Weekly Notices | 3 December 2023
A reflection from Catherine
Here we are again at Advent Sunday – the first Sunday in the church’s year and a new start.
There’s something about Advent that feels comfortingly familiar. We are finally into December and, depending on your level of organisation (!), thoughts begin to turn towards Christmas plans and preparations. We can look forward to our favourite carols, the tree going up and much more.
Familiarity can be both good and bad. There is comfort in the words of a song or Bible reading we know by heart. At the same time, if we have sung it year after year, we can go deaf to its true meaning.
At the Advent Course, which started last Tuesday, Anne Wright and Carole King encouraged us to consider a Bible passage that is very familiar to many of us - Mary’s song, the Magnificat – and to look at it as a revolutionary text (Luke 1.46-55). This passage that we say daily in evening prayer or hear sung by the choir tells of the works of God, and includes the words:
“He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.”
At various times in recent history, the disadvantaged and poor have identified with these words and been inspired to believe that God can bring about change to their situation. It has stirred them to protest. In response, the governments of India, Guatemala and Argentina have all banned the Magnificat from being recited or displayed at different times because they felt it to be too subversive.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the Lutheran pastor and theologian executed by the Nazis, called the Magnificat: ‘the most passionate, the wildest, one might even say the most revolutionary Advent hymn ever sung’.
How easy it can be for us to become too comfortable and no longer see how radical the gospel is and what a topsy-turvy order of things it ushers in.
So, this Advent is our opportunity to look beyond the familiar words we sing or say, and grasp more of the revolutionary nature of what was about to happen in Christ’s coming. An opportunity too to reflect on our own part in responding to his radical call.
If you’d like to join us at the Advent Course, you are welcome. We will be looking this Tuesday at more poetry and at the personal experience of revolution. Details are here.
The Reverend Catherine Edenborough,
Cathedral Curate
Community News
Midnight Mass to be broadcast live on BBC One from Portsmouth Cathedral.
Portsmouth Cathedral is delighted to announce that its Midnight Mass service on Christmas Eve will be broadcast live on BBC One. This is a great opportunity to share the joy and hope of the season with millions of viewers across the country and beyond. The service will feature traditional carols, readings, and prayers. The Dean of Portsmouth, The Very Revd Dr Anthony Cane, will introduce and lead the service with The Bishop of Portsmouth, The Rt Revd Dr Jonathan Frost, preaching.
Read more →
Praying for Peace
There are white ribbons available in the Welcome Area. Everyone is invited to take one to tie on one of the lower shoots of the tree outside the South doors of the Cathedral as a sign of the prayers we are offering for peace at this time. We are praying especially for peace in the Middle East between Israel/Gaza, and we continue to pray for Ukraine and other parts of our troubled world, as we prepare to celebrate again the birth of the Prince of Peace.
One week to the Christmas Fair - don't forget your donations!
We’re so excited and thoroughly looking forward to the fair next Saturday. We’ve got some fabulous prizes up for grabs in the raffle and this week we’ve been donated a Sunday Carvery for two in Horatio’s Restaurant, Wightlink voucher for £50 and a Wine & Snacks Hamper! If you were kind enough to take raffle tickets to sell please don’t forget to return the money, stubs and unsold tickets in an envelope through the Cathedral House letter box.
Donations for Christmas Fair gratefully received from Monday 4 December.
Without lots of donations our Christmas Fair would not be able to raise much needed funds to support the mission and work of our Cathedral Church. Please drop off your donations to the Cloister from Monday morning onwards.
Read more →
Welcome back to Nell’s!
Following the sad closure of Nell's cafe, we are delighted to welcome back Nicki in her new venture on the south side of the Cathedral. The wonderfully converted horse box is now the new trial home of Nell's. Enjoy a lovely hot drink, pastry, or sandwich in the Cathedral grounds from Monday to Saturday.
Christmas Shopping Dates
Our shop is full to the brim with unique decorations and handpicked gifts, perfect for yourself or loved ones this Christmas. Please make a note of the upcoming shipping and closure dates, to avoid disappointment.
