A reflection from Canon Nick

It is the Sunday after Ascension Day, and I decided to climb to the highest possible point I could reach in the Cathedral which is the inside of the cupola. There are some great views, but if all Jesus did at the end of his ministry was to ascend, he wouldn’t have gone into heaven but into orbit. So, there was clearly more to it. Most significant was that this was the moment when he left his disciples physically for the last time.

There have been many final partings over the last year due to covid, more than there should have been, but as we come to the point where now infections are much reduced and deaths due to covid very low, we can take this moment to reflect on the last year or so and give thanks that we have ascended the heights and the depths in making people safe here. We give thanks for those who have left us for the last time. And we thank God for the gifts he has given us in those who work in health, in care, in epidemiology and virology, and in public health, and that so many are now protected and no longer dying due to Covid. We continue to pray for those who suffer, throughout the world especially at the end of this Christian Aid week.

The last year has been hard on all of us. Many people have struggled with their mental health. Others have described trouble concentrating, a lack of excitement about anything, not burnout exactly but a joyless lethargy that has been best described as ‘languishing’. That seems very apt to me – it describes an absence of well-being. A void between depression and flourishing is how the New York Times put it.

Languishing might also describe the disciples after the Ascension, but they came through it and look what happened a few days later at Pentecost. We might feel that we are languishing now but there are better days to come. We are in the midst of the ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ season in which we think and pray about how the church needs to develop and grow as we pray for the Spirit to give us the tools, the energy and the will to make it happen.

At the Cathedral we look forward to welcoming back for the first time in many months from Monday, tourists and visitors and we have a new interactive tour for them to experience. We have the excitement of singing a hymn albeit outside still for a bit longer, and we come to the end of the season of generosity, when all that has been pledged will be dedicated to God as we look to rebuild the Cathedral community with renewed positivity, renewed hope, and renewed joy.

The cupola gave me some great alternative views of Portsmouth and the surrounding area. I encourage you, to think about where you might go to get a different perspective especially if you have felt your mental health challenged or are languishing. Where might help you begin to discover that renewed positivity, joy, and hope? The promise ‘Seek and you will find’, at least requires a search to begin!

The Reverend Canon Nick Ralph
Residentiary Canon

Community News

Season of Generosity 

A huge thank you to everyone who has responded so positively to the Season of Generosity by setting up new regular gifts, increasing current giving, or committing to continuing your existing support. Every donation is valued and directly supports our mission and ministry. Thank you.

The Season of Generosity concludes this Sunday 16 May, when we will be giving thanks for your generosity and dedicating all the pledge forms we have received. If you have not had a chance to drop off your pledge form yet, please bring it to any of the services this Sunday and leave it in the basket on the door.

If you are still thinking about donating and want to find out more, visit our website, pick up a Season of Generosity booklet in the Cathedral or speak with any member of the ministry team or with our Head of Fundraising and Events, Sophie Henstridge-Brown.

‘Cathedral of the Sea’ reopens from 17 May to Visitors and Explorers

We are delighted to reopen the Cathedral to cultural and heritage visitors from Monday 17 May 2021. For the first time in over a year, visitors will be able to walk around the entire Cathedral. Our opening hours remain the same, 10am-2pm Monday to Saturday and 12noon-2pm on Sundays.

With thanks to funding from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund, we will also be launching a new visitor app with self-guided tours and interactive experiences, to complement the expertise of our Guides. The funding has also supported a range of new merchandise for the Cathedral Shop, reopening from Tuesday 18 May, including our own bespoke ‘Cathedral Collection’ and beautiful gifts and homeware from local and ethical companies.

We are once again able to invite visitors to view works of art, including the maquette of round-the-world yachtsman Sir Alec Rose, by Vincent Gray, which was placed in the Welcome Area in April.

Read more about these new experiences on our website.

Some changes you might notice include:

• Lunchtime Live will return in person from Thursday 20 May. Most recitals will be in the St Thomas's Chapel or the Quire.

• The Cathedral Shop will be open from Tuesdays to Sundays during our opening hours.

• Midday Communion will move to the St Thomas's Chapel, except for the monthly service of Wholeness and Healing which will continue in the Nave.

• There will be a one-way system around the east side of the Cathedral, please help to maintain social distancing by following the route which is clearly marked by stickers on the floor.

• Everyone visiting the Cathedral now needs to check in with the NHS Covid-19 app or by leaving your details with the volunteer on the door. Previously only one person per group needed to check in.

Online Annual Church Meetings: Tuesday 25 May, 7.00pm 25 May.

