The word angel comes from the Greek Angelo’s, meaning messenger. Angels play a role in most faith traditions and are believed to be messengers from God. Next Sunday evening is the feast of St Michael and All Angels we have the Michaelmas carol service at 6.00pm. Do come along for some heavenly music, readings and reflection.

A way we humans can bring the message of God’s love is by bringing urgently needed harvest gifts. If you haven’t brought them this morning, please do drop some dried and tinned food, cereals and long-life milk into the Cathedral as soon as possible. The Roberts Centre will be distributing these to families in need and sadly, there are increasing numbers of people in Portsmouth relying on our donations.

This weekend marks 25 years of Heritage Open Days. Between 12noon and 4.00pm here at the Cathedral, you can enjoy a tour of ‘People Power’ memorials, explore the singing gallery and the organ gallery. It is a great chance to see a building we know and love from a different perspective. From the organ gallery you get a great view of the angel on top of the pulpit. Except she’s actually a Greek goddess, but let’s not worry too much about that!

Kitty Price

Cathedral Reader

TODAY

Welcome to all those attending our Harvest Festival Eucharist this morning with gifts and contributions of dried and tinned food, cereals and long life milk that will be distributed through the Roberts Centre.

The Dean is preaching at the Mayor of Fareham’s Civic Church Service at St Peter & St Paul Church this morning.

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 ‘Young people and mental health’ with the Revd Tony Forrest, Rector of the Meon Bridge Benefice (and former head teacher).

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

NEWS

Solar Panels Our solar PV array on Cathedral House celebrated its 1st birthday on 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 Cathedrals website.

Thank you so much to all who sponsored me for my cycling efforts as part of ‘Ride and Stride’. Clare and I cycled more than thirty miles and visited 15 churches, from Portsmouth to the Meon Valley to Petersfield. Once all the money is in (either directly to me or at the Cathedral shop) more than £500 will have been raised for the Hampshire and Islands Historic Churches Trust, with the Cathedral as my nominated church. Thank you again. The Dean.

NOTICES

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

Food Bank Thank you to everyone who contributed to the food banks over the summer. There has been an enormous demand for this service and supplies in local depots are now very low. Please continue to support us with contributions of dried and tinned food, cereals, long life milk, house hold items and toiletries.

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. The coach leaves the Cathedral at 10.00am and returning around 4.30pm. Cost £25.00. Application forms available in the Cathedral and on the 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 Dean on 023 9282 4400.

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 26th September with Liz Peskett and Richard Allum (violin & piano). Free with retiring collection.

Cathedral Club 2.45pm Thursday 26th September. The Reverend Matt Bray, Cathedral Curate, on his background and aims for the Harbour Church and St George’s Church. All welcome. £1 donation. Free tea and coffee.

The Solent Symphony Orchestra Concert 7.30pm–9.30pm Saturday 28th September in the Nave. Tickets £15, £5 (students), kids for a Quid and group concessions available on the door, 01730 601074 or via https://bit.ly/2HwdYpW.

Friends’ of Portsmouth Cathedral AGM 12.30pm Sunday 29th September following Festal Eucharist at 10.30am then a hot lunch (£14) in the Duke of Buckingham in the High Street. To book your attendance and lunch please complete an application form available in the Cathedral and on the website by Tuesday.

Craft and Chat 2.30pm Thursday 3rd October in the Bishop Kenneth Room. 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 with HM Chapel Royal 6.00pm Tuesday 8th October. 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.

The 39 Steps a live radio drama 7.30pm Friday 25th October in the Nave. Following the enormous success of their award winning play, Bully Beef & Whizzbangs last year, BlackBox Theatre Company return with a stunning new adaptation of John Buchan’s classic ripping yarn, The 39 Steps. Adult £12.50, Concs £10.00, Family £38.00. Tickets available online from Ticket Source or 0333 666 3366.

PLEASE PRAY FOR

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

And those who have died: Eric Symonds RIP.

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