Portsmouth Cathedral Notices Sunday 27 September Sixteenth Sunday after Trinity
Welcome from Kitty Price
It is wonderful to be teaching in a physical classroom again after a term of online lessons. The energy you get from being with the pupils sustains you and is a reminder of why you do the job.
Having spent so much time away from school, I had got used to the quiet and I’m finding it all a bit too noisy. We are saturated by noise - from mobile phones, to TV and radio. Many people feel uncomfortable with silence, partly because they’re not used to it, and also it can force you to think about the things you are trying to avoid.
So when I sat down to write these highlights I thought I would explore the importance of silence and the role it has in Christian spirituality.
Jesus prayed on his own, seeking solitude from his disciples. As his followers we should do likewise as silence is often the way that God communicates with us. If we are surrounded by noise, how can we listen with every fibre of our being? Silence in prayer is not the absence of noise or even inaction, but it is an activity in itself. It requires practice and discipline.
The 16th Century Spanish priest and mystic St John of the cross believed that we hear God’s Word, Jesus, most clearly in silence: “The Father spoke one Word, which was His Son, and this Word He always speaks in eternal silence, and in silence must it be heard by the soul.”
In monastic traditions, silence has an important role. Meal times are often silent apart from a reading from the rule of life, an influential Christian writer or the Bible. There’s plenty of opportunity for silent prayer and chores. Some even take vows of silence. The Carthusian monks at Chartreuse in the French Alps barely speak at all. They speak once a week and see their family once a year.
Now I do like a chat, but I’ve become much more comfortable in silence. It helps me to hear that small voice of calm and echo the silent music of God’s praise.
Kitty Price
Cathedral Reader
Portsmouth Cathedral Vision
On Sunday 13 September we launched Portsmouth Cathedral’s new vision that will carry us forward to 2027 and our centenary as a Cathedral.
“Portsmouth Cathedral: A beacon and safe haven, anchored in Jesus Christ” sets out an ambitious plan to build on our current strengths whilst increasing our engagement and impact both within our parish and with our partner here in the City and Diocese of Portsmouth. Find out more here. Dean Anthony noted that it will be important for all to become involved as we do the practical things necessary to make the Vision a reality. Copies are available in the Cathedral or contact the Cathedral Offices. Copies have been sent out to those on the Electoral Roll who do not have access to email.
Visiting the Cathedral
Portsmouth Cathedral is open every day and all are welcome.
Canon Anthony is presiding and preaching at St Mark’s North End on Sunday morning.
Services and Worship
We hold services at Portsmouth Cathedral every day. Find out more about our services here. Next Sunday 4 October there will be an additional Eucharist at 5.30 pm due to the Seafarers Service being invitation only.
Online Services
Many services from the Cathedral are broadcast on Facebook. We also broadcast Morning Prayer and Compline daily from the homes of our ministry team. Find about more about our online services here.
Orders of service can be found on the Resources Section of our website here.
Prayers and Intercessions
We pray for all those affected by COVID-19.
We pray for all those to be ordained in the coming weeks. Deacons: Catherine Edenborough (our Cathedral Curate), Hannah Barraclough, Matthew Grove and Jack Williams. Priests: Hugo Deadman, Ruth Howlett-Shipley, Dion Mabey, Michael Moritz and Bryan Stephenson.
We remember the following for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community: Clare, Sally, David, Bob, Derek, Nigel, Trevor, Izzy, Jenny, Des, (baby) Jonah, Clare, Bishop Peter Hancock, Alan, Laurence, Joey, Sylvia, Tracey and all those in need.
All those who have died: Jim Flamank, Brian Cook (priest), Joyce Humphreys and Rachel Welch RIP.
To add someone to the prayer list, please email info@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk
In the notices this week:
Upcoming Services and Events
Radio 3 Broadcast of Choral Evensong
Harvest Festival 2020
Cathedral Toddler Service
Chapter Meeting
Lunchtime Live
Annual Seafarers’ Service
Christmas Market 2020
Community News
Cathedral Offices
Planned Giving Envelopes
Annual Parochial Church Meeting and Elections
Farewell to Eve Davenport
Fabric Advisory Committee News
Friends of Portsmouth Cathedral
Alice Hume - Community Textiles Project
Thank you for supporting Portsmouth Cathedral
Upcoming Services and Events
Radio 3 Broadcast of Choral Evensong
We were delighted to give the first Radio 3 broadcast of Choral Evensong by a cathedral choir since lockdown on Wednesday. If you missed the live service, the broadcast will be repeated on Radio 3 on Sunday 27 September at 3.00 pm. You can also listen on BBC Sounds here.
Harvest Festival 2020
Our Harvest Festival will be celebrated on Sunday 27 September. Please join us to mark this special feast day.
This Harvest-tide we are proud to be participating in With Thankful Hearts, a city-wide project encouraging everyone to donate food for those in need. Donations will be collected by churches and charitable organisations across the city and distributed to those most in need by local foodbanks and charitable organisations including the HIVE.
To donate at Portsmouth Cathedral, please bring donations of food (tinned, dried or packets only) to the Cathedral on Sunday 27 September. We can also accept donations during the following week until 3 October.
