Weekly Notices | Sunday 14 February 2021
Watch Kitty's reflection on YouTube
A reflection from Portsmouth Cathedral
This Sunday, many of the nerdy ministry and church social media groups will be causing much hilarity by showing something like this. Instead of the traditional “Roses are red, violets are blue, sugar is sweet and so are you”, this meme has played on the fact that St Valentine has usurped the spot on the Church calendar that also belongs to the Saints Cyril and Methodius.
Brothers from Thessalonica (Greece), they were tasked with the job of taking Christianity to the Slavic peoples. Causing controversy and ahead of their time, they translated the Bible into the local language, and devised a Slavic alphabet based on Greek characters, which ended up being called Cyrillic because of Cyril. I think they rock.
It is a shame that Valentine gets all the attention, especially as we’re not entirely sure which Valentine is being talked about. The commercialism of Valentine’s Day is a bit much, especially as it divides people into “those with a valentine” and “those without a valentine”. So, I thought I would talk about other types of love. What about Christian agape (pronounced agg-a-pay) love, the love that is talked about in 1 Corinthians 13, in the Parable of the Good Samaritan? It is a love of kindness and compassion, of caring for people regardless of who they are and what they mean to us.
This time of year is often tough for our mental health because of the seemingly endless gloomy winter weather, and of course it has been made worse by lockdown. At the school I teach at I help organise a wellbeing and positivity week, and this year’s focus was kindness. We had a kindness calendar with things to do to improve our own wellbeing as well as other people’s, such as going outside and spotting 5 beautiful things, or reconnecting with someone you haven’t had contact with for a while. It provoked some fantastic discussions about we need to find the balance between thinking about our needs and the needs of others.
As we approach Lent, I wonder if taking up an attitude of gratitude, generosity and kindness might be more fruitful than one of denial and abstinence. Your choice, but make sure you sprinkle the world with agape.
Kitty Price
Cathedral Reader
Worship and Visiting the Cathedral
Portsmouth Cathedral is open daily for private prayer, daily Holy Communion and Sunday Services. Sadly, government guidelines do not allow for sightseeing and our shop is also closed for now.
We continue to take every precaution to reduce the spread of coronavirus, including the mandatory wearing of face masks, except for those with exemptions (please note face visors should only be worn with a face mask). Find out more on our Covid-19 information page.
We broadcast three services a day on our live page and Facebook. Find out more on our website and download orders of services.
Please note: The Cathedral will be closed Wednesday 17 February until 11:30 am for a private funeral.
Upcoming Lent Services
Ash Wednesday
12:00 pm Holy Communion with Imposition of Ashes
5:30 pm Sung Eucharist with Litany and Imposition of Ashes – Book Online
Stations of the Cross – from 20 February, 5:30 pm
Services and events for Lent through to Easter are now available to view on our website.
A Way through the Wilderness… Sunday Evensong Sermons in Lent
During Lent, the sermons at Evensong on Sundays at 5.30pm will explore the theme of wilderness. Recalling the forty days Jesus spent in the wilderness, members of our Cathedral Ministry Team will reflect on different aspects of wilderness, including its theological symbolism and our current experience during lockdown. The first two sermons in the series will be Canon Anthony on Sunday 21st February: "Entering the Wilderness", and Kitty Price on Sunday 28th February: "Faith in the Wilderness".
Sunday Refreshments via Zoom – 14 February, 6:30 pm
Join us for our weekly Sunday Refreshments hosted on Zoom. It is a great opportunity to catch up with other members of the congregation and members of our ministry team.
Prayers and Intercessions
We pray for all those affected by Covid-19.
We remember the following for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community: Bob, Derek, Trevor, Izzy, Clare, Sarah, Jenny, Monty, Michael, Laurence, Rita, Tara, Dave, Mercedes, Peter, Amanda, Joan, Reuben, Kathy, Alison and all those in need.
We pray for those who have died recently: Sheila Deans, Bill Westwood, Nigel Pickering, Enid Gull, Colin, Nigel Todd, Dorothy Bellamy (priest), Peter Johnson, Paul Nicol, Beryl Rundle, Dennis Ede (priest), Sister Ruth Etheldreda RIP.
To add someone to the prayer list, please email info@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk
Upcoming Services and Events
Lent, Holy Week & Easter – from 16 February
Explore God’s story of loving and creative engagement with the world in our season of inspiring services, courses and events during Lent as we prepare to celebrate Easter.
