Weekly Notices | 9 February 2025
A reflection from Chris Nicol
The Gospel reading for this Sunday is Luke 5:1-11. It’s a vivid depiction of a coastal location and one that invites the reader to place themselves into the story. This is a simple practice that can engage our minds and enhance our reading of scripture. Using our senses we can immerse ourselves further and deeper into the story. The coast of the sea of Galilee can give us plenty to imagine, fishing boats, sails, nets, smells, sounds, light on the water and the noise of the crowd. Imagine the atmosphere and choose one of the characters, maybe be one of the crowds, or one of the would-be disciples.
Soak up the scene and ask yourself what God might be saying to you as you read the story.
The story is given the title ‘Jesus calls his first disciples’, and the main focus of the story is on Peter, who’s generally portrayed as being impulsive, but in this story, Peter exhibits a deeper personal quality. Peter goes the extra mile of pushing out his boat into deeper water, despite his tiredness and disappointment of not catching anything the night before. Peter obeys Jesus’ request of letting down his nets one more time. Going the extra mile always takes effort. It always requires us to dig down a little deeper, to exercise a greater degree of effort and self-control, whether it’s done in grumbling or not. Going the extra mile can be described as a true act of love or a selfless act of our will for the good of others. It’s something we are called to do when we belong to a community and there are many times when the smooth running of the community is dependent on someone stepping in or stepping up when there’s a need.
The phrase ‘Push out into deeper waters’, has been interpreted by some as Jesus speaking directly to us, the reader, ‘Take some risks, move out of your comfort zone and into a deeper place with me. Discover for yourself how much more abundant the spiritual life is when you let down your barriers, your preconceived ideas about what it means to follow and trust me with your life’. Most of us like to stay in the shallows where life is safe and predictable, where’s there not much risk, or surprises. But the disciple took the risk and trusted Jesus and both boats were filled with great numbers!
The unexpected catch of fish in the story points to the nature of the one who made it possible. For Peter it is his moment of disclosure, he discerns who Jesus is and is overwhelmed in his response, very similar to Isaiah’s response in his vision of God in the temple, ‘Woe is me, I am ruined…’(Isaiah 6:5) There may be times on our journey with God when we may discern more clearly who Jesus is or even sense a closer presence of God.
Like Peter we too may feel overwhelmed and undeserving. Yet God’s love is far greater than our perceived short comings and failures. So much more compassionate and gentle than we can imagine. So, affirming of who we are as a child of God and who stoops to reassure us of His love and who places us in a community where we can find support and friendship.
Our cathedral not only offers us friendship and support but also opportunities to explore and engage in scripture in creative and enhancing ways. Each Wednesday morning Canon Harriet leads a study in the Bishp Kenneth room looking at the forth coming Sunday bible readings in ‘The Word is Near’ and there are also more bible explorations on a Monday evening to come.
Why not explore further in your journey of faith and step out deeper into unfamiliar waters?
Chris Nicol
Cathedral Reader
Dates for your diary…
Lunch Club - 10 Feb 2025, 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Exploring the Bible: Galatians & Ephesians - 10 Feb 2025, 6:45 pm – 8:00 pm
Lunchtime Live Performance - Musicians from PGS - 13 Feb 2025, 1:10 pm – 2:00 pm
Candlelit Vigil for UK Pride 2025 - 16 Feb 2025, 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm
Little Hope Gallery - Ukraine's Children tell their Stories in Art - 20 Feb 2025 – 2 Mar 2025, 10:00 am
Little Hope Exhibition - Choral Evensong followed by Reception - 24 Feb 2025, 5:45 pm – 6:30 pm
Community News
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. There 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 organ 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!
Installation of Head Choristers
Following our recent farewells to Head Chorister David and Deputy Stanley, we're delighted to install Niki as our new Wilson Head Chorister along with Alex and Sam as Deputy Head Choristers. Congratulations to the boys! Readers may be interested to know that we appoint new Head Choristers following extensive discussion amongst key music staff and the choristers have a chance to vote. Following all this, the Precentor and The Cathedral Organist make a recommendation to The Dean.
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
Finance Committee and Fabric Advisory Committee
The Finance Committee and Fabric Advisory Committee both meet this week.
The agendas for the meetings can be seen below.
FAC Agenda 2025
Finance Agenda – 10 February
Volunteer Opportunity: Chair of the Hampshire & the Islands Historic Churches Trust
The Hampshire & the Islands Historic Churches Trust is seeking a new Chairperson to lead their Executive Committee. This rewarding voluntary role involves overseeing the Trust’s vital work in awarding grants—totalling around £75,000 annually—to churches of all denominations. With a well-established fundraising programme, including the popular Ride and Stride event, the Trust welcomes fresh ideas to support its mission.
The time commitment is modest, with three committee meetings a year, an annual Trustees’ meeting, an AGM at Winchester Cathedral, and a day-long autumn outing. If you’re passionate about preserving historic churches and have the vision to guide the Trust forward, contact Ven Adrian Harbidge at 07720 054365 for more details.
Find out more at Diocese of Portsmouth website
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
Sunday 9 February – Fourth Sunday Before Lent
8:00am Holy Communion
9:30am - #PompeySundays
11:00am - Choral Eucharist sung by the Cathedral Choir (Boys) with Installation of Head and Deputy Head Choristers
5:45pm - Choral Evensong sung by Consort Sopranos
Prayers & Intercessions
We pray for: all members of General Synod meeting in London this week
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: Alison, Jill, Spencer, Suzy, Alistair, Richard, Graeme, Rosy, Mathai, Philip and all in need.
We remember those who have died recently, including: David Carpenter (Cathedral funeral Monday 24 February at 11:00am), Muriel Allen, Derek Haddow 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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