Weekly Notices | Sunday, 18 September 2022
A reflection from Revd Catherine
This morning I have been watching the live-streaming of the lying-in-state of Her Late Majesty the Queen. The atmosphere is almost palpable. There is something very moving about the hushed silence and solemnity of it all, and the sight so many people coming to pay their respects to someone they have probably never met in person and yet for whom they feel such love and affection. One of the first people to file past the coffin said, “It was total silence. You felt like singing Ave Maria, it was that kind of atmosphere. It was just for seconds but the wait was totally worth it.”
As this great loss to the nation taps in to all our other personal losses bringing them to the surface once again, there is something in this intense outpouring of love that reminds us that love is stronger than death and that in Christ we are held in God’s love in the midst of our grief.
LOVE
The ground that hatred has gained
will be retaken by love,
the losses we have sustained
will be remembered by love,
the tears that we have cried
will be wiped away by love,
the pain and grief inside
will be healed by love,
a world that seems divided
will be remade by love,
this fight is one-sided –
the universe was built by love
and it was made to bring us together;
love is patient, kind, formidable, invincible
and it’s the only thing that will last forever.
Not even death can defeat love.
So all the sorrow and the loneliness,
all the anger and bitterness and confusion
and brokenness will be outflanked, outdone,
outmatched and overcome by love.
Gideon Heugh
Extended opening hours and Bank Holiday hours
We continue to be open for extended hours from 8:00am–7:00pm during the mourning period for Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. All are welcome to come and pay their respects, to sign books of condolence, attend worship, light candles and offer prayers.
We will return to our standard opening hours Monday to Saturday 10am–6pm and Sundays 10am–7pm from Tuesday 20 September. Books of Condolence will be available to sign until the end of Tuesday.
Services for Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Sunday 18 September
3:00pm - Commemoration and Thanksgiving for the Life of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
5:45pm - Choral Evensong followed by Vigil of Music and Prayer for Her Late Majesty
Monday 19 September
11:00am - Screening of Her Majesty's State Funeral
Regular services also continue at the Cathedral with prayers for Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Highlights this week...
RSCM Singing Day with Philip Stopford - 10:15am, 17 September
A Commemoration and Thanksgiving for the Life of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II - 3:00pm, 18 September
Choral Evensong followed by Vigil of Music and Prayer for Her Late Majesty - 5:45pm, 18 September
Cathedral Offices Closed – Monday 19 September
Screening of Her Majesty's State Funeral - 11:00am, 19 September
Lunchtime Live: Olive Murray - 1:10pm, 22 September
Upcoming dates for your diary…
Michaelmas Carol Service - 25 September
Family Barn Dance - 15 October
Community News
Harvest – With Thankful Hearts
Due to the recent death of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, our harvest service will now be rescheduled for later in the autumn. If you would still like to donate to the city harvest campaign ‘With Thankful Hearts’, donations can be brought to the Cathedral after any of our morning services on Sunday 25 September.
Cathedral Offices Closed
With the passing of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, His Majesty's Government has announced a Bank Holiday for the day of her funeral, Monday, 19 September 2022. As such the Cathedral Offices will be closed that day.
Toddler Group has returned as #PompeyTots
Toddler Group, now known as #PompeyTots, started again on Wednesday 14 September, and will continue to meet during term time every Wednesday at 2:00pm. We begin with a short welcome, bible story and song time in St Thomas’s Chapel, then move to the hall for play and refreshments. Babies, toddlers and pre-school children and their big people are welcome!
Read more and enquire →
Chapter Update
On Wednesday evening Chapter met for its first regular meeting on the autumn.
Emily Hassan, the Diocesan Safeguarding Manager, was present and led a scenario-based training session. This forms part of regular safeguarding awareness raising at Chapter level. At each meeting Chapter also receives a Safeguarding report from the Chapter lead, Canon Kathryn.
Richard Abraham, the Chief Operating Officer, discussed 2023 budget options with Chapter, but at this point did not bring a proposed budget to Chapter for approval. With Government and Church of England announcements still forthcoming as well as the announcement of the new National Minimum wage later this autumn, the draft budget will go through the review and approval process in November/early December.
In his report, Richard discussed options for heating/not heating the Cathedral this winter, the success of the inaugural Wild Cathedral which drew new people into the Cathedral (visitor numbers jumped from 1,700 in July to over 3,000 in August) and on the Late Nights enabled all to see the Cathedral in literally a new light. The 2022 budget remains challenging in this time of increased inflation with the budget deficit now expected to reach circa £130,000 for the year (a £97,000 deficit was planned at the beginning of the year).
The Choir tour to Stockholm from 10-14 February 2023 was given in principle approval. These tours are self-financing. Chapter only meets the costs associated with the member of Chapter who travels with the choir. A revised Choir Tour Policy will be submitted to Chapter at its November meeting for approval.
Chapter welcomed the return of both Lunch Club, led by Rachael Forder and her team of volunteers, and the Cathedral Club led by Ronald Rabbetts which will restart in October (See future Notices for more detail)
2021 Cathedrals Measure Update
At Chapter on the 14th of September, the Dean updated members on the preliminary work being undertaken.
