A reflection from Catherine Edenborough

The day after returning from holiday, I'd booked to go to a work event in Glasgow.  Kind of crazy, but I really wanted to go, even if it meant getting up at 4am to get to Heathrow.

At that time, every minute counts and when the taxi driver arrived early, I hurriedly put the last things in my bag and got in the car. 

We chatted for a while, then 20 minutes up the road, I looked for my phone... and realised it was on charge in the lounge.

Aarrggh! 

The sense of panic was visceral. 

The taxi driver said we could go back, but I might miss the flight, so we carried on. 

I frantically thought how I would cope without it. I had printed my boarding pass and knew the address of the venue, so at least I could get there.

I was due to meet another participant at the airport whom I only had on WhatsApp.  I tried to connect my laptop to the taxi’s wifi to find her on Facebook.  I studied her blurry profile picture hoping to recognise her at the departure gate.

Waiting at the gate, I couldn't help but notice everyone else on their phones.  I looked in vain for my fellow participant.
 
On the plane, people had their heads down looking at their phones - even during take-off and landing. 

On arrival I decided not to take the airport bus into town but opted for a taxi to take me straight to the venue - my brain persuading me that because I didn't have Maps on my phone, I couldn’t possibly find my way once in the city. Of course, I could have asked the bus driver where to get off, and then asked in the street for directions, but that didn't cross my mind.

Once there, people were so kind and thought to make sure I knew where to go.

I began to notice my brain had more space to relax and think.

Next day on the way home, my husband was to meet me at the train station, and I wondered how I would let him know which train I was on. On the platform at Woking ,after a short-lived hope that an ancient  BT phone box might still be working, I explained my situation to one of the station staff. "Here, use my phone," he said.  I called and all was well. Why am I telling you all this? After the initial shock, I decided the only way to deal with it was to embrace the experience. 

It made me realise:

🤔 My attention is drawn so often to the screen that I miss what is going on around me.  The phone becomes a filter through which I experience life.
🤔 I rely on it too much for all kinds of things.
🤔 I miss out on human interactions.  I would never have received the kindness of the station man if I'd had my phone.
🤔 But most important of all – I wonder if I put so much trust in my phone, how is that subtly affecting my reliance upon God?

Of course, phones are useful, essential even, in today’s world.  I would not be without one, but I feel challenged to use it differently, to be more present to the people and things around me, and where God is in them.

The Revd Catherine Edenborough
Cathedral Curate  

Dates for your diary…

• Portsmouth Authors Collective Book Signings - Chris Blackwater – 22 October, at 10:00am – 12:00pm

• The Word is Near – 23 October, at 10:30am – 11:30am

• Portsmouth Authors Collective Book Signings - Steve Sheppard – 24 October, at 10:00am – 1:00pm

• Half Term Family Activities – Saints and Lights – 29 October, at 9:30am – 11:30am

• The Word is Near – 30 October, 10:30am – 11:30am

Community News 

The Great South Run this coming Sunday

 
As I write this, the day of the Great South Run is fast approaching, and the weather forecast is not great. If it does turn out to be both windy and wet, I shall be especially sustained by the generosity of those who have been kind enough to sponsor me in raising money for the National Deaf Children’s Society (NDCS). I’m aware of at least seven other members of the Cathedral Community taking part, so do think of us and perhaps come out to cheer us on – even if it is raining! A number of people have asked me for my race number so that they can track me via the ‘Great Run’ app: it is 10751. I think you can also search for participants by name and see how they are doing.   
 
If there are any final sponsors out there, that would be hugely appreciated.  My fundraising page can be found here.
 
Dean Anthony
 

Gaza Appeal

 
There is an opportunity to donate to Christian Aid's Gaza Emergency Appeal at the Cathedral. We are all aware of the desperate need for food, shelter and medical help for millions of displaced people in the Gaza Strip. Emergency Appeal envelopes for cash or cheques and a QR code for online giving are available in the Welcome Area and at the north door. Please fill in the gift aid form if possible, include it with your gift and put the sealed envelope into a collection box. 

You can view the Christian Aid Gaza appeal here.

Thank you!
 

Choir BBC Music Magazine recording

Cathedral Choir and Royal Marines Band records cover disc for BBC Music Magazine Christmas edition.
 
After last week's busy weekend of services the Cathedral Choir stayed behind on three nights to record Advent and Christmas Carols for the December edition of The BBC Music Magazine. We recorded 18 beautiful carols and featured a Brass Quintet from the Band of His Majesty's Royal Marines in three of them.
 
The BBC Magazine has a huge readership and is distributed world-wide and so we were delighted to have been selected to be the featured choir for 2024.

See video here.
 

Changes to services - Sunday 20 October (Great South Run)

 
Please note due to the Great South Run, visiting to the Cathedral may be impacted. Both #PompeySunday at 9:30am and the 11:00am Eucharist will also not be taking place, but there will be a 5:45pm Sung Eucharist taking place instead. Our shop will also be closed all day on this date, but you can continue to shop online.

