A reflection from Canon Nick

Some may already have heard the very sad news that Canon Jane Isaac died this week after a couple of years battling serious illness. David and Jane were members of the Cathedral community for over 20 years when David was a residentiary canon. Jane undertook ministerial training herself and was ordained here in 2014 and 2015. The Bishop recently made her an Honorary Canon in recognition of all her hard work. Our hearts go out to David and Thomas, and the parish of Shedfield and Wickham where she has been Rector since 2017. May she rest in peace.
 
It is notable that in the gospel reading for Sunday from Matthew, Jesus says those well-known words: “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few”. Jane was a labourer, as in fact are all of us. We all have a part to play in gathering the harvest both ordained and lay. It happens that at this time, we are particularly mindful of those to be ordained deacon and priest this year next Saturday (24thJune). Please pray for them all, for their families and the parishes in which they are, or will be, serving.
 
Some people’s service is in the area of music, and we are grateful for all they contribute. This week the Cathedral has received the great news that it will receive a further grant towards its musical work from the Cathedral Music Trust. This will be supporting particularly the work of the sub-organist and Cathedral matrons.
 
The harvest is still huge and we need more people to help gather it. What part could you play in helping to do that? What might God be asking you to do? If you want to explore this further, not just in relation to ordained ministry but any vocational area, then please feel free to have a conversation with any of the ministerial team.
 
The Reverend Canon Nick Ralph,
Residentiary Canon

Community News

This Saturday: A taste of the ocean at Seafood on the Green – 17 June

 
Join us for an unforgettable experience for seafood lovers, with a variety of locally sourced dishes and proceeds supporting the Portsmouth Cathedral Choir Association.
 
Taking place on the picturesque Cathedral Green, providing a stunning backdrop for the foodie festivities, with music including well known Sea Shanties. Take the opportunity to enjoy freshly prepared dishes, including seafood platters, pâtés and delicious desserts. There is something for everyone! 

Whether you’re a seafood aficionado or simply curious about trying something new, Seafood on the Green is the perfect opportunity to discover the unique flavours of the sea. All profits from the event go towards supporting the Portsmouth Cathedral Choir Association, so you can indulge in delicious food while supporting a worthy cause. 
 
It’s the perfect way to spend a summer day, don’t miss out on this opportunity to experience one of the highlights of Portsmouth’s foodie calendar. If you have already decided to come this year, then please fill out ourexpression of interest formand help us reduce food waste.  
  

A message from Canon Kathryn

 
“I and my family would like to thank everyone for such a beautiful send-off last Sunday.  From chats after the 8 am, to rainbows, blessings and cake at #PompeySundays, to a celebration of Barnabas the encourager at the 11, and beautiful music, followed by equally beautiful words and flowers, in the evening, it was a day to treasure.  Many thanks too, for the very generous gift, and for all the individual cards, messages, and presents, which mean such a lot.  I and we leave with full hearts, and send much love.”
 
Canon Kathryn
  

Windrush 75

 The Anglican Bishop of Kingston, from the Diocese of Jamaica, will be visiting Portsmouth over the weekend of 17 and 18 June. As part of his visit, Bishop Garth will be preaching at the Cathedral at our 11:00am on Sunday 18 June.

Bishop Garth will also be at St Mary’s, Portsea on Saturday 17 June for fellowship and worship 2:00–4:00pm where he would particularly like to meet members of the Caribbean Community to reflect and share their experiences of Portsmouth and life in the UK. Please RSVP or forward any questions to Fr Rajiv, Assistant Curate at St Mary's Church, Portea:rajiv.sidhu@portseaparish.co.uk"
  

This evening: Cathedral Choir Concert at Catherington Church

 Our Choir is pleased to be visiting All Saints Church Catherington tonight (Friday) to sing a concert at 7:00pm. All welcome.
  

"I believe in..." – Honorary Canon Sermon Series

 The next in our series of sermons by the Honorary Canons of Portsmouth Cathedral - Canon Bob White is preaching on Sunday for Evensong at 5:45pm on "I believe in the Communion of Saints".
 