Our popular Michaelmas Carol Service will be held on the evening of Sunday 27 September in place of Choral Evensong. Pre-book your place here.
Cathedral Toddler Service
All are welcome to join our Cathedral Toddler Group service by Zoom each Wednesday at 2.00 pm. The link will be sent out with the email version of the notices; if you would like the link but do not receive the notices by email, please contact Canon Kathryn.
Chapter Meeting
Chapter will meet on Wednesday 30 September. The agenda for the meeting is here.
Lunchtime Live - Thursday 1 October
We are delighted that Dr David Price, Organist of Portsmouth Cathedral, will be giving the next Lunchtime Live recital. All are welcome to join in the Cathedral Nave at 1.10 pm.
Seafarers’ Service
Our annual Seafarers’ Service takes place on Sunday 4 October at 11.00 am, celebrating all those who travel and work on the sea.
This year, due to Covid restrictions the service will be broadcast on our Facebook page and only those who have been invited will be able to attend in person.
Christmas Market - Saturday 5 December
We have now launched applications for local independent traders, artists, craftspeople and businesses to buy a table at our Christmas Market on Saturday 5 December. If you know someone who might be interested, please do share our Traders Information, available here.
Community News
Cathedral Offices
In light of Government announcements earlier this week, the Cathedral Offices, are now closed to visitors for the time being. The office will still be operational with very limited staff working on week days. Most staff will once again work from home in line with Government guidance.
Planned Giving Envelopes
If you give to Portsmouth Cathedral via Planned Giving Envelopes, the new set of envelopes is now available from the Cathedral Vergers at any time when we are open for visiting. If you are not able to get to the Cathedral, please contact Nicky Taylor who would be very happy to post them to you. Nicky.taylor@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk or 023 9282 3300.
Farewell to Eve Davenport
Eve Davenport, our Pop Up Cathedral Assistant, will be leaving Portsmouth Cathedral next month to take up a new job in Cornwall. In recent months, Eve has been working very hard to continue to build strong links with schools throughout lockdown. I am personally very grateful for all she has brought to the Education Department, and I know that we will miss her greatly.
Eve says: “My time in the education department of the cathedral has been short but very sweet! I thoroughly enjoyed delivering the educational programmes with Sarah and being able to take the Pop - Up cathedral out for its debut back in March; it was very exciting. I am really sad to be leaving as the cathedral is a very special place to worship and to work. I wish I had longer with you all and to see the education department grow, but pastures new are calling”.
Eve’s last day with us will be 5 October. Please hold her and her family in your prayers as they prepare for their move and their new life in the West Country.
Canon Kathryn
Fabric Advisory Committee News
The Fabric Advisory Committee met on 15 September via Zoom and were given a virtual tour of the Cathedral thanks to a video taken by Maria Mann, the Assistant Verger and Administrative Assistant.
The Committee approved new Cathedral signage for the South-West corner of Cathedral Green (a gift from the Friends).
The Committee also approved plans to go to public consultation on a number of projects one of which may go ahead if it is funded under the Government’s Cultural Recovery Capital Works Fund. The outcome of this funding bid will be known by mid-October.
The Committee also reconfirmed it agreed to proceed with public consultation for work to the South Transept window which would be 100% funded by Historic England. The outcome of this bid will be known by the end of September.
The Committee thanked the staff for the good care of the building throughout lock down and as it re-opened.
Friends of Portsmouth Cathedral Annual General Meeting
In light of new Government restrictions, the planned Friends’ AGM on Sunday 11 October has been postponed until next year when it is likely to be held with the 2021 AGM. A letter from the Chairman of the Council explaining the key decisions of the Council during the last year will be included in the next Friends’ Newsletter.
Alice Hume - Community Textiles Project
Alice Hume is a textile artist based at Hotwalls Studios in Old Portsmouth, who has successfully received Emergency Response Arts Council Funding for a new Community Textiles Project. The project aims to work with local organisations to create 500 free macrame activity packs which can be delivered to those who are vulnerable in Portsmouth. Alice will also be launching virtual macrame workshops alongside the activity packs which will include video clips, photographs and instructions on how to create your own macrame wall hanging. Further details can be found here.
Thank you for supporting Portsmouth Cathedral
A huge thank you to everyone who has responded generously to our requests to consider your support of Portsmouth Cathedral. Since March over twenty people have committed to making regular donations or increasing their regular support. Many have also made one off donations to help us through this difficult time.
Thank you for your generosity and your trust.
If you would like to find out more about supporting Portsmouth Cathedral, speak with our Head of Fundraising Sophie Henstridge-Brown on Sophie.Henstridge-Brown@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk or look at our website.
Getting in touch
We know that this is a lonely and anxious time for many people. Please feel free to get in touch if we can help in any way, or if you just want to hear another voice!
The Dean: 023 9282 4400 or Anthony.Cane@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk
Canon Jo Spreadbury 023 9275 2335 or Jo.Spreadbury@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk
Canon Kathryn Percival: 023 9289 2967 or Kathryn.Percival@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk
Cathedral Curate, Catherine Edenborough: 023 9282 3300 extn 221 or Catherine.Edenborough@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk (Usual days at the Cathedral: Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday)
Messages can also be left on the Cathedral phone system 023 9282 3300 or by email to info@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk or pastoral@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk.