A reflection from David Price

Why does Classic FM play the Allegri ‘Miserere’ ad nauseam throughout the year? Week in and week out. It is, after all a piece very specifically written for the service of Tenebrae within Holy Week. And they don’t play Christmas carols during the year – in fact they abruptly stop on Boxing Day!

Composed around 1638, this setting of Psalm 51 ‘Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions’ was composed for the Choir of the Sistine Chapel in Rome. The piece is based upon plainsong, and relies upon the dexterity of singers to ornament and embellish the work. Although the story about a young Mozart allegedly writing down the unpublished work on one hearing is probably inaccurate, the secrecy around the piece’s original performances probably derives from the techniques used and styles of embellishments used by the Vatican Choir of the time, of which Allegri was a member.

Personally I loathe the piece. Its not a style of music I enjoy listening to, its done too much, its very hard to sing well and I still get nervous listening to the piece from my days singing the solo as a small boy. However, its not all about me and I recognize the power of the music and its popularity. We also have a group of senior boy choristers who have been badgering me to put the piece down for about four months. They could be heard to be singing the piece wondering around Copenhagen last month – what a strange bunch of English school boy tourists you would say!

Who am I to stand in the way of this enthusiasm. So if you want to hear the once in a decade Portsmouth performance of the Allegri, come to our Palm Sunday Sequence of Music at 5.45pm alongside other music, readings and prayers on the theme of our Lenten Lazarus Exhibition.

And of course, as the Dean said last Sunday morning, the drama, prayer and liturgy of Holy Week are best understood by being at as much as you can manage to fully engage with the Passion and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus.

David Price

Community News

Good news for the Parish Lunch Club

 
The final Lunch Club of the Spring term took place on Monday with members enjoying the  favourite classic, Cottage Pie!  We also received fantastic news, during the final Lunch Club of the Spring term, Becket Hall kitchen had its annual inspection by the PCC environmental health team.  Good news - we retained our 5 Star rating!
 
More good news is that the Lunch Club team has been joined by two new volunteers Rachel and Grace. If you would like to come and try Lunch Club then please come along at 12pm for 12:30pm lunch on any of the following Mondays 22 April, 13 May, 3 June, 17 June, 1 July.  Registration is on the day and the cost of a two-course meal with tea or coffee is £5.
We kick off next term with slow cooked belly pork!
 

Holy Week Holy Communion hosted by the Anna Chaplaincy

 
An opportunity to join an informal service of Holy Communion, followed by refreshments, this Monday, 25 March at 11am. A relaxed and interactive service, suitable for older people including those with dementia.
 

Brass Rubbing Trail this Easter

 
Come and join us for a chance to experience the art of brass rubbing and learn more about the Cathedral! From the 1 April until the 14 April there will be a Brass Rubbing Trail in the Cathedral. This will build upon the tradition of Brass Rubbing and be an opportunity to learn about our wonderful building.
 
Packs will be available from the shop, 10am - 3pm at a cost of £2 each.
 

Volunteer Social Events

 
It's such a shame that so many of our wonderful and dedicated team of volunteers never get to meet each other because they volunteer across shift patterns.  We'd like to build up a range of annual volunteer social events such as Curry & Quiz night, Wine tasting and Local historical walks, but to achieve this some extra help is needed.
 
If you can help with any of the following, please let the Volunteer Coordinator, Rachael, know: A keen walker to plan some interesting routes around the local area, perhaps finishing in a local pub; A quiz master; A sommelier to wow us with their knowledge. Thank you!
 

Cathedral features in new Church of England Net Zero 2030 video

 
At the first Net Zero conference for dioceses in Gloucester, Church House launched a new video outlining the amazing things already being done in churches and church buildings across the land to lower our collective carbon footprint.
 
Portsmouth Cathedral was pleased to participate in the making of the video – highlighting the series of very small changes that have enabled us to reduce our carbon footprint by 45% weather-adjusted over the past ten years. 
 
Our Cathedral's COO Richard added, "It was an honour to be asked to participate in the making of this video and to share some of the things we have done over the past ten-eleven years here at St. Thomas's to reduce our carbon footprint.  The video also highlights some new things we might try that we can learn from other churches!"
 
Watch on YouTube here →
 

Just announced: 2024 Dolling Lecture with former Obama White house aide, Michael Wear

 
In The Spirit of Our Politics: Spiritual Formation and the Renovation of Public Life, former Obama White House aide Michael Wear argues that "the kind of people we are, has much to do with the kind of politics and public life that we have."
 
Drawing on the work and ideas of Dallas Willard, Wear contends that "spiritual formation is central to civic renewal." In his lecture, Wear will describe how Christian resources can undermine the toxic logic of our politics, and free us up to participate in political life in a spirit of loving service.
 
