A reflection from Canon Jo

Rogation-tide takes its name from the Latin rogare ‘to ask’. Towards the end of the Easter season, as we prepare for Ascension Day on Thursday, we are reminded of the words of Jesus: ‘Whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you’. (John 15.16) 
 
Jesus encourages us to ask for God’s blessing for others and for ourselves. Before his crucifixion he told his disciples to ask; before he returns to God the Father in glory, our ‘asking’ takes on a special focus in these days of rogation. Symbolically, it’s as if Christ will take our prayers with him in his ascension, to offer at the Father’s throne.
 
Historically the tradition grew up of walking around the boundary of the parish: asking God’s blessing on the land, praying for protection for all within the parish and looking towards a good harvest. There is a lot of legend about taking choristers along on a Rogation procession to drum into them where the parish boundary lay, using staves or long sticks to bang the ground at each corner of the route. We may have one or two chorister families joining us this year for the first time: walking together is a great way to enjoy company and enjoy our surroundings, and we may look to plan more Cathedral walks over the coming months.
 
So it is good that our City Service Eucharist falls this year on Rogation Sunday: we will pray for God’s blessing on our Lord Mayor and newly-elected councillors at the start of their civic year. The new Lord Mayor of Portsmouth is Councillor Canon Dr Hugh Mason, formerly a Lay Canon of this Cathedral. He is coming to #Pompey Sundays at 9.30 before he formally attends the 11am City Service. And he has agreed to meet us on the Guildhall steps later on at lunchtime, as we ‘beat the bounds’ and enjoy walking around our Cathedral parish boundary.
 
In our Rogation-tide prayers we will also be asking God’s blessing on the Cathedral Organists’ Association and giving thanks for all Cathedral organists and musicians. We are proud that this year the COA is holding its conference here at Portsmouth Cathedral from Monday 23rd to Wednesday 24th (special Evensongs on Monday and Tuesday at 5.45: do join us). We will also be praying for the Annual Parochial Church Meeting here on Tuesday evening, and for those who will be elected to serve this parish at that meeting.
 
We celebrate Ascension Day on Thursday with an early Eucharist at 8am as well as a Choral Eucharist at 5.45pm. The final ten days of Easter follow, which lead up to Pentecost on Sunday 5th June.
 
If you are not able to join us for Beating the Bounds this year, perhaps you will be able to take a ‘rogation walk’ yourself at another time over the next few days: individually or with friends. Think about the homes and shops and businesses you walk past, and ask God’s blessing for the coming year on your whole neighbourhood. With the national Thy Kingdom Come prayer initiative between Ascension to Pentecost, you might like to take a walk during this time to think about one or two people in particular you want to pray for, asking that they may come to know the love of Jesus more fully in their lives.

Community News

Ukraine Benefit Concert at Portsmouth Cathedral

Portsmouth Cathedral are pleased to be hosting a Ukraine Benefit Concert organised by Ports Fest, featuring Carlos Bonell and Friends. All proceeds will be going to the Doctors Without Borders’ Ukraine appeal.
 
Carlos Bonell is one of the greatest communicators of the guitar world and one of todays most celebrated guitarists. Several musicians are scheduled to perform with Carlos who will be joined by Debra Adamson-Brattland, Zoe Barnett, Marley Blandford, and Igor Outkine who will provide us with a joyful evening of music.
 
Find out more and book online →
 

Summer of magnificent events at Portsmouth Cathedral

Keep an eye out for our Summer 2022 events programme, coming out this June. Featuring a spectacular selection of events for the whole family, including music, art, community events and more! Make sure you follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter the most up to date information about everything happening at Portsmouth Cathedral
 

Upcoming Event Highlights

THIS WEEKEND – BSO Voices: Requiem 2020 - Saturday 21 May
A Requiem of reflection on a year of great upheaval, events that resounded around the world and when climate change really came to the fore. Written for chorus and four soloists plus orchestra, it is thrilling work based around the traditional religious liturgy but with added lyrics sourced from quotations.
See more and book online →
 