The meetings are an important opportunity for the whole Cathedral community to gather to discuss Portsmouth Cathedral’s work over the past year, and to vote for Churchwardens and this year two members of Cathedral Council.

Elections - Churchwardens and Congregational Representative to Cathedral Council

Both our Churchwardens are elected annually and Sue Ward, who has served three terms as Churchwarden, will not be standing. Shirley Grayson-Smith and Nick Speller come to the end of their current four year terms of office as congregational representatives on the Cathedral Council at the meeting. To vote for the election of Churchwardens, either your name must be on the Cathedral Electoral Roll (now on display in the Ambulatory), or you must be resident in the parish and have your name on the register of local government electors. For the congregational representatives, only those on the Electoral Roll may vote. The revised roll is now on display in the Ambulatory and eligibility can be checked through the Cathedral Offices.

The role of Churchwarden, which is not the same as that in a parish church, involves acting as a conduit between Chapter and the congregation, and assisting with the organisation of services including the coordination of the sidespeople, who, with the welcomers, form such an important part of the Cathedral’s welcome. One of the Churchwardens is also elected as a Lay Member of Chapter and both are appointed as Lay Canons. During the past year, Sue and our other Churchwarden, Sheila Picton, have played a vital role in coordinating the many volunteers who have given so generously of their time to keep the Cathedral open. If you would like to know more about the role please speak to the Dean, one of the Canons or Sue and Sheila.

There are two Congregational Representatives on Cathedral Council. The Cathedral Council will continue to be an important part of the governance of the Cathedral until the Constitution and Statutes are changed under the 2021 Cathedrals Measure. Until that time Council will continue to receive the Annual Accounts and the budget and will be involved in the discussions on how the Chapter engages with the congregation and wider community after the changes.

Nomination forms for both roles are available from the Cathedral Office or on the website. They can be returned at any time before the meetings on 25 May.

Please contact the Cathedral Office for meeting details. Apologies from those unable to attend can be sent via the Dean’s EA liz.snowball@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk.

Annual Accounts for 2020

The 2020 Annual Accounts which were approved by Chapter on 28th April are now available on the website alongside the Accounts of previous years. Cathedral auditors, Haysmacintyre, noted the progress that has been made over the past 12-18 months to reduce expenditure while increasing revenue. They noted that while better placed than it would have been, the Cathedral still has financial challenges ahead as it moves to balance its budget.

An overview of the Accounts alongside the management accounts will be presented at the APCM.

Annual Review

This year we will be publishing an Annual Review for the first time. The review will cover all aspects of the Cathedral’s life and will be a document that we can share with you, our Cathedral community, and beyond to key organisations and stakeholders around the City and the Diocese. The review will be published online next week.

Your chance to contribute to the SCIE Safeguarding Audit

As part of the Church of England’s commitment to good safeguarding practice, it has commissioned the Social Care Institute for Excellence to carry out independent safeguarding audits of every diocese and cathedral. The diocesan audits were completed in 2019, but the cathedral audits were paused last year because of Covid-19. The process for cathedrals has now restarted, and Portsmouth Cathedral’s audit will be carried out over two and a half days on 22-24 June.

The audit will be a collaborative process, and we welcome it as an opportunity to review and improve our policies and provision in this vital area. Our audit will be a ‘hybrid’ as we start to emerge from Covid: the auditors will visit us, but all surveys will be conducted electronically, rather than face-to-face.

It is important that as many people as possible have an opportunity to provide safeguarding feedback. If you wish to complete a survey, pleasefind it online here.

Please note that this survey is for completion by adults only. There is a separate survey for children which will be circulated to choristers and can be made available on request. All surveys should be submitted by Friday 28 May.

If you, a member of your family, or a friend, have ever had a safeguarding response from the Cathedral, and would like to speak to our auditors, you can be given the opportunity to do so during the audit. If you are a survivor of abuse or consider yourself to be at risk of abuse, you are also welcome to request a conversation with the auditors, which would be held in advance of the audit. For further information, please contact Canon Kathryn or email SCIE directly: learningtogether@scie.org.uk

A reminder that the Chapter Safeguarding Lead is Canon Kathryn, and the Lay Safeguarding Lead is Marian Pottinger. Further details on safeguarding at the Cathedral can be found on our websiteSafeguarding pages.

Safeguarding Committee meeting – 20 May 2021

This Committee meets on Thursday to review progress being made in preparation for the SCIE Audit.

