A reflection from Canon Nick

As I write this, I am experiencing the joys of storm Eunice, admittedly within the comfort of my own very solid home but it is clear that there will be a devastating impact on some places and, sadly, people. The fact that the Sunday gospel reading this week is the stilling of the storm is clearly just one of those God-incidences that makes you think a bit more about who is in charge and also whether we really take our obligations to look after the planet and its created order with due seriousness and action. ‘We are perishing!’ cried the disciples and well might we echo them as well. But is that a fair summary of the situation we are in?

In ecological terms, the creation cries out with pain at the abuse, we continue to heap on it. Humanity has had such an impact on the global environment that we have made the extremes of weather worse. In this case, then, Jesus’ rebuke is not due to the wind and the waves but to us, as we do not do enough to reverse the impact we have already had on the very nature on which we depend for breath and life. If storms are getting worse because of our impact then then answer to our cry is within our own hands, and both individually and collectively. We are the ones who have to change to make things sustainable and fairer for all. We all have a part to play in answering that prayer for help.

This does not mean we should not still pray about our concerns. We can and must pray for the situation in Ukraine, for those who continue to be affected by Covid-19, for those who are struggling with the effects of inflation on feeding their families. Prayer changes us but it does not absolve us from action to address things where we are able.

In Cathedral life, we have a host of things to look forward to and about which to pray, concerts, peer reviews, Lent, but most significantly we look forward to the installation of Bishop Jonathan as the tenth Bishop of Portsmouth on 12 March and to welcoming him the next morning at the Sunday morning Eucharist at 11am. Do try to come along particularly on the Sunday and it is a good time to invite some friends as well or perhaps others who have not been able to get along for a while.

The Reverend Canon Nick Ralph,
Residentiary Canon

Community News

Lent, Holy Week and Easter at Portsmouth Cathedral

Journey with us through Lent and Holy Week as we follow Jesus' path to his death on the cross and his glorious resurrection on Easter Day. This year we are offering several different ways for you to make your own pilgrimage through Lent and Holy Week, with our programme of seasonal services, concerts and events.

Visit our website to find details of what’s on during the Lent to Easter season, and make sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay updated with the very latest announcements and updates.

Introducing our Holy Week Preacher

We are delighted to welcome Canon Tim Schofield as our Holy Week preacher this year. Tim was Canon Precentor of Chichester Cathedral until his recent retirement, and continues to be in demand as a spiritual director. He was a music teacher before ordination, and served as a priest in Devon before his Cathedral appointment.

Read more on our website →

Palm Sunday Crosses

Please place last year’s crosses in the basket in the Welcome Area by Monday 28 February, so that they can be burnt for use on Ash Wednesday.

A new opportunity to ‘Meet the Dean’

As the impact of the pandemic gradually recedes, Dean Anthony is offering a new quarterly opportunity for any members of the Cathedral community to meet with him over a cup of tea or coffee. The first of these will take place on Sunday 20 March in Becket Hall from 10.10am to 10.40am (after Pompey Sundays) and in the Bishop Kenneth Room 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 2022 dates include two Sundays and two weekdays. The other dates are: Thursday 16 June at 10.30am, Sunday 25 September (times as above) and Tuesday 22 November at 10.30am. Each of these will be publicised nearer the time.

Handel’s Messiah returns to Portsmouth – booking now open!

After almost a two-year absence, we welcome you to join us in the intimate surroundings of Portsmouth Cathedral for an authentic performance of Handel’s oratorio by Portsmouth Cathedral Choirs and The Capelle Baroque Orchestra. Conducted by Portsmouth Cathedral's Organist and Master of the Choristers, David Price, this special concert is played with authentic instruments of the time in which this piece was composed, giving even more depth to this already moving piece.

Tickets are available from £18 to £22, special rates for concessions and under 16’s.

Find out more and book online →

A feast of glorious organ music

Next Friday we welcome six former Sub-Organists and Organ Scholars to play a celebratory recital. This concert is sure to be a wonderful evening for music lovers.

Click here to book →

Fairtrade Fortnight and Breakfast

Join in with us for Fairtrade Fortnight. From Monday 21 February we will be doing our part to raise awareness of the amazing changes Fairtrade organisations make in the world. This year’s Fairtrade Fortnight theme is 'Choose the World You Want' with a focus on what we can do to tackle climate change and make choices that support Fairtrade organisations in their aim to work together towards eco-friendly Fairtrade standards.

On Sunday 27 February we will be hosting a Fairtrade Breakfast. Come and join us in the Cathedral Nave at the times below to sample some Fairtrade breakfast goodies. There will also be some wonderful Fairtrade products on offer in our Shop. Any donations from the breakfast will go to the Fairtrade Foundation.

Breakfast Times

• 8.40am to 9.30am

• 10.15am to 11am

• 12pm to 1pm

More information about Fairtrade Fortnight and causes can be found on the Fairtrade website.

Peer Review

All Cathedrals are currently taking part in a Peer Review run by the Association of English Cathedrals (AEC). The process is a chance to share ideas and ways of working, with the aim of supporting all Cathedrals as they work towards becoming registered charities over the coming years.

This week Chapter, Cathedral Staff and volunteers will be meeting with members of the Review panel on Tuesday and Wednesday.

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.

Journeying with Christ

Our Sunday Evensong Sermon Series “Journeying with Christ" continues this week with Canon John Owen, Vicar of Steep and Froxfield. Throughout the year, we are welcoming each of our Honorary Canons to be our guest preacher at a Sunday Choral Evensong service. Evensong is at 5:45pm.

Come to hear their experience about journeys of faith and their wisdom about the pilgrimage through life that we are all on together.

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: Beverley, Richard, Jane, Alan, Stan, Amanda, Wendy, Derek, Denise, Debbie, Jane, William, Patricia, Margaret, and all those in need.

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

We pray for those who have died recently: Hildegard Lowe (Cathedral Memorial Service - 2:00pm, Monday 28 February) Keith Burnham, Jean Frost, Mervyn Banting, Danny McCauley, and Jean Palmer 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.