Portsmouth Cathedral Notices Sunday 24 May Seventh Sunday of Easter
Welcome from Canon Nick Ralph
It is wonderful that we are now in a position to live-stream some services from the Cathedral again. It is great for all of us, even after a break of what is really only a few weeks, albeit that it feels like an eternity, to be reminded of the beauty of the building, and how that in itself lifts our eyes and our spirits up! We also know, though, that we are not fully back there yet. Only one priestly household is allowed in at a time until we hear from the Faiths Taskforce that was announced last week, what the process is by which others can be enabled to get back into the building. With Covid-19 still very prevalent, we know it will be a long time yet before that can happen fully in a recognisable way but the hope is that we might begin to take some steps towards it quite soon.
It feels like we are in an in-between time, which it turns out, was not unlike what the disciples must have felt between the ascension of Christ and the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. The fact is they were still locked away, largely in their own upper room! We know that a release is coming for us, just not yet and sadly not in the next 7 days! We do, though, have hope. We always have hope, we know that better days are yet to come.
The response of the first disciples to their plight was to pray and to look after one another. We might take both parts of that approach as advice to ourselves. Many already are helping to look out for neighbours and others, - what is good news to the poor or release to those in captivity, than to be given food and support and freedom? But there is also the example that Christ himself set for us of the priority in his life of prayer – prayer as less about asking for things, and more about making space to spend time in the presence of the Almighty, who is always there but our awareness needs to be given time space and nurturing to recognise him.
And what was Jesus’ prayer but to pray that we might be together and be one. May our prayer express that same hope that we might be one and all together again soon. Amen.
The Reverend Canon Nick Ralph
Residentiary Canon
Update on the use of the Cathedral buildings
Portsmouth Cathedral is continuing to abide by the guidance from the Bishop of Portsmouth and the House of Bishops on accessing our buildings. Following a meeting of the House of Bishops this week, we can confirm:
The Cathedral remains closed to all members of the public
The Sunday morning Holy Communion will be broadcast from the Cathedral from Sunday 17 May on Facebook Live. In line with guidance, it will be led by one member of the clergy, with one member of their household present
We will continue to broadcast all other services from the homes of our Ministry Team for the time being on Facebook Live
We will continue to mark Feast Days and other important events online
Although funerals cannot currently take place in the Cathedral, Church of England funerals continue to take place in churchyards, gravesides and at crematoria. We are here to support you, and you can be in touch with a member of the clergy using the contact details below.
2019 Accounts
On Tuesday evening, Cathedral Council met to receive the audited accounts for the period from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2019. These accounts were approved by Chapter on 6 of May 2020.
The accounts show a deficit of £356,247 for 2019 before unrealised gains on investments of £190,004. Taking into account the investment gain, the reported deficit was £166,243. It is important, however, to focus on the £356,247 figure as this is the structural deficit on Cathedral operations that we must work to bring back into balance or indeed, surplus. The recent reduction in the value of our investments resulting from COVID-19 brings this into stark relief as the £190,004 investment gain has effectively been lost through the fall in the value of the stock market.
The Cathedral’s independent auditors, HaysMacintyre, gave an unqualified opinion of the accounts (which is a very good thing) and signed off on the Cathedral remained a going concern through May 2021 (again a very good thing). In signing the Cathedral off as a going concern, the auditors noted the strong action agreed by Chapter to address the structural deficit noted in the above paragraph.
Portsmouth Cathedral - our future
The Cathedral, before the advent of the Coronavirus, had significant financial challenges. COVID-19, the ensuing lockdown and the very likely medium to longer term impact on the economy have only made things more challenging.
The Cathedral’s immediate response to Covid-19 has included:
using the Government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and furloughing nearly 80% of staff including all the choirs;
cutting all but the most essential expenditure;
requiring sign-off by the Dean and/or Chief Operating Officer before any financial commitments can be made;
Chapter meeting four times since the 26th March including the evening of 6th May 2020, primarily to consider the financial future of the Cathedral in the face of these challenges.
