In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus’ conception is described from the perspective of Joseph.   We learn nothing of the conversation he had with Mary on hearing the disturbing news of her pregnancy, and that he is not the father.  Rather we learn of the honourable way Joseph intends to act, and then of a revelatory dream, in which an angel tells him that Jesus is the product of a new divine action, in line with a prophecy of Isaiah.  The significance of a ‘virgin birth’ is that Jesus will be more than the accumulated best of his ancestors; he will be a unique manifestation of the power of God. 

It strikes me that Joseph can be the patron saint of many fathers today, when through family breakdown and new relationships they find themselves bringing up children who are not biologically theirs.  There is a short poem by U.A. Fanthorpe that sums up his experience:

I am Joseph, carpenter, Of David’s kingly line,
I wanted an heir, discovered
My wife’s son wasn’t mine
I am an obstinate lover, Loved Mary for better or worse
Wouldn’t stop loving when I found
Someone Else came first.
Mine was the likeness I hoped for
When the first-born man-child came
But nothing of him was me, I couldn’t even choose his name.
I am Joseph who wanted
To teach my own boy how to live.
My lesson for my foster son: Endure. Love. Give.

God needs both a mother for his Son, and a foster father.  A Son who will grow up to save his people from their sins, and in so doing will reveal to the uttermost what giving, loving and enduring really mean. 

The Very Revd Dr Anthony Cane

Dean of Portsmouth

The Chapter and Cathedral Staff thank all those who have contributed towards our services and wish everyone a very blessed Christmas

The Service List and Christmas Epiphany Listings are available in the Cathedral or on the website.

NOTICES

Pastoral Care If anyone has a pastoral concern and would like to speak to someone, please contact the Canon in Residence through 023 9282 3300 or the Dean 9282 4400.

Thank you so much for the wonderful service and welcome last Sunday.  I, and my family, friends, and former parishioners, were so touched by it.  I’m very much looking forward to meeting everyone in the coming weeks, and to sharing in these special days – it’s a lovely time to start! Kathryn Percival, Canon Chancellor.  Kathryn can be contacted through Kathryn.percival@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk.

Churches Homeless Action Many thanks to all those who responded to this year’s appeal.  108 supermarket vouchers totalling £540.00 were passed on to charities which support the homeless for distribution at a Carol Service held at St Mary’s, Fratton.

Donations to refurbish the South-West Door The total raised has now reached over £3,400 including donations from Portsmouth Cathedral Development Trust and  the Limoges trust.  We are very grateful to the donors and trusts for their generous support toward this fundraiser to mark the installation of Kathryn Percival.  Donations can be made via the collection boxes, the Cathedral Office or https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/cathedralsouthwestdoor.

Outward Giving The Cathedral, as part of its 2019 planned outward giving, has made donations to: our Sunyani partnership, The Fisherman’s Mission, The Roberts Centre, Open Church (Homelessness Project), Lovel46 (Modern Slavery) and Home-Start Portsmouth. Please remember in your prayers the vital work of these organisations.

Naivety – A contemporary nativity We are pleased to have Pete Codling’s exhibition in the Nave. The symbolism, allegory and metaphor used in the images is powerful and thought provoking. Not everyone will ‘like’ the contemporary references, but they are a striking invitation to reflect more deeply on the nature of the Christmas story and its significance today.  A review has been published in the Church Times. Prints of the works and of Soup of Souls, the exhibition earlier in the year, are also on display and for sale. There will be an opportunity to hear about the work from Pete after Choral Evensong on Thursday 23rd January.

2020 Budget Information on the 2020 budget was distributed with the notices on 15th December. If you have any questions or would like further details then please contact Chief Operating Officer, richard.abraham@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk.

Christmas and foreign stamps Used stamps can be donated to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance in the box at the Cathedral Shop.

Cathedral Offices The offices are closed until Thursday 2nd January.  Cathedral staff on duty and the Canon in Residence can be contacted through info@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk or 023 9282 3300.

