A reflection from Kitty Price

 
I’ve written before about being out of words.  I found myself in a similar position when I was pondering what to write today.  So, I’m going to explore this idea now.
 
At the start of Holy Week, I was leading a school trip to Poland, which included a visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau.  Confronting the worst things that people do to each other is a shocking experience that leaves you lost for words.  A new addition to the site was a bleak concrete pathway with high walls, deliberately designed to make you feel claustrophobic.  As you walk along it to the entrance to the camp, names of known victims are heard through speakers.  There is nothing to say.  But the next day we visited the Oskar Schindler Factory Museum, which explores what life was like for Jewish people in Krakow before, during and after WWII.  When you read the names of the people Schindler saved, it gives you hope for humanity, new life, and growth.  There are words.
 
The paring back of Holy Week services can leave you feeling uncomfortable, vulnerable, and lost for words.  That we could kill the Son of God, deny knowing him and doubt the resurrection and the power of God’s love, is a bitter pill to swallow.  There are no words.  That is why much of the two-hour liturgy on Good Friday is in silence.  That needs to take place for the joys of the resurrection to be authentic and truly life giving.  During the Easter Vigil, suddenly we are moved to the jubilant celebrations at the end, offering hope, new life, and growth, it can be a bit much to take in.  There are too many words.  It can be too noisy.  I really struggle with the contrast, feeling pulled in both directions but unable to move.
 
Today (Wednesday), David and his father have been tidying up our backyard.  It is quite small but tall.  Getting the bins out for collection day has become an extreme sport as there are pots of weeds, cuttings, and plants EVERYWHERE.  Basil is time rich but risk averse, happier to add pots rather than deal with the bushes which have become a bit of an urban jungle.  David is time poor but risk rich, and after a mostly silent day of heavy labour that included tidying, pruning things back, reducing the pots on display and taking things to the recycling centre, the yard has room to breathe, as do we.  I can almost hear the plants speaking again.
 
St Augustine wrote, ‘Our hearts are restless till they find rest in you.’  That is the goal of our spiritual journey, the apex of perfection.  Until then, the journey is flawed, fraught with dangers and struggles, but with some lovely moments along the way.  Like the backyard, our spiritual life needs attention; we need the odd trellis to train our growth, then we might have to prune back what we no longer need and take risks to welcome new life and growth.  Whatever it is you are hiding from, reluctant to prune, now is the time to face it head on and experience the abundance that resurrection life has on offer. 
 
Kitty Price
Cathedral Reader

Election of non-executive Chapter Member

 
An election of a non-executive member (trustee) of Chapter will take place in accordance with the Cathedral’s Statutes this spring. To be eligible to stand, candidates will need to be on the Electoral Roll, confirmed members of the Church of England or a church with which it is in communion, and eligible to be a charity trustee.
 
Nominations must be received by the Chief Operating Officer, as Presiding Officer, before 11:59pm on Sunday 14 April 2024 by email toelection@portsmouthcathedral.org.ukand be signed by two eligible nominees (on Electoral Roll) and the person nominated. Forms are available in the Cathedral or though the website. Elections will be held electronically between 26 April and 9 May.
 
All those on the Electoral Roll, Chapter and its committees should now have received notification of the election and nomination process via email (please check your Spam/junk email in case the email lands there).  If you have not received an email and think you are on the Electoral Roll email, please contact the Cathedral office or emailelection@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk
 
The role description for elected non-executive Chapter members and information on how to nominate ishere.
 
The Cathedrals Statutes arehere.
 
If you have any questions, please speak with a member of the clergy or the churchwardens.
  

Revision of Electoral Roll

This year's Annual Parochial Church Meeting and Parish Meeting will take place on Sunday 12 May at 12.30pm. Revision of the Electoral Roll will take place between 31 March and 14 April. During this time, copies of the current Electoral Roll is available to view in the Cathedral and at the Cathedral Offices. Forms will also be available for new or returning members of the congregation to join/re-join the Electoral Roll.
 
The revised Electoral Roll will be published, as required, between 28 and 14 days before the APCM and Parish Meeting. Only those on the revised Electoral Roll will be entitled to vote in Elections and at the APCM.
 
The Electoral Roll, however, is more than just voting rights. It is also a tangible commitment of each person to their shared Christian stewardship within our Cathedral Community.
 

Brass Rubbing Trail this Easter

 
Come and join us for a chance to experience the art of brass rubbing and learn more about the Cathedral! From 1 April until 14 April, there will be a Brass Rubbing Trail in the Cathedral. This will build upon the tradition of Brass Rubbing and be an opportunity to learn about our wonderful building.
 
Packs will be available from the shop, 10am - 3pm, at a cost of £2 each.
  

Where has the sign gone?

 
Our ‘Portsmouth Cathedral’ sign on the corner of the High Street and Lombard Street has been removed for repair by the Men in Shed’s. Many thanks to Andy and team for talking this on this repair.
  

The Word is Near

 
The Word is Near (Wednesdays at 10.30am) is taking a two-week break. We meet again on Wednesday 17 April at 10.30am in the Bishop Kenneth Room. All welcome.
  

Good news for the Parish Lunch Club

 
The final Lunch Club of the spring term took place on Monday with members enjoying classic favourite Cottage Pie! We also received fantastic news, during the final Lunch Club of the Spring term, Becket Hall kitchen had its annual inspection by the PCC environmental health team. Good news that we retained our 5-Star rating!
 
