A reflection from Canon Anthony…

On most Mothering Sundays we get together with our families. In church there are normally baskets of daffodils to be distributed to the mothers in the congregation. There is a sense of springtime cheer on this pre-Easter feast day.

Last year many of those familiar things did not happen and will not happen again this year either. On 22nd March 2020 the cathedral did not open its doors to the public, but a service was livestreamed by clergy in the building. By the following week we were worshipping at home via Facebook, and the isolation of lockdown truly began. I, probably like many of you, felt that we began Lent 2020, but never really got to Easter. Easter 2021 will end a Lent that has lasted for 58 weeks.

It is when we think back to how life was before the pandemic that we are aware of how much we have lost this year: contact with families and friends, the ability to have a meal or coffee in a cafe, and the opportunity for holidays and day trips. Many of us have felt a sense of profound isolation and loneliness, and some have experienced anxiety about being outside or with groups of people. We truly feel socially distanced.

The lockdown restrictions of the past year have been necessary in order for our health system to function, but they have placed a heavy burden on each of us in our daily living. As we hopefully exit this lockdown period for good in the coming months, it is right that we should ask what we would like society to look like in the future. We do not simply have to return to life prior to March 2020.

Mothering Sunday has its roots in the idea of heavenly Jerusalem caring for her children by feeding and comforting them. It is to be hoped that we can also develop a society that demonstrates more compassion and care, especially for the weak and vulnerable, as we begin to meet family and friends once more.

The Reverend Canon Dr. Anthony Rustell
Residentiary Canon

Community News

Uniting with churches across the country to reflect and remember those we have lost to Covid-19

Portsmouth Cathedral are inviting bereaved families, friends and loved ones to remember all those whom we have lost due to Covid-19 over the past year. A National Day of Reflection on 23 March will be held one year on from the first Covid-19 lockdown, coordinated by the charity Marie Curie and officially supported by the Church of England.

More information will be available soonon our website.

Save the Date: Tea and Talk – Building a Generous Cathedral Community, 22 March, 7.30pm

Join us and share your views on how we can build a generous Cathedral community to support our Cathedral Vision.

The Cathedral’s mission and work are only possible with the financial support of our congregation and the wider community, alongside a realistic business plan for income and spending. We want to hear from you about why you support the Cathedral financially (or don’t support the Cathedral financially), and how we can work towards making generosity a core part of our community life. All are welcome to share their views and thoughts.

Details for how to sign up will be shared next week in the Notices andon our website.

Fabric Advisory Committee

The FAC meets for the first time this year on Tuesday via Zoom. The agenda for the meeting is onour website. You can read more about the work of FACshere.

Chapter Meeting Update - 24 February 2021

At its meeting on 24 February Chapter discussed in outline the changes in Governance that will be required in due course under the Cathedrals Measure 2021 which was before the parliamentary Ecclesiastical Committee last week.

Read more on our website

International Women’s Day – Canon Kathryn speaks with Professor June Purvis

To mark International Women’s Day 2021 last Monday, Canon Kathryn caught up with Professor June Purvis on this year’s theme:  'Women in Leadership – achieving an equal future in a Covid-19 world'.

Watch the interview on our website

Worship and Visiting the Cathedral

Portsmouth Cathedral continues to be 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, except for click-and-collect from the online shop.

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.

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, Michael, Laurence, Rita, Dave, Mercedes, Peter, Amanda, Joan, Reuben, Kathy, Alison, Emilia, David, Linda, Mervyn, Beverley and all those in need.

Long-term sick including: Graeme, Clifford, Christopher, Johnny, Jane, Andrew, Melissa, Christopher, Bishop Peter, Tara, Jenny, Arthur and Suzy.

We pray for those who have died recently: Dennis Ede, David Stuart, Laurie Fricker, Monty Seal, Barry Paul, Joan Kinlough and Jane Hunter RIP.

To add someone to the prayer list, please email info@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk

Upcoming Services and Events

Sunday Refreshments via Zoom – 14 March, 6:30pm

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.

For security purposes the Zoom link will be sent in our email newsletter, sign up to receive our weekly email.

Lent, Holy Week & Easter

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.

Visit our website for the latest information on services and events. Please note that in these uncertain times, planned events and services may need to change.

Booking to attend services during Holy Week and Easter Day

Information on how to book for services on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Day will be shared in next week’s notices. All our services will continue to be livestreamed if you are unable to join us in person.

#PompeySundaysathome – 14 March, 9:30am

Join Canon Kathryn and the Revd Catherine Edenborough for a very special online only edition of #PompeySundays - our new service for families and young people launching at the Cathedral soon. Our theme this time is caring, and we have an interview with a front-line healthcare worker.
Watch online via ourlivechannels.

Stations of the Cross – weekly on Saturdays, 5:30pm

Sachin Gunga plays the Chemin de la Croix by Marcel Dupré with the poems by Paul Claudel which inspired the composer.

Watch online via our live channels.

Social Tuesdays – 16 March, 7:30pm

Cathedral Reader, Kitty Price, shares the history and shared inheritance of the Seder meal and how it links to our own faith and tradition.

Catch-up on previous episodes via our YouTube channel. For security purposes the Zoom link will be sent in our email newsletter, sign up to receive our weekly email.

Art Wednesdays – 17 March, 7:30pm 

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.

This week, journalist and author Katy Hounsell-Robert reflects on theWest London Stations of the Crossby contemporary artist, Mark Cazalet.

Sign-up and watch previous editions online

Lunchtime Live: Lent Term 2021 – Weekly on Thursdays, 1:10pm

Our recitals from the Cathedral continue on Thursday lunchtime.

Find out more and watch online

Living His Story: Lent Group – 17 March, 7:00pm

The Lent Group continues its exploration of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lent Book 2021: Living His Story, by Hannah Steele. All are welcome to join; you don’t have to have attended the previous sessions. Email Canon Kathryn for a free handout if you don’t have a copy of the book.

This week, we will be looking at chapter 5: ‘Passing on the story of Jesus’.

For security purposes the Zoom link will be sent in our email newsletter, sign up to receive our weekly email.

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.

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.