A reflection from Dean Anthony

On Easter Day we celebrate the ‘mighty resurrection’ of Jesus Christ, in which (to quote the prayer from which that phrase comes) he has ‘overcome’ death. Another prayer speaks of Jesus ‘breaking the chains of death and hell.’ And yet as we celebrate, people are continuing to die through violence in Ukraine, famine in Somalia, and the ongoing impact of the Covid pandemic. The ongoing power and reality of death is all too evident.

Easter, however, is not about denying or minimising death. Jesus himself shrank from the prospect of dying in the Garden of Gethsemane, and the ‘overcoming’ of which the prayer speaks was painful and costly. Fearing death, and grieving at the death of others, is entirely natural, and all of us have to learn to love and value those around us in the knowledge that neither they nor we will last forever.

And yet – when death has done its worst, God is still there. The love and generosity of God cannot be destroyed. Easter Day is the first day of creation all over again, when God brings light out of darkness by raising Jesus Christ from the dead. He is changed, but still recognisably who he always was, still calling us to follow him in the ways of love, mercy and forgiveness.

In the light of the resurrection, we see both the reality of death, but also that death is not the end of hope or of meaning. We are mortal, but also creatures made to hear the call of God, which can never be silenced or extinguished. This conviction underlies our commitment to human dignity, and doing all we can to prevent and alleviate human suffering – whether in Ukraine, Somalia, or our local communities.

This Easter Day sees the return of the chalice, with those who wish it able to receive both bread and wine. In this way the risen Christ continues to nourish us for lives of joy, service and generosity. Death is real, but death is overcome, and there is nothing in our world that God cannot renew and transform. ‘Christ is risen! He is risen indeed. Alleluia!’

With my prayers and best wishes,

Community News

Season of Generosity 2022

Donations from our Cathedral community are essential in enabling us to live out our vision to be 'a beacon and safe haven, anchored in Jesus Christ'. During the Easter season, we will once again be inviting you to consider your giving and generosity. The Season of Generosity will launch on Sunday 24 April and run for three weeks.

We appreciate that we are all living in a time of rising costs and inflation, but we hope you will prayerfully consider whether you can support our mission financially, either with a regular gift in your lifetime or with a gift in your will.

We look forward to sharing more information about how you can make a difference over the coming weeks.

Find out more about how you can support us →

Welcoming a new Volunteer Coordinator and Records Management Assistant

We are delighted to announcement the appointment of a new Volunteer Coordinator and Records Management Assistant, Nadjia Carpenter.

Nadjia comes to us from the Yorkshire Building Society having previously worked at HM Treasury in London. She is a member of the congregation, coming regularly to Pompey Sundays with her son.

Nadjia will work closely with Canon Kathryn and Liz on both aspects of her new role. She will, of course, be interacting with members of the team and the congregation as she works to support our wonderful volunteers and recruit additional volunteers. Nadjia will also renew and strengthen our practice of how we hold and manage our records. She will also help us with our induction processes including safer recruitment.

The Chief Operating Officer, Richard, says “I am delighted to have Nadjia joining the Cathedral Team. With her skills and experience she will help to better support and coordinate the work of our volunteers and help to ensure a more streamlined approach to records management. She begins with us on the 27 of April 2022.”

This is a one year post funded through the Cathedrals Sustainability Fund. We remain grateful to the Church Commissioners for their continued funding and support of our work.

Help for Ukrainian Refugees

Our Diocese, working with Citizens UK, has committed to finding 50 hosts for Ukrainian refugees, together with others to befriend and support. If you would like to know more, visit theDiocese websiteor speak toCanon Nick Ralph.

Portsmouth Cathedral Institute upcoming events

We’re pleased to announce new dates for our Portsmouth Cathedral Institute events, home to high quality research and public debate about the most important questions of ethics, the common good and human flourishing as they relate to the city of Portsmouth.

The 2022 Robert Dolling Lecture: 23 May, 6:45pm

‘Fr Dolling, Anglo-Catholics and the Conquest of the Slums’

Revd Professor Mark Chapman, Professor of the History of Modern Theology (University of Oxford) and Vice Principal, Ripon College Cuddesdon.

Six Works that Changed the World: 6 June–11 July, 7pm

Portsmouth Cathedral Institute host a series of short talks on six theological works that changed the world. Join speaker for short presentations introducing a short book, sermon or address which significantly changed how we think theologically.

Speakers will assume no prior knowledge of the work, or the author and it is not necessary to read the works in advance. It is hoped you will be inspired to go away and read more afterwards. After the short presentation there will be time for questions and discussion.