Cathedral Council has received and Chapter has approved a revised 2020 budget. In addition Chapter has approved a provisional budget for 2021 which involves significant cuts to expenditure:
The overall ambition is to return to 2011 annual spending levels of £677,000, the last year before the large legacy was received and the last year the Cathedral budget was balanced.
This approach will see the Cathedral operating on the funds it receives or generates each year rather than drawing down from limited reserves for day-to-day operations. The emerging new Strategy and Vision will inform how the Cathedral prioritises it activities in light of these necessary budgetary decisions.
2020 budget has been revised with an in-year reduction in spending of £290,000 (reducing expenditure from £1.092 million to just over £800,000).
The provisional 2021 budget sets expenditure of £677,000 with a projected deficit of £134,000.
Even with very deep cuts in expenditure, we still project deficits into 2021. This is because variable income streams (e.g. from rentals and investments) are not expected to return to 2019 levels quickly. However, even after allowing for this variation, the deficit figure still sees the Cathedral drawing down from reserves to pay day-to-day bills.
Therefore alongside cost containment, our efforts also focus on raising additional revenue:
Growing income from commercial events is likely to be very challenging in the short to medium term given the economic climate and competition from other more established events venues.
As a result, philanthropic donations will become even more vital than they were before.
Our fundraising efforts led by our new Head of Fundraising and Events Sophie Henstridge-Brown, will focus on raising money for the core areas of our work including engagement with local communities and through schools, music and choirs, and the maintenance and conservation of our building.
On behalf of the Chapter, Sophie should be the first port of call for anyone interested in understanding how they personally, or organisations they may know, can help the Cathedral meet its challenges this year and on a long term, regular basis.
Sophie’s email is sophie.henstridge-brown@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk. We will also be sharing more information about how you can help in the coming weeks. We are very grateful to those who have already offered additional donations or made a new or increased commitment to supporting the Cathedral.
Richard Abraham
Chief Operating Officer (Chapter Clerk)
Congregational meeting – 24 May 10.00am
Please join us for a congregational meeting hosted by the Dean on Zoom on Sunday 24 May at 10.00am. This will be an opportunity for you to ask questions about the important budget changes the Cathedral Chapter has approved, and Cathedral Council has now received. It is also an important opportunity to share your thoughts on the financial future of the Cathedral.
Joining details will be sent in the email notices.
Nominate us to receive £1,000 from Movement for Good
Insurance company Ecclesiastical are giving away grants of £1,000 from their Movement for Good fund. The 500 charities that receive the most nominations will receive £1,000 each.
In these difficult financial times, £1,000 will make a real difference to the Cathedral. We would use this money to:
support our online broadcasting of services which are proving hugely popular and important to both existing and new members of the congregation
help us plan for the reopening of the Cathedral with confidence
Please help by nominating us today!
The deadline for nominations is Sunday 24th May at midnight. Please nominate the Portsmouth Cathedral Development Trust, registered charity number 295024. Please choose the ‘Community’ category from the drop-down menu.
In the notices this week:
Thy Kingdom Come 21st - 31st May
Pentecost Online Choral Evensong - Sunday 31 May, 5.30pm
Diocesan Pentecost Service - Sunday 31 May, 7pm
Save the Date Cathedral Quiz – Wednesday 10 June
Weekly reflection from the Portsmouth Cathedral Ministry Team
Resources
Regular details of online worship, prayers and intercessions, Dr David Price’s weekly music choice and ways to contact the Cathedral.
Thy Kingdom Come 21st - 31st May 2020
Thy Kingdom Come in Lockdown
Thy Kingdom Come is a global, ecumenical prayer movement which calls us all to prayer during the 10 days between Ascension and Pentecost. Its focus is on praying for more people to come to know Jesus Christ. The movement started in 2016, and although it will inevitably look different this year, it has always carried an encouragement for us to pray as individuals and households, as well as congregations, and there are many resources available to help us to do this. An easy way to participate is by downloading the Thy Kingdom Come app, and do look on our website for further resources for individuals and families https://www.portsmouthcathedral.org.uk/prayer-resources. During these 10 days, the Cathedral is offering Taizé-style night prayer every evening at 8.30 pm from the homes of the ministry team. This and our other services can be found on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/portsmouthcathedral.
