A reflection from Canon Kathryn

Now that we are beyond the celebrations of Christmas and the New Year, there is a chance to reflect and take stock of how things were over the festive period. For some, there will have been joy at being with friends or family; for others, perhaps too much solitude; and for more people than we ever hear about, there will have been tensions and frayed tempers – often over trivialities, but sometimes much more serious, involving the pain and difficulty of fractured relationships. This Sunday, we mark the Baptism of Christ. As Jesus is immersed in the human condition, and as we recall our kindred with him and with each other through our own baptismal waters, we are challenged to live well with each other, beyond all ties of blood relationship, or like-mindedness, or personal preference. This is hard work, and we often fail, both individually and collectively. But we are called to keep trying, however imperfectly, and one way in which we can do this is to listen deeply to each other.

The Church of England’s Living in Love and Faith process of conversations around sexuality and relationships is an opportunity for us to practise this way of being, whilst exploring a potentially painful and divisive subject. Through it, we are invited to create together brave, safe spaces in which we can each be fully ourselves, learning about each other’s journeys and beliefs through speaking and listening respectfully and honestly. Strikingly, the aim is not for us necessarily to come to an agreement or defined outcome, but simply for us to inhabit our fellowship in a profound and loving way, knowing that we are each a beloved child of God.

We will be running a Living in Love and Faith course at the Cathedral for all in our Deanery and beyond on Thursday evenings at 7pm starting on 20 January. For more information about the process and the course, you are welcome to speak to me.

There is also a library of resources on the Church of England’s LLF pages Living in Love and Faith | The Church of England and more local information on our diocese’s LLF page Living in Love and Faith - Diocese of Portsmouth (anglican.org) Everyone is welcome.

Annual Muslim Christian Evening

Portsmouth Cathedral and the Wessex Jamaat are looking forward to celebrating their 27th annual Muslim Christian Evening on 25 January at 7:15pm via Zoom. This much-valued event has moved online again this year, and the communities are looking forward to strengthening their bonds of friendship and exploring together the impact and opportunities which the pandemic has presented for faith groups.

Further information can be found on our website →

Living in Love and Faith

Along with the rest of the Church of England, our Diocese is currently holding conversations relating to gender, marriage, sexuality, and relationships, under the heading 'Living in Love and Faith'. The aim of these conversations[for 9 Jan - as mentioned in Canon Kathryn's reflection]is to create brave, safe, supportive spaces in which we can explore together the theology and ethics involved. The conversations for our Deanery are being run at the Cathedral (we hope, in person) at 7 pm on Thursdays, starting on 20 January and running for five sessions with a break on 17 February. For more information, please see our diocesan LLF page:Living in Love and Faith - Diocese of Portsmouth (anglican.org)and the national LLF page, which contains links to a vast array of resources through the LLF Learning Hub, which is free to join and open to everyone:Living in Love and Faith | The Church of England

To reserve a place on the deanery course, please contact Canon Kathryn.

Changes to Saturday services

We are pleased to announce that our popular evening Taizé-style services will resume in the new year for a trial period. The first two dates of these monthly reflective services of Taizé songs, chants and prayer will be Saturday 29 January and Saturday 26 February. In a change to the previous pattern, these services will now take place on Saturday evenings at 5:45pm.

During the trial, we’ll be offering a mixture of opportunities to join us for prayer and praise on Saturdays from January to April. Our ‘Cathedral Quiet Hours’ at 5:45pm will sometimes be Taizé, some Organ Meditations as well as occasional Evensongs led by our own choirs or Visiting Choirs. Do come and join us in our holy space for short moments of reflection and meditation.

Alongside this trial period, the Cathedral is also developing new events and experiences. During the trial period the Senior Management Team of the Dean, Canons Jo and Kathryn and the Chief Operating Officer will review the best fit moving forward.

See more on our website →

Chapter and Committee Meetings

On Tuesday 11 January there is the regular meeting of the Safeguarding Committee where progress on the implementation of the SCIE Audit recommendations will be reviewed.

Chapter meets on Wednesday 12 January for its first meeting of the new financial year. Chapter will discuss ideas around our 2027 Centenary and review their preparations for the Peer Review of Chapter that takes place on 22–23 February 2022. It will also provide the opportunity for them to meet our newest member of staff Events Manager, Jemima Crayden.

The agenda can be found on our download page →

Worship and Visiting

Portsmouth Cathedral is open daily for prayer, services and visiting. Booking is no longer required for services, unless otherwise indicated. You can find out more on our website , where you can also download orders of service.

We continue to take every precaution to reduce the spread of coronavirus. It is now mandatory to wear a face covering inside the Cathedral, including when singing as part of the congregation, unless you are medically exempt. Please also continue to check in with the NHS Covid-19 app and remaining at a safe distance from other groups. Further information can be found on our Covid-19 information page.

Upcoming Services & Events

Prayers

All those affected by COVID-19

We remember the following for whom prayer has been asked by members of the Cathedral Community: Derek, Clare, Beverley, Richard, Aaron, Jane, Alan, Libby, Lesley, Hilary, Stan, Andrew, Amanda, John, Wendy, Jeff, Derek, and all those in need.

We pray for those who have died recently: Jean McCulloch, Aida Mackenzie, David Baird and Elva Corbett RIP.

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.