Weekly Notices | 12 February 2023
A reflection from Canon Nick
This week the General Synod of the Church of England met and discussed the possibility of holding a service of Prayer and Dedication after Civil Marriage for same sex couples. It was inevitably contentious, but the result was a clear vote in favour in all houses (Bishops, Clergy, Laity). While for many of us that may not feel like enough, it is nevertheless a huge and significant step forward, and not the last word. There is further work to do on this but the important thing, whatever our position on it should happen to be, is to understand that what we say and do must first of all be done with love, care, and compassion. That has not always been the case in the past and for that we must repent so it is fortunate that Lent is coming up in a week and half to help us (Ash Wednesday is 22 February).
This Sunday, 12 February, is Racial Justice Sunday and we are delighted to be welcoming The Revd Azariah France-Williams to preach at the 11:00am Cathedral Eucharist. (He is also speaking at 4:00pm on Saturday 11 February in conversation with the Dean.) In 2020 he wrote the book: Ghost Ship: Institutional Racism and the Church of England (SCM), “an insider account” of the Church’s relationship with its “black and brown” clergy”. He himself has been ordained for 13 years, “serving the communities, doing all the rites of passage, living the life of a parish priest” and is currently Rector of The Ascension, Hulme, in the Diocese of Manchester where imagination, questions, justice, beauty and hospitality are their particular values. Writing the book, he says, was “a journey of discovery”, as he found out how many others had had the same experience as him of being “not seen, not heard”.
The Church of England has long struggled with the issue of racism generally and within its own ranks particularly. This is nowhere clearer than in the 2021 report From Lament to Action – the report of the Archbishops’ Anti-Racism Taskforce. In its introduction, the taskforce states that it had ‘identified 25 previous reports relating to racial justice which had been presented to the General Synod of the Church of England in the past 36 years with the clear implication that they had made little impact. This report sets out clear actions in a number of priority areas, with a timetable for implementation. Some of those recommendations are already overdue. We could do better, much better, so it is again fortunate that Lent is coming up in a week and half to help us. Where we have got it wrong, we need to repent, but true repentance involves turning away from sin and doing it right instead. Repentance without action is meaningless and it is a responsibility that rests on all of us without exception.
The Reverend Canon Nick Ralph,
Residentiary Canon
Dates for your diary…
Ghost Ship: Institutional Racism and the Church of England - Azariah France-Williams - 11
His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman - Cathedral Institute - 13 Feb
Yoga at the Cathedral - 18 Feb
Parish Lunch Club - 20 Feb
After Virtue by Alasdair MacIntyre - Cathedral Institute - 20 Feb
Shrove Tuesday Social - 21 Feb
Ash Wednesday: Holy Communion - 22 Feb
Ash Wednesday: Midday Holy Communion - 22 Feb
Ash Wednesday: Eucharist with Sung Litany and Imposition of Ashes - 22 Feb
Community News
Attendees at the Anna Chaplaincy event held at the Cathedral | Photos by Diocese of Portsmouth
Racial Justice Sunday – 12 February
This weekend we’re pleased to be welcoming Azariah France-Williams to the Cathedral, who will speaking with the Dean at an ‘in-conversation’ event on Saturday, as well as preaching at our 11:00am Eucharist on Sunday. Additionally, Azariah will be joining our 9:30am#PompeySundaysfor music and discussion.
Lent, Holy Week and Easter at the Cathedral
Lent, Holy Week and Easter are some of the most important and meaningful times of the year for Christians, and Portsmouth Cathedral is the perfect place to celebrate and reflect on these special moments. Our Cathedral offers a range of services and events to help you connect with your faith and community during this time.
Some of the highlights of our Lent, Holy Week and Easter programme including our Lent Group, can be found below, you’ll also be able to see our full programme of services and events on our website, and in our printed brochure available from the Cathedral soon.
Lent Course: Christ and the Chocolaterie
Come and enjoy our Lent course, written by Hilary Brand and based on the film 'Chocolat', exploring big issues about God, the world, and what it means to be human.
The course will run for five Tuesdays, 28 February–28 March inclusive, from 7:00pm–9:00pm in Becket Hall (except the final session, which will be in the Andrewes Room). A vegetarian meal will be served each week.
Please sign-up here. The course is free of charge (donations for supper welcome but entirely optional), and the course books are available from the Cathedral Shop. If you have any questions please feel free to get in touch withCanon Kathryn.
Shrove Tuesday Screening: ‘Chocolat’ - 21 February, 7:00pm–9:00pm
Before we start our Lent course (see above), come and enjoy delicious pancakes while watching the film on which it's based - 'Chocolat', starring Juliette Binoche, Johnny Depp, and Judi Dench. All welcome, whether or not you can attend the course.
'Chocolat', based on the novel by Joanne Harris, tells the story of Vianne Rocher, who arrives, with her six-year-old daughter Anouk, in a small French village at the beginning of Lent, and opens a chocolaterie. Soon, she and her chocolate start to influence the villagers in unexpected ways. (Certificate 12).
