Weekly Notices | 9 April 2023
A reflection from Dean Anthony
I have been trying to find out whether or not the tango dancers of Kyiv are still gathering weekly in the botanic gardens of Ukraine’s capital city. In my Easter Day sermon a year ago, drawing on media reports of their continuing to dance through the opening months of war, I spoke of them as a powerful example of resurrection life, for violence and death were not being allowed to have the last word. Despite the wonders of the internet, I have not been able to discover if they are dancing on as the war in Ukraine continues, but I pray that they are. And even if not, I know there will be other examples of how even in the darkest times, there are always moments that point us beyond the immediate to a different and better future. Gestures of hope and life, lighting a fire that cannot be extinguished.
Sixty years ago, Sydney Carter’s now famous hymn ‘Lord of the Dance’ was sung for the first time. Although its picture of a dancing Jesus seemed radically new to some, the traditional English carol ‘Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day’ goes back to at least the sixteenth century. It is often sung at Christmas, but the full text takes us right through Jesus’s ministry, including the temptations, the betrayal and the cross. It includes the lines, ‘Then down to hell I took my way, For my true love’s deliverance, And rose again on the third day, Up to my true love and the dance.’
In July, we will be hosting an event called ‘The Divine Dance – Tango in Portsmouth Cathedral.’ That is some way off, but for now I pray that whatever is going on for you as your read this reflection, and as Holy Week comes to the culminating events of Good Friday, Holy Saturday and Easter Day, you will know the power and joy of the resurrection life found in Jesus Christ. It is the risen Christ who enables the worshipping life of the Cathedral, but the new life found in him – the divine dance – is also revealed in our daily lives and in the wider world, including the botanical gardens of Kyiv.
I wish you a blessed and joyful Easter,
The Very Reverend Dr Anthony Cane,
Dean of Portsmouth
Dates for your diary…
Good Friday Children’s Service – 7 Apr
Stainer's ‘The Crucifixion’ sung by RSCM Portsmouth and IOW Choirs - 7 Apr
Easter Day: Holy Communion - 9 Apr
Easter Day: Festal Eucharist - 9 Apr
Easter Day: Festal Evensong - 9 Apr
Family Easter Trail - 10 Apr –16 Apr
Friends Coffee Morning - 11 Apr
Community News
Celebrate Easter with us at Portsmouth Cathedral
All are welcome to join us this weekend for Services at the Cathedral as we celebrate Easter. On Saturday evening during our Easter Eve Vigil, Bishop Jonathan will baptise and confirm new Christians from around the Diocese of Portsmouth with music sung by the Cathedral Choir. On Sunday our morning services will include Holy Communion, #PompeySundays and Festal Eucharist, with a family Easter egg hunt happening after the 9:30am and 11:00am services. In the evening our Easter Day services conclude with joyful music from the Cathedral Choir, with the final sermon from Canon Roly Riem.
See all our services on our website →
May Market at Portsmouth Cathedral - Trader applications now open!
We are delighted to be running our first market of the year on Monday, 29 May. We are looking for local creatives, crafters and makers who would like to trade at this market.
Read more →
Opening time for Easter Bank Holiday Weekend
Please note the Cathedral offices will be closed on Good Friday (7 April) and Easter Monday (10 April). The offices will re-open on Tuesday morning, 11 April 2023.
Read more →
New interim team rector for Newport and Carisbrooke
Bishop Jonathan has appointed an experienced priest to be interim team rector of Newport and Carisbrooke with Gatcombe. Canon Sarah Chapman will come out of retirement to take charge of Newport Minster, St John’s Newport, St Mary’s, Carisbrooke, and St Olave’s, Gatcombe. She’ll lead a team that includes the current team vicars, the Rev Emma Cooksey and the Rev Steve Sutcliffe.
Read more→
Our Ministry Team around the Diocese
The Cathedral Ministry Team are always glad to help around the Deanery and Diocese. Canon Kathryn gave a series of Holy Week reflections at St. Mary's, Fratton from Monday to Wednesday evenings this week, and will be presiding and preaching at St. Peter's, Soberton on Easter morning.
More dates announced for Yoga led by Kat Waters
More dates have been released for a unique yoga experience in the beautiful and peaceful setting of Portsmouth Cathedral. Led by experienced yoga instructor Kat Waters, these classes will help you to improve your flexibility, strength, and balance, while also providing a much-needed opportunity to relax and de-stress.
Read more and book online →
Popular Messiah concert highlights the importance of classical music!
Our Cathedral Choir term concluded last week with a performance of Handel’s Messiah alongside a superb array of former Portsmouth singers – Solomon, Ed and James singing the alto, tenor and bass solos lines. Our skilful baroque orchestra was led by Julia, a founder member of Red Priest, the iconic instrumental ensemble which pioneers delivery of early music to new audiences with imagination and colour.
Read full blog →
Get 10% off The Dean’s Tipple Gin in our Easter Shop!
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. Find delightful decorations, scrumptious choices of confectionary, inspirational cards and books. You’ll also be able to pick-up our very own Dean’s Tipple Gin with 10% off using code ‘easter-tipple’ at the checkout and in-store.
Shop online →
Come and join us for an Easter Family Trail this Easter holiday!
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 Easter holiday, 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 →
We are recruiting a new Canon Chancellor and Vice Dean
The Canon Chancellor and Vice Dean is an appointment made by the Bishop of Portsmouth, in close consultation with the Dean of Portsmouth and the Cathedral Chapter. The successful candidate will report to the Dean, and is responsible to the Chapter. The purpose of the role is to play a full part in Chapter’s responsibility for the governance and strategy of the Cathedral under the 2021 Cathedrals Measure, and in delivering the Cathedral’s Vision and Strategy.
Learn more and download an Application Pack here →
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 baptised and confirmed at Easter: especially Grace, Jenna, Maxine, Daniel, Fraser, Hugh, Liesel, James, Imogen and Davina - and Rachael received into the Church of England.
We remember the following for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community: Jane, Edward, Richard, Chris, Martyn Jean, Alan, Margaret, Alistair, Beverley, Ann, Yvonne, Hazel, Sophie and all those in need.
Long-term sick including: Rachel, John, Graeme, Peter, Rosemary, Sean, Suzy, Andrew, Sarah, Alison, Jill, Renee and Judith.
We pray for those who have died recently, including: Doris Sheath, Ray Keele, Jeanne Ridley, Ray Keele, Marigold Treloar 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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