More good news is that the Lunch Club team has been joined by two new volunteers, Rachel and Grace. If you would like to come and try lunch club then please come along at 12pm for 12.30pm lunch on any of the following Mondays:
22 April, 13 May, 3 June, 17 June, 1 July. Registration is on the day and the cost of a two-course meal with tea or coffee is £5.
 
We kick off next term with slow cooked belly pork!
  

Volunteer Opportunity

 
As the weather warms, we are delighted to see the newness of life in all of God's beauty around us as we celebrate the resurrection of Christ. This may inspire us towards the practical aspects of renewing our own lives by spring cleaning our homes.
 
The 23,000 visitors and parishioners who have been through the Cathedral in the last year have bought with them particles of dust and fragments of dirt all of which need to be cleaned, swept, polished and dusted off. If it weren’t for the dedicated efforts of our volunteer team of 'Holy Dusters' (as they are known!) our Cathedral would not look as clean and welcoming as it does today or any day. Their valued efforts for just one hour a week keep the pews polished and the floors clean and we are so grateful to them!
 
If you have just one hour a week to spare to help our holy dusting team, please let Volunteer CoordinatorRachaelknow. They normally meet on a Monday morning but if that doesn’t suit you, let us know.
  

Summer Celebration Saturday 1 June – Save the Date!

 
Planning is underway for a new event – the ‘Summer Celebration’.
This community-wide free entry event will bring together food, entertainment, charity and community groups, games, activities, as well as a variety of both Cathedral-lead and local business stalls. 
 
Running from 11:30am for 3 hours on Saturday 1 June, the Summer Celebration will include live outside entertainment by Jazz & Easy-listening singer ‘Stacey Mogg’, BBQ, strawberries and cream, lots of Cathedral-lead stalls, such as a Douse the Dean, raffle, bottle tombola, cupcakes, books, jigsaw, flowers, etc., as well as stalls lead by local charities and community groups. Please save the date! We are looking for volunteers to help before and on the day, from painting to cupcake making, raffle ticket selling, event promotion and running a BBQ. If you have some time to spare, please speak to Jude or Rachael. Thank you!
  

We've joined the Fundraising Regulator

 
Exciting news for our Cathedral community! Portsmouth Cathedral is delighted to announce that we've officially joined the Fundraising Regulator and committed to the Fundraising Code of Practice. This means we're taking big strides to ensure that your donations are handled with integrity and care, making you feel even more secure in supporting our mission.
 
For our regular donors, you may have already noticed the new 'Fundraising Regulator Logo' popping up around the Cathedral. This badge signifies our commitment to ethical fundraising practices and our dedication to your trust.
 
By joining the Fundraising Regulator, we're not just ticking boxes – we're making a promise to uphold the highest standards of transparency and accountability in everything we do, to stay ahead of the curve with fundraising practises and benchmark regularly against the charities sector. Your support matters to us, and we want you to feel confident that your contributions are making a real difference.
 
Together, we're building a stronger, more resilient Cathedral community, rooted in trust and mutual respect. Thank you for your ongoing support, and here's to a future filled with positive impact and meaningful change.
 

Join our team

Assistant Verger and Precincts Officer (Maternity Cover)

 
We will be advertising a vacancy shortly for a full-time (up to 40 hours per week)  Assistant Verger and Precincts Officer through Charity Job.  The opportunity is to provide cover from June while our Head Verger and Precincts Manager, Malina, is on maternity leave.  
  

Chapter

 
In late 2023, the Cathedral adopted a new governance structure under the Cathedrals Measure 2021 and will become a registered charity this month when all members of Chapter, the governing body, will become trustees. 
 
We are looking for new trustees, including a Senior Non-Executive Member (SNEM) and a Chair of Finance, who are willing to build on the commitment, enthusiasm and energy of current members who are nearing the end of their terms of office, and continue to broaden the diversity of thinking in Chapter.
 
While we are not looking for any specific skill set, successful candidates must be able to demonstrate that they have the experience and skills necessary for working at board level. 
 
For an informal discussion about these roles, please contact Dean Anthony or the Chief Operating Officer, Richard Abraham.
 
Learn more and apply online →
  

Nominations Committee

 
We are also seeking to recruit a member of the new Nominations Committee, which is chaired by Sir David Normington, and will advise on the recruitment of non-executive members of the new Chapter, along with other Chapter Committees.  
 
Learn more and apply online →

Prayers & Intercessions

We give thanks for all who were Baptised or Confirmed here at Easter.

We remember the following for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community: Margaret, Duncan, Wendy, Jan, Chris, Aidan, Tom, Alison, Rosy, Richard, Catherine, Marian and all in need.  

We continue to pray for the long-term sick, including:  Muriel, Ann, Suzy, John, Jill, Mathai, Philip, Alistair, Graeme, Janet and Rachel.

We remember those who have died:  Helga Higgins (Cathedral Memorial service on Monday 15 April at 12pm), Philip Hill (Cathedral Memorial service on Tuesday 16 April at 11am), Margaret Pitman (Burial of Ashes on Saturday 6 April at 10:00am in the Memorial Garden), Michael Cooper 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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