Although our choirs are off for Half Term, there is nevertheless a varied and interesting programme of activity at the Cathedral, over the next two weeks, including a Family Activity Day as well as a number of visiting choirs.

Monday sees Journeys Festival International host a conversation between the Dean and George Sfougaras about his new art installation.

George writes….

I have been working on the theme of layers for a while, the stories unfolding over archetypal faces and in the form of annotated maps.

It is in this context that I started to make the works which contained several pictorial planes, covering, hiding, uncovering and re-covering parts of the many layers. I played around with the idea that most often we see only the surface, when beneath there is a wealth of knowledge and information. The works have been informed by my own experiences, from the resettlement of my parents on the basis of religion, to my own, as an adolescent migrant. I also had the privilege of working with others whose lives have been shaped by the pain of displacement. The banner works are on material that alludes to the hessian sacks that contained the crop of raisins my grandparents harvested every year. This was a kind of agriculture brought to Crete from Asia Minor with the refugees.

Do join this event in the Nave at 4.00pm on Monday.

In the meantime, we wish all the best to those of our own community and others taking part in this year’s Great South Run! This year we are holding a 10.30am Eucharist – good luck getting to the Cathedral if you are aiming to try. And if you are reading this in the pews at 10.25am - well done thou good and faithful servant!

David Price

Organist and Master of the Choristers

TODAY

Welcome to The Anthem Choir from the Netherlands who are singing at Eucharist this evening whilst the Cathedral Choirs are on half term.

The Lists Details of our services are available in the Cathedral or on the website.

NEWS

Ghana Link Sunyani Partnership Canon Marion, Lay Canon of Sunyani, will be visiting Ghana for the celebrations marketing Bishop Festus’ 10 years of episcopal ministry. She will take with her a letter from the Dean thanking God for our continuing partnership in the Gospel and assuring Bishop Festus of our on-going prayers for the furtherance of his ministry and the growth of the Church in the Diocese of Sunyani.

Recovered Histories until 28th October. Journeys Festival International presents an exhibition of new work by printmaker George Sfougaras, inspired by members of the refugee and asylum-seeking community, including the Bishop of Loughborough, Bishop Guli. They are multi-layered images drawn from historical and contemporary sources, sharing personal histories and culture.

NOTICES

Vacancies – full details of the following posts are on the Cathedral’s website.

Head of Fundraising and Events We are looking for an outstanding and innovative full time Head of Fundraising and Events. The post is funded by the Cathedral’s Sustainability Fund. Closing date 28th October. Interviews Thursday 14th November.

Education Assistant - Pop Up Cathedral We seek an Education Assistant to work on our new outreach project. A large pop-up gazebo will be taken out to schools so that classes will be able to take part in a range of activities. 10 hours p/w, temporary six month contract. Closing date 23rd October. Interviews Thursday 31st October.

Christmas Fair Saturday 30th November. We need donations of books, CDs, DVDs, jigsaws, games, china, glass and collectables, Christmas decorations, artificial flowers, clay plant pots, jewellery, clothing (unworn with label), preserves (jams, marmalade and chutney), toiletries, toys and children’s clothes, bottles of wine and boxes of chocolates for the Tombola. Small donations can be left at the Cathedral Shop, large donations please contact the Cathedral Offices. Raffle Tickets are now on sale from the Cathedral Shop.

Chapel of Healing and Reconciliation The scaffolding in the South Transept remains in place to allow the cornice to be redecorated.

Food Bank There is an enormous demand for this service and supplies in local depots are very low. Please continue to support us with contributions of dried and tinned food, cereals, long life milk, house hold items and toiletries.

Pastoral Care If anyone has a pastoral concern and would like to speak to someone, please contact Canon Jo on 023 9275 2335 or the Dean on 023 9282 4400.

A Turbulent Priest 7.30pm Wednesday 23rd October at St Mary’s Portchester. A musical comedy about the life and times of Thomas Becket and King Henry II … but with some serious issues relevant to today! Tickets £8.00 from St Mary’s Parish Office 023 9232 1380 or stmaryoffice@btconnect.com.

EVENTS and SERVICES

Symbolism and Self 4.00 - 5.30pm Monday 21st October. Join the Dean and the artist George Sfougaras for a Coffee Shop Conversation exploring ‘Recovered Histories’. Tickets are FREE but booking essential via https://bit.ly/33b38hs.

The 39 Steps a live radio drama 7.30pm Friday 25th October in the Nave. BlackBox Theatre Company’s stunning new adaptation of John Buchan’s classic ripping yarn. Adult £12.50, Concs £10.00, Family £38.00. Tickets available from the Cathedral Shop, online from Ticket Source or 0333 666 3366.

Living Well - “Lighten Our Darkness” – sermons on aspects of Mental Health: 6.00pm Sunday 27th October ‘Caring for carers’ with The Revd Anne Lindsay, former Chaplain to Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust.

“On this Day” Family Activity Day 10.00am – 3.00pm Monday 28th October. Activities for all the family, all ages, to mark significant local and national events in history. Plus a screening of The Bee Movie in Becket Hall at 1.30pm. This is a free event, although a donation of £2.50 per person would be welcome.

Discovering the Guildhall: Community Talk 2.00pm Tuesday 29th October in Becket Hall. Portsmouth Guildhall (The Guildhall Trust) are undertaking an exciting heritage project designed to gather, share and bring to life people’s memories. They will record older people’s memories that will become part of a digital archive to create two short documentary films and an exhibition at the Guildhall in January 2020.

Cathedral Club 2.45pm Thursday 31st October in Becket Hall. Marian Pottinger on “The work of a JP”. Donation £1, free tea/coffee and biscuits. All welcome.

All Souls’ Eucharist 5.00pm Saturday 2nd November. A reflective service of readings and music within the Eucharist, with the opportunity to remember and light a candle for loved ones. All are welcome. If you would like a name to be included at the service of someone who has died in the past year, please add it to the list in the Welcome Area.

Becket’s Bunch our Sunday school restarts on the 3rd November during the 10.30am Eucharist.

Commemoration of the Centenary of the Baltic Campaign 1918-1919 11.00am Monday 4th November. Join us for a commemoration service for the anniversary of Baltic Independence Day sung by the Cathedral Choir with Musicians from HM Royal Marines Band Service.

Lunchtime Live The next concert will be at 1.10pm on Thursday 7th November with Stuart Raeburn (voice). Free with retiring collection.

Craft and Chat 2.30pm Thursday 7th November in Bishop Kenneth Room. All welcome.

PLEASE PRAY FOR

All those in need including: Donald, Bob, Poppy, Barry, Tim, Stuart, Derek, Joey and Paige.

And those who have died: Bernard Taylor and John Hewett (Cathedral funeral 2.00pm Wednesday 30th October) RIP.

For a complete listing of this week’s notices click here