Weekly Notices | 11 December 2022
A reflection from Canon Nick
It’s the third Sunday of Advent already and I haven’t written a single Christmas card yet! Yes - so far, so normal at least in our household! 😬 This Sunday is known as Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete is Latin for Rejoice and is derived from the opening words of the antiphon, “Rejoice (Gaudete) in the Lord always.” The theme of the day expresses the joy of anticipation at the approaching Christmas season, even if it seems to be arriving faster each year!
As you may have noticed, the other thing that has now happened, is that it has become slightly parky outside! The concern is less with Christmas cards or whether it will be a white Christmas and more with how in the midst of a cost-of-living crisis, people can afford to heat their homes or buy food let alone buy special Christmas food or gifts. It is always good to think of and do what we can for those who are struggling but this year, so many more people are in that position not only here, but I am thinking also of those struggling without power in the Ukraine and those who are now refugees in Poland and Moldova (91% of whom are women and children).
Many churches are trying to help, and some are opening as warm banks, offering warmth, comfort, and hospitality. The Cathedral is participating in that as well and is open daily of course but on Mondays we are also opening Becket Hall in Cathedral House as a warm space from 10am. Everyone is welcome to come and spend some time there.
There are a number of local organisations that are working to look after people who need support and do have a look at the work they are doing, including theRoberts Centre,Portsmouth City of SanctuaryandFriends Without Bordersfor refugees and asylum seekers,Homestart Portsmouthsupporting local families,Age Ukfor older people andTwo Saintsworking with homeless people to name just a few.
The Cathedral is wonderfully busy with carol services, concerts and celebrations as usual at this time of year, and there are details of all the Advent and Christmas services on thewebsiteand on leaflets. Why not take a leaflet and invite your friends and neighbours to come along with you?
A very big thank you to all those taking part in the Christmas Fair on Saturday. It is always a fun event and worthwhile for the opportunity to work together, as well as raising money for the Cathedral.
So prepare, support, write your cards, and rejoice! (Note to self, and others may find it useful too!).
The Reverend Canon Nick Ralph,
Residentiary Canon
Dates for your diary…
Christmas Fair | Christmas 2022 - 10 Dec
Carols on the Green | Christmas 2022 - 10 Dec
Parish Lunch Club - 12 Dec
Advent Course: Exploring Advent - 13 Dec
Christingle | Christmas 2022 - 18 Dec
Advent Course: Exploring Advent - 20 Dec
Community News
Cathedral Office closure over Christmas and New Years
The Cathedral Offices will be closed from lunchtime on Friday, 23 December 2022, and will re-open on Tuesday, 3 January 2023.
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Yoga sessions at Portsmouth Cathedral
After the wonderful feedback from 'yoga in the Wild Cathedral', we are excited to announce the return of yoga sessions led by Kat Waters throughout 2023.
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Portsmouth Cathedral Choir News - Advent 2022
Catch up with the latest from our choirs with the Advent edition of our Choir News.
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Christmas Fairs Past
Volunteer Co-ordinator, Rachael shares a short blog ahead of this week’s Christmas Fair. on Saturday (10 Dec)…
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Local schools help mark St Cecilia’s Day with Cathedral Sing
On Tuesday 22 November, we marked St Cecilia’s Day (patron Saint of music) at Portsmouth Cathedral with children from Boundary Oak School, Bosmere Junior School, and St Mary’s Church, Portsea.
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Get your Christmas Fair Raffle tickets!
Raffle tickets for the Christmas Fair are available to purchase at the Cathedral Shop, don't miss out on your chance to win some fabulous prizes. With many thanks to Sheila and Marion who have gathered the following prizes generously donated by local businesses.
See prizes on our website →
HAF Fun Pompey – Free half term activities for children, teenagers and families.
After a successful 2021 Portsmouth City Council are delighted to continue the delivery of the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme during the Easter, Summer and Christmas 2022 school holidays. Funded by the Department for Education, this scheme offers free holiday provision, including nutritious food and enriching activities, for children aged 5-16 who are eligible for benefits-related free school meals. There are some paid for spaces available also, see more details on the HAF Fun Pompey website linked below.
Learn more →
‘Comfort and Joy’ 20 years …
20 years ago, at a Portsmouth Housing Association meeting, two people chatted at the coffee break. That short conversation led to the development of the Churches Homeless Action Voucher Scheme. The conversation was around what was a common factor for those who were homeless – rough sleeping, sofa surfing, in refuges, asylum seekers etc.
The two factors that were identified lie at the heart of the scheme. The first is that the gift of choice is one we take for granted, but which those who are on the margins do not often have. The gifts generously given by others, may not be what the individual would choose for themselves. The second was that those who are in the margins and homeless are not just a statistic, or a nuisance, or a ‘them’; but they are human beings like us and in each of them Christians believe we see the image of God.
So, the scheme has two elements – the gathering of vouchers or gift cards for £5 so that those who receive them can chose what they have the sharing of a Christmas card and a personal message, recognising our common humanity.
These two elements have then been shared with local charities and groups who support those who are homeless (this year’s list is below). Each year we hear of how much this simple scheme means to those who receive the gift cards and greeting and how precious they are.
In a time of increasing worries and concerns about finance, food, fuel and well being this year, we hope to be able to share this precious gift and greeting with as many as we can.
If you would like to make a donation please send your Christmas Card (in an unsealed envelope) and gift cards to: The Deanery office, St Faith’s Church, Crasswell Street, Portsmouth, PO1 1HT or alternatively the Cathedral Offices marked 'Comfort and Joy 2022'. To pay by BACS please contact The Deanery Office for details, Cheques should be made payable to St Mary’s PCC.
Friends Coffee Morning - Tuesday 13 December
All are welcome to join the Friends of Portsmouth Cathedral for a coffee morning on Tuesday 13 December from 11:00am until 12.30pm, in Becket Hall. £5 per person.
The Roberts Centre - Family Friends Appeal
This year the Roberts Centre are once again looking for Family Friends to support those less fortunate this Christmas. Those who wish to contribute will be given basic details of the family they are supporting, and gifts will be distributed during the week beginning 12 December. You can choose how many people you would like to support, and can also donate supermarket food vouchers for Christmas dinners.
If you would like to contribute to the Family Friends appeal, please emailTara.Couper@robertscentre.org.uk for further information.
Worship & visiting
Portsmouth Cathedral is open daily for prayer, services and visiting. Booking is not required for services, unless otherwise indicated. You can find out more about visiting on our website, where you can also download orders of service.
No Choral Evensong – Monday 12 to Friday 16 December
From Monday 12, to Friday 16 December there will not be an Evensong service at 5:45pm, as we will be hosting a number of school carol services at this time. We appreciate your understanding, and welcome you to join us for another one of our services throughout the week.
Prayers and Intercessions
We remember the following for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community: Alan, Jean, Richard, Nina, Lucy, Beverley, Jill, Alistair, Gerald, Babs, Chris, Hermione, Marilyn, Martyn and all those in need.
Long-term sick including: Edward, Suzy, Andrew, Peter, Graeme, Sarah, Izzy, Clifford, Christopher, Alison, Jane, Rachel and John.
We pray for those who have died recently:
Georgina Affleck-Graves, Judith Smith, Professor David Price (funeral 15 Dec 2pm), Trevor Mitchell, Pat Darbin, Alan Collier, Shirley Coward (funeral 5 Jan 2pm), John Wilkinson 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 pastoral@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk or leave a message via phone on 023 9282 3300.
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