The Thy Kingdom Come prayer:
Almighty God, your ascended Son has sent us into the world to preach the good news of your kingdom: inspire us with your Spirit and fill our hearts with the fire of your love, that all who hear your Word may be drawn to you, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Pentecost Online Choral Evensong – Sunday 31 May, 5.30pm
To mark the great feast of Pentecost we will be broadcasting Choral Evensong at 5.30pm online on the Portsmouth Cathedral YouTube channel.
Music will be sung by the Cathedral Choirs, pre-recorded from their homes and from our archive, and will include the Magnificat and Nunc dimittis in C by Charles Villiers Stanford and Edward Elgar’s ‘The spirit of the Lord is upon me’.
We will welcome the Venerable Gavin Collins, Archdeacon of the Meon, who will give the sermon, and two guest readers from the City and the Diocese. Prayers will be in read several languages.
Diocesan Pentecost Service – Sunday 31 May, 7pm
Churches from around the Diocese will round off Thy Kingdom Come in style, with a 'Songs of Praise' style service led by Bishop Christopher. It will feature worship, prayers and readings led by churches across the diocese.
There's also a chance to see video footage of the amazing work that has been going on in our churches during the lockdown, as we give thanks to God for opportunities to serve others during the coronavirus pandemic.
The service will be available on the Diocese of Portsmouth’s YouTube Channel at 7.00pm on 31 May.
Save the Date - Cathedral Quiz, Wednesday 10 June
Following the success of the first online Cathedral Quiz, we will be running another quiz on Wednesday 10 June. Please save the date, instructions for how to join will be circulated next week.
Weekly reflection
For the past few weeks we have been sharing a short reflection from members of the Ministry Team. This week Canon Anthony Rustell reflects on living lives in the Holy Spirit. You can see all of the previous videos on our YouTube channel here.
Resources
Details of resources for individuals and families can be found on our website.
Music
In 2016 members of our choirs recorded James Dunlop's Choral works on a disc entitled 'Ascension'. And so its appropriate to share some of these tracks in worship this Sunday. The clip here is called 'Presence of Eleven' which recalls the moment that Jesus ascended to his Father surrounded by those who had accompanied him during his earthly ministry.
Online worship
Monday-Saturday
8.15am Morning Prayer
5.30pm Evening Prayer
8.30pm Taizé-style night prayer
Plus Toddler Group on Wednesdays at 2.00pm via Facebook
Sunday
9.00am Holy Communion, followed by online coffee at 10.00am
5.30pm Evening Prayer
8.30pm Taizé-style night prayer
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.
Prayers and Intercessions
A prayer during COVID-19
O God,
help me to trust you,
help me to know that you are with me,
help me to believe that nothing can separate me
from your love
revealed in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Cathedral Prayers
We remember the following for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community: Christopher, Peter, Michael, Richard, Stephen, Paul, Marinus, Chris, Colin, Philippa, Terry, Sally, David, John, Bob, Derek, Joey, Nigel, Trevor, Emrys, Reuben, Andrew, Jonathan, Grant, Melissa, Mary, Laurence, Alexandra and all those in need.
All those who have died: Colin Butcher, Averil Martin, Ella Wootton, Joan Martin, David May, Tony Foster, Wendy Pascal, Brian Anderson (Priest) and Patrick Tobin RIP.
Requesting an addition to the prayer list
To add someone to the prayer list, please email info@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk
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!
By phone:
The Dean: 023 9282 4400
Canon Kathryn Percival: 023 9289 2967
Canon Jo Spreadbury: 023 9275 2335
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.