Cathedral Guides Our team of friendly and knowledgeable Guide Welcomers and Guides is looking for new members. The training course of five one hour sessions on Wednesday mornings starts on 15th January.  If you are looking for a new volunteering opportunity and would like to join the group which helps introduce visitors to the Cathedral please contact our Head Guide, Margaret Wilson.

Living Faith Course Spring 2020 7.00pm–9.00pm starting Wednesday 8th January for 10 weeks in The Dolphin.  Application forms are available in the Welcome Area.  Please contact Sue.Chatband@portsmouth.anglican.org for further details.

EVENTS and SERVICES

Epiphany Carol Service 6.00pm Sunday 5th January and Eucharist 6.00pm Monday 6th January. 

La Nativité du Seigneur – Olivier Messiaen 8pm Friday 10th January.  Seasonal recital by Sachin Gunga of this stunning series of meditations for organ.  All welcome.

A Concert of Art Song 7pm Saturday 11th January.  The music of Purcell, Schumann, Britten and others sung by the Choral Scholars of Portsmouth Cathedral.  Free admission with retiring collection.

Tear and Repair The work of Nicola Clare Moody through her collaboration with Azalea Luton a charity that works with women caught in commercial sexual exploitation. Five woven hangings using the language of textiles to communicate different narratives will be on display in the Cathedral.  A film about the project, a community weave, and guidance booklets will also be exhibited.  The work is touring cathedrals across the country in 2020 starting with Portsmouth from 7th- 23rd January.

Fish & Chip Quiz Night 7.00pm Saturday 18th January in Becket Hall with proceeds to the Society of St James, helping the homeless.  Tickets will be on sale in early January.

Becket 2020 is the 850th anniversary of Becket’s martyrdom and the 800th anniversary of his translation at Canterbury, the new shrine becoming a focus for thousands of pilgrims.  As part of our 2020 celebrations at Portsmouth Cathedral we are inviting all parishes to join in a variety of pilgrimage days and activities during the year.  Each month from January to November at 6pm Sunday Choral Evensong we have invited one of our Honorary Canons to preach.  Further details available in the Cathedral.

PLEASE PRAY FOR

All those being baptised including Florence and Felix

All those in need including: Bob, Poppy, Barry, Tim, Derek, Joey, Paige, Nigel, Patricia, Trevor, Roy and Emrys.

And those who have died: Brian McCoy, Stuart McCullagh and John Jenkins RIP.

 

Christmas Day

0800           Holy Communion (BCP said)
1030            Eucharist sung by the Cathedral Choir and Cantate
Preacher: The Bishop
Readings:  Isaiah 52.7-10, John 1.1-14
No Evening Service

Thursday    0900   Morning Prayer followed by Holy Communion
(St Stephen)   1200   Holy Baptism
1600   Evening Prayer said
Friday         0900   Morning Prayer followed by Holy Communion
(St John)        1200   Holy Communion
1600   Evening Prayer said

Saturday 1600 Evening Prayer said
(Holy Innocents) 

Sunday 29th December, First Sunday of Christmas
and Feast Day of St Thomas Becket

0800            Holy Communion (BCP said)
1030             Eucharist congregational
Preacher: The Dean

1800             BCP Evening Prayer with hymns
Preacher: The Dean
Readings: Ecclesiasticus 2.1-11, 1 Peter 4.12-19

Monday 30th December to Saturday 4th January

Monday       0900  Morning Prayer followed by Holy Communion
& Tuesday  1600  Evening Prayer said

Tuesday       1800  Peal
Wednesday 0900 Morning Prayer (only)
1200 Holy Communion for New Year’s Day
1600 Evening Prayer said

Thursday      0740 Morning Prayer followed by Holy Communion
1800 Evening Prayer said

Friday           0740 Morning Prayer followed by Holy Communion
1200 Holy Communion
1800 Evening Prayer said

Saturday      1700 Choral Evensong sung by RSCM Voices South

Sunday 5th January, Second Sunday of Christmas

0800             Holy Communion (BCP said)
1030             Eucharist sung by the Cathedral Consort
Preacher: The Revd Matt Bray, Cathedral Curate

1800             Epiphany Carol Service sung by the Cathedral Consort