Weekly Notices | 3 November 2024
A reflection from Kitty Price
I am not a morning person. There are two phrases at the start of Morning Prayer that I find particularly powerful and help me with my daily struggle. The first is “The night has passed, and the day lies open before us”, and the second is, “As we rejoice in the gift of this new day.” For many, the colder weather coupled with putting the clocks back an hour brings on melancholy, when you might ponder the inevitability of time passing. Some of you may even experience seasonal affected disorder. You might need to remind yourself to rejoice in the gift of each new day.
For me, it is the opposite. I love autumn and winter. I think part of this is because of my Danish and Scottish heritage. I’m never enthusiastic about getting out of bed, but I come alive when most people are looking longingly at photos from summer holidays in hot places.
On Advent Sunday we start a new Church year. All change! I reached my half century in April, and I’m trying to do some different things with the days that lie open before me. One of them is a bit of solo travel.
One of my favourite memories of Joan Eddings was bumping into her at Helsinki airport a few years ago when she went to visit her daughter. We were very excited about it, but Joan was nonchalant as it was just another bit of independent travel.
David wrote his reflections last week up a French alp while I stayed at home with his father and the dogs. By the time you read this, I will be doing Joan proud by undertaking my first solo international trip. I am visiting Aarhus, the second city of Denmark, where my great grandfather, Skat Hoffmeyer, was bishop during WWII. His name was Christian, but he was nicknamed Skat, which means ‘sweetie’, ‘honey’ or ‘treasure’, and so he changed his name to include it. He was also a published expert on butterflies and moths. I’m sure it doesn’t surprise you to know I come from a long line of eccentrics!
A short trip to Denmark isn’t as adventurous as one of our nephews, who is playing cricket in Australia, but I rejoice at my rich family legacy of Lutheran pastors and the chance to try out my basic Danish language in a place where I am a relative stranger but also feel at home.
Kitty Price
Cathedral Reader
Dates for your diary…
All Souls’ Requiem – 2 November, at 5:45pm – 6:45pm
All Souls’ Remembering service – 3 November, at 5:45pm – 6:45pm
The Word is Near – 4 November, at 10:30am – 11:30am
Lunch Club – 4 November, at 12:00pm – 2:30pm
Lunchtime Live Performance - Margot's Musicians – 7 November, at 1:10pm – 2:00pm
Portsmouth Authors Collective Book Signings - Loree Westron – 8 November, at 10:00am – 2:00pm
Community News
Remembering loved ones
Our annual All Souls' services will take place this weekend on Saturday 2 November at 5:45pm and Sunday 3 November at 5:45pm.
On Saturday a Requiem Eucharist will be offered, and the beautiful Fauré Requiem will be sung by the Cathedral Consort. On Sunday there will be a less formal non-Eucharistic Service of Remembering with the Cathedral Consort singing reflective and uplifting music alongside readings and poems. Families have been invited for whom we have conducted the funeral or memorial service of a loved one in the past year. The names of the departed will be read out at both services - and everyone will be able to light a candle if they wish.
All who have lost someone special are welcome to ask for their names to be remembered – there will be a list in the Cathedral welcome area – and to come along to take part, as we pray for them and give thanks for their lives.
There will also be a Requiem on Sunday 10 November at 5:45pm for Remembrance Sunday, with the Duruflé Requiem sung by the Cathedral Choir (Boy Choristers). The names of the departed will not be read out on this occasion, but all will be invited to light a candle before the start of the service.
Tickets Now On Sale for Grand Georgian Christmas!
We are thrilled to announce that tickets are now available for the much-anticipated Grand Georgian Christmas concert, presented by Gabrieli and ROAR. Join us for a magical evening of music on 27 November at 7:00pm in the stunning setting of Portsmouth Cathedral.
This concert will transport you back to the Georgian era, celebrating the rich musical heritage of the time. Expect a delightful programme filled with beautiful choral pieces and instrumental works that evoke the spirit of Christmas, featuring hundereds of young singers from local schools around the area.
Don’t miss your chance to experience this unique festive event! Tickets can be purchased directly from the Gabrieli website here.
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.
Congregational Lunch - 24 November
Please note, and save the date in your diaries, that the next Congregational Lunch will be on Sunday 24 November - the Sunday before Advent begins!
We will be offering Cottage Pie and Apple Crumble (with vegetarian, vegan and dietary options as requested). There will be a sign-up form available soon - but please keep the date free for now. It will be an informal opportunity, we hope, to offer our appreciation and best wishes to Canon Anthony and his family before his formal farewells the following week.
Please let Canon Jo or Rachael know if you might be willing to cook a dish to bring, once we know numbers, or help on the day, or contribute in any other way.
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…
Read more here.
Fancy John Lewis Shopping Spree?
Raffle tickets are now available for this year’s Cathedral Christmas Fair Raffle! Grab some early from the Cathedral Shop and be in with a chance of winning £100 worth of John Lewis Vouchers!
Read more here.
Friends Newsletter
The Autumn Newsletter has been mailed to members of the Friends. The Newsletter includes interesting articles on the AGM, the successful Quiz Night hosted by the Coastal Family Kitchen and news about upcoming Friends events including the Coffee Morning on 5 December when the speaker will be Andrew Gant - author of ‘Deck the Hall’ (an anthology of all the best Advent and Christmas carols well known to us all). All welcome.
Learn more about how to join here.
Choir Update
Our choirs are return from their two week Half Term break this weekend, and daily Evensong starts up again from Monday.
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.
Saturday 2 November - All Souls’ Day (Commemoration of the Faithful Departed)
5:45pm - Eucharist for All Souls sung by the Cathedral Consort
Sunday 3 November - All Saints' Sunday
8:00am - Holy Communion
9:30am - #Pompey Sundays Eucharist
11:00am - Choral Eucharist sung by the Lay Clerks and Choral Scholars
1:00pm - Baptism
5:45pm - Service of Remembering sung by the Cathedral Consort
8:00pm - Taizé Service
Prayers & Intercessions
We pray for Charlotte who was baptised on Sunday.
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: Sue Marklew (Cathedral service of Thanksgiving and Celebration 2:00pm Wednesday 20 November), Julian Litten, Robert Willis, Joan Eddings, Marc Stanley, 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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