Weekly Notices | 30 March 2025
A Reflection from
Kitty Price
“For now we see through a glass, darkly, but then face to face” (1 Corinthias 13:12) is one of my favourite lines in the Bible. It makes me think of seeing and being seen, both physically and spiritually.
When we write these reflections, we are doing so using one definition of reflection – giving something serious thought which leads to a conclusion of some kind – but today, I also want to consider another definition of reflection – an image of something in a mirror or another reflective surface. When you look forwards in the mirror you see yourself looking back at you. I hope you like what you see, and I hope you take care of the person you see.
Forwards and backwards. Sometimes life can feel like that, a few steps forwards and then a leap backwards.
I wish to look backwards and forwards. Last Saturday was Messy Messiah, a shortened performance of Handel’s Messiah with an extra choir of 80 local school children joining in with some of the larger choruses. When the combined choirs started singing ‘For unto us a child is born’, I thought I was experiencing the music in surround sound. It was absolutely incredible to hear. The work of Adrian and Sachin, as well as Alex Goodwin from PGS has helped the cathedral’s outreach immeasurably, especially at a time when music in state schools is under increasing pressure. I hope these young people will have gained a lot from the whole experience. My favourite movement of Messiah is ‘The trumpet shall sound’, and I hope that is what is playing at the gates of heaven when I arrive in my chariot!
Looking forwards, if you haven’t already, please do visit the Luxmuralis light and sound display, ‘Space’, in the cathedral until Saturday evening. If you haven’t gone already, please go. It is breathtakingly beautiful and invites you to experience a familiar building from a fresh perspective. Our favourite bit was in the nave, with images of space projected onto the walls of the west end. At one point it felt as though we were entering a divine sphere, and I said to David, ‘This is what it might be like when we enter heaven’.
As we look forward to Holy Week and Easter, if you haven’t already seen the Sarum Cycle exhibition in the ambulatory of the nave, then please do. I wonder what we would have thought if we had witnessed these events. I wonder what Jesus would have seen in us. In addition to the exhibition and Lent talks, next Monday, 31 March, at 7pm, there is a talk by the artist Nicholas Mynheer. It will enrich your understanding of his work and invite you to consider holy week afresh.
This weekend the cathedral choir looks backwards with thanks for 32 years of singing by tenor lay clerk, Bryn Hughes, as he retires from the role. We ask for God’s blessing on him and Sarah, and for the choir as we move forwards in different directions, with the hope that there will be the occasional crossing of paths.
And finally, when you look in the mirror do you see someone who is fearfully and wonderfully made? If not, why not? I love you!
Dates for your diary…
Lunch Club - 31 Mar, at 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Sarum Cycle: Mynheer Talk - 31 Mar, at 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Lent Course: Picturing the Passion - 2 Apr, at 6:30 pm – 7:45 pm
Compline during Lent - 2 Apr, at 8:00 pm – 8:15 pm
Lunchtime Live Performance - Robert Patterson (organ) - 3 Apr, at 1:10 pm – 2:00 pm
Yoga at the Cathedral - 5 Apr, at 10:30 am – 11:30 am
Activity Book Activities - 8 Apr, at 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm
Community News
INEQE Safeguarding Audit – Tell us your views!
INEQE Safeguarding Group have been asked to carry out Safeguarding Audits of the Church of England 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 visiting the Diocese of Portsmouth and Portsmouth Cathedral in the week beginning 2 June 2025. In the meantime, and as part of the audit process, INEQE hope to engage with those who work, visit or worship at the Cathedral through an online survey to gain feedback and information relevant to the audit.
The survey is anonymous and confidential. INEQE would therefore ask you to be open and honest with your responses. The survey results are received directly by INEQE’s Audit Team and not by the Church of England.
Please note that if you are part of the cathedral worshipping community, you should complete the survey for “The Cathedral Worshipping Community” (and not the “Parish Community”).
The survey is now live and will close at 11:30pm on 2 April 2025.
You can complete the survey here →
Sarum Cycle - a talk by artist, Nicholas Mynheer 31 March at 7:00pm
Nicholas Mynheer, the artist behind the Sarum Cycle, currently displayed in the ambulatory, will be giving a talk on Monday 31 March at 7pm in the Nave. Nicholas speak about his inspiration for the Sarum Cycle, and the journey of creating it. The talk will also be an opportunity to hear more about his work in general and to see examples of other paintings that connect with the theme of the passion. There will also be an opportunity to ask questions. No need to book.