Learn more & book a free ticket →
 

This weekend: A quintessentially English pastime for over 400 years

 
Bells have rung at Portsmouth Cathedral for at least 300 years! This year we are delighted to host the National 12 Bell Striking Contest Eliminator event on Saturday 23 March
 
Bellringing has been a quintessentially English pastime for over 400 years, with bells ringing at Portsmouth Cathedral for at least 300 years. The style of ‘change ringing’ where the bells change orders, is something that is unique to the English style of ringing and is only seen in a few countries around the world, marking it is different from the other more ad hoc bell ringing styles in the rest of the world.
 
Some of the best bellringing bands from around the country are coming to compete against each other on our bells, to see who are the most accurate and who will progress to the final (being held in Chilcompton, Somerset). This is the most elite ringing competition in the world and it is a great honour for us to be hosting this for the first time.
 
If you’re interested in hearing the bells being rung at the highest level, do come along and have a listen between 11:30am and 4:00pm. Similarly, if you are interested in learning to ring then get in touch with the Tower Captain, Peter Sheppard, at petesheppard84@gmail.com
 

Silent Discos

 
Portsmouth Cathedral, in common with other cathedrals across the country, is seeking to grow its programme of events, both for fundraising purposes and in order to encourage more people to visit and engage with the cathedral .   This is an important part of our strategy for funding our mission and ministry and continuing the excellent work done to reduce and then end our history of financial deficits.    Many other cathedrals have been doing such events for longer than us, usually without controversy, but in recent times there has been media coverage of a ‘silent disco’ in Canterbury Cathedral to which some objected.   It therefore seemed right to let members of the Cathedral community know that a similar event has been booked for later this year in Portsmouth Cathedral.   This is primarily commercial decision, as the disco will garner more income in one evening that any single event we will do in the whole year.   We are also mindful, however, of our aim to encourage people through our doors who have never visited the cathedral before. Previous events such as the Festival of Storytelling, Red Priest and the renewed Solent Symphony Orchestra concerts have seen people coming through our doors for the first time and then returning.
 
While, of course, there are things we would never hold in the cathedral, many events involving dancing have happened in the cathedral before, most recently the popular Tango day and then the  Burns night Ceilidh in January – and indeed a video of members of the Cathedral dancing the ‘Jerusalema’ under Covid restrictions has been viewed nearly sixty thousand times.   Other cathedrals tell us that their silent discos have been particularly appreciated by women for the safety and beauty of the environment.   Most have worked with the same company as we are, which specialises in holding such events in buildings of particular meaning, significance and beauty.   
 
This event is part of a strategy of actively seeking to learn what kind of events we can integrate into our future programme, as we continue to seek financial sustainability and the ability to both resource the worship and music that is fundament to our life and work, and draw new people into encounter with God.  
 
Anthony Cane
Dean of Portsmouth
 

Summer Celebration Saturday 1 June – Save the Date!

 
Planning is underway for a new event the ‘Summer Celebration’.  This community wide free entry event will bring together food, entertainment, charity and community groups, games, activities as well as a variety of both Cathedral lead and local business stalls. 
 
Running from 11:30am for 3 hours on Saturday 1 June the Summer Celebration will include live outside entertainment by Jazz & Easy-listening singer ‘Stacey Mogg’, BBQ, Strawberries and Cream, lots of cathedral lead stalls such as a Douse the Dean, Raffle, Bottle Tombola, Cup Cakes, Books, Jigsaw, Flowers etc as well as stalls lead by local charities and community groups.   Please save the date! We are looking for volunteers to help before and on the day, from painting to cupcake making, raffle ticket selling, event promotion and running a BBQ. If you have some time to spare, please speak to Jude or Rachael.  Thank you!
 

Gethsemane Garden: Community Garden

 
Calling anyone with planters and plant tubs! If you have any plants in tubs or planters, especially a pair of similar plant/planters that can be brought to the Cathedral, please bring them in on the afternoon of Maundy Thursday!
 
They will be used to create the Gethsemane Garden in St Thomas' Chapel, where we will pray until midnight following the Last Supper Eucharist at 7:00pm. Where we remember how Jesus prayed all night before being crucified. The plants/planters can be collected after the 10am Children's Service on Good Friday, between 10:45am. and 12:00pm, or later, after the Good Friday Liturgy ends at 3pm.
 
More information and any offers, please contact Canon Jo - or just bring your plants in on Maundy Thursday.
 

Easter Lilies In Memoriam

 
The final date for the name of your loved one to be entered in our Easter Lily Memorial Book has now passed. You can still contribute, though names may not be included. You can donate in person at the Cathedral using the forms at the Welcome Desk, or you can also donate online →
 

Spiritual Advice

 
Anyone who wishes to talk to one of the Ministry Team for spiritual advice and confession are welcome to get in touch.
 