All Portsmouth Cathedral Institute events are free to attend and open to all.

Find out more on our website →

Fish & Chip Quiz Night – 7:30pm, Apr 23

We’re pleased to welcome the return of our traditional quiz night, with our unique quizmaster. Supper will be supplied by Fisherman's Kitchen, with all proceeds to USPG fund for Ukraine.

If you would like to join us, please book online by Wednesday.

Tickets available to book online →

Revision of Electoral Roll

With the APCM and Parish Meeting taking place on 24 May 2022, the time has just about come to revise our Electoral Roll. The revision of the Electoral Roll will begin on 21st April 2022 and conclude on 5th May 2022. During this time, copies of the current Electoral Roll will be available to view in the Cathedral or at the Cathedral Offices. Forms will also be available for new or returning members of the congregation to join/re-join the Electoral Roll.

Read more on our website →

Election of Churchwardens, Chapter and Cathedral Council members

At the Cathedral's Annual Meetings on 24 May at 7:00pm, there is the opportunity to elect our Churchwardens, and two members of Chapter (the Cathedral's governing body).

One of the Chapter members must also be a Churchwarden. Sheila Picton, who has served as Churchwarden for six consecutive terms of office, stands down at the election as required by the Churchwardens Measure. We are indebted to her and Ronald Rabbetts, for all they do in enabling our life and work, and to members of Chapter for their vital role in overseeing our overall strategy, and key decision making. We are also grateful to members of Council for their role in the Cathedral’s current governance structure which is due to change next year under the 2021 Cathedrals Measure.

You are invited to consider if either of those roles might be for you - and if so, to discuss this with Dean Anthony. He would be delighted to have several conversations, with a whole variety of people!

There is also an opportunity to stand for election as one of our congregational representatives on Cathedral. If you would be interested in this role please contact Dean Anthony or the Chair of Cathedral Council, Kate Branigan.

Cathedral Shop

Please note the shop will be closed for an Easter break from Maundy Thursday 14 April and reopen on Tuesday 26 April. Orders can be placed online but they won't be processed until after the break.

Cathedral Offices

The Cathedral Offices will be closed for the public holiday on Easter Monday.

Current Vacancies

We are currently recruiting for an Assistant Verger and Precinct Officer. We have readvertised this position with new salary options, please share this opportunity with your wider networks.

Find out more and apply on our website →

Worship and Visiting

Portsmouth Cathedral is open daily for prayer, services and visiting. Booking is not required for services, unless otherwise indicated. You can find out more about visiting on our website, where you can also download orders of service or find our Covid-19 visitor information.

Canon Kathryn presiding at St. James’, Milton

Canon Kathryn will at short notice be presiding for Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, the Easter Vigil, and Easter Day, at St. James', Milton, as the Revd Hugo Deadman has unfortunately tested positive for Covid. (She hopes to make it back for Easter Day refreshments at the Cathedral, and will be at Evensong!)

New time for Morning Prayer

From Monday 25 April, Morning Prayer will revert to its pre-pandemic time of 7.40am, with a service of Holy Communion following at 8.00am. And after more than two years of live-streaming Morning Prayer, first from the homes of the Ministry Team and then from the Cathedral itself, we have taken the difficult decision to cease doing this.

We would like to express grateful thanks to all who have prayed with us in this way, especially during successive lockdowns. and also to the small core of people who have stayed with us as the numbers doing so (very understandably) have got smaller and smaller. All comers will of course be extremely welcome to join us in St Thomas's Chapel as we begin the day in prayer.

Restoration of the chalice from Easter Day

Chapter has agreed that from Easter Day, all who wish to, will be able to receive Communion in both kinds - the consecrated wine as well as the bread. Our celebrations of Easter seemed a wonderful occasion to restore the chalice, which will be available at each service of Holy Communion from Easter onwards.

Anyone who wishes may of course continue to receive in one kind only and just take the consecrated bread, if they have any concerns about receiving from the common cup. But for the safety and welfare of all, intinction will not be possible - you will not be able to dip the wafer into the wine - since this represents a greater risk to others, from 'thumbs and crumbs' inadvertently being dipped also.

Please speak to one of the Ministry Team if you have any questions.

Prayers and intercessions

We remember the following for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community: Beverley, Richard, Jane, Alan, Amanda, Wendy, Derek, Denise, Debbie, Jane, Margaret, Rachel, Lucy, Martin, Susan, Caroline, Tom, Jean, and all those in need.

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

We pray for those who have died recently: Evelyn Small, Colin Garner, Mona Elliott, Stan Hoare, Fred Middleton, Gordon Jones and Roy Purnell.

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.