Platinum Jubilee Celebrations - Friday 3 – Sunday 5 June
Celebrate this unprecedented anniversary with us at Portsmouth Cathedral, including concerts, community events, and family activities taking place across the bank holiday weekend from. Be sure to book tickets for the Platinum Proms by the Sea, starring the Solent Symphony Orchestra.
See more →
 
Paint Back the Past | Ports Fest 2022
Join your local community to rediscover the lost streets of Old Portsmouth, and help us create a re-imagined version of the former High Street. Uncover our local history with fun hands-on activities, perfect for the whole family! Taking place throughout the duration of Ports Fest, no booking required and participation is free.
See more →
 
Portsmouth Cathedral Institute
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. This coming Monday join us for our 2022 Dolling Lecture at 6:45pm, or see our series of lectures; Six Works that Changed the World, from the 6 June to the 11 July.
See more →
 

The Big Bunting Challenge

We still need your help to adorn Portsmouth Cathedral in community-made recycled bunting!
 
Join in our ‘Big Bunting Challenge’ and help create hundreds of feet of eco-friendly bunting, whether it be old bedsheets, dresses from the 80’s you’d rather forget, use your recycled materials to make bunting for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. All colours and patterns are welcome from floral to dotty, colourful to greyscale! If you do not have any fabric, do not worry as a donation of fabric has been made to us and is available to collect from the shop.
 
There’s also a gift voucher for our Cathedral Shop to whoever donates the most bunting!
 
Find out more and see how to get involved on our website →
 

The National Cathedrals Conference 2022

This past week, the Dean, Canons Jo and Kathryn and the COO attended the biannual National Cathedrals Conference in Newcastle. Over three and a half days, the conference brought together people from across the 42 English Cathedrals to discus and debate the issues confronting us as we emerge from the pandemic and the opportunities therein.
 
Topics included theology and practical considerations, briefings on this triennium funding settlement and implications of the new Cathedrals Measure. Also discussed were topic around racial justice and the prophetic voice of youth, climate change and the role of faith communities in supporting the development of an ethical and sustainable world and the promotion of Choral Evensong and pilgrimage. The keynote address was given by the former Prime Minister, Sir John Major.
 
Dean Anthony shares, “The three days have been a really useful opportunity to hear new ideas, reflect on actions that we may take moving forward and to pray with our colleagues across the Cathedral network.”
 
Chapter is most grateful to the conference organisers for the bursary programme which has assisted us in being able to attend this event.
 

Christian Aid Week 2022

Christian Aid Week concludes this weekend, if you haven't already donated, there is still time to do so via our special e-envelope link.  This year we're aiming for £2,500, thank you to all who have supported us online, by envelope or at last Sunday's 'Big Brekkie'!

This year it is more important than ever that we obey Christ's command to care for those so much less fortunate than ourselves.  Climate change threatens the lives and livelihoods of the poorest countries most of all.  Turn hunger into hope this Christian Aid Week.

Donate online via our e-envelope →
Find out more about Christian Aid Week →

An Evening with the Scholars – Friday 24 June, 7:30pm

Come and join the Portsmouth Cathedral scholars for a short evening concert to mark the end of their year with us. They will be performing a mix of sacred and secular songs and close-harmony, supported by a few friends including pianist Teresa Foster.
 
Find out more →
 

Summer Conference of the Cathedral Organists Association

We are pleased to be hosting the Summer Conference of the Cathedral Organists Association in Portsmouth next week. The Association represents all those working in our music foundations in cathedrals and colleges across the UK. Members will be attending workshops hosted by our Choir School, The Portsmouth Grammar School and visiting Quarr Abbey and St Cecilia’s Abbey on the Isle of Wight.
  

The Big Draw

Highbury College joined us in the Nave last week for their community art project, The Big Draw, in which students designed and produced bunting on a variety of themes, working with members of the public, and also with a class from St. Jude’s Primary School.  The bunting is now round the ambulatory – do take a look!
 

