It is becoming almost axiomatic to say that we seem to be living in times of uncertainty over what appear to be binary issues at least politically. Brexit may be on or off. There may or may not be a ‘deal’. We may have an election in December or not. It is as if the new religion is not nationalism so much as Schrodinger.

This Sunday there are two possible themes, we can either celebrate it as the Last Sunday after Trinity or as Bible Sunday. We might call it Schrodinger’s Sunday except that his thought experiment was designed to show the absurdity of a cat being both alive and dead at the same time dependent on a particular paradox presented by quantum mechanics. That cannot be true. The good news for us is that we can celebrate both the Last Sunday after Trinity and Bible Sunday. In the Collect which we pray today and all this coming week, we pray that we may hear, read, mark, learn and inwardly digest the Scriptures that were written for our learning, but how often do we put ourselves in the way of learning about Scripture?

Whether you have done so recently or not, why not pick up a Bible at home, and read a passage of Scripture? I would suggest starting in the New Testament, with a passage from the gospels or one of Paul’s shorter letters. There are schemes for reading Scripture daily from the lectionary, or places like the Scripture Union, or Bible Reading Fellowship. Some of them come with notes for reflection to aid learning. The aim is not to be able to take passages out of context and quote them at people but to be able to understand more deeply our own faith and the meaning of the life that has been gifted to us by the Almighty and embrace that life in all its complexity, paradoxes, and fullness with compassion and love.

The Reverend Canon Nick Ralph

Residentiary Canon

TODAY

Welcome to the visiting choir Alleyn Singers who are singing whilst the Cathedral Choirs are on half term.

Lighten our Darkness, our sermon series focussing on aspects of mental health, as part of our Annual Theme: Living Well, continues at Evensong tonight with ‘Caring for carers’ with The Revd Anne Lindsay, former Chaplain of Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust.

The Service and Events Lists are available in the Cathedral or on the website.

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.

NEWS

Outreach and Education This week saw two successful school visits. One from Alverstoke CofE Junior School with their Year 3 children learning about Christian symbols, the Bishop’s vestments and the Cathedral, with a Seaside Art activity as well! The other visit was from Year 7 boys from Aldro School near Godalming. They came for a guided tour of the Cathedral of the Sea and their teachers have already written to request another visit with another year group.

Finance Officer We are delighted to announce that after further discussion Nicky Taylor is remaining in her role as Finance Officer.

NOTICES

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 (nearly new), new clothing and scarves, 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. Please also start baking cakes to be donated the day before or on the day (clearly labelled if they have been frozen or contain nuts). Raffle Tickets are now on sale from the Cathedral Shop.

Ghana Link Sunyani Partnership Marion, Lay Canon of Sunyani, is visiting Ghana for the celebrations marketing Bishop Festus’ 10 years of episcopal ministry. She has taken 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.

Churches Homeless Action Churches across the city are collecting supermarket gift vouchers (£5.00 value please) to be distributed through charities which support the homeless. Please hand any donations into the Cathedral Offices or Shop.

Chapel of Healing and Reconciliation The scaffolding in the South Transept is due to be removed on Tuesday 29th October.

Food Bank Please continue to support us with contributions of dried and tinned food, cereals, long life milk, house hold items and toiletries.

Head of Fundraising and Events We are looking for an outstanding and innovative full time Head of Fundraising and Events. Closing date 9.00am Monday 28th October. Full details of the following posts are on the Cathedral’s website.

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.

Estonia, Latvia & Royal Navy 1918-1920 2.00pm Monday 4th November. A showing of two 25 minute documentary films in the Royal Naval Club & Royal Albert Yacht Club Free event, but confirm your attendance to info@rnc-rayc.co.uk or 023 9282 5924.

Volunteers needed for Annual Rough Sleepers Count Homelessness Outreach Team for the Society of St James are looking for volunteers to help in this year’s count on the night of Wednesday 13th November into the morning of Thursday 14th November. Please email slavena.nikodimova@ssj.org.uk by Tuesday 5th November for further details.

One World Week - Create Care Event 4.30pm – 8.15pm Monday 28th October at Cosham Baptist Church. How can we collaborate to better care for Creation? Join us as we explore ways we can do this. To register please contact office@coshambaptist.org.

EVENTS and SERVICES

“On this Day” Family Activity Day 10.00am–3.00pm Monday 28th October. Activities for all the family, to mark significant local and national events in history. Plus a screening of The Bee Movie in Becket Hall at 1.30pm. 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. All welcome to join Portsmouth Guildhall (The Guildhall Trust) for a heritage project to gather, share and bring to life people’s memories. They will record people’s memories 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. If you would like a name of someone 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 by Friday.

Commemoration of the Centenary of the Baltic Campaign 1918-1919 11.00am Monday 4th November. All welcome to 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) and David Elwin (tenor & piano). Free with retiring collection.

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

The Portsmouth Grammar School Remembrance Concert 8.00pm Sunday 10th November. A special concert commemorating the 75th Anniversary of the D-Day landings with a new piece composed by PGS pupils and staff. Tickets from Eventbrite.

PLEASE PRAY FOR

Bishop Festus and the Diocese of Sunyani

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

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