A delegation of the Dean, Canon Kathryn, the Chair of Council (Kate Branigan, KC), a member of Cathedral Council (Dr. Bryn Hughes), the Dean’s EA (Liz Snowball) and the COO (Richard Abraham) all met virtually with Katie Clark from Church House who is our lead person for the Measure.
Further discussion with the wider Foundation (College of Canons, Council and Chapter) as well as staff, volunteers and external stakeholders will take place leading up to our inclusion within the Measure in late Summer 2023.
Christmas Fair
We are pleased to announce that Nadjia Carpenter, our Volunteer Co-ordinator and Records Management Assistant, will co-ordinate the Christmas Fair scheduled for Saturday, 10 December 2022.
Our volunteers are vital to the success of the Fair, and in the coming days Nadjia is looking forward to meeting both new and existing volunteers to discuss the structure and operation of this important community event and fundraiser for the Cathedral.
Whether you have volunteered at the Christmas Fair for years or you want to do so for the first time this year, please do email Nadjia to be included in this kick-off meeting. (Nadjia.carpenter@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk)
Dean & Bishop attending multi-faith service this Sunday
The Dean and the Bishop will be attending the multi-faith service being held in memory of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth in Guildhall Square at Midday on Sunday.
Meet the Dean – Midday Sunday 25 September
The next opportunity to for any members of the Cathedral community to meet with Dean Anthony over a cup of tea or coffee will take place on Sunday 25 September from 10:10am to 10:40am (after Pompey Sundays) and at 12.15pm (after the Sung Eucharist). Our Vision and Strategy speaks of embedding ‘learning and feedback in all that we do’, and this is a chance to offer comments, questions and ideas relating to any aspect of Cathedral life.
The final date this year will be Tuesday 22 November at 10:30am.
Cathedral Flower Guild at St Faith’s Flower Festival
The Cathedral Flower Guild are taking part in the Flower Festival at St Faith's Church 'All God's Gifts Around Us ' from 23–25 September. The Flower Festival has been many months in the planning by St Faith's arrangers and the Cathedral Flower Guild are looking forward to working with other church flower arrangers from around the diocese.
Upcoming Friends events
Choral Evensong – Tuesday 20 September. Friends are particularly invited to attend Choral Evensong at 5.45pm which will be followed by a tour of the Organ with David Price.
The Friends of Portsmouth Cathedral Annual General Meeting will be held next Sunday 25 September at 4:00pm in Becket Hall. The Friends’ Council hope as many Friends will be able to attend the meeting as possible and look forward to welcoming Bishop Jonathan to his first meeting of the Friends as President. Friends are asked to confirm their attendance by emailingfriends@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk
Learn more about the Friends here →
Silver Birch tree on the corner of the High Street and Lombard Street
Over the summer the Cathedral has been in contact with the City regarding the health of this Birch tree and especially the lower limb. The City has responsibility for the trees on Cathedral Green.
Having inspected the tree, the City has found no signs of root plate movement, but agree that the lower limb appears lower than earlier in the year. The City will prune the tree accordingly and this will be carried out towards the trees dormant period later in the autumn so as to avoid damaging the tree.
Many thanks to all who brought this to our attention
Work on the south side delayed
Work on the lower southside Nave wall will now be delayed until after the period of national mourning. Please check the Cathedral Notices for further updates about this work.
Career opportunities
We are currently recruiting for several roles at the Cathedral, including our first ever Visitor Experience Manager, as well as two part-time Administrative Assistants. Please do share with your extended networks.
Find further information and apply from ourcareers page →
Help for Ukrainian Refugees
Our diocese is continuing to work as a partner with the charity Citizens UK to offer accommodation to refugees who are fleeing from the conflict in Ukraine. They were already running a project to sponsor refugees before the Ukrainian crisis, and have partners in Ukraine, Moldova and Poland who can identify refugees and organise transport to the UK.
If you would like to know more, visit the Diocese website or speak to Canon Nick Ralph.
Foodbank Donations
‘New to you’ The Roberts Centre is going to launch a ‘New to you’ project – which will include pots and pans, crockery, cutlery, household goods – not furniture (good enough that you would give them to someone you cared about). If we cut down the amount spent on essential bits and bobs that redirects outgoings to the basics like food and heating.
‘Layers’ - the Roberts is launching – children and young People - Layers. We have asked for coats for some years but since the advent of central heating we as a society have stopped wearing layers of clothing. We are potentially back to those days. Do you know people who might turn off their heating who might benefit from having more layers – given not charged for?
Toiletries – we are in need of Toiletries, can you help?
Please bring your donations to the Foodbank collection point in the Welcome Area during the Cathedral’s daily opening hours.
Worship and Visiting
Worship & 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.
Prayers and Intercessions
We pray for Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, His Majesty The King and the Royal Family.
We remember the following for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community: Tom, Beverley, Richard, Jane, Alan, Amanda, Derek, Lucy, Jean, Alistair, John, Edda, Nina, and all those in need.
Long-term sick including: Alison, Clifford, Christopher, Jane, Melissa, Suzy, Bob, Sarah, Izzy, Andrew, Peter, Rachel.
We pray for those who have died recently: Anna Harriman, Rita Robinson, Patrick Symes, Gavin Simpson, John Pengel and Cristina Ferretti 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.
Have news or story you’d like to share? Submit a notice 📰