Cathedral Council News

Cathedral Council received the 2021 Financial Accounts at it's meeting on  10 May.  Richard Abraham, the COO, gave an overview of the financial performance of the Cathedral over 2021 and discussed the financial challenges already presenting themselves in 2022.

An election to fill the vacancy on Cathedral Council will be held at the APCM.  For further details please contact the Cathedral Offices or the Chair of the Council, Kate Branigan.
 
Read more →
 

2021 Financial Accounts

 The 2021 for 2021 Financial Accounts which have been approved by Chapter and received by the Cathedral Council will be formally presented to the APCM on Tuesday, 24 May 2022.
 
A copy of these Accounts can be found on our downloads page, or there is a hard copy available to view in the Cathedral in the Cathedral.  Paper copies can be made available for those who wish to have them; please ask for a copy from the Cathedral Offices.
 
Read more →
 

Annual Meetings with 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 Council.  If you would be interested in this role please contact Dean Anthony or the Chair of Cathedral Council, Kate Branigan.
 
Nomination forms are available online and in the Cathedral. A copy of the Minutes of the 2021 meetings are available in the Cathedral and on our downloads page.
 
Apologies for the meeting should be sent to the Dean’s EA, liz.snowball@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk
  

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 the Diocese website or speak to Canon Nick Ralph.

Friends of Portsmouth Cathedral Quiz Night – Tuesday 31 May, 6:30-8:00pm

You are invited to attend Evening Prayer at 5:45pm before the quiz. There will be 4 rounds of questions covering the following subjects: 

• Cathedral history, architecture, and personalities 

• History & Politics

• Sport

• Art, Entertainment & Music 

 
Teams of up to 6, allnon-members welcome. Entry fee £12 per team to be paid on the night. If you wish to enter a team please email Jonathan Lloyd listing members of your team prior to 26 May. 
 
For more information about membership of the Friends, please visit our website or contact friends@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk.

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.

This Sunday: The City Service Eucharist - 11:00am

The annual City Service celebrates the City, its citizens and community life. We are joined by the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth and other members of the council. Featuring a Jazz Mass with the Cathedral Choir and Becket Jazz Ensemble, all are welcome to join us for this service in the Cathedral.

Mini City Service at #PompeySundays

This Sunday at #PompeySundays, we will be joined by some of our city councillors for a mini City Service, where we be able to chat with them, to learn more about what they do and how they serve our communities. Representatives of all parties have been invited to the service.

Beating the Bounds

All are invited to join us for this historic tradition that we are celebrating again this year! Join us this Sunday 22 May, Rogation Sunday, as, following the 11:00am City Service Eucharist we will walk the boundary of the Cathedral parish.

This includes going along the seafront towards Clarence Pier and then through the City to the Guildhall. The new Lord Mayor, who will have been at the Eucharist, will meet us at the Guildhall as we continue to pray for God’s blessing on our parish and our City through this coming year. We will take this opportunity to pause for a picnic also on the Guildhall Steps.

We would normally take the train one stop to Portsmouth Harbour, but due to engineering work, we will walk along Park Road. (rail-replacement bus is also available). We will then take the Gosport Ferry across the harbour and back - in recognition that our parish boundary is on the Gosport side of the channel! - finally walking outside the Dockyard and on to the International Ferry Port.

The total distance one way is about 4 miles, with all welcome to join for the whole route or for a portion. At the end, anyone still feeling fit can walk back (about 1½ miles direct) or we will find a bus or share a ride back from the Ferry Port.

Please bring drinks and a sandwich; and sun cream if fine, or waterproofs if wet! It is a fun and friendly occasion, enjoying the open air together and discovering more about our Cathedral parish. Do join us!

More information and expressions of interest, please contact Canon Jo.

Prayers and Intercessions

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

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

We pray for those who have died recently: Irene Williams, Edward Parker-Jervis, Jane Connolly, and Matthew Jackson 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.

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