Portsea and Acting Archdeacon of Portsdown
The tradition of Harvest stretches back far into history – in the Old Testament the people of God were encouraged to offer to God thanks at the safe gathering of the Harvest and to share the ‘first fruits’ with him. This was done by tithing - placing a 10th of the best of the crop before the altar. Over the years this has been expressed in a variety of ways, but in more recent history has become focused on sharing food – tins etc – with those in need in our communities.Click here to read the full article or click the Download Button to get it in pdf format.
God’s Generosity and our GratitudeAs 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 Then between Sept 22nd and 29th we will be asking you to think about our Gratitude and how we respond with Thankful hearts – but that is for next week.Each day this week try to find 5 – 10 mins to pause – perhaps light a candle – and reflect on the day.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.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)Then 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.As the week progresses perhaps create a list of those things (perhaps on the back of this leaflet) and looking at it recognise the breadth and depth of God’s love and generosity,
I hope that you will be able to join us over the coming days as we celebrate our Patronal Festival as a Parish. A Patronal Festival is when we give thanks for the saint we are named after and so whose ‘patronage’ we are under. It is a bit like a birthday celebration as we look back to what has been and forward with hope and prayer to what will be – asking that we may be inspiredby, and seek to follow the example of, our patron saint. For us as a Parish Mary is our patron – and 15th August is a major festival of Mary. (Later on we will celebrate her as Patron of St Mary’s Church and then St Faith as patron of St Faith’s Church).<br><br>To read on, click the Download button...
