Sunday 29th September 2019

Patronal Festival

 

Reflecting on the saint after whom this cathedral church is named, Thomas Becket or St Thomas of Canterbury, is a humbling experience.  How can we aspire to the holiness and bravery in the face of violent death that led to his speedy canonization? When considering Thomas’s example, there may be a sense, as the saying goes, of ‘Follow that!’   And yet this is exactly what we must do.  Unless you were one of the original twelve, Christian discipleship always involves following on from others.  And while it can be daunting, that sense of ‘standing on the shoulders of giants’ is also inspiring.  If cleverer, braver and holier people than us have walked in the footsteps of Jesus, that can help us to appreciate the importance of the journey, and the need for us to do what only we can do (by God’s grace) in this generation.

 

So here we are, the latest in a continuous line of congregations stretching back to the twelfth century in this place; celebrating our patronal festival.   And in so doing we might take fresh inspiration from the historian Adrian Hastings:

 

‘Simply by being there in very public places cathedrals keep alive the rumour of God, insist that prayer is valid, and that worship is at the heart of life. Community courage created our cathedrals as miracles of achievement, with their astonishing tradition of music, choral, instrumental and congregational…The greatest days of the cathedrals lie ahead’.

 

And it is because this cathedral church has been a place of divine encounter over the centuries that this confidence rings true.  We can still say, in the words of Jacob spoken in Genesis chapter 28, ‘This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven.’  This cathedral continues to witness that ‘prayer is valid, and worship is at the heart of life.’  But in this generation, as for those before, we need to reflect on who it is we welcome here, throughout the week, and whether we really are reaching out beyond our own circle, our own age-group, our own church, our own nation.

 

We do indeed stand on the shoulders of giants, beginning with Christ himself.  It is daunting, but it is also inspiring.  It is also not so much a question of ‘follow that’, as responding afresh to the invitation and call of Christ: ‘Follow me.’

 

The Very Revd Dr Anthony Cane, Dean of Portsmouth

SUNDAY

Welcome to members of the Friends of Portsmouth Cathedral attending our Festal Eucharist this morning before their Annual General Meeting in Becket Hall at midday.

The List The October edition of The List is available in the Cathedral and on the website.

NEWS

The Pantomime Lunch Last week’s lunch at Abarbistro raised the grand total of £1637.00 generated from ticket sales, a raffle and donations.  This wonderful result will once again give the children from the Temporary Accommodation at the Roberts Centre, a magical time with Aladdin in the Kings Theatre.  The extra money will go towards the centre’s annual Christmas party.  With grateful thanks to everyone who supported this annual event.

NOTICES

Head of Fundraising and Events We are looking for an outstanding and innovative Head of Fundraising and Events with the drive, experience, skills and flair to transform the Cathedral’s income.  Full details are on the website.  Closing date for applications 9.00am Monday 28th October.

Chapel of Healing and Reconciliation an internal scaffold is in place whilst investigative works of the South Transept are carried out.  Further details available from the Cathedral Offices.

Coffee Machine in the Cathedral Shop Shortly the coffee machine will no longer be available.  The current machine has proven not financially viable.  A new solution will be developed in due course.

Solar Panels Our solar PV array on Cathedral House celebrated its 1st birthday on the 13th September – marked appropriately by glorious sunshine!  The array generated 6102 kWh in its first 12 months, exceeding our original project appraisal forecast by 7%.  More than 80% of this carbon-free electricity was used on site supplying both our administrative offices and choir scholar flats.  The PV array helps us to reduce running costs and meet our Eco Church carbon reduction pledge. Further information available on the Cathedral’s website.

Food Bank Thank you to everyone who contributes towards the food banks including those who brought Harvest gifts last week.  There has been 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 Dean on 023 9282 4400.

Parking There will be no parking available on the west front on Sunday 6th or Sunday 13th October due to special services.

Friends of Portsmouth Cathedral visit to Southampton Thursday 17th October.  Spaces are available on the autumn visit by coach to the Sea City Museum, City Art Gallery and Tudor House.  Cost £25.00.  Application forms available in the Cathedral and on the website.

