A reflection from Canon Anthony

Next Sunday the COP 26 conference will begin in Glasgow. There will no doubt be a lot of excitement about the details of what has or has not been achieved over the past decades, and probably a good deal of discussion about the science behind it.

When I was studying mathematics at Oxford, now over two decades ago, one of the topics that I studied was the mathematical models behind climate change. One of the most frightening elements was to discover that it was thought that the relationship between the greyness of the atmosphere (i.e. the presence of greenhouse gases) and temperature rise was an exponential one: a small increase in greyness could cause a huge increase in temperature. Although, as my tutor put it, we would not know whether the model was completely right for about 250 years, but if we waited that long we could end up irreparably damaging the environment and destroying life.

As Christians, we can do better than promoting environmental care as a matter of prudence or human self-interest, which is the argument that is commonly used in our society. We claim that creation is fundamentally the free gift of God: he did not need to make it, or make it as it is, but he simply chose to make the world as an expression of himself. Therefore Christians should acknowledge that the world does not belong to us, and it is not ours to do with as we wish. The world is on loan to us, and we should strive to hand it on in the same or better state than when it was passed to us.

We pray for our politicians in the coming week. We pray that they may have the courage to overcome national self-interest and the economic pressure for a race to the bottom, and that they may set a path for a better future that honours the integrity of our world.

The Reverend Canon Dr Anthony Rustell
Residentiary Canon

COP26 Prayer Resources in the Cathedral

Ahead of the COP26 summit, there is a display of prayer resources and other material for reflection in the Chapel of Healing and Reconciliation in the Cathedral. Additional items will be added each week, highlighting the issues of climate change and the ways we can help preserve our environment, to focus our prayers for the world leaders who will attend the Glasgow summit between 31 October and 12 November.

Vacancies

We are currently recruiting to two posts: a Visitor Experience and Volunteer Manager and an Events Manager, both of which are fully funded by the Cathedral Sustainability Fund. We will also be advertising for an Assistant Verger and Precincts Officer and a new 3-4 day Administrative Assistant when our current Assistant Verger, who has been 50% Verger and 50% Administrative Assistant since June last year, returns to full time verger duties in the near future.

For details of our current staff and volunteer opportunities see our careers page for further information.

Roberts Centre: family friends for Christmas

This Christmas, not every child will have a present to open, therefore the Roberts Centre have a fantastic scheme where you can buy presents for children, or a family based upon their interests and needs. Names, ages, likes, hobbies etc. will enable you to choose gifts and deliver them to the centre for distribution. This is such an easy way to help children and families faced with a hard winter.

What’s not to like about buying fluffy slippers and art materials for a six year-old who might otherwise have nothing from Father Christmas? If it seems daunting to do alone, think about joining forces with someone else as we do. All is given anonymously.

If you would like to contribute, please contact Tara.Couper@robertscentre.org.uk or phone her on 023 9229 6919 – thank you!

Food Bank Donations | Cleaning Products

In addition to donations of dried and tinned food, the Roberts Centre is in need of cleaning products. If you can help, please leave any donations in the box in the Cathedral welcome area. Thank you.

Worship and Visiting

Portsmouth Cathedral is open daily for prayer, services and visiting. Booking is no longer required for services, unless otherwise indicated. You find out more on our website and download orders of service.

Covid-19

We continue to take every precaution to reduce the spread of coronavirus, including encouraging the wearing of face-coverings, especially when moving round the Cathedral, checking in with the NHS Covid-19 app and remaining at a safe distance from other groups. Further information can be found our Covid-19 information page.

All Souls

All Souls is an opportunity for us to remember and give thanks for those we love but see no more. This year there are two services...

On Sunday, 31 October, 5:45pm we will be holding a reflective Eucharist, with beautiful music, prayers and readings, we shall remember those who have died, especially during this past year. The music will include the lovely Requiem by Gabriel Fauré, sung by the Cathedral Consort. The names of the departed from the past year, and others who are being remembered, will be read out and everyone is invited to light a candle in memory of loved ones.

There will be another opportunity to remember the departed, on Tuesday, 2 November at 5:45pm, when the Cathedral Choir will sing the Duruflé Requiem. At this service, the names will not be read out aloud, but everyone will be invited to light a candle for those they have loved and name them before God as they do so.

This invitation is open to anyone who might find either of these services helpful, and if you know of others who would like to attend, please do let them know.

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, Mervyn, Beverley, Richard, Aaron, Jane, Alan, Libby, Lesley, Hilary, David, Stan, Andrew, Jean, Amanda, and all those in need.

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

We pray for those who have died recently: George Williams, Peter Nichols, Jeffery Bell and Jeannette Dowle RIP.

Upcoming Services & Events

Halabja: In the Golden Days | Daily until 3 November

Before it was the target of a devastating chemical weapons attack by the Iraqi Army in 1988, Halabja was renowned for its beauty and place as a centre of Kurdish culture. In this major new exhibition, Gulan presents a colourful celebration of Kurdish culture including costumes, jewellery and a landmark new art commission installed in the cathedral nave. Do look out for some wonderful new Kurdish items in the shop.

‘Halabja: in the Golden Days’ is part of the Journeys Festival International 2021 and is free to visit.

Learn more →

Eco Discussion Group | Tuesdays at 7:00pm

In anticipation of the COP26 summit, we are studying Ruth Valerio’s book Saying Yes to Life (available from the Cathedral Shop). This week, we'll be looking at Ch. 4: 'Let there be lights in the sky'.

Join via Zoom

For security Zoom links are sent via email, sign up to our weekly Cathedral Notices newsletter to get them direct to your inbox.

The Adventures of Florence and the Mermaid’s Tears | Monday 25 October at 12:30pm

Join Florence, a local teenager, as she journeys with her mother to a remote island – home to the oldest albatross in the world – and discovers the beauty, diversity of nature there. Yet not everything is rosy...something is affecting the albatross population. What is it? And what can Florence do about it? Find out in this mini musical, suitable for all the family, which will be staged in the Cathedral nave.

Book a free ticket here →

Curating the exhibition 'Thomas Becket – Murder and making of a saint’ | Thursday 4 November 7:00pm in the Cathedral Nave.

This talk, arranged by the Friends of Portsmouth Cathedral, will provide an insight into the recent British Museum exhibition which told the story of Becket’s remarkable life, death and legacy, from his origins in London over 900 years ago up to attempts to obliterate his cult under the Tudors. Curator Dr Naomi Speakman will explore how this show brought Becket’s story to life and will delve into some of the highlight objects on display.

Friends of Portsmouth Cathedral £7.50, non-members £10,00.

Book a ticket online →

Thanksgiving for the life of Shirley Grayson-Smith RIP

There will be an opportunity during Choral Evensong at 5:45pm on Friday 12 November to join with Shirley's family and friends as we give thanks for her life and her contribution to the Cathedral. We continue to hold Ivor and her family in our prayers.

Christmas Fair | 4 December 2021

Led by Ann Wilson and a group of dedicated volunteers, the much-loved Christmas Fair returns later this year. The Fair will take place on Saturday, 4 December 2021 – so put it in your diaries! If you would like to volunteer or make things for the stalls, please email info@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk

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.