A reflection from Canon Nick…

As we creep ever closer to the end of legal restrictions in Covid, we have the unusual situation in which certain sports reach a climax with Wimbledon finals this weekend and the Euro finals tonight with the England – Italy match where restrictions are not terribly evident! They might sing at the match but not yet in a church for another week or two (hopefully 25 July!). We can only hope and pray that there is respect shown both on and off courts and pitches and during anthems, national and choral! Sensibly, the three main international matches in the British Lions tour of South Africa are not due to start until 24 July!

These last 16 months have been extremely trying for many people and there are questions about people’s mental health in all this, including our own. The fact is there are a range of feelings about where we are with Covid infection rates and not everyone will be happy at the speed of the change in rules. Some are more anxious, others less so. As the Church of England, it is entirely likely that this variety will be represented in our churches including the Cathedral as well. Even if it weren’t, we still need to be sensitive to that diversity and whatever our own view, bear in mind that none of us knows what another person’s experience of covid and in covid has been.

Some people remain vulnerable. There are those who through no fault of their own cannot have vaccinations for medical reasons (they might for instance, be 'immuno-compromised' by other medical treatments). The young are not yet fully vaccinated. These considerations all have a bearing on what can be done in churches but there is no doubt that we all want to be able to worship together again fully – including with singing, and we should be able to move much closer to a more normal approach shortly. We have been able to sing the last hymn outside on most Sundays recently!

As the summer weather hopefully breaks through fully (St Swithun’s day is coming up on 15 July!), we hope for some enduring good weather to enjoy, and the ability to go outdoors and meet others without fear. Some people will be taking holiday breaks in this country or elsewhere. As a Cathedral, some services will continue to be livestreamed although all are welcome to come in person.

As you ponder all this, here is a prayer for the moment, offered by a colleague at Rochester Cathedral, that you might like to use:

God our Father, we implore you, be merciful to your faithful people that in all our endeavours, we may set always before us the goal of eternal life, that being spared the penalties of sin by our Lord Jesus Christ, we may be numbered with all the saints who wear the crown of victory, now and evermore. Amen.

The Reverend Canon Nick Ralph,
Residentiary Canon

Community News

Changes to services and visiting the Cathedral

After the recent announcement from the Prime Minister regarding the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions, we have been reviewing what these changes mean for services and visiting the Cathedral over the coming weeks and months.

We understand that changes to guidance may come as a concern to some members of our community, especially those who are vulnerable or still shielding. These concerns have been taken into consideration for how we operate going forward from the 19 July, ensuring all feel safe as we open our building further for services and visitors.

Over recent months we have been pleased to safely reopen the Cathedral for services, sight-seeing and private prayer. Changes have been made incrementally allowing us to evaluate alterations, and we will continue this process through conducting a transition period between 19 July and 1 September. This transition period will allow us to make adjustments that ensure the Cathedral is a welcoming safe space for all, whether you are fully vaccinated or still shielding.

“We are very aware that the announcement of the ending of Covid restrictions has resulted in a range of reactions, from delight to anxiety. Over the summer our aim is to strike a balance between benefiting from the new situation and ensuring everyone who comes to the Cathedral feels safe and welcome. Further changes will follow, after careful review, in September.’ The Very Revd. Dr Anthony Cane, Dean of Portsmouth.

From 19 July

• We plan to open the Cathedral from 10am-3pm during the week

• Toilet and baby changing facilities will reopen

• Our North door will reopen to visitors

• Face coverings will now be voluntary, but still encouraged in the Cathedral and during services

• Social distancing between other household groups will still be encouraged

• Check in for track and trace will still be encouraged

• Hand sanitiser will still be available for use throughout the building
  

• Morning Prayer will continue online

• Monday-Friday Midday Eucharists will continue in the Cathedral

• Evening Prayer will continue online

• Pre-booking on Eventbrite will no longer be needed for Sunday Services (unless otherwise stated)

Further changeswill be announced(e.g., congregational singing) when new guidance is available from the Church of England and Government. We will also let you know about planned changes from 1 September, including the return of Morning Prayer to the Cathedral, followed by a Morning Eucharist. We hope that this transition period will make all who visit feel safe and welcome, ensuring we stay on-track into the Autumn when all adults will have been offered a second vaccination.