See road closures and other changes here.
 

Remembering loved ones

Our annual All Souls' services will take place on Saturday 2 November at 5:45pm and Sunday 3 November at 5:45pm.
 
On Saturday 2, a Requiem Eucharist will be offered, and the beautiful Fauré Requiem will be sung by the Cathedral Consort. On Sunday 3 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.
 

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 9.30 to 11.30 and 1.30 to 3.30. 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!

Pet Service

 
Last Sunday, the Cathedral held a Pet Blessing Service, followed by tea, cakes, and treats! We were delighted to welcome over 80 people and their pets - from large dogs to a very tiny stick insect. Each Pet received a special blessing from a member of our ministry team! We enjoyed a short act of worship, with readings and prayers beautifully led my some of the children from our Cathedral
  

Cathedral Institute lecture on Faith, Social Justice and the American Election 

 
The Cathedral Institute was privileged to host a distinguished American visitor on 10 October: Professor Stephen Schneck from the US Commission on International Religious Freedom. He spoke about Faith, Social Justice and the American election. The clarity of his presentation, viewing faith and public policy through the prism of prioritising the poorest, was followed by an exceptional question and answer session with those who had come to hear him. Ranging from the state of democracy to conspiracy theories, migration, contemporary violence and just war theory, the questions were heartfelt and Professor Schneck’s responses thoughtful and penetrating. The opportunity to share reflections on some of the biggest issues in the world today was clearly much appreciated, and we are very grateful to Professor Francis Davis, and the diocesan Council for Social Responsibility, for enabling the lecture to take place.  
  

Charity Event in aid of The Friends

 
Congratulations to The Dean's Dynamo's who came joint third in the Charity Curry and Quiz Night held on Monday at The Tenth Hole by the Coastal Dining Group.  The sold-out evening included challenging and enjoyable quizzing and raised £1000 for the Friends of Portsmouth Cathedral.  Thank you to the Coastal Dining Group for their generousity in supporting the Friends in this way. For more information about the Friends and membership please our website here.
 

Help Us, To Help You

If you are one of our valued Volunteers you will have received two important emails from our new system ChurchSuite in the past week. The first was an invitation to login to ChurchSuite and the second was regarding Safeguarding Training.  If you are also on a rota, you may have had emails regarding that as well. 
 
To see more view the full blog story here.

Changing of the light bulbs

Light bulbs in the Cathedral will be replaced as required on Friday, 18 October 2024. This before the clocks go back on 27 October.
 
A further replacement will take place shortly before Christmas.

Out and About

Canon Anthony is taking services at Hayling Island this Sunday as part of the Cathedral’s ongoing support and outreach to the Diocese. 

The Malus Jelly King shares its bounty again

 
You may not be aware but in the Memorial Garden is a Malus Jelly King Crab Apple Tree…
 
This tree was donated by Tracy Reid in remembrance of her husband Frank.  Frank was elected as a Cathedral Churchwarden in 2005 and served for several years in this role and many others. Chris Lovett has once again turned the fruit from this tree into a wonderful Crab Apple Jelly, as you can see in the picture above.  We thought it would be lovely to add a jar of “Churchwarden’s Crab Apple Jelly” to a Luncheon Hamper, as a raffle prize in this year’s Christmas Fair. By the way, there are now only 64 sleeps until the Christmas Fair…
 
Which means there is lots to do.  Ann Wilson has kindly said that she is happy to run the Chocolate Tombola again this year and we are grateful for any donations of chocolate which can be given to Ann, or dropped into the Cathedral office.   The other task which needs focusing on early is gathering raffle prizes, particularly the key prizes which feature on the printed raffle tickets.  If you work for or run a business that is able to sponsor or donate a prize, please get in touch.  Thank you!
 
Your help with this year’s fair is much needed and there are many ways to contribute towards this fundraising event.  If you would like to volunteer to help organise the event or give a few hours on the day, then please email volunteer@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk
 
Save the date - Portsmouth Cathedral Christmas Fair 11am Saturday 7 December.
  

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 20 October – Twenty-First Sunday after Trinity
8:00am – Holy Communion - Book of Common Prayer
Great South Run takes places this morning
NO #Pompey Sundays                                                          
NO 11:00am Eucharist                                                    
5:45pm – Eucharist - Congregational

Prayers & Intercessions

We remember the following for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community:  Sue, Margaret, 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: Betty, Alistair, Alison, Jill, Suzy, Spencer, Richard, Rosy, Philip, Mathai, Graeme, Muriel and Geraldine.
 
We remember those who have died recently, including: Marc Stanley, Philippa O'Brien, Joan Eddings (Cathedral Memorial service 11:00am Monday 28 October), Alistair Bruce (interment of ashes Tuesday 22 October at 11:30am), John Jarvis, and Wendy. RIP.

Joan Eddings MBE

Memorial service for Joan will be held at 11:00am on Monday, 28 October all are welcome.

 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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