Part-time Visitor Experience Assistants
We are looking for a number of part-time (up to 14 hours per week) seasonal Visitor Experience Assistants to work with our existing expert groups of volunteer welcomers, guides and shop assistants during peak holiday periods. This role will involve welcoming people in and inviting them to explore our glorious Cathedral to learn more about the building and its purpose at the same time as developing new skills.
Find out more on our website here.
The Word is Near Update
Please note the following adjustments for the regular Word is Near group:
2 April - meeting as usual, 9 April - no meeting, 16 April - no meeting. We return on Wednesday 23 April to regular weekly meetings (10:30am – 11:30am in Bishop Kenneth Room.
Activity Book Launch!
On the 8 April we will be launching our new Portsmouth Cathedral Activity Book created in partnership with Designed by Esther. The book is packed with puzzles, games, word searches, colouring pages, and other interactive content that will take young readers and families through the long history of Portsmouth Cathedral. We hope the book will help children not only learn about the Cathedral's history and work today, but also enjoy the process with a sense of fun and discovery.
To celebrate the launch of the book we will be hosting a range of free family activities on the 8 and 9 April, click here to find out more. Our shop will also be running an exclusive offer, if you purchase a Portsmouth Cathedral Activity Book on the 8 or 9 April you will receive a free goodie bag! (Please note online purchases are not valid for this limited time offer)
Meet the Dean - 10 April at 12:00pm
Our regular ‘Meet the Dean’ session in the Bishop Kenneth Room, offers a chance for members of the congregation and local community to have a one-to-one conversation with The Very Reverend Dr. Anthony Cane. Whether you have questions, concerns, or ideas to share, this is an open and informal opportunity to speak directly with the Dean. It’s a space to discuss cathedral life, raise issues that matter to you, or simply get to know the person guiding our spiritual community. These sessions reflect our commitment to being a listening church, fostering genuine connection and open dialogue. Everyone is welcome – whether you’re a regular visitor or simply curious – and no appointment is needed. Just drop in and join the conversation.
Evening Organ Concerts
Enjoy an inspiring series of evening organ concerts in the beautiful surroundings of Portsmouth Cathedral. We are delighted to welcome talented performers including Kim Chin (2 May), Matthew Owens (16 May), David Price (6 June) and REDUCTIO (20 June). Experience magnificent music in a unique and atmospheric setting. Tickets are available to book now!
Choir Term Update
The end of Choir term this coming week means the last Choral Evensong sung by the Cathedral Choir is this Thursday until Palm Sunday.
Easter Lilies in Memoriam
Remember a loved one this Easter, donate £5 for an Easter Lily that will form part of our beautiful floral display at Easter. The last date for the name of your loved one to be entered in our Easter Lily Memorial Book is 13 April 2025, donations can be made after this date, though names will not be included in the Memorial Book. Donate online below, or complete a form in the Cathedral.
Donate online →
Renewal of Electoral Roll
Every six years we are required under Church Rules to completely renew the Electoral Roll. This needs to be done this year and requires everyone to apply.
Your membership is an important sign of your commitment to the Cathedral and parish. The Roll assists us with our sense of Christian fellowship, it keeps us in touch with people’s needs and with the gifts and talents that we all bring to the Cathedral and the wider church. Your membership also entitles you to vote at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting which will be held this year on 22 May.
Elections this year include one member of Chapter, the Cathedral's governing body and one member of Deanery Synod alongside the annual election of Churchwardens.
For more information see our 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 Sunday 30 March
Mothering Sunday (Fourth Sunday of Lent)
8:00am - Holy Communion
9:30am - #PompeySundays
11:00am - Choral Eucharist sung by the Cathedral Choir (Boys)
5:45pm - Choral Evensong with Farewell to a Lay Clerk sung by the Cathedral Choir (Girls)
Prayers & Intercessions
We pray for: all those preparing for baptism and confirmation at Easter.
We remember the following for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community: Gerald, John, Phoebe, Peter, Elizabeth, Chris, Tom, Pauline, Marion, Sheila, baby Etta and baby Lottie.
We continue to pray for the long-term sick, including: Graeme, Richard, Suzy, Jill, Alison, Alistair, Rosy, Spencer, Philip, Mathai and all in need.
We remember those who have died recently, including: Richard Owen, Betty Lebbon, Christine Evans, Judy Unwin, Irene Morgan (Cathedral funeral 10:30am on Thursday 10 April), Dave Yates, Lorna Green, Annie Adshead and Toby 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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