Safeguarding Senior Leadership Pathway training – 20 May 2021

The Dean, Canon Chancellor, Canon Precentor, Organist and Master of Choristers and the Chief Operating Officer will all participate in the first of a three-part Church of England safeguarding course for senior leaders starting on Thursday. There will then be two other sessions, one in June and the last in July.

Christian Aid Week, 10–17 May 2021

Christian Aid Week continues, this year taking the theme of Every Last Drop and focusing on the climate crisis which is having a devastating impact on poorer countries around the world.

Envelopes have been distributed to the congregation and the parish; please return any envelopes to the Cathedral or other convenient points. Later in the year we hope to hold our Big Breakfast. Other fundraising ideas and online donations can be found at caweek.org. Anything you can give will make a difference.

If you would like to help or need more information, contact Sue Ward at 02392877239 or at sueandterryinpk@yahoo.com

Accommodation for our Scholars

We are looking for accommodation for three of next academic year’s Choral and Organ Scholars from September 2021 through to July 2022. If any members of community are able to help, please be in touch withmusic@portsmouthcathedral.org.ukto discuss rent and any questions.

Flowers this weekend

We are very grateful to the family of Laurence Measey, and especially Laurence’s brother John, for donating the lovely pedestal of flowers that we are enjoying this weekend. Laurence's funeral took place here on Thursday conducted by Canon Jo and Bishop Michael Langrish, and the choir sang movements from Faure's Requiem. Rest eternal grant unto him, O Lord.

Worship and Visiting the Cathedral

Portsmouth Cathedral will be fully re-open for prayer, services and visiting from Monday 17 May. Continue to book for our Sunday Services online (limited spaces 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. From Monday, everyone visiting the Cathedral will need to check in with the NHS Covid-19 app. Find out more on our Covid-19 information page.

Changes to online Compline

During the pandemic, we have been pleased to offer a daily online service of sung Compline at 8.30pm. As we now start to emerge more fully from pandemic restrictions and many of us return to our previous routines, the congregation joining for Compline has understandably reduced. We have therefore taken the decision to end Compline to coincide with the planned final easing of restrictions in June.

During the Thy Kingdom Come period of global prayer from 13-23 May, Compline will be replaced with a sung Taizé service (see more below). Compline will then resume weekly on Wednesday evenings, concluding on Wednesday 16 June.

In June we will be sharing a recorded service of Compline with our Cathedral musicians which will be available on our website.

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, Izzy, Michael, Stuart, Dave, Amanda, Reuben, Linda, Mervyn, Oliver, Beverley, Richard, Anthea, Aaron, Muriel, Christopher, Phil, Jane, and all those in need.

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

We pray for those who have died recently:Marilyn Jordan, Jeffrey Beadle and Malcolm Williams RIP.

Upcoming Services and Events

Thy Kingdom Come - 13–23 May

Thy Kingdom Come is a global prayer movement that invites Christians around the world to pray from Ascension to Pentecost for more people to come to know Jesus.

We will be joining this international movement with special online Taizé style services in place of Compline from Ascension on 13 May through to Pentecost on 23 May.

Find out more about Thy Kingdom Come and their prayer resources on their website.

Lunchtime Live - Thursday 20 May, 1:10pm

Join the first Lunchtime Live back in the Cathedral with clarinet quintet Ensemble Concertante. The recital is free; donations are welcome.

Please note that no refreshments will be served at Lunchtime Live this term.

Bible Discussion Group - Thursdays, 7:00pm

This week the group continues our theme of biblical characters and will look at Hannah and Samuel in 1 Samuel 1-3. New members are always welcome: you do not need to have attended the group before.

Join us on Zoom - For security purposes, the link for this event will be sent via our email Notices. Please subscribe online to be sent these weekly.

#PompeySundays - from Sunday 23 May, 9:30am

#PompeySundays will begin in person at the Cathedral on next Sunday, 23 May, and then continue weekly. All are welcome, especially families, young people, and those new or returning to faith.

City Service - Sunday 23 May 11.15am

Next Sunday we look forward to welcoming the Lord Mayor and City Councillors at our morning Eucharist. Booking will be available as normal through Eventbrite. The service starts at the slightly later time of 11.15am. The Dean will be saying prayers at the Portsmouth City Council AGM on Tuesday 18 May and continues to serve as Chaplain to the City Council alongside the Revd Tracey Ansell.

Sunday Refreshments via Zoom – Sunday, 6:30pm

Join us for our weekly Sunday Refreshments hosted on Zoom – catch up with other members of the congregation and our ministry team.

Join us on Zoom - For security purposes, the link for this event will be sent via our email Notices. Please subscribe online to be sent these weekly.