If you have any questions or queries about the transition period or changes to visiting the Cathedral, please don’t hesitate tocontact us.

Update from Chapter

Chapter met on Tuesday, 6 July for a regular meeting. Tricolor Associates, who have been working with the Cathedral since autumn 2020 presented a detailed report of their work to date. Tricolor are an award-winning agency working as change management practitioners with clients across the religious and heritage sectors, 100% funded by the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage. In addition to their work with us they are working with Durham and Truro cathedrals, as well as Newport Minster on the Isle of Wight. Locally they have worked with the D-Day Museum, the National Museum of the Royal Navy and the Portsmouth Naval Development Trust.

Tricolor were charged with helping us to identify mechanisms to improve our short, medium and long-term financial position and recognition in the wider community (for example brand position). Their review includes 10-year budget planning, a review of the Cathedral’s property portfolio, and a review of how we use our space for events alongside an analysis of the population living with in 45-minute drive of the Cathedral and how we might better engage with them. Chapter is considering the findings and it is planned to report back to the congregation in late autumn.

Chapter also reviewed the preliminary outcomes and learnings from the recent SCIE safeguarding audit with the final report due early in the autumn, Chapter renewed the Annual Safeguarding Policy and Statement. Plans were discussed for the upcoming Peer Review scheduled for February 2022 with more detailed preparation scheduled in for the autumn.

Reports were received from the Executive members of Chapter, Canon Jo and Canon Kathryn, as well as a report from the Chief Operating Officer. The management accounts to the end of June (half year) were reviewed and it was noted that continued restraint on spending will be necessary to meet the £110,000 forecast deficit for 2021.

Cathedral Shop News

We are pleased to report that our refreshed product offering in theCathedral Shopcontinues to gain popularity as Covid restrictions are relaxed. Just in the months of May and June alone, we have seen a 375% increase in sales compared to the January to April 2021 period, and this is before the further relaxation of Covid restrictions and the busy summer period.

This is an amazing achievement, made possible thanks to the dedicated work of our volunteers led by Crystal Gale. We thank them for their commitment to the Cathedral and the warm welcome they provide to all our visitors. We simply could not do it without you!

We’re also so grateful for the support of our customers, old and new. Every purchase you makein our shopsupports our Cathedral for generations to come. As well as new product offerings and ouronline shop, we’re continuing to work with local craftspeople to design and build bespoke shop furniture and fittings. Those who can’t wait for the festive period will be pleased to know we’re working on some very special new products for the Christmas period. We can’t wait to share our Christmas range with you in the autumn, including a new item inspired by the Golden Barque!

If you would like to volunteer with our Cathedral Shop team, or for another role in the Cathedral, please emailCrystalorCanon Kathryn.

An update on our inaugural Season of Generosity

Following this year's Season of Generosity, we are pleased to share that planned giving from our cathedral community has increased by 16% compared with 2020 levels, equivalent to an additional £14,000 of income over a 12-month period. We have also received over £2,000 of one-off donations and one person has pledged to leave a gift to Portsmouth Cathedral in their will.

Thank you to everyone who has made a donation, whether for the first time, increasing their current support or pledging to maintain their giving. We are so very grateful for your generosity towards our mission and work.

When we launched the Season of Generosity, we shared our aim to double cathedral community planned giving within five years. Thanks to your support, we have made a very encouraging start. Nevertheless, the cathedral still faces grave financial challenges over the coming years, especially as our pandemic emergency funding and grants towards key salaries conclude.

It is therefore vital that we continue to focus on growing giving of all kinds. The Season of Generosity will run again next year, alongside other fundraising campaigns launching in the coming months.

