Weekly Notices | 27 October 2024
A reflection from Dr David Price
I’m writing these reflections halfway up an Alp. My view is of village nestled between two ranges of mountains. At this time of year, the predominant feature is of changing trees. The conifers dull a little in colour and still drop their cones, but the deciduous trees are of course a riot of autumnal yellows and reds; the fading greens just an echo of summer heat.
And thus nature signals the changing season just as our own liturgical year at the cathedral takes a final few turns into Remembrancetide before Christ The King herald his own Advent retelling.
As ever, there are a number of opportunities to make our own remembrances at cathedral services in early November at All Souls and at on Remembrance Sunday. Please see the separate notices about these services and fill in the forms in the Welcome Area.
Tickets will soon be on sale for our 2024 Gabrieli ROAR concert on 27 Nov at 7pm when we shall welcome nearly 250 children to sing alongside the Cathedral Choir and The Gabrieli Consort. Be sure to book soon!
But before all this we are pleased to welcome the Choir of Melbourne Parish Church who will sing Saturday Evensong and Sunday services this weekend whilst the Cathedral Choir is on half term.
And now the sun’s declining rays’ usher me back indoors - a Tartiflette awaits!
Dr David Price
Organist & Master of the Choristers
Dates for your diary…
Half Term Family Activities – Saints and Lights – 29 October, at 9:30am – 11:30am
The Word is Near – 30 October, at 10:30am – 11:30am
All Souls’ Requiem – 2 November, at 5:45pm – 6:45pm
All Souls’ Remembering service
– 3 November, at 5:45pm – 6:45pmThe Word is Near – 4 November, at 10:30am – 11:30am
Lunch Club – 4 November, at 12:00pm – 2:30pm
Community News
Great South Run Update
The Great South Run may have been cancelled because of Storm Ashley, but many of the runners did it anyway, despite the weather conditions. As a first timer, I was grateful to be able to run with Ruth Charles from our congregation, who was very familiar with the route. The photograph is what we looked like at the end! The toughest section was definitely that last bit along the seafront, battling with a strong headwind all the way to the finish. Although I was deeply disappointed by the cancellation, the camaraderie on the day from the other runners (and the wider public) went a long way as compensation.
I am really pleased to have completed the run in this way, making the best of the circumstances, especially because if I hadn’t, I would have felt I had let down the many who generously sponsored me in raising money for the National Deaf Children’s Society. Thank you so much to all of you who did so.
Dean Anthony
Half Term Family Activities
During half term we will be running some half term family activities in the Cathedral. The activities will run on Tuesday 29 and Wednesday 30 October from 9.30am to 11.30am, and 1.30am to 3.30pm. Our theme will be Saints and Lights. They will be a trail to follow to find the “hidden” saints and some craft activities in the Nave including making a clay tealight holder and paper lanterns. Why not join us? Drop in, no booking is required, and it is free!
Meet the Dean – 11 November
Come and meet Dean Anthony, at our new quarterly opportunity for members of the Cathedral community to meet over a cup of tea or coffee.
Takes place on 11 November at 12:00pm
For All The Saints
From this weekend there will be a display in the ambulatory of images of saints down the centuries from different backgrounds and traditions. As part of Black History Month and through the season of All Saints to Advent, these images will remind us of the lives of holy people throughout the ages whose origins were non-European and whose stories of faith can give insight today into our diverse Christian heritage. Do come to have a look and reflect and pray.
Christmas Fair 2024 – Getting Stuck In!
Would you like to help our Christmas Fair run smoothly? We need volunteers to help with setup on Friday 6 December and to run a variety of stalls on Saturday 7 December. But there are lots of other ways you can help in this crucial fundraising event…
As well as helping to run popular stalls such as the Cakes, Jam & Preserves, Chocolate Tombola and the Raffle among others, there are many tasks to complete before the day such as; wrapping of the Santa’s Grotto presents, sourcing raffle prizes, inventing new games for the children to try, labelling items for the tombola stalls and helping to promote the event, to name but a few! Don’t forget that all the stalls rely on donations so please get stuck into making Cakes, Jams, Preserves & Pickles (Canon Jo has been getting stuck in making Green Tomato Chutney) or have a look around at home for unwanted Children’s toys, Paperback Fiction Books, Jigsaws, Homeware, Glass & China, Chocolate, Bottles of Spirits, Wine and Fizz, Jewellery & Scarves, as well as unused toiletries. Donations for stalls will be collected from Monday 2 December.
Chocolate Tombola donations are needed as early as possible so that they can be labelled. Please hand donations to Ann Wilson, Rachael or hand them into the office.
Raffle tickets will be on sale from Sunday 2nd November in our Cathedral Shop. Envelopes with three or four books of tickets will be available to take away to sell to family and friends. First prize this year is £100 worth of John Lewis vouchers! An anonymous donation gratefully received.
Please contact me if you have time to help in any way. As ever THANK YOU!!! I would be lost without all your amazing help and enthusiasm!
Save the date - Portsmouth Cathedral Christmas Fair 11am Saturday 7 December followed by Carols on the Green at 5.45pm. All proceeds from the Christmas Fair support the work and mission of Portsmouth Cathedral. Free to enter, donations gratefully received.
Contact Rachael
Choir Update
Our choirs are on a two week Half Term break. We welcome The Choir of Melbourne Parish Church to cover services this weekend (including Evensong on Saturday (54.5pm). Cathedral Consort returns to sing the Fauré Requiem for All Souls Day on 2nd November.
Works Update
Scaffolding was removed on Wednesday, 23 October marking the completion of this work to repoint the South Nave Wall and some additional work on the windows.
On 4 November, the window in the south porch and some panes in one of the windows in the South transept wall will be repaired after they were damaged in early October by vandals.
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.
Sunday 27 October – Last Sunday after Trinity
8:00am - Holy Communion Book of Common Prayer
9:30am - #PompeySundays
11:00am - Choral Eucharist sung by the Choir of Melbourne Parish Church
5:45pm - Choral Evensong (Eve of Simon and Jude, Apostles) sung by the Choir of Melbourne Parish Church
Prayers & Intercessions
We pray for and congratulate: Mat and Alex who were married here last Saturday.
We remember the following for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community: David, Margaret, Spencer, Pauline, Elizabeth, Chris, Tom, Gemma, Zoe, Paul, baby Joy (and her parents Tabitha and Tom) and all in need.
We continue to pray for the long-term sick, including: Alistair, Jill, Alison, Suzy, Richard, Rosy, Mathai, Philip, Graeme, Muriel and Geraldine.
We remember those who have died recently, including: Joan Eddings (Cathedral Memorial service 11am Monday 28 October), Marc Stanley, Sue Marklew, Julian Litten, Philippa O'Brien, John Jarvis, and Wendy. 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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