Weekly Notices | Sunday, 25 July 2021
A reflection from Canon Kathryn
Shirley Grayson-Smith RIP
It is perhaps appropriate that, as the future Chapter Safeguarding Lead, one of my first conversations with ‘the Cathedral’ was about my own safeguarding training. One Shirley Grayson-Smith got in touch, with a lovely, chatty email, which was charming, but firm. Little did I know then that Shirley’s ministry in this place extended far beyond her exemplary safeguarding work (which will be specifically commended in our SCIE report) and her administrative role in the office. In due course, I would hear wonderful and sometimes hilarious stories from her and Rosemary about their work in the Education Department. She was also a Lay Pastoral Assistant, a Deputy Warden, a sides-person, an elected member of the Cathedral Council, and a much-valued member of the Flower Guild, even until the last: days before she died, she cut the ribbons for last Saturday’s wedding flowers.
Talking about her roles is important, but it is the spirit and character she brought to them which we will most miss. She said with no trace of irony that her consultant couldn’t understand how she was still managing to keep going in her last illness; I think all of us who knew her realised that the explanation came from that same combination of charm and steel, and from her deep knowledge of the source of her strength. This came to the fore in her pastoral conversations: when a distressed person whom she was comforting in the Cathedral said, ‘You are religious, whereas I’m not,’ Shirley countered, ‘I have faith – and you can have faith, too’. This simple encounter enabled a new way of seeing and brought fresh hope – the hope which Shirley embodied in her living and in her dying.
Not long before she died, she had a vivid dream, in which she heard a voice saying, ‘All shall be well’. She was so struck by this that she wrote it down there and then, and afterwards carried the piece of paper in her pocket. It didn’t change her understanding of her prognosis - ‘I don’t suppose I have very long left,’ she said - but she held this reality together with the promise that the voice had given her, with great gladness for the light in her life and fearlessness for what lay ahead. As we give thanks for Shirley, we too have this hope to hold on to – the hope in Christ that through pain and even death, all shall be well.
We send our condolences to all who knew and loved Shirley, especially to her beloved husband Ivor, and to her family, of whom she was immensely proud. May she rest in peace.
The Reverend Canon Kathryn Percival
Canon Chancellor and Vice Dean
Community News
Dive deeper into our past with daily guided tours
We’re pleased to welcome visitors back through our doors with a daily program of free and paid guided tours. We invite you to take a deeper dive into our past, the people who worshipped here, and much more, alongside other digital experiences available at the Cathedral.
Our friendly and knowledgeable guides will help you navigate over 800 years of history, giving further insight into the Cathedral’s fascinating past. Throughout the week enjoy a free 30-minute highlights tour, giving you an overview of the Cathedral’s heritage, seafaring and Royal Navy connections and architectural features. Visitors looking for a more in-depth experience can join a weekly tour, every Saturday, taking you further into the stories and lives of people who worshipped here.
Free highlights tours take place daily Monday–Saturday at 2pm, with the full Cathedral tour on Saturdays at midday. See the Cathedral website for a full programme of tours and more information about visiting the Cathedral.
Find out more and book here
Are you a Climate Change Champion?
In March 2019 Portsmouth City Council declared a Climate Emergency, committing to making our city carbon neutral by 2030. To help oversee this ambitious goal they set up the Portsmouth Climate Action Board, you can find out more about them on their website.
This goal aligns with the Church of England’s target to be Carbon Neutral by 2030 as well as work taking place within our own Deanery and in the Cathedral on tackling climate change.
Within the Portsmouth Deanery a New Christian Climate Action Group for Portsmouth is being formed. There will be informal Zoom meetings on 27 July at both 11am and 7:30pm. Part of the meeting will explore what we can contribute to the forthcoming Portsmouth Climate Festival scheduled for October. If you would like to attend, please email info@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk
As part of our new Vision and Strategy, the Cathedral has committed to becoming a Silver Eco Church within the next 12 months before moving on to work to achieve gold status and then Carbon Neutral by 2030. To do this we need your help. We’re looking for a volunteer Climate Change Championto help lead our efforts to become a Carbon Neutral Cathedral by 2030, if not before!
