Weekly Notices | 26 March 2023
A reflection from Revd Catherine
With the ongoing war in Ukraine, the state of political discourse in this country and the struggles of many dealing with the rising cost of living, it feels as if there are many examples of brokenness in our world at the moment. So many situations seem intractable and almost beyond hope.
In our own lives, we are probably all aware of people going through their own personal suffering. I had news today of a friend who has been told she is in the final stages of a journey with cancer. She is not old.
This Sunday we enter Passiontide – the two weeks leading up to Easter - and we begin to focus on Christ’s sufferings and his journey to the cross. We are reminded very clearly that Jesus was familiar with brokenness and pain. It is not strange or alien to him. He knows. He understands. He stands with us in the midst of it. He also spent these weeks anticipating his own suffering. Knowing it was coming, he still went towards it.
There is something so precious in knowing that Christ understands our suffering that sometimes it feels even dearer to me than knowing he rose from the dead. It is an encouragement too to keep bringing before God all that weighs on our hearts and seems so messy and challenging. Often all we can do is hold things up to God. Not sure what the answer is, beyond words, feeling crushed, but offering them up to the one, who sees and knows and understands.
As we journey through the next two weeks, we are invited to enter into something of Jesus’ experience. Let’s go with him, conscious of his impending suffering, and grateful that he is with us.
The Reverend Catherine Edenborough,
Cathedral Curate
Dates for your diary…
Handel's Messiah - 25 Mar
Choral Evensong with Lent Sermon Series: Now is the Healing Time - 26 Mar
Lent course: Christ and the Chocolaterie – 28 Mar
Palm Sunday Holy Communion - 2 Apr
Palm Sunday #PompeySundays - 2 Apr
Taizé-style Service - 2 Apr
Community News
Canon Kathryn appointed as new Archdeacon of the Meon
Bishop Jonathan has appointed Canon Kathryn Percival to be the new Archdeacon of the Meon. Kathryn, who is currently Canon Chancellor and Vice Dean of Portsmouth Cathedral, will become part of the bishop’s senior staff team, serving and enabling the ministry of parishes in the Bishop’s Waltham, Gosport, Fareham and Petersfield deaneries.
Dean Anthony said “Warmest congratulations to Canon Kathryn on her appointment as Archdeacon of the Meon. From a Cathedral point of view this news is bittersweet, as we are so grateful for all that she (and James, Dom and Eliza) have brought to our life and work over the past three years. For all that, this is an excellent and exciting appointment, and Canon Kathryn is assured of our prayers, thanks and very best wishes, as she continues here as Canon Chancellor for the time being, while also preparing for her exciting new post. We look forward to continuing to see her regularly at the Cathedral in her Archdiaconal role!”
Canon Kathryn will be on Radio Solent around 7:35am this Sunday, discussing her new role, and the work of Anna Chaplaincy. She has also been invited by Sheikh Fazle Abbas to give an address at an Iftar being held at the Wessex Jamaat on Sunday evening.
Read more on the diocesan website →
Our Easter Shop is now open!
For ‘egg-cellent’ treats and pretty gifts to celebrate the joy of Easter and the hope of Spring, look no further than the Cathedral Shop. Click here for preview of delightful decorations, scrumptious choices of confectionary, inspirational cards and books.
Shop online →
Come and join us for an Easter Family Trail!
Can you find all the egg-clues hidden around the Cathedral this Easter? Come down to the Cathedral for a free Easter Family Trail this half-term, from Monday 10 April until Sunday 16 April, 10am - 4pm every day. When you find them all, submit your entry to be in for the chance to win a special Easter prize!
See more →
Our Cathedral will be open for longer!
Portsmouth Cathedral is pleased to announce new extended opening times, starting from the beginning of April. The Cathedral will be open from 9:00am to 6:30pm on Mondays to Fridays, 9:00am to 4:00pm on Saturdays, and 8:00am to 6:30pm on Sundays.
