Weekly Notices | 15 January 2023
A reflection from Canon Jo
Our Cathedral Choirs started back last week after their Christmas break, and the schools have started a new term and a new year. Yet already, I wonder if you might be feeling that 2023 is getting a bit out of kilter, perhaps, with strikes and rising prices and heavy storms at home, as well as renewed conflict in Ukraine. And as a Cathedral community, we have lost some valued friends recently and there have been funerals and bereavements sadly even in this first fortnight of January.
The phrase ‘Age of Anxiety’ captures well the prevailing mood that some are experiencing this to be. The Age of Anxiety was the title of a long poem by W. H. Auden written after World War II as he reflected on our longing for identity and meaning in an increasingly dislocated world.
On Sunday evening, at our Epiphany Carol service, we will be hearing the words of W. H. Auden from an earlier work written during the second World War. ‘For The Time Being’, subtitled ‘A Christmas Oratorio’ explores questions of faith and hope when confronted by war and uncertainty. Auden himself had rediscovered faith shortly before he wrote this dramatic piece, and it speaks to those who are going through a time of struggle and challenge.
So do come to the Epiphany Carol service this Sunday evening, 15 January at 5:45pm. Come to enjoy the beautiful singing of our Cathedral Choir (boy choristers) and hear again the Epiphany story of the Magi’s journey to worship the Child who represents new hope for us and our whole world. And come to reflect deeply on what certainties we can hold on to, and what anxieties we can sit light to, through the weeks and months ahead.
In Auden’s words, the Kings tell of what they hoped for on their journey: may we travel in faith like them.
The first King:
To discover how to be truthful now
is the reason I follow this star.
The second King:
To discover how to be loving now
is the reason I follow this star.
The third King:
To discover how to be living now
is the reason I follow this star.
All three Kings:
To discover how to be human now
is the reason I follow this star.
The Reverend Canon Jo Spreadbury,
Canon Precentor
Dates for your diary…
Epiphany Carols - 15 Jan
The God Delusion by Richard Dawkins - Cathedral Institute - 16 Jan
Annual Muslim Christian Evening 2023 - 17 Jan
Parish Lunch Club - 23 Jan
Faith in the City by Archbishop’s Commission on Urban Priority Areas - Cathedral Institute - 23 Jan
Yoga at the Cathedral - 28 Jan
International LEGO® Day Trail - 28 Jan
Candlemas Carols | Christmas 2022 - 29 Jan
Create Your Story - National Storytelling Week - 30 Jan–5 Feb
Community News
We're getting ready to welcome some new arrivals to the Cathedral for International LEGO® Day.
Trail and hands-on activities celebrate the humble LEGO® brick!
Bring the whole family and discover hidden figures as you explore the beautiful Portsmouth Cathedral through a fun and interactive LEGO® themed trail. The trail is open 28 January from 12pm to 3pm and it is completely free to participate.
Read more →
National Storytelling Week at Portsmouth Cathedral
Portsmouth Cathedral invites visitors to celebrate National Storytelling Week by creating their own personal story within the walls of the historic Cathedral. From January 30 to February 5, four stations will be set up around the Cathedral where visitors can draw inspiration from the building and prompts provided to create their own unique story.
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Volunteer Thank You Coffee, Tea and Chat
Please join us for a thank you to all those who helped at the Christmas Fair. Coffee, tea, biscuits, and a chat on Wednesday 25 January at 12:30pm in Becket Hall.
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Azariah France-Williams in conversation with the Dean at Portsmouth Cathedral
Portsmouth Cathedral is excited to announce that Azariah France-Williams, author of 'Ghost Ship: Institutional Racism and the Church of England', will be joining the Dean of Portsmouth for an ‘in-conversation’ event at the Cathedral on Saturday, 11 February at 4:00pm.
12th Portsmouth Cathedral Brownies 100th Birthday
The Brownie group who meet at the Cathedral are turning 100 in 2023. The group are hoping to locate those who used to be 12th Portsmouth Cathedral Brownies and might have photos or other memorabilia of their time there and are asking for help to do this. Do you or do you know someone who could help and would be willing for the Brownies of 2023 to see their photos or other memorabilia? If so please get in touch by emailing portsmouthcathedralbrownies@outlook.com
Royal honour for cathedral pioneer
She has inspired generations of children to explore the heritage and history of Portsmouth Cathedral – and still contributes hugely to its life in retirement.
Now Rosemary Fairfax has been honoured in the King’s first New Year’s Honours list, as she receives a British Empire Medal for her services to the cathedral and community.
Read more →
Yoga back at Portsmouth Cathedral
Portsmouth Cathedral is excited to announce the return of yoga sessions led by Kat Waters throughout 2023. Following the overwhelmingly positive response to the "Yoga in the Wild Cathedral" in Summer 2022, these classes will offer the opportunity for participants to enjoy the benefits of yoga in a beautiful and peaceful setting.
Read more and book online →
Portsmouth Cathedral Institute launch 2023 programme of lectures, workshops, and talks
The Portsmouth Cathedral Institute is home to high quality research and public debate about the most important questions of ethics, the common good and human flourishing as they relate to the city of Portsmouth. A new programme of events for 2023 has now been announced with the return of the popular ‘Six Works’ series, as well as our 2023 Dolling Lecture, and a new Poetry Day event.
See more and book online →
Annual Muslim Christian Evening – 17 January
Our annual Muslim Christian Evening, now in its 28th year, will be held on 17 January 2023 at 7:15pm. The Cathedral's annual gathering with our friends from the Wessex Jamaat and from across the city has been held online for the last two years, but in 2023 it will return in person. Do join us for readings, music, reflections, and a shared meal and conversation. Our theme will be 'Vocation in Everyday Life'. Please bring an item of vegetarian food to contribute to the meal, if you can.
Shop January Sale
Christmas 2023 will be here before you know it! Take advanatge of knock down prices on Christmas card packs, wrapping paper and other festive items. Birthday and other special events coming up? Have a look at our range of discounted gifts. Limited stock only so don't delay.
Don’t forget to join us for our Annual Muslim Christian Evening this Tuesday (17 Jan) 7:15pm.
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.
Prayers and Intercessions
We remember the following for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community: Jean, Alan, Alistair, Lucy, Babs, Chris, Martyn, Tom, Beverley, Jude, Don, Rosemary and all those in need.
Long-term sick including: Edward, Peter, Graeme, Sarah, Izzy, Clifford, Alison, Jane, Jill, Suzy, Andrew, Rachel, John and Richard.
We pray for those who have died recently, including: Richard Buswell, Shirley Coward, Sheila Downing (Cathedral Funeral Monday 23 January 2:30pm), John Friars and Diana Villar 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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