A reflection from Catherine Edenborough

 
This Sunday we celebrate Mothering Sunday, a day of joyful thanks for many and a day of regret or distress for others. Its original intention was for people to return to visit the mother church where they were baptised, but latterly it has become more about celebrating mothers, and for those who have had a poor experience of being mothered, have lost children or for various reasons have not been able to have children, it can be a very difficult day.  This year the images we see in the news at the moment bring it home even more – particularly Israeli and Palestinian parents mourning the loss of their children.
 
The gospel reading for this Sunday (Luke 2.33-35) is of Simeon telling Mary that Jesus is destined for the falling and rising of many in Israel and warns her that a sword will pierce her own heart – a sign of the pain and sorrow to come at Jesus’ crucifixion. It seems very fitting when we consider what is happening in the world and the pain and sorrow many mothers must be experiencing.
 
It feels all the more important for the church to be a place where there is room for all aspects of mothering and for all the feelings people experience in connection with Mothering Sunday.
 
What we can know and hold onto is that God’s love for us goes deep, like a mother’s love, but even more so.  God loves us in a way that holds and knows our pains and rejoices in our joys.  In the gospels of Matthew and Luke, we hear Jesus saying:“Jerusalem, Jerusalem [ ..] How often have I desired to gather your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!”and in Isaiah 49, we hear: “Can a woman forget her nursing-child, or show no compassion for the child of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you.See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands.” We can rest assured that God’s love never lets us go and can cope with whatever difficulties we might be going through.
 
So whatever our own feelings and experiences this Mothering Sunday, let’s make space for each other, let’s be sensitive to one another and let’s hold each other in this deep love of God.
 
The Revd Catherine Edenborough
Cathedral Curate

Community News

Tomorrow: Solent Symphony Orchestra – Spring Classics Concert

 
The Solent Symphony Orchestra invites music lovers to its second Spring Classics Concert at Portsmouth's historic Cathedral. Featuring Emme Hensel, the Concerto Award prize winner from Portsmouth Music Festival. Emme will play the Flute Concerto in D Major by Reinecke.
 
Programme

• A Somerset Rhapsody - Holst

• Flute Concerto in D Major - Reinecke. 

• Soloist: Emme Hensel PMF concerto prize winner 2023

• Symphony No 2 (London) - Vaughan Williams

 
Book online →
  

Woman Composer Sunday

 
This Sunday is designated nationally as Woman Composer Sunday, as so at our morning services, our boy choristers will sing Roxanna Panufnik's Westminster Mass for choir, organ, harp and bells  originally composed for Cardinal Basil Hume and Westminster Cathedral Choir. The organ voluntary will be a work, 'Celebration' composed for David Price by Cecilia MacDowell.
 
At Choral Evensong our Girl Choristers will sing a new setting of the canticles by Joanna Forbes-Lestrange.
  

Early Music Weekend featuring ‘Red Priest’ and Handel’s Messiah

 
Next weekend we are pleased to be hosting a special weekend of services and concerts featuring 'early music' - that is, church music composed in the medieval and baroque periods.
 
The first event will be aLunchtime Liveconcert as part of our Thursday series. On Friday 15 March The Friends of Portsmouth Cathedral present a phenomenal group call'Red Priest'who, in the afternoon will also be running a workshop to over 200 local school children. For those who have not experienced Red Priest’s amazing performance it will truly be an evening to remember with the concert starting at 7pm. Following this on Saturday 16 March will see our annual performance of Handel's Messiah, which booking is still available online athere.
 
All our services from Thursday to Sunday will feature music by medieval composers - and on Sunday we shall welcome instrumentalists to both the 11am Eucharist and 5:45pm Evensong. We shall hear a Lassus Mass with sackbuts in the morning and string accompaniment to some Restoration music at Evensong
  

Invited to speak at the University of Portsmouth

 
This past week our Visitor Experience Manager, Rayne Skora, was invited to speak on a panel for the School of Area Studies, Sociology, History, Politics and Literature (SASSHPL) Away Day at the University of Portsmouth. Rayne was honoured to be a part of the Civic Panel, discussing our work with the department for the trail 'How Portsmouth Inspires Writers' for the Festival of Storytelling 2023. We are now excitedly looking forward to partnerships with the department.
  