Lunch Club Volunteers required to help cook and serve food at our weekly Lunch Club in Becket Hall on Tuesdays.  Please contact the Cathedral Offices for details.

One World Week 20th - 27th October ‘Climate changes everything now is the time to act’.  Details of events in Portsmouth are available at https://bit.ly/2kSTNui.

System Change – some exciting new ideas 7.00pm Monday 30th September.  Short talks and videos on solutions like Doughnut Economics, the Circular Economy, Cradle to cradle and Economy for the Common Good at Portland Building, University of Portsmouth.

The Race is On 6.30pm Friday 4th October.  A film about ‘Climate Change’ and what we need to do.  With film-makers James Dyke and Paul Maple plus a panel of local experts at Eldon Building, University of Portsmouth. 

EVENTS and SERVICES

Lunchtime Live 1.10pm Thursday 3rd October with Michal Szostak (organ).  Free with retiring collection.

Craft and Chat 2.30pm Thursday 3rd October in the Bishop Kenneth Room.  Bring along some craft or just come for tea.  All welcome.

Silver Screen: Passport to Pimlico (1942) 2.00pm Tuesday 8th October in Becket Hall.  All welcome.  Free event, tickets available from the Cathedral Shop.

Choral Evensong jointly sung by the Cathedral Choir and the Choir of HM Chapel Royal 6.00pm Tuesday 8th October.  All welcome.

Service for Seafarers 10.30am Sunday 13th October.  Annual service dedicated to seafarers in the community, attended by the Lord Mayor, members of the City Council and naval representative.  The service ends with a procession to the Hot Walls and wreath laying, followed by a reception.  The collection at the service will be shared with the Sailors Society.  All welcome.

Recovered Histories 18th - 27th October.  Journeys Festival International presents an exhibition of new work created by printmaker George Sfougaras, inspired by members of the refugee and asylum-seeking community. For further details about events in Portsmouth please visit https://bit.ly/2moSVhp. 

Symbolism and Self 4.00-5.30pm Monday 21st October. Join the Dean and the

artist George Sfougaras for a Coffee Shop Conversation exploring the new exhibition Recovered Histories.  Tickets are FREE and can be booked at www.journeysfestival.com

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 from Ticket Source

PLEASE PRAY FOR

The Revd Malcom Pickering who was ordained to the priesthood in Portsmouth Cathedral at Michaelmas fifty years ago as curate for St James’, Milton.

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

And those who have died: Eric Symonds RIP.

Sunday 29th September

Patronal Festival

0800              Holy Communion (BCP said)

1030              Festal Eucharist attended by the Friends of Portsmouth  Cathedral sung by the Cathedral Choir

                                Preacher: The Dean

                                Readings: 1 Kings 19.9-13a; Matthew 10.28-33

1800              Michaelmas Carol Service sung by the Cathedral Consort

2000              Taizé-style Night Prayer         

This Week

Monday                0740   Morning Prayer followed by Holy Communion

                             1800   Choral Evensong sung by the Layclerks and Choral Scholars

Tuesday               0740   Morning Prayer followed by Holy Communion

                     1800   Choral Evensong sung by the Cathedral Choir

Wednesday          0740   Morning Prayer followed by Holy Communion 

                            1200   Holy Communion with Prayers for Wholeness and Healing

                            1400   Baby and Toddler Group in Becket Hall

                            1800   Evening Prayer said       

Thursday           0740   Morning Prayer followed by Holy Communion

                            1800   Choral Evensong sung by Cantate

Friday                 0740   Morning Prayer followed by Holy Communion

                     1200   Holy Communion

                       1800   Choral Evensong sung by the Cathedral Choir

Saturday            1700   Evening Prayer said

Sunday 6th October

Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity

0800              Holy Communion (BCP said)

1030              Royal Marines Band Service Memorial Day Service sung by the   Cathedral Choir and Cantate

                                Preacher: The Revd Alastair Mansfield Royal Navy

1800              Eucharist sung by the Cathedral Choir

                                 Preacher: The Revd Dr Ruth Tuschling

                                 Readings: Habakkuk 1.1-4, 2.1-4; Luke 17.5-10

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