Maundy Thursday Services

 
Anyone wishing to take part in the Foot Washing during the 7:00pm Eucharist of the Last Supper is invited to contact Canon Jo. Also, people are encouraged to sign-up for the Watch of Prayer which follows the service - 30-minute slots from 9.00pm to midnight. Please sign the list in the Welcome Area to say what time you are able to do. Further details from Canon Jo
 
Members of the Ministry team being available during Holy Week if anyone would like to arrange an appointment for a conversation this week or for confession.
 

Changes in Event Management

 
After over two years as our Events Manager, Jemima Crayden, has decided to move on to a new events role. She has done amazing work resetting our approach to commercial events hire, a key element for all cathedrals in their ability to generate the core funds necessary to support mission. As well as increasing profitable revenue, Jemima also introduced events such as the “Festival of Storytelling,” making summer activities available for all families no matter their income.
 
This work has been praised by the City Council and is an important part of expanding our connection with the City and the wider community that we serve. We will be providing an update in the coming weeks on how we will be continuing to develop revenue generating events at the Cathedral, to support our work and mission.
 
We are delighted to announce that Clare Brown has started with us as an Administrative Assistant, with a focus who will primarily focus on supporting commercial events activities. You may have already seen Clare at events over the past couple of weeks including the SSO Concert and Messiah.
 
Cathedral Chief Operating Officer, Richard Abraham said, “It’s always sad to see a member of the team going onto new challenges. Jemima has successfully refocused our commercial events hire to both bring in needed income. Her work in developing new hire models, to include agreements such as ‘ticket-splits’, where we partner with groups to take a share in the risk and profits, allowing us to open up our wonderful space to more new people in the community. She also introduced new processes and systems to ensure the smooth running of our daily operations and special events.”
 
We will be sharing details of our summer programme in late April, be sure to subscribe to our email updates and follow us on social media to be the first to find out!
 

Revision of Electoral Roll

 
This year's APCM and Parish Meeting will take place on Sunday 12 May at 12.30pm.  The Revision of the Electoral Roll will take place between 31 March and 14 April. During this time, copies of the current Electoral Roll will be available to view in the Cathedral or at the Cathedral Offices. Forms will also be available for new or returning members of the congregation to join/re-join the Electoral Roll.
 
The revised Electoral Roll will be published, as required, between 28 and 14 days before the APCM and Parish Meeting. Only those on the revised Electoral Roll will be entitled to vote at the APCM.
 
This year's meetings include the election of churchwardens and one member of Chapter (non-executive Trustee).  Details of the role are available through Charity Job.  Applications should be made by 15 April.
 
Details and how to apply available here →
 
The Electoral Roll, however, is more than just voting rights, it is also a tangible commitment of each person as to their shared Christian stewardship within our Cathedral Community.
 
If you have any questions, please speak with a member of the clergy or the churchwardens.
 

Join our team

Chapter

 
In late 2023, the Cathedral adopted a new governance structure under the Cathedrals Measure 2021 and became a registered charity earlier this month when all members of Chapter, the governing body,  became Trustees. 
 
We are looking for new trustees, including a Senior Non-Executive Member (SNEM) and a Chair of Finance, who are willing to build on the commitment, enthusiasm and energy of current members who are nearing the end of their terms of office, and continue to broaden the diversity of thinking in Chapter.
 
While we are not looking for any specific skill set, successful candidates must be able to demonstrate that they have the experience and skills necessary for working at board level. 
 
For an informal discussion about these roles please contact Dean Anthony or the Chief Operating Officer, Richard Abraham.
 
Learn more and apply online →
 

Nominations Committee

 
We are also to recruit a member of the new Nominations Committee, which is chaired by Sir David Normington, and will advise on the recruitment of non-executive members of the new Chapter along with other Chapter Committees.  
 
Learn more and apply online →
 

Part-time Finance Assistant

 
We are looking for a part-time (21 hour per week) permanent Finance Assistant. Your work will include day-to-day finance activities ranging from cash counting and raising customer invoices to paying supplier invoices and maintaining the cashflow forecast. 

Learn more and apply online →

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.

Plan your visit

Prayers & Intercessions

We pray for all who are preparing for Baptism and Confirmation at Easter.
 
We remember the following for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community: Jan, Chris, Aidan, Tom, Richard, Alison, Rosy, Liz, Tony, Catherine and all in need.  

We continue to pray for the long-term sick, including:  Muriel, Margaret, Ann, John, Jill, Suzy, Mathai, Philip, Alistair, Graeme, Janet and Rachel.

We remember those who have died:  John Ball, Philip Hill (Cathedral Memorial service on Tuesday 16 April at 11am), Heather Greaves 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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