Last day for placing click and collect Orders – Tuesday 19 December.
Last day for placing shipping orders – Monday 18 December.
Shop Closed from Monday 25 December to Tuesday 16 January.
Our shop is open throughout the week, or you can shop online.
Parish Lunch Club Christmas Lunch & Spring dates
On Monday 11 December (not 12 Dec as previously advertised), our Parish Lunch Club will be treated to an extra special Christmas meal including turkey, all the trimmings and even a glass of wine, at the final Lunch Club date for 2023. Rachael, Susan and Anna hope to run a raffle for Lunch Club members so if you can donate a raffle prize please let Rachael know. We look forward to seeing you there!
Please make a note of the spring Parish Lunch Club dates:
15 Jan 2024
29 Jan 2024
19 Feb 2024
4 March 2024
18 March 2024
Christmas Poinsettia Donations
Each Christmas our Flower Guild transform the Cathedral with festive floral displays, including poinsettias. A small donation helps make this possible, if you would like to donate, donate in-person at the Cathedral by including one the forms available at the Welcome Desk with your donation or you can donate online.
Take part in our Christmas Nativity Trail from
1–20 December
A Nativity Trail is available at Portsmouth Cathedral during December. Come and explore the story of the Nativity, whilst taking the opportunity to reflect with Mary, Joseph, the Shepherds, and the Angels (the three Magi might be appearing as well!) as they start their journey towards Christmas.
‘Comfort and Joy’ sharing some love at Christmas
Each year we hear of how much this simple scheme means to those who receive the gift cards and greeting and how precious they are. In a time of increasing worries and concerns about finance, food, fuel and wellbeing, we hope to be able to share this precious gift and greeting with as many as we can.
Read more and learn how you can donate →
Burns Night Ceilidh, 25 January – now booking
Join us for a spectacular evening of Scottish revelry at the historic Portsmouth Cathedral. Immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of this Burns Night Ceilidh, featuring live music, delectable food, and energetic dancing!
See more and book online →
News from Ghana
The missionary-minded church of Nkoranza was initially responsible for taking the news of Jesus to the Sunyani region. Now, after 96 years, the large Anglican Diocese of Sunyani has divided to carve out a new diocese, the Anglican Diocese of Nkoranza, which was inaugurated last Saturday. Nkoranza takes with them churches and ministers in the surrounding district and have responsibility under God for the Bono East region. Side by side the two dioceses will continue to move forward for the Glory of God across the centre of Ghana.
Friends Of The Cathedral – Christmas Coffee Morning
Come along and meet the new members of the Friends Council at their Christmas Coffee Morning on Tuesday 12 December in Becket Hall between 11:00am and 12:30pm. We look forward to seeing as many members as possible - all are most welcome and please bring your friends as well.
Guides' Training in the New Year
In the new year, Guides' Training will be taking place in the Cathedral. The training will take place every Wednesday at 10am - approx. 11:15am from the 10 January - 7 February. If you are a current Steward or even a Guide who would like a refresher, please contact Rayne at visit@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk to secure your place.
Also, if you are interested in becoming a Steward or Guide, we would love to hear from you!
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 & Intercessions
We pray for all Confirmed here on Saturday from around the Diocese, including Heather from our Cathedral congregation.
We remember the following for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community: Philip, Piers, Judith, Anne, Myrna, Rosy, Chris, Nuno, Philip, Mathai, Tom, Joan and all in need.
We continue to pray for the long-term sick, including: Ann, Ian, Janet, Alistair, Graeme, Renee, Richard, Rachel, John, Alison, Jill and Suzy.
We remember those who have died: Oonagh Knight (Cathedral funeral Thursday 14 December 2pm), Neil Payne, David Sands, Katie Hounsel-Robert, Kathleen Davies (Cathedral funeral Thursday 7 December 1pm), Mavis Whitehead (Burial of ashes Sunday 3 December 10am) 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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