In these uncertain times, planned events and services may need to change.Visit our websitefor the latest information on services and events
Confirmation Classes – from 14 February
In preparation for confirmation services on Easter Eve (3 April), we will be running Zoom confirmation classes on Sundays for adults (2:00 pm) and young people (3:00 pm), starting on 14 February and running for six weeks. Explorers and enquirers welcome.
If you, or someone you know, is interested in joining a class, please contact a member of the ministry team.
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Party – 16 February, 7:30 pm
We will be making our pancakes from the comfort of our own kitchens. Please make your pancake batter ahead of time, so that you are ready to start cooking when we meet.
There will be a pancake-tossing competition for those wishing to show off their highest flip! As well as prizes for most interesting pancake/sauce and most interesting aprons/t-shirts. Of course, we will eat our various creations as well, and it will all be done in time for Compline. If you’re not making pancakes, you’re still welcome to join in the fun.
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.
Eucharist for Ash Wednesday – 17 February, 5:30 pm
Our pilgrimage starts as Lent begins on Ash Wednesday 17 February with services of music and readings as well a a covid-secure adaptation of the traditional ‘ashing’ with the sign of the Cross, signifying repentance and reminding us of our mortality and our need of God.
Watch onlineorbook a spaceto attend in person
Lunchtime Live: Lent Term 2021 – Weekly on Thursdays, 1:10 pm
Delight in our weekly recitals live from the Cathedral, including our series of Chorales for Lent. Featuring members of the Cathedral Music Department, and some special guest artists.
Find out more and watch online
Living His Story: Lent Group – from 18 February – 25 March, 7:00 pm
During these weeks, our Thursday Bible Discussion Group will turn into a Lent Group – all are most welcome to join. We will be using the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lent Book 2021: Living His Story, by Hannah Steele (Don’t worry if you don’t have the book – a free handout is also available: please email Canon Kathryn.)
For the first meeting, we will be looking at Ch. 1: ‘The greatest story of all time.’
Find out more
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.
Stations of the Cross – from 20 February, 5:30pm
David Price: Alan Ridout Stations of the Cross with reflections by Canon Angela Tilby. The first in our series of six Stations of the Cross where the journey of Jesus to his Crucifixion and Resurrection is interpreted in various media - using music, words, art, space, prayer and stillness.
Livestream online
Art Wednesdays – from 24 February-24 March, 7:30 pm
Canon Kathryn takes us on a cultural journey via Zoom, each week joined by special guests helping us understand and reflect upon artistic works based upon the Lenten theme.
Find out more
Community News
Community Arts Project for Lent
Would you like to contribute a picture, painting, poem or piece of art for our Stations of the Cross service on 6 March, part of our Lent programme? It can be your own work or an existing piece that you find meaningful. No need to be a professional artist! The idea is that members of the Cathedral community contribute the focal points for reflection for this service.
The service will be available via livesteam and on our website. Email the Revd Catherine Edenborough to find out more and submit your piece of art: catherine.edenborough@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk
What does the Cathedral mean to you?
Portsmouth Cathedral has received funding to undertake 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.
We are keen to hear from as many people as possible, so please do share widely with family and friends, even those who have not visited us before. If you are part of any local Facebook groups, please do share the link to the survey there also.
You can complete the short survey online here.
Tim McIlroy - our trainee Reader on placement
On Sunday we welcomed Tim, a third-year trainee Reader (also known as a Licensed Lay Minister) for an eight week placement. Although this is a strange time for us all, Tim will be joining in with our activities as much as possible. He will be with us on Sundays, Monday mornings, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Read more from Tim on our website
City Council Prayers
The Dean, as one of the Chaplains to Portsmouth City Council, led prayers at the Council Meeting held last Tuesday.
Recommend our notices to a friend…
Do you know someone who may benefit from receiving our notices? Why not recommend them our newsletter by sending them to portsmouthcathedral.org.uk/newsletter where they can sign up online.
If you know someone without internet access, we also provide a printed mailing. Please contact our pastoral team using the contact details below to sign up.
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.
See what items most in need are on our website.
Recommend our notices to a friend…
Do you know someone who may benefit from receiving our notices? Why not recommend them our newsletter by sending them to portsmouthcathedral.org.uk/newsletter where they can sign up online.
If you know someone without internet access, we also provide a printed mailing. Please contact our pastoral team using the contact details below to sign up.
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!
Dean Anthony: 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, 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.