Read more→
Warm Spaces: Thank you and thinking ahead…
A big thank you to everyone who has helped at any point over the past 4 months when we offered a weekly Welcoming Warm Space on Mondays at the Cathedral in Becket Hall. The project was initially planned until the end of March - like a number of others in the region. So next Monday 27 March (10:00am to 3:30pm) will be the final occasion in the present format, at least.
We welcomed some regulars who came often and were pleased to have a chance to chat. We had a number of Lunch Club members staying on or coming early - who were very appreciative. We had a number of occasional people dropping in for a cuppa and some company. So for all of these, it was a worthwhile thing to have done, and really good for the Cathedral to offer help and support in this way over the worst of the winter, and the start of the financial struggles many have experienced.
We are currently reflecting on what we might continue to offer in terms of pastoral, social, practical or spiritual support: please let us know if you have any thoughts, requests or suggestions.
Canon Jo
Cathedrals at Night: Eurovision Celebration
Celebrate all things music and Eurovision at this year's Cathedrals at Night. Our Cathedral will open for free for all to explore our Cathedral or join in the fun of Eurovision. Join us to watch the show, take part in our Eurovision themed interactive quiz. The Cathedral will be open Saturday 13 May from 7:00pm until Midnight, with the Eurovision screening starting at 8:00pm.
Find out more →
Daily Prayers for the Coronation of HM King Charles III
A beautiful little booklet of prayers has been published for the four weeks leading up to the Coronation, from Easter Day, until Saturday 6 May 2023.
Read more →
Bishop’s Lent Appeal
This year, donations to Bishop Jonathan’s Lent Appeal will be split between the work of USPG and the Disasters Emergency Committee’s appeal to help those affected by the recent earthquakes in Turkey and Syria.
A display in the Cathedral ambulatory, using Lent course resources from USPG this year, offers some reflections on the theme of ‘Who is our neighbour’.
There will also be information about the charities and causes we have supported with our outward giving from the Cathedral over the past 3 years.
Please come to have a look, to reflect and learn and pray. To learn more or to donate to the Bishop’s Lent Appeal, please visit the Diocese of Portsmouth website.
Easter Lilies In Memoriam
Remember a loved one this Easter: donate £5 for an Easter Lily that will form part of our beautiful floral display at Easter, there name will also be included in our Easter Lily Memorial Book.
The date for the name of your loved one to be entered in our Easter Lily Memorial Book is 1 April 2023, you can donate in person at the Cathedral using the forms at the Welcome Desk, or you can alsodonate online →
Review of Cathedral Safeguarding Provision
As the Cathedral reviews our governance and operations in preparation for our registration as a charity under the new Cathedrals Measure, Chapter, following professional advice, has taken the decision to place lay safeguarding responsibility under the care of Liz Hastings, the Cathedral’s designated professional safeguarding lead.
This enables streamlined communication and reporting and means that we can draw on the wealth of expertise and experience which Liz brings to her role. We have been working with her for some time and have benefitted greatly from her advice.
Read more →
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 pray for all who will be baptised and confirmed at Easter particularly for those from our Cathedral choirs and congregation: Grace, Jenna, Maxine, Daniel, Fraser, Hugh, Liesel, James, Davina, Imogen and Rachael, along with all those who have participated within our confirmation course, who will be received into the Church of England.
We remember the following for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community: Edward, Chris, Judith, Jean, Alan, Margaret, Alistair, Beverley, Ann, Yvonne, Hazel and all those in need.
Long-term sick including: Suzy, Andrew, Rachel, John, Richard, Graeme, Peter, Rosemary, Sean, Sarah, Alison, Jane, Jill, Martyn, Tom and Renee.
We pray for those who have died recently, including: Anne Powell (Memorial Service 2pm Tuesday 28th March), Jeanne Ridley (Funeral 12.15 Wednesday 4th April at The Oaks Crematorium), Ray Keele, Anthony Stanley 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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