This summer, having seen a not insignificant birthday, I have spent some time enjoying some adventures as befits this moment. From a few days spent exploring Visby; yet another Scandinavian destination where Kitty is assumed to be a native and I a foreign side-kick. Thence to an Alpine adventure of mountain walking, paddle boarding and cycling as well as time for rest, recharging and relaxing.

This weekend marks the start of a new choir year and we welcome Sam our new Organ Scholar as well as Choral Scholars Karol, Tom, Ben, Jeremy, Yiannis and Chris who join our back row. We hope they will be very happy and fulfilled during their time with us, and that they will avail themselves of every opportunity during this formative year.

As we all know, life throws us challenges and changes, and we wish two staff members good wishes as they change direction. Long standing Cathedral Choir Lay Clerk, Commander David Alcindor moves to be Naval Attaché to The Ukraine this month, and so we bid farewell and Godspeed as he sings his final services with us on Sunday. Our excellent Liturgy and Music Administrator, Tim Burnett is moving to Leicestershire next month and we say thank you to him for all his conscientious work and diligence behind the scenes.

My prayer is that all facing new challenges this new term, whether it is joining a new class or school, a new job, singing in our choirs, learning to love Red Leicester cheese, ordering a cup of coffee in Russian or whatever may feel the strength to embrace new places, new challenges and new horizons.

David Price

Organist and Master of the Choristers

TODAY

The Dean is preaching at the Patronal Festival of St Mary’s, Portsea this morning.

Welcome to all those attending our services today. We also welcome the family and friends of the new members of the Music Foundation who are being installed during Choral Evensong this evening.

‘The English Cathedral’ by Peter Marlow Today is the last day to see this excellent photographic exhibition of the naves of all 42 English Cathedrals

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

NOTICES

Ride and Stride Thank you very much to those who have already sponsored me for the Hampshire Ride and Stride, raising money for the Hampshire and Islands Historic Churches Trust (with the Cathedral being my nominated church to receive half the money raised). Clare and I are planning to visit churches across both Portsmouth and the Meon Valley, using the train to get us and our bikes from Cosham to Petersfield. Further sponsorship would be much appreciated, either via the form being held at the Cathedral Shop, or online at https://bit.ly/34dDo5g. Thank you very much! The Dean.

Harvest Festival Gifts of dried and tinned food brought to our Harvest Festival Eucharist at 10.30am on Sunday 22nd September will be distributed through the Roberts Centre and All Saints Drop-in. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the food banks over the summer. As you will know from the press there has been an enormous demand for this service and the supplies in our local depots are very low. Please continue to support us in this work with non-perishable foods, household items and toiletries.

Chief Operating Officer (Chapter Clerk) Richard Abraham can be contacted through richard.abraham@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk.

Planned Giving For those who give using the weekly envelopes, new sets are now available for collection in the Cathedral Shop area. If you would like more information about regular donations to the Cathedral including through the Parish Giving Scheme please contact the Finance Officer, Nicky,023 9289 2965 or nicky.taylor@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk .

Christmas Fair Saturday 30th November. Please put this date in your diaries. If anyone is making jams or chutney over the coming months please consider adding an extra jar or two for us to sell at the fair.

Craft & Chat Group would like donations of dark brown double knitting wool for the Christmas Fair. This can be left in the Cathedral Shop. The group will meet again on Thursday 3rd October. New members welcome.

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.

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.

Quiet Day at the House of Bethany 10.00am – 4.00pm Saturday 14th September conducted by Revd Tony Forrest at 7 Nelson Road, Southsea, PO5 2AR. £6.00 bring a packed lunch, tea and coffee provided.

EVENTS and SERVICES

Lunchtime Live 1.10pm Thursday 12th September with Isabel Nisbet and Rhidian Jones (contralto & piano). Free with retiring collection and light refreshments.

Come and Sing Workshop with Bob Chilcott 10.00am Saturday 14th September in the Cathedral. Tickets available via Eventbrite https://bit.ly/32dOPbt. No tickets available on the day. Doors open at 9.45am.

A Reflective Afternoon 2.00pm–4.30pm Wednesday 18th September in an Emsworth home and garden. ‘What does a socially responsible and engaged church look like?’ led by Canon Nick Ralph. An afternoon of thought and discussion on social issues, engagement and opportunity. All welcome. To book a place, and to arrange transport, please contact the Cathedral Shop.

Monica Ditmas who died last month will be remembered during Choral Evensong next Sunday. Monica contributed much to the Church of God, the Church of England and not least to the Diocese of Portsmouth. She was successively Headmistress of Sherborne Girls Grammar School, Warden of Catherington House, counsellor, playwright and Lay Canon.

25 Years Heritage Open Days 10.00am–4.00pm Saturday 21st September and 12.00pm–4.00pm Sunday 22nd September. Visit parts of the Cathedral not normally open to visitors or enjoy a guided tour of memorials associated with ‘People Power’ in Portsmouth. ‘Singing Gallery Tour’ followed by ‘Organ Gallery Tour’ will depart on the hour Saturday from 10.00am and Sunday from 12.00pm.

Harvest Celebration Barn Dance 6.30pm-10.30pm Saturday 21st September in the Nave. Adult £15, Child £6. Tickets from the Cathedral Shop or Eventbrite.

Living Well - “Lighten Our Darkness” – sermons on aspects of Mental Health Sunday 22nd September. ‘Young people and mental health’ with the Revd Tony Forrest, Rector of the Meon Bridge Benefice (and former head teacher). Please join us at 6.00pm Choral Evensong as we continue to explore wellbeing and mental health.

The Solent Symphony Orchestra Concert 7.30pm–9.30pm Saturday 28th September in the Nave. Featuring music from Berlioz and Ravel. Soloist Valentina Seferinova. Tickets £15.00, £5.00 (students), kids for a Quid and group concessions available on the door, 01730 601074 or via https://bit.ly/2HwdYpW.

PLEASE PRAY FOR

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

And those who have died: Mary Joseph and Eric Symonds RIP.

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