Book a free ticket →
Two Canons of Honour helping us start Lent
Two of our Canons of Honour, the Revd Canon Angela Tilby and the Revd Canon David Lindsay, are preaching for us to get Lent at Portsmouth Cathedral off to a really good start. On Ash Wednesday at the 5:45pm Eucharist with sung Litany and the imposition of ashes, the sermon will be given by Canon Angela. On the First Sunday of Lent, Sunday 26 February, the sermon at the 11:00am Eucharist will be given by Canon David Lindsay.
Come to hear them, as we reflect together at the start of Lent on how we may follow more closely in the steps of Christ through this holy season.
Lent Sermon Series: Now is the Healing Time
A sermon series on healing and hope will be preached on Sundays in Lent, at our 5:45pm Choral Evensong services. Our Assistant (PtO) Clergy will offer their wisdom and insight on Lenten themes of Healing, as part of the series ‘Now is the Healing Time’.
Read more `→
Lent Confirmation Classes
Confirmation classes will be held this Lent on Sundays at 3-4pm in the Bishop Kenneth Room, from 26 February - 2 April inclusive. This will be a mixed class for adults and young people.
Read more →
Portsmouth Cathedral Choir Tour to Sweden
Our Cathedral Choir is in Sweden! Portsmouth Cathedral Choir has a long and fascinating tradition of touring in Europe. Our trip to Sweden this weekend is our 30thtour, after a cancelled trip to Poland in 2020 due to the pandemic!
Read more →
Christian Aid DEC Turkey-Syria Earthquake Appeal
On Monday 6 February, an initial magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit in southern Turkey close to the border with northern Syria. A second 7.5-magnitude earthquake struck 9 hours later, with aftershocks following. Christian Aid has been working with local partners across the region for decades and responding to the Syria crisis since 2012, they continue to work with and support the communities in the affected areas of this recent earthquake.
The response to humanitarian needs in Ukraine has been remarkable. We must also live up to our commitments to those impacted by the earthquake in Turkey and Syria.
To save lives and give people hope,please donate what you can today →
Solent Symphony Orchestra to bring Spring to Life with Classical Music Extravaganza – Saturday 4 March
The Solent Symphony Orchestra invites music lovers to its upcoming Spring Classics Concert at Portsmouth's historic Cathedral (Saturday 4 March). Featuring the talented Alexandra Peel, winner of the 2022 Portsmouth Music Festival Concerto Award, this is sure to be a musical extravaganza.
Read more →
Book online →
Fairtrade Breakfast – Sunday 19 February
All are welcome to join us for an annual Fairtrade breakfast (ahead of Lent), where once again Fairtrade products will be used for some tasty breakfast treats, after services on Sunday 19 February.
This year as well as the usual croissants, toast, spreads, tea, coffee, hot chocolate, and juice, we will also be providing pancakes with various fillings!
Save the date in your diary - Sunday, 19 February, taking place at 8:30am, 10:00am and after the 11:00am service. Donations from the breakfast will be shared between the Cathedral and the Fairtrade Foundation.
Cathedrals Measure - Nominations Committee
Portsmouth Cathedral has begun the planning to implement the Cathedrals Measure (2021) at the end of 2023. This brings cathedrals under Charity Commission regulation and strengthens governance and operational frameworks.
In due course the Cathedral will have a new Constitution and Statutes under which the Cathedral’s trustee body will be Chapter. One of the aims of the Measure is that the membership of Chapter should bring together individuals with a broad range of skills, knowledge, expertise and experience to bring in best practice of strategic leadership for the Cathedral and lead the Cathedral in being transparent and accountable. The new Chapter will be supported by a number of subsidiary committees, one of which will be a new Nominations Committee, chaired by Sir David Normington, which will advise on the recruitment of non-executive members of the new Chapter along with other Chapter Committees.
Read more →
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 look forward to welcoming the choir Chorus ad Vincula who will be leading our worship this weekend (Friday to Sunday) whilst our Cathedral Choir is in Sweden. Please note that there are no Choral Service Monday to Friday of next week as this is Half Term.
Prayers and Intercessions
We remember in our prayers all those affected by the Turkey-Syria Earthquake.
We remember the following for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community: Alistair, Lucy, Chris, Martyn, Tom, Beverley, Jude, Don, Jean, Alan, Mags, Rosemary, Margaret and all those in need.
Long-term sick including: Edward, Peter, Graeme, Sarah, Alison, Jane, Jill, Suzy, Andrew, Rachel, John, Babs and Richard.
We pray for those who have died recently, including: Diana Villar, John Friars , Arthur Bailey (Funeral at Cathedral Tuesday 23 February 2:45pm), Roy Stickland, Margaret (Marnie) Linington, Rosemary (Rosie) Wilson and Jean Wilsdon 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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