Other upcoming sermons in this series are as follows:

• Canon Will Hughes is preaching on 30 July

• Canon Karina Green on 20 August

• Canon Peter Sutton on 3 September

• Canon Peter Hall in early October (date tbc)

Shop Summer in the Portsmouth Cathedral Shop

 Pop-in to our shop as our full range of summer gifts, books, homeware and more is now available. Find unique gifts including our own locally made ‘The Dean's Tipple Gin’, or catch up on some summer reading with a good book about Southsea and Portsmouth. Even the kids can learn more about our coastline through inspiring picture and activity books, games and crafts. For the landlubbers, our range of bee and butterfly friendly seeds, seed cards and herb kits will keep your green fingers busy, alongside plenty of garden, woodland and wildlife gifts including build a bee hotel or an insect house.
 
Come in and explore our new Summer range today, or shop online for delivery and in-store collection.
 
Shop online →
  

The Revd Canon Professor Jamie Hawkey

 Jamie was one of the first Choral Scholars here in 1998-99, and was then ordained to serve as a Curate at St Mary’s Portsea. Jamie is now Canon Theologian of Westminster Abbey and will be returning to Portsmouth Cathedral as the guest preacher for our Patronal Festival on Sunday 2 July at 11:00am. Whether you remember Jamie or not from his time here, do come and meet him and celebrate our patron St Thomas of Canterbury with us - before our Choir year comes to an end. 
  

Cycling Events 2023

 Cathedral cycling events for 2023 will begin with a Cycle-to-Church Sunday on 25 June. In-keeping with our environmental initiatives, congregations for both the 9:30am and 11am services are encouraged to come together by cycling to the Cathedral. There will be a communal blessing of cyclists and their bikes during the services.

This follows two years of taking part in the Cathedral Cycle Relay, a route connecting all Anglican Cathedrals in England. 2021 a group of us cycled to Winchester and 2022 to Chichester. The relay will re-commence in 2024.

In the meantime, a further group ride for 2023 will be organised as part of the annualRide & Strideon 9 September, where we fundraise for Hampshire and the Islands Historic Churches Trust, which supports local churches by visiting as many as possible in one day. More details to come nearer the time.

For more information on any of our upcoming cycling initiatives - or if you have any suggestions for future events - contact Hannah Gunga, Cathedral Cycling Champion.
  

Nominations Committee

 Portsmouth Cathedral has begun the planning to implement the Cathedrals Measure (2021). This brings all Church of England cathedrals in England under Charity Commission regulation, in addition to the jurisdiction of the Church Commissioners, and strengthens governance and operational frameworks.  

View the Cathedrals Measure FAQs on our website →
 
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. 
 
Portsmouth Cathedral is looking to recruit members of this new Nominations Committee to serve in this important role.  We would particularly welcome people who have senior level experience in recruitment and in creating diverse and inclusive boards and committees in the public, private or charitable sectors.  It is envisaged that the committee will meet two or three times a year and that members will serve a three year term of office. Could one of these members, be you? 
 
Read the Role Description on ourcareers page.

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.

Eucharist at #PompeySundays

#PompeySundays will be celebrating the Eucharist for the first time on Sunday 18 June.  The service will be short, simple, and informal, and all are welcome.  The Eucharist will then be celebrated in this service on the first Sunday of each month, beginning in August.

Prayers and Intercessions 

We pray for all those to be ordained this Petertide - 
and from this Diocese: William Alvarez, Jenn Camirand, Jan Fuller, Sue Jones, Buffy Langdown and Jill Phipps to be ordained Deacon; and Emma Andersen, Fran Carabott, Jill Kingston, Liz Quinn and Amanda Sim to be ordained Priest.
 
We remember the following for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community:  Mathai, Jeff, Nuno, Edward, Anne, Chris, Giles, Richard, Janet, Piers, Beatrix, Richard, Andrew, Tim, Carol and all those in need.  
 
Long-term sick, including:  Alistair, Yvonne, Renee, Beverley, Rachel, Sophie, John, Graeme, Peter, Rosemary, Suzy, Sarah, Alison, Jill, and Jude.  
 
Those who have died, including: Alan Williamson (Cathedral funeral 11:00am Tuesday, 4 July), Jane Isaac RIP (Funeral at St John’s Shedfield at 11am on Friday, 7 July)
 

Jane Isaac RIP

Many of our cathedral family will remember Jane Isaac, who for 21 years supported husband Canon David in his role on the Chapter here and bringing up their son Thomas. It is with great sadness, Bishop Jonathan has informed us that Canon Jane Isaac, rector of Shedfield and Wickham, died peacefully at the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth earlier this week. As a community of communities, we hold her David and Thomas in our prayers and thoughts. May she rest in peace, and rise in glory!

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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