Weekly Notices | Sunday 3 January 2021
Dear friends,
Have you decided on your New Year’s resolutions? I’ve been reading the advice of psychologists on this January phenomenon, where we take a big-picture view of our lives and consider making some changes for the better. Some of the advice is a little depressing: apparently this ‘fresh start effect’ wears off after just two weeks.
Don’t have unrealistic expectations about either yourself, or the wider world, the psychologists say. You’re almost certainly not going to keep up that daily run, and the vaccine won’t have returned everything to normal by March.
If high expectations are the problem, perhaps low expectations would be better. But here’s the problem, because psychologists tell us that while high expectations lead to future disappointment, low expectations make us feel glum in the present.
So, let’s try a different tack: after all, the festival of Christmas isn’t over: in the Cathedral we’re still celebrating what Mary, Joseph and the shepherds saw in that stable: the glory of God in the face of a baby named Jesus. As I said in my Christmas message, when that baby grew up, he offered a new kind of ‘fresh start’, teaching his followers radical new ways: to love even their enemies, to forgive without limit, to open their hearts to the neediest, to be courageous in the cause of justice and peace, and to discover life in all its fullness.
Even if we don’t keep our New Year’s resolutions, there is still real hope to be found: not so much in following the latest diet, but in following Jesus, and journeying through life with Him.
Surely 2021 will be a happier year than 2020! As it begins, this message comes with my prayers and warmest good wishes.
Anthony Cane
Dean of Portsmouth
Covid-19 Information & Visiting the Cathedral
Portsmouth remains in tier 4; therefore, we are now only open for private prayer and reflection, and communal worship. Our shop is also now closed until further notice.
For further information and our latest updates regarding Coronavirus, visit our Covid-19 information page and find the latest information on visiting the Cathedral here.
Services and Worship
We continue to hold communal worship at the Cathedral, with our regular services of midday Holy Communion, and our Sunday Services
More information can be found on our worship pages, where you can also download our most recent service list.
Upcoming Services this January
Choral Evensong – Thursdays, Fridays, Sundays and Tuesdays starting from Thursday 7 January, 5:30 pm
Epiphany Eucharist – Wednesday 6 January, 5:30 pm
#PompeySundays – A new service for the new year… Our new weekly, informal service. Held in relaxed, café style seating, great for young people, families and those new to church. See our website for further information – Sunday 31 January, 9:30 am
Online Services
We continue to livestream daily online worship via Facebook Live including Prayer and Compline from the homes of our ministry team. In-case you missed any or just want to watch again, you can catch-up with all our Christmas services on our live page.
Upcoming Online Worship
Toddler Service - Back for the new year on Facebook Live, our theme is the Three Wise Men. Please dress up as a king or bring along a present if you wish! - Wednesday 6 January, 2:00 pm.
Find out more about our online services or download service lists and orders of service from our prayer resources page.
Sunday Refreshments via Zoom – Sunday 3 January at 6:30 pm
Our weekly Sunday Refreshments hosted on Zoom will be resuming in the new year on 3 January 2021 at our regular time of 6:30 pm. It is a great opportunity to catchup with other members of the congregation and members of our ministry team after the Christmas break.
For security purposes, the Zoom link will be sent out in our email notices. Please subscribe here to get the latest news, services and events from the cathedral.
Prayers and Intercessions
We remember the following for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community: Bob, Derek, Nigel, Trevor, Izzy, Clare, Bishop Peter Hancock, Laurence, Andy, Michael, Sarah, Sheila,, Jean, Michael, Jenny, Monty, Maurice, and all those in need.
We pray for those who have died recently: Micky Ball, Louisa Taylor, Ralph Rea, Hector Arthur-Kifle and David Hughes RIP.
This Christmas, we especially pray for all who are struggling with loneliness, isolation, and separation from family and friends.
To add someone to the prayer list, please email info@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk
In the notices this week:
Upcoming Services and Events
Bible Discussion Group – resumes Thursday 7 January 2021, 7:00 pm
Annual Muslim-Christian Evening – Tuesday 26 January 2021, 7:15 pm
Community News
What are your thoughts on Portsmouth Cathedral?
Cathedral Offices closed over Christmas
Foodbank Collection Point
Thank you for your Christmas Messages
Upcoming Services and Events
Bible Discussion Group – 7 January 2021, 7:00 pm
We’ll be resuming our Bible Discussion Group on 7 January at 7:00 pm. Please read the fifth chapter of John’s gospel.
For security purposes, the Zoom link will be sent out in our email notices. Please subscribe here to get the latest news, services and events from the cathedral.
Annual Muslim-Christian Evening – Tuesday 26 January 2021, 7:15 pm
This important celebration with our friends from the Wessex Jamaat will be held over Zoom at 7.15 pm. Please save the date.
Further information will be available on our website in the new year.
Community News
What are your thoughts on Portsmouth Cathedral?
Portsmouth Cathedral is undertaking a project to better understand how the cathedral is perceived by the community, including our current and potential visitors. This survey will help us to ensure we meet their needs now and in the run-up to us celebrating our centenary in 2027.
You can complete the short survey online here.
Cathedral Offices closed over Christmas period
The office remains closed to outside visitors with only a few staff permitted in the office at any one time to comply with Covid-19 social distancing guidance.
After a very busy year the Cathedral Offices will be closed from lunchtime on 24 December until Monday, 4 January 2021. However, when the offices reopen on 4 January there will be only a minimal number of staff in each workday until 11 January 2021 when normal operations will resume.
Foodbank Collection Point
The Cathedral is home to a foodbank collection point, for the Roberts Centre. Donations of food and toiletries are particularly needed at the moment and greatly appreciated by those using the service.
Items currently most needed are tinned sweetcorn, carrots, potatoes; packet rice; biscuits; ravioli; spaghetti; cereal; long life milk; tinned potatoes; jars of sauces; pot noodles/microwave noodles/rice; baby wipes; toothpaste; shampoo.
Please bring your donations to the foodbank collection point in the Welcome Area during the Cathedral’s daily opening hours.
Thank you for your Christmas cards and messages
The Cathedral Ministry Team and staff would like to thank all who have sent a card or message this Christmas. It is really appreciated, and we thank you for your support throughout 2020.
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!
Canon Kathryn Percival: 023 9289 2967 or Kathryn.Percival@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk
Cathedral Curate, Revd 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.