It’s Spring and the crocuses are out but remember its only 281 sleeps until….

 
An update from our Volunteer Co-ordinator, Rachael… It’s only 281 sleeps until the Christmas Fair!  Let’s make it the best fair with some serious forward planning.  You may think me mad but some stalls like Jam and Preserves rely on your creative skills throughout the year.
 
Read more →
  

Food Bank Donations

 
The Cathedral is home to a Foodbank collection point for the Roberts Centre.  
This is a request please to remember the Food Bank donations bins in the Cathedral. The Roberts Centre needs tinned and dry food stuff and items like nappies, cleaning materials and personal hygiene products at the moment. These are much needed and greatly appreciated by those using the service.
 
Any questions regarding items currently required please to Terry Ward attrwingb@yahoo.co.uk
  

Help our flower team prepare for Mothering Sunday

 
Would you like to get-involved with our Cathedral Flower Team to help make posies for our Mothering Sunday services? Pop by on Saturday 9 March, from 9:00am in the Bishop Kenneth Room.  Whether it’s something you’ve never tried before, or you’re a green-fingered expert, come and meet the team who help regularly fill the Cathedral with wonderful flowers.
 
If you would like to learn more about volunteering with the Cathedralvisit our website →
  

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, there name will also be included in our Easter Lily Memorial Book.
 
The final date for the name of your loved one to be entered in our Easter Lily Memorial Book is 22 March 2024, you can donate in person at the Cathedral using the forms at the Welcome Desk, or you can alsodonate online→
  

Join our team

Chapter

 
In late 2023, the Cathedral adopted a new governance structure under the Cathedrals Measure 2021 and will become a registered charity this month when all members of Chapter, the governing body, will become 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 →
  

Marketing Assistant Apprenticeship

 
We are pleased to be offering an exciting, paid apprenticeship opportunity at Portsmouth Cathedral, offering a marketing qualification from HSDC college.
 
The role is ideally suited to an enthusiastic and dynamic candidate who is not only eager to expand their existing skill set but is also committed to developing new skills in the ever-changing and developing field of marketing. The position offers a multifaceted experience, providing opportunities to work across various mediums, including but not limited to copywriting, art working, and active involvement in the development of marketing campaigns and initiatives.
 
Learn more and apply online →
  

Administrative Assistant (Temporary)

 
We are looking for a temporary part-time (21 hours per week) Administrative Assistant to join the existing team for 12 months.  The role is suited to someone with a broad range of administrative stills and attention to detail who enjoys working in a busy office.
 
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.

We pray for Jude, to be baptised this Sunday, and all who are preparing for Confirmation at Easter.
 
We remember the following for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community: Tom, Chris, Aidan, Richard, Alison, Rosy, Liz, Tony, Catherine and all in need.  
 
We continue to pray for the long-term sick, including:  Margaret, Muriel, Judith, Ann, John, Jill, Suzy, Mathai, Philip, Alistair, Graeme, Janet and Rachel.
 
We remember those who have died:  Philip Hill (Cathedral Memorial service on Tuesday 16th April at 11am), Hermione Treharne, Fenella Wilkinson, Isabel Pine RIP.

Michael Jackson RIP

Following Mike’s sudden death, Jane is grateful for all the sympathy and support she has received. The Memorial and thanksgiving service for Mike will be on Monday 5 February at 2:30pm here at Portsmouth Cathedral. All who wish are welcome to come. Followed by refreshment afterwards.

Myrna Hall RIP

The funeral for Myrna will be held here at Portsmouth Cathedral on Tuesday 6 February at 11:30am. Derek and Christopher invite any who would like to stay on for refreshments after the service.

Hermione Treharne RIP

We will hold a funeral service for Hermione on Friday 16 February. Hermione was a long standing regular member of our congregation, chorister mother and grandmother until illness prevented her being present here.

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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