If you’re interested in working with us on new and innovative Climate Change projects, please email info@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk to register your interest for further information.
General Synod Elections
Are you being called to stand for Synod? Elections for General Synod, the ‘parliament’ of the Church of England, are being held soon. If you are interested, full details are available on theGeneral Synod Elections pageon The Church of England website.
Safeguarding Senior Leadership Pathway training – 29 July 2021
The Dean and Canon Chancellor will participate in the last of the three-part Church of England safeguarding course for senior leaders on Thursday, 29 July 2021. The Canon Precentor, Organist and Master of Choristers and the Chief Operating Officer will complete this third session on Tuesday, 31 August 2021.
Worship and Visiting
Portsmouth Cathedral is open daily for prayer, services and visiting. Booking is no longer required for services, unless otherwise indicated. 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 encouraging the wearing of face-coverings, checking in with the NHS Covid-19 app and remaining a safe distance from other groups.
Find out more on our Covid-19 information page.
Changes to Sunday services – 1 and 8 August
Please note the 8:00am Communion and 11:00am Eucharist, on 1 and 8 August, will be in the Quire. There will be no streaming of these services. We also ask people to come forward to receive Communion or a blessing for these services.
Pastoral Support
Do you, or does someone you know, need a listening ear? Or would you like support as you start to do more now that restrictions have been lifted? Our Lay Pastoral Assistant are here to help if you are feeling anxious about returning to things that used to be familiar. Even a bus ride or going to the local shops for the first time, if you haven't done this for a while, may seem quite a challenge. We can offer someone to come with you to help you get your confidence back.
Our Lay Pastoral Assistants are trained and authorised to offer pastoral ministry on behalf of the Cathedral. And they can offer practical help if needed also. Please contact the Cathedral Office 02392 823300 or email info@portsmouthcathedral.org.uk and we will put you in touch with someone who can help
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, Jennifer, John, Catherine and all those in need.
Long-term sick including: Alison, Graeme, Christopher, Clifford, Jane, Johnny, Melissa, Andrew, Jenny, Suzy, Sarah, Bob, Michael, Rita and Izzy.
We pray for those who have died recently: John Brunning, Paul Robert, Stuart Griffiths, David Brown, Linda Banting, Brenda Cane and Shirley Grayson-Smith RIP.
Upcoming Services and Events
Bible Discussion Group – Thursdays, 7:00pm
This week, the group will be concluding our study of 1 Samuel, looking at chs. 29-31. We will be taking a summer break in August, and reconvening in September.
Zoom details are available in our weekly email notices - sign up here!
Portsmouth Our Place - Open until Sunday
Come explore and interact with our 3D Jigsaw Model of Portsmouth made by 10 local schools. Each school has created a piece of the jigsaw that is a representation of their local area, and includes an aspirational element for how they would like their area to develop.
You can find the model is in the Welcome Area, please use headphones to listen to the films and content.
Find out more
Moon & Stars Memories Walk - 31 July, 7–10pm
Portsmouth Cathedral is thrilled to be participating again in the Moon and Stars Memories Walk. Supporting Rowans Hospice, join hundreds of other walkers 31 July at Castle Field, Southsea. The Cathedral will be open from 7pm–10pm for participants who wish to light a candle, pray or just talk.
Find out more
Portsmouth and Hampshire Art Society Exhibition – Open daily, 1–11 August
Members of the Portsmouth and Hampshire Art Society are delighted to showcase their one hundred and twelfth exhibition, founded in 1909 by the renowned marine artist W. L. Wylie. See over 400 pieces, many of which are for sale, exhibited in the Nave of the Cathedral by artists both amateur and professional.
Find out more
Getting in touch
We know that this is a lonely and anxious time for many people. 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.