Weekly Notices | 2 February 2025
A reflection from Kitty Price
We made it to the end of January! I’m a winter person, but even I have felt a bit Januaryish this year. Our household is one which LOVES Christmas and Epiphany, and although it is technically Christmas until Sunday, 2nd February, it has felt a bit anticlimactic once the razzle-dazzle of the holiday services is over. Candlemas can bring mixed emotions; it exciting because Simeon and Anna have met the infant Christ, for whom they have been waiting for such a long time, yet we know that meeting points towards an ending.
There is an uncomfortable feeling of changing directions. We leave Simeon and Anna and the lovely bits about the incarnation behind, and inch ever closer to Ash Wednesday, the wilderness of Lent and the desolation of Holy Week. I find it really hard. It's difficult to be at the start of a year when you are low, and especially if you are grieving, because you know that this year will be different because your loved ones are no longer with you. As the story of Jesus in our liturgical year moves forwards, so must we, and that is one of the hardest things to do. We must remind ourselves that there is the hope of the resurrection at Easter, abundant life with God.
As the days get longer, there are lots of interesting and exciting things happening over the next few weeks, which can help to distract from those January blues. This Sunday we have morning services for Candlemas and a Come and Sing Candlemas carol service. The choir (Girls voices) is preparing for a tour to Estonia, which will be a great experience for them. There is the Ukrainian children’s art exhibition for the anniversary of the war. How good it is to be able to share their experiences through creativity, which we hope is therapeutic for them, and gives us a glimpse of the displaced and refugee, which, of course, is part of the Christmas story.
Kitty Price
Lay Reader
Dates for your diary…
Yoga at the Cathedral, 1 Feb 2025 10:30 am – 11:30 am
Eucharist for The Presentation of Christ in the Temple, 2 Feb 2025 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Candlemas Come and Sing, 2 Feb 2025 4:00 pm – 6:45 pm
Candlemas Carols, 2 Feb 2025 5:45 pm – 6:45 pm
Exploring the Bible: Galatians & Ephesians, 3 Feb 2025 6:45 pm – 8:00 pm
Lunchtime Live Performance - Catherine Olver (organ), 6 Feb 2025 1:10 pm – 2:00 pm
Community News
Spotlight on Safeguarding
In August 2023, INEQE Safeguarding Group was appointed by the Archbishops’ Council to carry out the next round of independent external audits of Church of England dioceses and cathedrals. The purpose of these audits is to make sure dioceses, cathedrals and palaces are doing all they can to create environments where everyone feels safe, valued and respected. INEQE will be auditing Portsmouth Cathedral in June of this year.
As part of our ongoing commitment to Safeguarding here at Portsmouth Cathedral, Canon Harriet the Chapter Safeguarding Lead, will be holding three "Spotlight on Safeguarding" sessions for staff and volunteers to attend. These will be interactive and engaging, offering opportunities to reflect on our Safeguarding practices and ethos, and share experience. Please do consider coming to one of these sessions - there will be refreshments offered at each , and a chance to chat informally to one another, as well as the activities facilitated by Canon Harriet.
Sign-up online for one of the upcoming sessions...
Session 2 - Tuesday 4 February 6:30pm–7:30pm
Session 3 - Friday 7 February 1:00pm–2:00pm
The Cathedral's Safeguarding Committee meets on Tuesday.
Thank you from the Revd Catherine Edenborough
A huge thank you for all your warm wishes and generous gifts at my farewell services last Sunday. It was an emotional morning! I carry many lovely memories of my time at the cathedral with me as I prepare to start at Holy Trinity with St Columba, Fareham.
My licensing service at Holy Trinity is at 6:30pm on Tuesday 18 March and you are all most welcome. I look forward to seeing you there or back at the cathedral at some point in the future.
With every blessing,
Catherine
Half Term Family Activities
During half term we will be running some half term family activities in the Cathedral. The activities will run on Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 February from 9:30am to 11:30am and 1:30pm to 3:30pm. Our theme will be Creation. They will be activity stations in the Nave retelling the story of Creation including craft activities for you to enjoy. Why not join us? Drop in, no booking is required, and it is free!
Specialist Tour Tuesdays 2025!
Join us for an hour-long Organ tour led by Dr David Price, Organist and the Master of the Choristers on the 25 February. Learn how the organs of Portsmouth Cathedral work and fill the building with music daily, with exclusive access to unseen areas of the Cathedral. Including a behind the scenes tour of the Trompette de Maris.
Get your tickets here!
Candlemas Come and Sing
Join us for “Candlemas Come and Sing” at Portsmouth Cathedral, where the magnificent architecture and inspiring acoustics set the stage for a memorable musical experience. This event celebrates Candlemas, a time of reflection and light, perfect for coming together in song. Led by our Master of Choristers and Organist, David Price, you’ll enhance your vocal skills and musical expression.
Booking is required click here to be taken to our page to secure your ticket today.
Changes at the Association of English Cathedrals
Sarah King, who has been Executive Director of the Association of English Cathedrals (AEC) since 2005, is to retire on 31 January 2025. Prior to that she was the Cathedral Administrator (COO) at Southwark Cathedral from 1996.
The congregation will not know Sarah, but it is right to publicly acknowledge her contribution to our Cathedral life. We see a stronger network of the 42 English cathedral (plus some in Scotland and Ireland) based of her quiet and diplomatic presence in gently guiding the work of the AEC and CAFA (Cathedral Administration and Finance Association). Her presence and intelligence have been invaluable and will be very much missed upon her retirement.
Retiring Birmingham COO, Anna Pitt, takes over on an interim basis as Executive Director.
Worship & Visiting
Every day, Portsmouth Cathedral is open for worship, prayer, and visiting. Unless otherwise specified, services do not require booking. Our website contains orders of service, as well as information about visiting the Cathedral.
Services this Weekend
Saturday 1 February
9:00am - Morning Prayer
5:45pm - Diocesan Baptism and Confirmation Service
Sunday 2 February - Presentation Of Christ In The Temple
8:00am - Holy Communion
9:30am - #PompeySundays Eucharist
11:00am - Choral Eucharist sung by the Cathedral Choir (Girls)
5:45pm - Candlemas Carol Service sung by the Cathedral Choir (Boys) with Come and Sing
8:00pm - Taizé Service
Prayers & Intercessions
We pray for: those who were confirmed here on Saturday from around the Diocese.
We remember the following for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community: Peter, Tom, Pauline, Elizabeth, Chris, Paul, baby Etta and baby Lottie.
We continue to pray for the long-term sick, including: June, Spencer, Jill, Alison, Suzy, Alistair, Richard, Graeme, Rosy, Mathai, Philip and all in need.
We remember those who have died recently, including: David Carpenter, Muriel Allen, Derek Haddow (funeral at St Edmund's Church Stubbington, Wednesday 5 February at 11:15am) RIP.
Upcoming Services & Events
Getting in touch
Please feel free to get in touch if we can help in any way, or if you just want to hear another voice!
Get in touch with us by email to info@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk or leave a message via phone on 023 9282 3300.
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