Portsmouth Cathedral Notices Sunday 19th April - Second Sunday of Easter
Welcome from the Canon Precentor
He is risen indeed.
For all of us, the way in which we have celebrated Easter this year has been without precedent. As Bishop Christopher said on Easter Day, it is almost as unimagined and unexpected an experience for us, as the first Easter was to Jesus’ first followers. I am aware there has been for many a huge sense of sadness and dislocation, especially not to worship together physically and sing and be present with one another on Easter Day. But I felt moved myself to be reminded that the first whispers of Resurrection, of new life and hope, came to people by themselves or in ones and twos: and Jesus was present with his followers behind the locked doors where they waited.
We will probably continue to discover the Easter Gospels afresh in these weeks of Eastertide. We shall hear the Risen Christ speaking our name, put our hands into the mark of the nails, journey with him, be questioned by him, be commissioned by him. In the words of the Digitalnun, whose blog I have been sent just this week, and which uses images of the Nicholas Mynheer’s Sarum Cycle which were in the Cathedral during Lent: “We shall know him, yet not know him; recognize him yet still perhaps doubt. In a word, we shall be plunged into the mystery of the Resurrection — and it will all be new, strange, unsettling and the most profound joy we have ever known.”
Alleluia!
The Reverend Canon Dr Jo Spreadbury
Canon Precentor
In the notices this week:
New Easter Pilgrim App from the Church of England
Lighting a virtual candle for a loved one
Tips and resources for maintaining mental health and wellbeing
#Youarenotalone campaign
Regular information about online worship and services, prayers and intercessions, food bank and support services, supporting Portsmouth Cathedral and how to contact the Cathedral team.
Online worship and services
Regular services
Monday-Saturday
8.15am Morning Prayer
5.30pm Evening Prayer
8.30pm Compline
Sunday
9.00am Holy Communion, followed by online coffee at 10.00am
5.30pm Evening Prayer
8.30pm Compline
How to join the services
You do not need to be a member of Facebook to join the services. Please use this link. when the service is about to begin. You will see a prompt asking you to join Facebook, just click ‘not now’. We regret that it is not technically possible to add captions to the broadcasts.
How to join the online Sunday Coffee Hour
Coffee is hosted on Zoom. In order to maintain security details will be sent with our emailed notices.
Watch our Easter services again
The Maundy Thursday Liturgy, Good Friday Liturgy and Easter Carol Service are all available on the Cathedral’s YouTube channel here. You can also rewatch any of our live broadcasts on Facebook by visiting out Facebook Page and scrolling down to find the video you want to rewatch.
The Dean’s Holy Week and Easter sermons and the Bishop’s Easter Sermon are available to read on our website here.
Prayers and Intercessions
A prayer during COVID-19
Keep us, good Lord,
under the shadow of your mercy
in this time of uncertainty and distress.
Sustain and support the anxious and fearful,
and lift up all who are brought low;
that we may rejoice in your comfort
knowing that nothing can separate us from your love
in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Amen.
We remember in our prayers all those who are affected by COVID-19 including those who be have been asked to pray for by name through our Prayer Wall on Facebook.
Cathedral Prayers
We remember the following members of the Cathedral Community in our prayers: Stephen, Paul, Marinus, Chris, Colin, Jan, Tracey, Philippa, Terry, Sally, David, John, Bob, Barry, Tim, Derek, Joey, Nigel, Trevor, Roy, Emrys, Reuben, Neil, Andrew and Paul and all those in need.
Music
This week’s selection of music chosen by David Price is Choral Evensong from 1981. Click here to listen
Easter Pilgrim app
Take a journey through the Lord’s Prayer this Eastertide with the Church of England’s new, free app – Easter Pilgrim. It offers 40 reflections, one for each day from Easter Day until Ascension Day.
You can download the Easter Pilgrim app from the iTunes App Store (for those using iPhones) or Google Play (for those using Android devices). You can also sign up on the Church of England website here to receive the daily reflection directly to your email address.
Lighting a virtual candle for a loved one
We may not be able to light candles in the Cathedral for our loved ones, but the Church of England website now allows you to light a virtual candle and make space to remember someone special to you.