To find out more or make a donation,visit our websiteor speak with our Head of Fundraising and Events Sophie Henstridge-Brown on 023 9289 2964 or by emailingsophie.henstridge-brown@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk.

Thank you!

Licensing of Readers

On Saturday, we held a service at which our Commissary Bishop licensed two new Readers and relicense 53 existing Readers, including our own Cathedral Reader Kitty Price, and 43 existing Licensed Lay Ministers with Permission to Officiate. If you missed this or any or our other ordination services, catch up on ourYouTube channel.

Each of us has a vocation in life. If you feel that God may be calling you to licensed lay or ordained ministry, and would like to explore this further, please speak to a member of the Ministry Team.

New Cushions for the Foundation Stalls

Nine new cushions for the Foundation Stalls were dedicated by Dean Anthony during the 11.00am service on Sunday. The pattern for the tapestry, which is based on the Golden Barque, was designed by Anne Leach and the canvases were worked by Anne and a team of other talented volunteers including: Marian Wendon, Susan Stone and Pippa Dice.

We would like to thank all those who have so generously supported the project, both with their time and financially. You can see our the new cushions in along our tour route around the east end of the Cathedral.

Worship and Visiting

Portsmouth Cathedral is now fully open for prayer, services and visiting. Please continue to book for our Sunday Services online (limited spaces are available for those without a pre-booked space), regular weekday services do not need pre-booking. Most of our services are broadcast on our live page and Facebook. Find out more on our website and download orders of service.

We continue to take every precaution to reduce the spread of coronavirus, including the mandatory wearing of face masks, except for those with exemptions. Everyone visiting the Cathedral now needs to check in with the NHS Covid-19 app. Find out more on our Covid-19 information page.

Please see our recent Covid-19 update on our website, about the changes to expect from 19 July and the transition period we are entering to ensure you visit is as safe as possible.Prayers and Intercessions

Pastoral Principles for Living and Learning Well Together

For the next five weeks at #PompeySundays, we will be considering the Church of England's Pastoral Principles for Living and Learning Well Together. These invite us to consider how we can listen well and treat each other with respect, even when we disagree, and encourages us to find creative ways to grow and learn together in the love of Christ. All are welcome to come and join in.

This week, in the first of our series, we will be looking at listening and speaking: addressing ignorance and paying attention to power.

#PompeySundays is our new service, held at 9.30 every Sunday in the Cathedral

Prayers and Intercessions

All those affected by COVID-19

We remember the following for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community: Trevor, Derek, Clare, Michael, Linda, Mervyn, Beverley, Richard, Aaron, Muriel, Jane, Alan, Libby, Jennifer, John and all those in need.

We give thanks for the improvement in health of Phil and Reuben.

Long-term sick including: Alison, Graeme, Christopher, Clifford, Jane, Johnny, Melissa, Andrew, Jenny, Suzy, Sarah, Bob, Michael, Rita, Shirley and Izzy.

We pray for those who have died recently: Norman Riches, Christopher Smithson, John Brunning, Paul Mackenzie, Jordan Nathan, Paul Robert, Stuart Griffiths and David Brown RIP.

Upcoming Services and Events

Bible Discussion Group – Thursdays, 7:00pm

This week the group will look at looking at 1 Samuel 21-24. New members are always welcome; you do not need to have attended the group before.

Join us on Zoom
For security purposes Zoom links are sent out in our weekly email notices, sign up on our website here.

Portsmouth Our Place – Open Daily

Come explore and interact with our 3D Jigsaw Model of Portsmouth made by 10 local schools. Each school has created a piece of the jigsaw that is a representation of their local area, and also includes an aspirational element for how they would like their area to develop.

You can find the model is in the Welcome Area, please use headphones to listen to the films and content.Find out more on our website.

Toddler Group Meet-Up – 21 July, 1:30pm

After a very successful first meet-up on 7 July, Toddlers will be meeting again on Wednesday, 21 July, at 1:30pm for playtime, a story, and a chance to chat and catch up at the garden of the Portsmouth Museum, PO1 2LJ