Click here to light a candle.
Maintaining our mental health and wellbeing
Covid-19 is a difficult time for many people, and it’s just as important to maintain our mental health and wellbeing as much as our physical health. Even small things such as staying in contact over phone or the internet, focusing on what you can control, trying to get a good amount of sleep and talking about worries or concerns can make a huge difference.
The Cathedral’s ministry team is always here to talk, they can be contacted using the pastoral contact details below. If you would rather speak with someone else, the Samaritans are free to call at any time of the day or night on 116 123.
Resources and websites
The Church of England has developed a set of thirteen reflections to support good mental health. These are available on our website here.
NHS guidance for mental wellbeing while staying at home.
For help when things are really difficult, Portsmouth City Council suggests contacting one of these services:
CALM: 0800 58 58 58 (open 5pm-midnight every day)
Papyrus HopeLineUK: 0800 068 4141, text 07860 039967, email pat@papyrus-uk.org (this service is aimed at those under 35)
If it’s an emergency, call 999 and ask for an ambulance.
#Youarenotalone
We are all being asked to stay at home, but for some people home is not a safe place. The UK’s largest domestic abuse charity, Refuge, has reported a 700% increase in the number of calls to its helpline since social distancing measures have been introduced. If you or someone you know is suffering or at risk from domestic abuse, you are not alone. Here are some places to find help.
Telephone and email
National Free Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0808 2000 247 (open 24 hours a day)
LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0800 999 5428 help@galop.org.uk
Men’s Advice Line: 0808 801 0327 info@mensadviceline.org.uk
Karma Nirvana, UK Helpline for ‘honour’-based abuse and forced marriage: 0800 5999 247
Victim Support National 24-hour Support line: 0808 1689 111
Websites and online guides
Refuge website: click here
Women’s Aid guide to private browsing: click here
In an emergency, always call 999 and press 55 if you are unable to talk. The call handler will know what to do.
Food Banks and support during COVID-19
At the present time we are unable to receive donations for food banks. Our local food banks do still need your support so when you are shopping for your essential items please consider making a donation of food in the containers in your local shops. and supermarkets. Information about food banks and the homeless is available here.
Support
HIVE Portsmouth is currently dedicated to supporting our most vulnerable residents during the Covid-19 pandemic. Click here for details.
The St Vincent de Paul Society is a charity committed to alleviating poverty in all its forms through practical assistance and are offering practical help to those who are self-isolating or vulnerable. Details here
Supporting the Cathedral
In common with many other organisations and individuals, Portsmouth Cathedral is facing an almost unprecedented economic situation which presents serious challenges to us financially. We know that some of you might also be experiencing financial uncertainty at this time as well. If you give to support our ministry and mission and would like to pause this, please speak with our Head of Fundraising and Events, Sophie Henstridge-Brown by email or phone (023 9289 2964) and leave a message.
Although the Cathedral is closed we are still working hard to stream services every day and provide spiritual and pastoral support to those who need it. If you are in a position to continue supporting us, please consider enabling us to make the most of your generosity:
if you normally give through the collection plate please join our Planned Giving Scheme
if you are a UK taxpayer and not currently signed up for Gift Aid, please download the Gift Aid declaration from our website to enable us to claim an additional 25% of your donation from the Government at no cost to you.
details can be found here or email Sophie.
We are beginning to look to the future and the period of recovery that will come after the Cathedral and the country reopens. We know we will need your support to enable the Cathedral to be sustainable and flourish now and in the years to come, and look forward to sharing more about this in due course.
Getting in touch with the Cathedral
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!
By phone:
Dean: 023 9282 4400
Canon Kathryn Percival: 023 9289 2967
Messages can also be left on the cathedral phone system 023 9282 3300 and will be responded to as necessary.
By email:
For pastoral matters pastoral@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk
General matters info@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk
Annual Parochial Church Meeting and Revision of Electoral Roll
The APCM which was due to take place on 26th April 2020 has been postponed. The new date later in the year will be announced as soon as possible together with details about the revision of the Electoral Roll.
Chapter meets on 6th May to approve the 2019 Financial Statements.